Pompey Takeover Saga

[Arizona]

Wow, they were terrible against the Arse on MOTD. Especially Piquonne not even hitting the side netting from 2 yards out.

[Crab Lungs]

What 'value' would that be then? Pray tell us all what is actually attractive about SFC apart from the usual run of the mill flat pack IKEA style ground?

 

How much MORE value do you have at this time than us? Don't kid us about the busted flush of an academy- that clearly produces nothing these days as last season painfully illustrated. A glorious history maybe? Hmmm, maybe not eh?

 

Not a lot else is there? A middling history, no major honours to speak of, so what "value beyond our league status" do you REALLY have?

 

 

Oh God... the fact that before me at least 6 people have already responded to this question should give you an indication as to how wrong you are. Regardless, I'm going to have a go at explaining this to you in a vain attempt that you might just understand.

 

Anyway...

 

1. STADIUM

 

Yes, a 32,000 seater, state of the art facility with which to play football in (not much of that going on at the moment, admitidely). That's over 10,000 more than you can hold at your ramshackle home. The design of SMS allows it to be expanded furthermore should we need to at a later stage. Doubtful we'd need to any time soon - but the option is there. Oh, and did I mention that it's all paid for now? Have to say, we got off lightly with that but hey, what a place to own!

 

SMS is a Premier League ground. Fratton Park is quite frankly, a rubbish tip.

 

Southampton 1, Portsmouth 0

 

2. TRAINING GROUND

 

We own a, yes, you've guessed it (!), state-of-the-art training ground and yes, that's right (!) - a state-of-the-art all weather training centre. Once again, the facilities mirror that of a top Premier League club's facilities and is arguably the envy of many clubs above us, including you lot. What do you have to show to your prospective buyers? Oh yeah, I remember now! A small field in Eastleigh.

 

On top of this, how long is it going to take to build your new training ground, assuming (lol) you got the funding (lol) to do so? A couple of years at least methinks. So, therefore, I have to conclude that given Portsmouth football clubs previoius track record on delivering projects and turning plans into reality, you will be more than likely still have your first team training on school pitch on the outskirts of Southampton in 5 years time.

 

Whoops! Southampton 2, Portsmouth 0

 

3. POTENTIAL

 

Let's face it, you fishies have reached your summit and you'll soon be on you're way back down to arguably, where you belong. To assess this further....

 

Catchment Area

 

Yes, you had a few glorious years in the top division which gave you some great exposure to our shared catchment areas, West Sussex and north Hampshire. However, the failure to actually do anything about it (especially in terms of delivering a new ground so you could fit a few more fish fiddlers in) will cost you dear undoubtedly. However, I'd doubt you'd need it as you lot can barely muster 15,000 of your own fans these days for a PREMIER LEAGUE GAME.

 

But it's not just your potential fanbase which lacks in comparison to ours - its the potential of the two clubs. We have a new stadium, you don't, we have have a state of the art training ground, you don't,

 

Southampton 3, Portsmouth 0

 

Academy

 

It's hardly a busted flush when you realise it has been a vital source of income over the past few years. Just this close season we sold three (Surman, McGoldrick and Dyer) of our academy products for around £3m in total. Granted, we needed the cash at the time and whilst many would have preferred to keep ahold of our graduates at we can celebrate the fact that at least we had the option to buy ourselves some more time.

 

Previous to this, do I need to mention Mills, Cranie, Best, Blackstock, Baird, Walcott, Bale… I suppose you could even throw Wayne Bridge and Kenwyne Jones into the mix too. Not to mention Brian Howard who we released mistakingly but deservedly made it as a professional and is now unarguably one of the best midfielders outside the Premier League. It’s too early to tell what the latest batch but I’m sure we’ll find out soon just how good Lallana, James, Paterson really are soon.

 

So you’ve got erm, errrr…. Marc Wilson, erm, Gary O’Neil, errrrrrr….. James Keene out of your academy in recent years? Well done. The least I’d have expected from you lot is to have produced some top goalkeepers, especially as your region of the world is renowned for its webbed hands. Oh well.

 

Southampton 4, Portsmouth 0

 

Debt-free

 

We ****ed up in the past and got very, very lucky with our takeover and our new owner. We could have potentially fell into the wrong hands – a chancer or opportunist who might have just scraped enough money together to buy us than saddle us with more woe. However, Mr Liebherr and Nicola Cortese – two renowned businessmen I think you’d agree – saw us a viable investment and opportunity. I don’t think they are in it just for the money though, nor will they be loaning us whopping amounts of cash and then asking for it back. We’re rebuilding sensibly with the long-term goal to be self-sustainable and an eventual return to the Premier League. Being debt-free will enable us to use everything we’ve got left after expenditure and should we not be able to reach that extra few pounds, we have a billionaire owner who seems quite happy enough to do so.

