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Pompey Takeover Saga

Fitzhugh Fella

By Fitzhugh Fella,
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Chez

Chez

Posted
Posted
I dont think a lot of you are being entirely honest here, but I know it does not fit your agendas so I guess I have to respect that.

Anyway, as an aside, I like this line, reckon you could make a song of it in time for the 13th? ;)

 

I'm sure you'll recognise the song...

 

Down down, you’re going down

I hear you knocking at the trapdoor and I just sleep so tight

Your face, it has no place

No room for you inside Hampshire, we need to be alone

 

Don't waste your money they’ll take everything from you

I don't care who plays next week or what you plan to do

 

Turn turn, I wish you'd burn

There's a time and place for paying back debts, I've got to get it through

Cut loose, cause you're no use

I couldn't stand another excuse from your company

 

Don't waste your money they’ll take everything from you

I don't care who plays next week or what you plan to do

 

Storie, why can't you see

You're a no-one nowhere washed up baby who'd look better dead

 

Your debtors list is far too long

I don't like the way it grows and grows upon my every word

 

Don't waste your money they’ll take everything from you

I don't care who plays next week or what you plan to do

 

Saints are the resurrection and they are the light

I couldn't ever bring myself to hate you as I'd like

 

Saints are the resurrection and they are the light

I couldn't ever bring myself to hate you as I'd like

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PES

PES

Posted
Posted
I think maybe you're missing the point here.

 

To be fair Fowl, I think the only place I'm missing the point is in trying to defend Pompey fans on a Saints message board

 

Comments such as "How could the PL allow us to sign players on such huge wages?", the like of which I've read many times recently...

I read numerous Pompey message boards and spend much more time on them than this board (I know it's hard to believe), and i've NEVER come across that statement, and even if I did, would ignore it because as a statement it's got zero credibility. Many Saints fans (And again this IS where I perhaps miss the point!) keep dragging up this mentality as though it's the standard Pompey fans responce to the situation, when it simply is not.

 

Regarding your points about Saints' spending a few seasons ago: yes, we did spend out in an attempt to get back to the Premier League, and came close to getting there. Our problems stemmed from a failure to deal with the consequences of that failure. And the sheer level of overspending here was as nothing compared to that at Fratton Park.

 

As fans we dont control the level of spending so how are we culpable? What did the average Pompey fan do any different from the averageSaints fan?

 

:confused:

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OldNick

OldNick

Posted
Posted
:confused:

Fair replies.

I think the only thing that Pompey fans in the main can be accused of is being unable to see who the real culprits have been. It is ok pointing at the new lot but Storrie Redknapp and even MM have been a major part of the downfall. MMM got out when he did as he could see what was coming, even when Gaydamek took over the press were starting to report the massive debts the club had. I understand that fans were then led to believe that the Russian was going to pick up the bill, patently you and the rest of us were deceived, Tony Blair has rivals to how to hoodwink

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Channon's Sideburns

Channon's Sideburns

Posted
Posted

When it comes down to it, we know this. If the fishy fingered, namby pamby, hoity toity, skanky manky, ruptured gusset, crab sticks were in the Football League, the game would have been up weeks ago.

 

But, the Prem in their infinite wisdom seem hellbent on allowing them to survive without reproach until they are naturally relegated.

 

Then, the Prem can move on, watch the fishy few descend like the proverbial and wash their hands of the situation.

 

That's what it is all about.

 

Although our neighbours down the M27 have an audience with Doris the Tea Lady at the Prem, they need to tread very carefully. The Prem seem very worried about the negative publicity.

 

If I were a member of the PFC (thankfully I'm not) I'd take Dinenage with me to increase the profile... ;-)

 

(therein is my honourable gesture of an idea to the skates - now back to normality)

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PES

PES

Posted
Posted (edited)
I'm sure you'll recognise the song...

 

Down down, you’re going down

I hear you knocking at the trapdoor and I just sleep so tight

Your face, it has no place

No room for you inside Hampshire, we need to be alone

 

Don't waste your money they’ll take everything from you

I don't care who plays next week or what you plan to do

 

Turn turn, I wish you'd burn

There's a time and place for paying back debts, I've got to get it through

Cut loose, cause you're no use

I couldn't stand another excuse from your company

 

Don't waste your money they’ll take everything from you

I don't care who plays next week or what you plan to do

 

Storie, why can't you see

You're a no-one nowhere washed up baby who'd look better dead

 

Your debtors list is far too long

I don't like the way it grows and grows upon my every word

 

Don't waste your money they’ll take everything from you

I don't care who plays next week or what you plan to do

 

Saints are the resurrection and they are the light

I couldn't ever bring myself to hate you as I'd like

 

Saints are the resurrection and they are the light

I couldn't ever bring myself to hate you as I'd like

 

I am the Resurrection! It's funny cos I have not listened to the Stone Roses for ages, but Dug the Album out after the Cup draw so I could listen to 'This is the one' which I admit makes me really a sad case. :(

Edited by PES
Poor use of the english language
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Gingeletiss

Gingeletiss

Posted
Posted

I see our County neighbours are itching for a fight....some think St Mary's fits the bill!!!

 

http://www.fansonline.net/portsmouth/mb/view.php?id=229663

 

 

DeepBlue Posted on 02/02/2010 14:19

On the pitch!!!

Email Message To A Friend | Reply To Message

Surely the time and place to invade the pitch is on live TV at the new skip.

 

Let them take the fine for failing to control the crowd, we can't afford it.

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Gingeletiss

Gingeletiss

Posted
Posted

A response from the PL to an e-mail sent by a Skate....

 

 

bish Posted on 02/02/2010 14:52

PL response

Email Message To A Friend | Reply To Message

For what its worth below is a response I received from the PL to an email I sent them the other day, at least they responded.

 

Thank you for your email.

 

We cannot comment on Club specific matters, but as the rules state any transfer dealings must be signed off by an authorised signatory.

 

All decisions regarding the setting of the Rules are taken by a vote of the Chairman of all 20 Clubs and not by Premier League staff. The role of the Board is to implement the Rules on behalf of the Clubs once they have been set.

 

The Premier League Board has followed the Premier League Rule Book to the letter in terms of the player registration embargo imposed on Portsmouth Football Club and the withholding of broadcast monies in order to pay overdue football creditors, including both domestic and overseas clubs.

 

Further to your question regarding the Fit and Proper Persons Test - The Fit and Proper Persons Test is an objective test that looks at whether an individual is allowed to become a Director of a Premier League Club. The test does not focus on finance but checks that any individual looking to become an owner/director of a Club has not been convicted of an offence that has led to a 12 month prison sentence in the UK (or overseas in a country where an equivalent legal system exists).

 

You may also be interested to know that we strengthened the FAPPT last summer, and added a new rule meaning that all Clubs must publicly disclose any individual that has a 10% or more stake in a Club. This was introduced so that fans above and beyond any requirements by UK Company Law and are, to our knowledge, some of the sternest in place in any UK industry.

 

We understand that Portsmouth supporters will have concerns about the difficult position in which the club now finds itself. The Premier League Board continues to work with the officers of Portsmouth Football Club to ensure that arrangements are in place to settle all club liabilities as and when they become due.

 

Thank you for taking the time to contact us.

 

Kind regards,

 

Communications Team

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Crab Lungs

Crab Lungs

Posted
Posted
I appreciate you taking the time to explain in detail your thought, It's all correct, most intelligent Pompey fans could and would be writing exactly the sam thing. Most Pompey fans have a distrust for Storrie (Always have) and would (i'm sure) agree with virtually all you've written. Tha race of the people involved now at Pompey is irrelevant (I know some don't see it that way, but we all ignore them don't we?) ruthless people are at work and it has little if nothing to do with the fans of PFC, who regardless of mosts people on here's (in some cases) justified low opinion of them, are guilty of nothing other than wanting to see their side do well, Pompey aren't a club of middle class, well educated, financially literate supporters, indeed are Saints? so why the hell would they be bothered or even aware of how poorly their club was being run?