 

You have an apologetic-fatcat chief exec who is embarrassingly squirming now he and his friends have been found out to be spunking all the cash on a couple of glory years in the Premier League and is now pleading his innocence.

 

You’ve an owner who wants his money back, a couple of banks who are asking for their cash back and running costs you cannot sustain.

 

You have a prospective new owner who hasn’t got a pot to **** in and is the joke of the multi-million, no billion pound world in the UAE. Like Lawro said – you’ve found the only arab sheikh without any money (lol)

 

The only owner you’ve had in recent years who truly understood and loved Portsmouth was Milan, who refused to walk away even though he continuously persisted in bankrolling you in the Championship and then the Premier League – all after saving you from almost disappearing down the ****ter. The rest you’ve had running or owning your club have used you as a meal ticket and a plaything. In all honesty, I actually feel a bit sorry for you now.

 

Whatever happens, we’ve got an owner now who cares and who intends to run us sensibly and efficiently. As for yourselves, you are likely to attract another chancer who will have no problem with racking up more debt whilst Storrie snorts his way through your hard earned cash.

 

In summary, if Portsmouth were a prostitute and I could find a comparitive situation - you'd be a self-destructive, mutton-dressed-as-lamb piece of skirt, crestfallen with a painful arse on dirty bed in a dirty hotel whilst Gaydamak, Storrie and Al Fahim **** over your face. Problem is, Gaydamaks taking his cash with him, Al Fahim's got not money to pay for you and Storrie's only got a fiver he nicked off someone else.

 

You sold your soul the moment Harry 'who? its not my fault guv' Redknapp became your pimp.

 

Southampton 5, Portsmouth 0

 

4. LEAGUE STATUS

 

The only thing you have going for you is that you are in the Premier League – FOR ANOTHER 35 GAMES AT LEAST, and even as a USP that is fading with every turgid Portsmouth performance. And you've still got a training ground and stadium to pay for ... how are you ever going to do that?

 

FINAL SCORE?

 

Southampton 5, Portsmouth 1.

Edited 22 August, 2009 by Crab Lungs

[sotonjoe]

Actually their recent 'success' has coincided with the move away from their previous (Navy owned?) training ground to the rarified air of a Southampton Post Code!!!

 

 

Depends what you mean 'recent'. They've trained at the Wellington Sports Ground for a good few years; that was my point.

Edited 22 August, 2009 by sotonjoe

[pfc123]

Oh God... the fact that before me at least 6 people have already responded to this question should give you an indication as to how wrong you are. Regardless, I'm going to have a go at explaining this to you in a vain attempt that you might just understand.

 

Anyway...

 

1. STADIUM

 

Yes, a 32,000 seater, state of the art facility with which to play football in (not much of that going on at the moment, admitidely). That's over 10,000 more than you can hold at your ramshackle home. The design of SMS allows it to be expanded furthermore should we need to at a later stage. Doubtful we'd need to any time soon - but the option is there. Oh, and did I mention that it's all paid for now? Have to say, we got off lightly with that but hey, what a place to own!

 

SMS is a Premier League ground. Fratton Park is quite frankly, a rubbish tip.

 

Southampton 1, Portsmouth 0

 

2. TRAINING GROUND

 

We own a, yes, you've guessed it (!), state-of-the-art training ground and yes, that's right (!) - a state-of-the-art all weather training centre. Once again, the facilities mirror that of a top Premier League club's facilities and is arguably the envy of many clubs above us, including you lot. What do you have to show to your prospective buyers? Oh yeah, I remember now! A small field in Eastleigh.

 

On top of this, how long is it going to take to build your new training ground, assuming (lol) you got the funding (lol) to do so? A couple of years at least methinks. So, therefore, I have to conclude that given Portsmouth football clubs previoius track record on delivering projects and turning plans into reality, you will be more than likely still have your first team training on school pitch on the outskirts of Southampton in 5 years time.

 

Whoops! Southampton 2, Portsmouth 0

 

3. POTENTIAL

 

Let's face it, you fishies have reached your summit and you'll soon be on you're way back down to arguably, where you belong. To assess this further....