 

 

Well, PES, I have to say that the most informed posts I have seen have been from the ones that had factored in all the lying, ducking and diving by Storrie. Granted, it's a culmination of poor management across many positions involving many people but I just cannot help but consider Storrie the absolute and undisputed culprit in all of this.

 

For someone to have taken, taken and taken all whilst knowing (and I don't believe for a minute that he didn't have at least some inkling into what was going on - like he argues) that the **** was going to hit the fan deserves far more heat than he is currently getting right now. Worse still, he continually trumps on about him caring about the club, staying for the fans etc and pandering to anyone who will listen to him.

 

Let's face it mate, if you really cared for the club you would have blown the whistle about 3 years ago.

 

Since then, Storrie has had in excess of £5m and started only to bleat his innocence when people rightfully questioned his role in the clubs downfall.

 

I mean... a CEO with no responsibility of player wages and signing on fees? Or at least 'no knowledge' of it? Possibly one the most p1ss-weak excuses I've heard, ever.

 

I honestly believe the games 'powers-that-be' believe in general, the masses of the supporters that go to games aren't independent thinkers. In fact, I'd even bet that they consider them with mostly contempt and amusement as the riches continue to pour into their undeserving pockets.

 

The time we've been out of the Premier League has in all honesty enabled me to take stock and really gain a 'real' perspective and opinion on football in general - something I believe I and many of my fellow fans had possibly overlooked since all we had known of Saints had been their existence was almost exclusively in the PL.

 

I certainly don't know why for sure I believe I have a better understanding or a more rounded opinion about the game now - maybe it was the experience of 'slumming it' at the likes of Luton an Southend, the journeymen footballers and lack of coverage since the drop(s), perhaps a smattering of appreciating for what we once had... I don't know.

 

But I do know one thing for sure and this is spoken without any jealousy or bitterness - the PL is a disgusting, moneysucking entity and a corrupt governing body. I can only hope someone pulls away the layers of this organisation soon and reveals to everyone the enormity of the deceit and corruption. And afterwards, we replace them with people more deserving and understanding of their roles, statesmen of the game: Brooking etc.

 

I also believe that the absence from the bright lights and comparative riches has also been a blessing for many of fellow supporters, too. I think many of us now collectively recognise the Premier League isn't the 'be all and end all' of a clubs existence. Whilst I appreciate my halycon years of Beattie, Pahars et al and the wonderful football we played, another part of me is glad we no longer have the self-indulgent vultures and leeches circling over us and all the other 'colourful' characters in the game we haven't missed.

 

I'd love us to get back to the Premier League eventually as I do miss it but I do believe that our relegation and past few years of relative turmoil has taught many of us a valuable lesson - not just about the owners of our club but also about English football in general.

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St Marco

St Marco

Posted
Posted

I do not understand why these fans are going to protest against the PL. Are they really that dumb?

 

That is like saying you are going to protest against the bank who gave you a loan because they want their money back.

 

The PL do need to take a serious look at how some people come to own the various clubs. A lot of them are run fine and live within their means. However a few of them are living on borrowed time simply due to the debt hanging around their necks i.e Man Utd,Liverpool,West Ham etc etc.

Football is a business, it always was. For every "oh i hate what sky have done, i miss the days when players would play for nothing" memory there is a "this is not 1913, to be the best you have to have the best, and to get the best now cost a lot of money". The same was said for every era of football. To get a player you had to offer him something, he was never going to sign simply because he liked your team name....

There was never that time and people saying there were obviously did not pay attention to how evolution works.

 

Portsmouth Fc, spent a lot of money. They aimed big. They won the FA Cup. At that point nobody was saying lets protest at the PL, nobody was saying the negative things about their owner. It is so easy to sit there after the storm and say you predicted it coming, how about telling the people who got made homeless it was coming before it happened?

 

While they have spent a lot of money they have also made a lot of money from the player sales. Something in the region of £50m-£60m. Where did that money go?

 

That is the question that needs answering and it has nothing to do with the PL. It has to do with the people actually running the club or the people who had run the club.

It sounds as if Gaydmark pocketed that money and bailed.

 

How could the PL have prevented him from doing that? Should they make a rule especially for Portsmouth that says any income coming into a company should not leave the company? That is not going to happen.

 

Portsmouth are a club that tried to become a big club, they tried to play with the big boys. They join a long list of clubs who aimed high by borrowing lots of money without thinking about what happens if it goes wrong? It went wrong and now they are finding out exactly what everyone else knew. They have a small fanbase. If they were in division three would they be getting 20k in their stadium each game? Obviously not.

They do not have the money making potential other clubs have. You put them in the CCC they do not look a good prospect.

 

So the fans protesting are just stupid in my view. The PL has turned a blind eye to a lot of things Portsmouth have done. They helped them more then the FL helped any team. If the owner of the club decides to not put his own money into the club anymore then what can they do? They can't force him.

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Crab Lungs

Crab Lungs

Posted
Posted
For those of you who don't look often over at the main saints page, I am in the very, very early stages of trying to set up a SWF v.s PO match, if anyone can help, it would be appreciated... so pop on over.

 

Tac-tics, I'd be definitely up for that... I'll come back from Espana for that!

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Gemmel

Gemmel

Posted
Posted
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/02/portsmouth-david-james-contract-extension

 

negotiating with James to change his contract

 

Claims they have appealed but that it must be heard before the 10th

 

Hmmm that's interestig regarding James, as it suggests that they are trying to balance the books, I'm not sure negotiating 50k a week down to 30 or 40 really gets them anywhere in the grand scheme of things, but certainly suggests they are preparing for the future.....very strange, there's a first for everything I suppose

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Fowllyd

Fowllyd

Posted
Posted
Comments such as "How could the PL allow us to sign players on such huge wages?", the like of which I've read many times recently...

 

I read numerous Pompey message boards and spend much more time on them than this board (I know it's hard to believe), and i've NEVER come across that statement, and even if I did, would ignore it because as a statement it's got zero credibility. Many Saints fans (And again this IS where I perhaps miss the point!) keep dragging up this mentality as though it's the standard Pompey fans responce to the situation, when it simply is not.

:confused:

 

Well, maybe you should look at the thread linked to earlier about the protest meeting with the PL - there was certainly just such a comment made on that one. I've seen similar ones elsewhere as well. Come to that, what's a meeting with the PL all about in the first place if not an attempt to put the blame for everything onto them? After all, if Pompey's management have been the architects of their own downfall, why seek a meeting with the PL, or expect them to be 'doing something about it'?

 

http://www.fansonline.net/portsmouth/mb/view.php?id=229492

 

Here you go, have a read through that thread and see what you think. Maybe you're right and it's not the standard Pompey fan's response to the current state of affairs, but it does seem more widespread than you reckon it is. I'm not having a go at you here, PES, as you're clearly both a decent bloke and intelligent enough to see how things are and how they got to that state.

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Fowllyd

Fowllyd

Posted
Posted
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/02/portsmouth-david-james-contract-extension

 

negotiating with James to change his contract

 

Claims they have appealed but that it must be heard before the 10th

 

And, from that same article, this final paragraph:

 

Avram Grant, the manager, is also understood to still be hopeful of bringing in two or three more players on free transfers, despite the transfer window closing yesterday. Free agents can be signed at any time during the year.

 

Loans are one thing, as their wages are paid by the parent club (though they could still leave Pompey increasing their debts to other clubs). But actual signings? How can they be bringing in new players when they've failed to pay the ones they already have on four separate occasions now?

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ohwhenthesaints

ohwhenthesaints

Posted
Posted
Loans are one thing, as their wages are paid by the parent club (though they could still leave Pompey increasing their debts to other clubs). But actual signings? How can they be bringing in new players when they've failed to pay the ones they already have on four separate occasions now?

 

They just won't bother to pay them either. It's a farce.

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Matthew Le God

Matthew Le God

Posted
Posted
heard on solent earlier that the council have refused to help with a cash loan too, only caught the end of it, anyone else hear it?