 

Catchment Area

 

Yes, you had a few glorious years in the top division which gave you some great exposure to our shared catchment areas, West Sussex and north Hampshire. However, the failure to actually do anything about it (especially in terms of delivering a new ground so you could fit a few more fish fiddlers in) will cost you dear undoubtedly. However, I'd doubt you'd need it as you lot can barely muster 15,000 of your own fans these days for a PREMIER LEAGUE GAME.

 

But it's not just your potential fanbase which lacks in comparison to ours - its the potential of the two clubs. We have a new stadium, you don't, we have have a state of the art training ground, you don't,

 

Southampton 3, Portsmouth 0

 

Academy

 

It's hardly a busted flush when you realise it has been a vital source of income over the past few years. Just this close season we sold three (Surman, McGoldrick and Dyer) of our academy products for around £3m in total. Granted, we needed the cash at the time and whilst many would have preferred to keep ahold of our graduates at we can celebrate the fact that at least we had the option to buy ourselves some more time.

 

Previous to this, do I need to mention Mills, Cranie, Best, Blackstock, Baird, Walcott, Bale… I suppose you could even throw Wayne Bridge and Kenwyne Jones into the mix too. Not to mention Brian Howard who we released mistakingly but deservedly made it as a professional and is now unarguably one of the best midfielders outside the Premier League. It’s too early to tell what the latest batch but I’m sure we’ll find out soon just how good Lallana, James, Paterson really are soon.

 

So you’ve got erm, errrr…. Marc Wilson, erm, Gary O’Neil, errrrrrr….. James Keene out of your academy in recent years? Well done. The least I’d have expected from you lot is to have produced some top goalkeepers, especially as your region of the world is renowned for its webbed hands. Oh well.

 

Southampton 4, Portsmouth 0

 

Debt-free

 

We ****ed up in the past and got very, very lucky with our takeover and our new owner. We could have potentially fell into the wrong hands – a chancer or opportunist who might have just scraped enough money together to buy us than saddle us with more woe. However, Mr Liebherr and Nicola Cortese – two renowned businessmen I think you’d agree – saw us a viable investment and opportunity. I don’t think they are in it just for the money though, nor will they be loaning us whopping amounts of cash and then asking for it back. We’re rebuilding sensibly with the long-term goal to be self-sustainable and an eventual return to the Premier League. Being debt-free will enable us to use everything we’ve got left after expenditure and should we not be able to reach that extra few pounds, we have a billionaire owner who seems quite happy enough to do so.

 

You have an apologetic-fatcat chief exec who is embarrassingly squirming now he and his friends have been found out to be spunking all the cash on a couple of glory years in the Premier League and is now pleading his innocence.

 

You’ve an owner who wants his money back, a couple of banks who are asking for their cash back and running costs you cannot sustain.

 

You have a prospective new owner who hasn’t got a pot to **** in and is the joke of the multi-million, no billion pound world in the UAE. Like Lawro said – you’ve found the only arab sheikh without any money (lol)

 

The only owner you’ve had in recent years who truly understood and loved Portsmouth was Milan, who refused to walk away even though he continuously persisted in bankrolling you in the Championship and then the Premier League – all after saving you from almost disappearing down the ****ter. The rest you’ve had running or owning your club have used you as a meal ticket and a plaything. In all honesty, I actually feel a bit sorry for you now.

 

Whatever happens, we’ve got an owner now who cares and who intends to run us sensibly and efficiently. As for yourselves, you are likely to attract another chancer who will have no problem with racking up more debt whilst Storrie snorts his way through your hard earned cash.

 

In summary, if Portsmouth were a prostitute and I could find a comparitive situation - you'd be a self-destructive, mutton-dressed-as-lamb piece of skirt, crestfallen with a painful arse on dirty bed in a dirty hotel whilst Gaydamak, Storrie and Al Fahim **** over your face. Problem is, Gaydamaks taking his cash with him, Al Fahim's got not money to pay for you and Storrie's only got a fiver he nicked off someone else.

 

You sold your soul the moment Harry 'who? its not my fault guv' Redknapp became your pimp.

 

Southampton 5, Portsmouth 0

 

4. LEAGUE STATUS

 

The only thing you have going for you is that you are in the Premier League – FOR ANOTHER 35 GAMES AT LEAST, and even as a USP that is fading with every turgid Portsmouth performance. And you've still got a training ground and stadium to pay for ... how are you ever going to do that?

 

FINAL SCORE?

 

Southampton 5, Portsmouth 1.