 

Well it was never going to happen in a million years anyway. Imagine the outrage if council tax money was used to help Saints. Not every council tax payer is a fan of the local club.

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JustMike

JustMike

Posted
Posted
Well it was never going to happen in a million years anyway. Imagine the outrage if council tax money was used to help Saints. Not every council tax payer is a fan of the local club.

 

there was talk of the council buying the stadium though wasnt there?

 

Dont get me wrong i agree with you.

 

Also, i see they are late in paying Gaydamak

 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_5912788,00.html

 

*sorry if already posted

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OldNick

OldNick

Posted
Posted
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/02/portsmouth-david-james-contract-extension

 

negotiating with James to change his contract

 

Claims they have appealed but that it must be heard before the 10th

I assume it depends on how much james wants to play for England. He is in the best negotiating position as he has it in his contract already.Funny if he gets the deal and then doesnt go to the WC. i think Hart will be a surprise call up.

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OldNick

OldNick

Posted
Posted
there was talk of the council buying the stadium though wasnt there?

 

Dont get me wrong i agree with you.

 

Also, i see they are late in paying Gaydamak

 

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12040_5912788,00.html

 

*sorry if already posted

What can Gaydamek do?

He said he would not press and so he will have to wait. Of course the Pompey owners will take advantage of his weakness if he lets them.They look as though they have him by the short and curlies

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edsaint

edsaint

Posted
Posted
What can Gaydamek do?

He said he would not press and so he will have to wait. Of course the Pompey owners will take advantage of his weakness if he lets them.They look as though they have him by the short and curlies

 

Where has Gaydmark had gone. A month ago he was only too happy to give his version of events and make clear he wanted his money back. Now it has gone very, very quiet. Anything to do with a certain Mr Azougy effectively being in charge so he doesn't need to use the press?

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saintbletch

saintbletch

Posted
Posted
anyone hear the leader of portsmouth council on sky sports about 12.30 today? he did a live interview with the studio, said they had been asked to support the club, they had looked at paying their £7.5m tax bill, but they "could not lend public money without any prospect of it ever being repaid". he said all the assets the club had had all had loans secured against them, and "their was nothing else left for us to secure a loan against"

 

he said the only other option was for it to be a gift, and that was not something that could be done with public money

 

he was adamant though that the planning regulations meant that anyone who owns fratton park has to keep it as a staduim, and that the rules were as tight as they could be to prevent anyone developing the land for housing or retail. he did also say though, when pushed, that this can always be overturned by the secretary of state

 

IMO this is very important information SaintKeith.

 

So this is why all loanees with bits of land around FP as security may yet still help the club.

 

I'm presuming the council might be encouraged to help PFC by giving development permission for some of the surrounding area as long as the stadium stays as a stadium. But if the club were to cease to be, then the stadium, and presumably the land around it will fail to get permission to be developed.

 

This gets curiouser and curiouser.

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St Marco

St Marco

Posted
Posted

So wages still not paid today then.

 

It would be so funny if Pompey ask for the money from selling Kaboul and Spurs turn around and go "what money?". Because if either Spurs or Stoke do what they did in regards to actually paying people then they would not be able to say anything about it. Maybe that is what is happening.

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$$$

$$$

Posted
Posted

SSN reporting PL are withholding more than £2m of January transfer money to pay debts. Guessing Stoke and Spurs will not be paying everything up front so anyone want to guess how much is left to pay outstanding wages...

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andysstuff

andysstuff

Posted
Posted
IMO this is very important information SaintKeith.

 

So this is why all loanees with bits of land around FP as security may yet still help the club.

 

I'm presuming the council might be encouraged to help PFC by giving development permission for some of the surrounding area as long as the stadium stays as a stadium. But if the club were to cease to be, then the stadium, and presumably the land around it will fail to get permission to be developed.

 

This gets curiouser and curiouser.

 

If the club ceases to exise, I expect the Secretary of State will have no trouble granting permission for redevelopment on appeal. No club = no need for a ground.