 

Hmmm, interesting how we have the usual airbrushing out of shall we say 'inconvenient' facts across the whole of history which add 'value' or 'kudos' such as:

 

1. Honours

 

Yours first: 1 F.A. cup, 1 Third division and 1 Third division south.

 

Ours: 2 First division titles, 2 F.A. cups, 1 Second division, 2 Third division, 1 Third division south.

 

I make that 8 to your 3.

 

Southampton 0 Portsmouth 1.

 

2. Over time, which club has consistently attracted more bums on seats? The only absolute overall fact over which no-one can argue with, as the alternative is the pointless 'I remember when we had xx number for this game and you only had xx blah blah blah....'

 

Yours: 17260

 

Ours: 17334

 

Close, but still Southampton 0 Portsmouth 2.

 

http://www.nufc.com/2009-10html/attendance-all-time.html

 

3. Debt

 

Yours- £27m repaid, but lets not be naiive here- he's not going to just 'forget' that £27m is he?

 

Ours- £27m still owing once transfer income has trickled in. Small for a Premiership club, however:

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 2

 

4. Which club generates most income?

 

No brainer here, we blow you out of the water with the Sky money alone. Wages now well within budget also.

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 3

 

5. Which club has the best league position?

 

Not one, but 2 divisions separate us..

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 4

 

6. Potential right now, today.

 

You: Plus points- Facilities in place e.g. ground and training ground

 

Minus points: Shrinking fanbase, down more than 40% in three years. Very small turnover compared to a top flight club. Two divisions away from the Premiership, very, very expensive to get back up quickly, or will take years if attempting to do it on the cheap. Bottom of the third division on -8 points.

 

Us: Plus points: Already in the Premiership, training ground ready to go and just requiring cash, site for a new 40k ground with 2018 world cup approval already rubber stamped, again requiring cash. A blank canvas.

 

Minus points: Currently bottom of the Premiership, albeit with plenty of time to turn it around, Poor current facilitiles with limited capacity and very expensive ticket prices (twice the price you pay).

 

You can argue this point either way, so a 'goal' each?

 

Southampton 2 Portsmouth 5

 

In short, you're ready to go, but are two very expensive to bridge divisions adrift, we're already their but need money spending on infrastructure and players. That really sums it up.

 

Either way, BOTH clubs are attractive but for the different reasons outlined above. However, to be fair, our 'value' will decrease rapidly unless we get out of the bottom three this season. If we don't, then the balance would shift....

[NickG]

you are never going to put a convincing argument on a saints forum that you are anything but small, albeit currently better, tacky neighbours.

 

Claiming lower league titles defies logic - by that you could argue a good non-league side is better than Man City!

 

Crowds is simple lost when we are getting 20,000 in 3rd tier and you 17,000 for your premiership opener - both well within capacity so grounds irrelevant - you are poorly supported.

 

On brighter note for skates - solent just said your takeover will complete on monday.

[saint lard]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1208368/Now-Portsmouth-make-agents-wait-money.html

[EastleighSoulBoy]

Hmmm, interesting how we have the usual airbrushing out of shall we say 'inconvenient' facts across the whole of history which add 'value' or 'kudos' such as:

 

1. Honours

 

Yours first: 1 F.A. cup, 1 Third division and 1 Third division south.

 

Ours: 2 First division titles, 2 F.A. cups, 1 Second division, 2 Third division, 1 Third division south.

 

I make that 8 to your 3.

 

Southampton 0 Portsmouth 1.

 

2. Over time, which club has consistently attracted more bums on seats? The only absolute overall fact over which no-one can argue with, as the alternative is the pointless 'I remember when we had xx number for this game and you only had xx blah blah blah....'

 

Yours: 17260

 

Ours: 17334

 

Close, but still Southampton 0 Portsmouth 2.

 

http://www.nufc.com/2009-10html/attendance-all-time.html

 

3. Debt

 

Yours- £27m repaid, but lets not be naiive here- he's not going to just 'forget' that £27m is he?

 

Ours- £27m still owing once transfer income has trickled in. Small for a Premiership club, however:

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 2

 

4. Which club generates most income?

 

No brainer here, we blow you out of the water with the Sky money alone. Wages now well within budget also.

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 3

 

5. Which club has the best league position?

 

Not one, but 2 divisions separate us..

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 4

 

6. Potential right now, today.

 

You: Plus points- Facilities in place e.g. ground and training ground

 

Minus points: Shrinking fanbase, down more than 40% in three years. Very small turnover compared to a top flight club. Two divisions away from the Premiership, very, very expensive to get back up quickly, or will take years if attempting to do it on the cheap. Bottom of the third division on -8 points.