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rallyboy

rallyboy

Posted
Posted

interesting confirmation from the council statement is that as suspected there is nothing left to secure loans against.

This suggests that all of the club's current assets are now at the mercy of creditors.

 

No more loans, no more significant income - I can't see how they will still be trading in 4-6 weeks, even with our generous fa cup fundraiser.

 

(then again I can't believe they are still technically a going concern today!)

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ART

ART

Posted
Posted

Anyone had a look at what the going price they're offering for RUST on the Stock Market today?

 

I don't think you could class RUST as a precious metal unless your name is W******d. Maybe he could offer them a price and then have a statue of himself made out of Farton Rust.

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saintbletch

saintbletch

Posted
Posted
If the club ceases to exise, I expect the Secretary of State will have no trouble granting permission for redevelopment on appeal. No club = no need for a ground.

 

Yes I guess that's true but it might take years or wrangling. And I'm sure the club wouldn't die quietly and there would be an AFC Pompey that might have designs on the location too and the council would be under great pressure.

 

Plus what if the club lived but was mortally wounded. The loan note holder that has the ground as security (Is that Chenrai?) would only be able to have Pompey as a tennant as presumably the council would not grant permission for redevelopment.

 

It's mucky as hell.

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Pancake

Pancake

Posted
Posted
SSN reporting PL are withholding more than £2m of January transfer money to pay debts. Guessing Stoke and Spurs will not be paying everything up front so anyone want to guess how much is left to pay outstanding wages...

 

More importantly, if the PL feel the need to without transfer cash, why the hell did they allow PFC to trade during the window. makes me sick.

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St Marco

St Marco

Posted
Posted
SSN reporting PL are withholding more than £2m of January transfer money to pay debts. Guessing Stoke and Spurs will not be paying everything up front so anyone want to guess how much is left to pay outstanding wages...

 

This is a key momment for the club if this is true.

 

Because from all accounts it sounded like they needed that £3m-£4m to pay the wages. They had no other measure in place if those deals did not go through. If they had not sold them then the club would most likely today have gone into admin due to not having the funds to pay the wages.

 

IF and that is a big if, the PL are not letting them have the money due to debts then that in itself shows the PL do not think if they released the money it would go to pay the debt, they would use it elsewhere.

 

Which is further proof showing the PL helping the club, not helping the owners.

 

If they release the funds and pay the wages then they will continue to operate. If they don't and the money goes to pay another club owed money then they have to get the money to pay the wages in fast.

 

With no gurantee that any of the transfer money will be coming their way i cannot see a bank giving them another short term loan.

 

Which brings us back again to the problem they have. They need someone with money to put it into the club from their own pocket and accept the loss.

 

That looks more and more likely to not be happening.

 

So if that des turn out to be true and they cannot pay the wages due to the PL not releasing the funds, it really is game over.

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Gemmel

Gemmel

Posted
Posted

Peter Storyteller; Councillor can we borrow 7 million pounds please and 11 big brown envelopes (Gaydamak snr, Gaydamak Jnr, SAF, Al Mirage, Al Mirage's brother, Peter storyteller, Jacobs, Azougy, Chainrai, Harry and MM)

 

Councillor; Bloody hell Pete, that's ten years worth of council tax money, you have to remember only 2% of the portsmouth borough actually pay council tax, the rest are on benefits. And as for the brown envelopes, you've got no chance, there's none left in the whole of portsmouth and we just can't understand it.

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pedg

pedg

Posted
Posted

As mentioned a few pages back it was claimed in a paper that for the 6 million for kaboul 1.8m was withheld to pay wages (possibly only playing staff), 2.5 was withheld due to transfer payments coming up soon and the remainder went to HMRC.

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NickG

NickG

Posted
Posted

Another what have I missed post!...

 

last I heard from sky at lunchtime

 

1) now over due on £9m owed to Sasha

2) Sasha unlikely to enforce the debt as he has too much to lose if they go into admin

3) players still not paid

4) Heiderson saying they have not been told a word about late payment and its not good enough.

 

Missed anything? Hopefully!

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