 

Us: Plus points: Already in the Premiership, training ground ready to go and just requiring cash, site for a new 40k ground with 2018 world cup approval already rubber stamped, again requiring cash. A blank canvas.

 

Minus points: Currently bottom of the Premiership, albeit with plenty of time to turn it around, Poor current facilitiles with limited capacity and very expensive ticket prices (twice the price you pay).

 

You can argue this point either way, so a 'goal' each?

 

Southampton 2 Portsmouth 5

 

In short, you're ready to go, but are two very expensive to bridge divisions adrift, we're already their but need money spending on infrastructure and players. That really sums it up.

 

Either way, BOTH clubs are attractive but for the different reasons outlined above. However, to be fair, our 'value' will decrease rapidly unless we get out of the bottom three this season. If we don't, then the balance would shift....

 

you are never going to put a convincing argument on a saints forum that you are anything but small, albeit currently better, tacky neighbours.

 

Claiming lower league titles defies logic - by that you could argue a good non-league side is better than Man City!

 

Crowds is simple lost when we are getting 20,000 in 3rd tier and you 17,000 for your premiership opener - both well within capacity so grounds irrelevant - you are poorly supported.

 

On brighter note for skates - solent just said your takeover will complete on monday.

 

Conveniently forgot the 'class factor' as you point out Nick.

 

That alone redeems us in PFC123's resume.

 

Score now PFC 5 Saints 1,000,000

 

C'mon Skaties! try and catch up!

Edited 23 August, 2009 by EastleighSoulBoy

[dubai_phil]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1208368/Now-Portsmouth-make-agents-wait-money.html

 

 

Would expect the new consortium finance to be Israeli.

 

Probably Tony Fialka called up his mates

[pfc123]

Would expect the new consortium finance to be Israeli.

 

Probably Tony Fialka called up his mates

 

Look, Tony's just showing what a good businessman he is by saving more money to invest in Pompey by contining to live at home. Makes perfect sense to me

[sotonjoe]

skate ****s

[pfc123]

you are never going to put a convincing argument on a saints forum that you are anything but small, albeit currently better, tacky neighbours.

 

Claiming lower league titles defies logic - by that you could argue a good non-league side is better than Man City!

 

Yeah, I see your point, but what I'm trying to say is that if for example you had the choice between buying Man U and Citeh, and that they were both the same price, same debt, similar stadiums, similar squads, same size of club and you had no bias for or against either of them, you'd probably look at the clubs respective history and go for United?

 

Or how about say a straight choice between Preston or Plymouth? Most would go for Preston.

 

This is where we differ because you all have the idea that honours are largely irrelevant because you've nearly always just made up the numbers. Nothing wrong with that of course, but history DOES make a difference, and I'm praying that it makes a difference now.

 

Im hoping that there are still some people out there with money to invest who are going to look at Pompey and say, Jeez- needs a lot of work and cash, but they're in the prem and there's a lot of potential.......

[hypochondriac]

Yeah, I see your point, but what I'm trying to say is that if for example you had the choice between buying Man U and Citeh, and that they were both the same price, same debt, similar stadiums, similar squads, same size of club and you had no bias for or against either of them, you'd probably look at the clubs respective history and go for United?

 

Or how about say a straight choice between Preston or Plymouth? Most would go for Preston.

 

This is where we differ because you all have the idea that honours are largely irrelevant because you've nearly always just made up the numbers. Nothing wrong with that of course, but history DOES make a difference, and I'm praying that it makes a difference now.

 

Im hoping that there are still some people out there with money to invest who are going to look at Pompey and say, Jeez- needs a lot of work and cash, but they're in the prem and there's a lot of potential.......

 

Trying to be as unbiased as possible, I really think there are a lot of teams who have much better potential. I mean surely you can see why we have been taken over and why we would currently be a more attractive proposition than yourself?

[pfc123]

Trying to be as unbiased as possible, I really think there are a lot of teams who have much better potential. I mean surely you can see why we have been taken over and why we would currently be a more attractive proposition than yourself?

 

No, because you're two divisions away from the bright lights. It entirely depends on your mindset. Markus obviously felt more comfortable putting in less up front and trying to build slowly, rather than buying into the instant Premiership scenario that requires a large wodge of cash required quickly.

 

Both situations are attractive for different reasons.....

[simonsays]

Yeah, I see your point, but what I'm trying to say is that if for example you had the choice between buying Man U and Citeh, and that they were both the same price, same debt, similar stadiums, similar squads, same size of club and you had no bias for or against either of them, you'd probably look at the clubs respective history and go for United?

 

Or how about say a straight choice between Preston or Plymouth? Most would go for Preston.

 

This is where we differ because you all have the idea that honours are largely irrelevant because you've nearly always just made up the numbers. Nothing wrong with that of course, but history DOES make a difference, and I'm praying that it makes a difference now.

 

Im hoping that there are still some people out there with money to invest who are going to look at Pompey and say, Jeez- needs a lot of work and cash, but they're in the prem and there's a lot of potential.......

 

Trouble is we are not similar in any of the things you mention.

 

You really don't get it do you - History accounts for f-all when you have no facilities and the cost paying of your debts and brining your ground, training faculties and academy up to date is nearer the £100 million mark. Money talks not History.

[View From The Top]

So a skate believes that pfc are a good buy because they won the league 60 odd years ago?

 

Sorry to **** on your bonfire but to business men it means nowt.

 

If you were such a good buy why do you think no body jumped in once it was clear that they current "buyer" doesn't have a pot to **** in?

 

Someone will buy you, of that I'm sure, but any businessman with any sense will let you drop into administration first as you'll not worth buying as a EPL club as you are as the outgoings are going to seriously outstrip any incomings for very, very many years.

[Elmore]

Yeah, I see your point, but what I'm trying to say is that if for example you had the choice between buying Man U and Citeh, and that they were both the same price, same debt, similar stadiums, similar squads, same size of club and you had no bias for or against either of them, you'd probably look at the clubs respective history and go for United?

 

Or how about say a straight choice between Preston or Plymouth? Most would go for Preston.

 

This is where we differ because you all have the idea that honours are largely irrelevant because you've nearly always just made up the numbers. Nothing wrong with that of course, but history DOES make a difference, and I'm praying that it makes a difference now.

 

Im hoping that there are still some people out there with money to invest who are going to look at Pompey and say, Jeez- needs a lot of work and cash, but they're in the prem and there's a lot of potential.......

 

You're not really comparing Portsmouth with Manchester United are you? Anyway you would be more like Fulham - bankrolled into the top-flight after the majority of the last 40 years spent in the lower leagues with small fan-base and low attendances.

[aintforever]

Yeah, I see your point, but what I'm trying to say is that if for example you had the choice between buying Man U and Citeh, and that they were both the same price, same debt, similar stadiums, similar squads, same size of club and you had no bias for or against either of them, you'd probably look at the clubs respective history and go for United?

 

Or how about say a straight choice between Preston or Plymouth? Most would go for Preston.

 

This is where we differ because you all have the idea that honours are largely irrelevant because you've nearly always just made up the numbers. Nothing wrong with that of course, but history DOES make a difference, and I'm praying that it makes a difference now.

 

Im hoping that there are still some people out there with money to invest who are going to look at Pompey and say, Jeez- needs a lot of work and cash, but they're in the prem and there's a lot of potential.......

 

They would opt for Man Utd because they are the more glamourous, yes history obviously plays a part but mainly recent history not ancient. If City win the League and Champions League in the next few years it wont take long for them to be more glamourous (remember Chelsea were only a ****ty little nothing club a few years ago).

 

Apart from the FA Cup that was bought on a credit card last year, pompey's recent history is complete dog ****e - year after year of laughably bad football and 7,000 crowds. No investor would know about, even less give a ****e about, what pompey did around the time of the second world war.

[hypochondriac]

No, because you're two divisions away from the bright lights. It entirely depends on your mindset. Markus obviously felt more comfortable putting in less up front and trying to build slowly, rather than buying into the instant Premiership scenario that requires a large wodge of cash required quickly.

 

Both situations are attractive for different reasons.....

 

But you have no training ground or stadium or premiership players...

[Crab Lungs]

Hmmm, interesting how we have the usual airbrushing out of shall we say 'inconvenient' facts across the whole of history which add 'value' or 'kudos' such as:

 

1. Honours

 

Yours first: 1 F.A. cup, 1 Third division and 1 Third division south.

 

Ours: 2 First division titles, 2 F.A. cups, 1 Second division, 2 Third division, 1 Third division south.

 

I make that 8 to your 3.

 

Southampton 0 Portsmouth 1.

 

2. Over time, which club has consistently attracted more bums on seats? The only absolute overall fact over which no-one can argue with, as the alternative is the pointless 'I remember when we had xx number for this game and you only had xx blah blah blah....'

 

Yours: 17260

 

Ours: 17334

 

Close, but still Southampton 0 Portsmouth 2.

 

http://www.nufc.com/2009-10html/attendance-all-time.html

 

3. Debt

 

Yours- £27m repaid, but lets not be naiive here- he's not going to just 'forget' that £27m is he?

 

Ours- £27m still owing once transfer income has trickled in. Small for a Premiership club, however:

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 2

 

4. Which club generates most income?

 

No brainer here, we blow you out of the water with the Sky money alone. Wages now well within budget also.

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 3

 

5. Which club has the best league position?

 

Not one, but 2 divisions separate us..

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 4

 

6. Potential right now, today.

 

You: Plus points- Facilities in place e.g. ground and training ground

 

Minus points: Shrinking fanbase, down more than 40% in three years. Very small turnover compared to a top flight club. Two divisions away from the Premiership, very, very expensive to get back up quickly, or will take years if attempting to do it on the cheap. Bottom of the third division on -8 points.

 

Us: Plus points: Already in the Premiership, training ground ready to go and just requiring cash, site for a new 40k ground with 2018 world cup approval already rubber stamped, again requiring cash. A blank canvas.

 

Minus points: Currently bottom of the Premiership, albeit with plenty of time to turn it around, Poor current facilitiles with limited capacity and very expensive ticket prices (twice the price you pay).

 

You can argue this point either way, so a 'goal' each?

 

Southampton 2 Portsmouth 5

 

In short, you're ready to go, but are two very expensive to bridge divisions adrift, we're already their but need money spending on infrastructure and players. That really sums it up.

 

Either way, BOTH clubs are attractive but for the different reasons outlined above. However, to be fair, our 'value' will decrease rapidly unless we get out of the bottom three this season. If we don't, then the balance would shift....

 

Looks like I am going to have to re-iterate what alot of people have already said on here.

 

Your first point:

 

1. Honours

 

Errrr, not figuring what you are getting at here. Like people have already said before me, a brief spell of success from a period of history where barely anyone is still alive is nothing really you can regard as a 'plus point.' If we were having an argument about honours I'd say fair play, you're right but you've conveniently shifted the goalposts to suit your agenda. So, shall we get back on topic? Excellent.

 

Honours - no-one cares except you.

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 0

 

2. Attendances

 

Once again, you've trawled the history books to prove that you, over time, have attracted on average just under a hundred more people every attendance. Erm, ok. Real winner you've got there...! Now shall we talk about recent years? The past four years we've had larger average attendances than you. For 3 of those years we've been one division below you. This year, we're two and I guarantee we'll still have a higher average this season.

 

We may have a large section of fairweathers (you estimate 40%) but hey, at least we 'had' them... and they'd probably scuttle back and fill our ground upon our ascent back up the league ladder. You lot, well.... let's face it... you've lost this one, haven't you? You used to get gates of 6,000 not long ago.

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 1

 

3. Debt

 

Above, you've basically just guessed about the position of the two respective clubs. Not really conclusive evidence, is it?

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 1

 

4. Income

 

Nope, I'd give you that - but you've spun the question. Which clubs STILL RUNS at a loss and which club lives within its means? Oh.....

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 2

 

5. League Status

 

Yes, I'd give you that one. Still, you've probably only got 35 miserable games left and BANG (!), there goes your Prem money.

 

Portsmouth 1, Southampton 2

 

6. Potential, present day

 

Yes, it's Southampton again. Don't think I need to go into details again.

 

FINAL SCORE: Portsmouth 1, Southampton 3

 

So, you don't have your own training ground, you don't have a new stadium, you're racked up to the eyeballs in debt and your squad has been decimated so badly that you have been trialling League Two players?? Further to this, you look likely to have your only lifeline cut in around 8 months time when you get relegated. Doesn't look good really, does it?

[pfc123]

So a skate believes that pfc are a good buy because they won the league 60 odd years ago?

 

Sorry to **** on your bonfire but to business men it means nowt.

 

If you were such a good buy why do you think no body jumped in once it was clear that they current "buyer" doesn't have a pot to **** in?

 

Someone will buy you, of that I'm sure, .....

 

You just contradicted yourself within one sentence mate...

 

You're not really comparing Portsmouth with Manchester United are you?

 

No, of course not.

 

Looks like I am going to have to re-iterate what alot of people have already said on here.

 

Your first point:

 

1. Honours

 

Errrr, not figuring what you are getting at here. Like people have already said before me, a brief spell of success from a period of history where barely anyone is still alive is nothing really you can regard as a 'plus point.' If we were having an argument about honours I'd say fair play, you're right but you've conveniently shifted the goalposts to suit your agenda. So, shall we get back on topic? Excellent.

 

Honours - no-one cares except you.

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 0

 

2. Attendances

 

Once again, you've trawled the history books to prove that you, over time, have attracted on average just under a hundred more people every attendance. Erm, ok. Real winner you've got there...! Now shall we talk about recent years? The past four years we've had larger average attendances than you. For 3 of those years we've been one division below you. This year, we're two and I guarantee we'll still have a higher average this season.

 

We may have a large section of fairweathers (you estimate 40%) but hey, at least we 'had' them... and they'd probably scuttle back and fill our ground upon our ascent back up the league ladder. You lot, well.... let's face it... you've lost this one, haven't you? You used to get gates of 6,000 not long ago.

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 1

 

3. Debt

 

Above, you've basically just guessed about the position of the two respective clubs. Not really conclusive evidence, is it?

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 1

 

4. Income

 

Nope, I'd give you that - but you've spun the question. Which clubs STILL RUNS at a loss and which club lives within its means? Oh.....

 

Portsmouth 0, Southampton 2

 

5. League Status

 

Yes, I'd give you that one. Still, you've probably only got 35 miserable games left and BANG (!), there goes your Prem money.

 

Portsmouth 1, Southampton 2

 

6. Potential, present day

 

Yes, it's Southampton again. Don't think I need to go into details again.

 

FINAL SCORE: Portsmouth 1, Southampton 3

 

So, you don't have your own training ground, you don't have a new stadium, you're racked up to the eyeballs in debt and your squad has been decimated so badly that you have been trialling League Two players?? Further to this, you look likely to have your only lifeline cut in around 8 months time when you get relegated. Doesn't look good really, does it?

 

Well, we'll see shall we? You're all going to feel really, really sick to the pit of your stomachs when in twelve months time you're still attempting to convince yourselves you're better off in the third division, because that's where you're going to be, if you're lucky. Oh and we'll STILL be a Premiership club.....

[Gingeletiss]

You just contradicted yourself within one sentence mate...

 

 

 

No, of course not.

 

 

 

Well, we'll see shall we? You're all going to feel really, really sick to the pit of your stomachs when in twelve months time you're still attempting to convince yourselves you're better off in the third division, because that's where you're going to be, if you're lucky. Oh and we'll STILL be a Premiership club.....

 

Good try...........you have one right and one wrong, and I'm of the belief, that we won't get promoted this year........so???

[Elmore]

Looks like I am going to have to re-iterate what alot of people have already said on here.

 

 

2. Attendances

 

Once again, you've trawled the history books to prove that you, over time, have attracted on average just under a hundred more people every attendance. Erm, ok. Real winner you've got there...! Now shall we talk about recent years? The past four years we've had larger average attendances than you. For 3 of those years we've been one division below you. This year, we're two and I guarantee we'll still have a higher average this season.

 

We may have a large section of fairweathers (you estimate 40%) but hey, at least we 'had' them... and they'd probably scuttle back and fill our ground upon our ascent back up the league ladder. You lot, well.... let's face it... you've lost this one, haven't you? You used to get gates of 6,000 not long ago.

 

 

The all-time attendances are meaningless anyway - as it says in the link "pre-war attendance figures are based on media estimates and club records - both sources notoriously inaccurate" .

[Crab Lungs]

The all-time attendances are meaningless anyway - as it says in the link "pre-war attendance figures are based on media estimates and club records - both sources notoriously inaccurate" .

 

 

Well that further proves my point.

 

 

Well, we'll see shall we? You're all going to feel really, really sick to the pit of your stomachs when in twelve months time you're still attempting to convince yourselves you're better off in the third division, because that's where you're going to be, if you're lucky. Oh and we'll STILL be a Premiership club.....

 

Haha, OK. Yes, of course you will. With Piquionne banging them in and Hart as your gaffer. Oh, and Ashikodi and Bopp proving their Premiership class, whilst you're cheered on by 15,000 fans.

[EastleighSoulBoy]

You just contradicted yourself within one sentence mate...

 

but conveniently omitted "but any businessman with any sense will let you drop into administration first as you'll not worth buying as a EPL club as you are as the outgoings are going to seriously outstrip any incomings for very, very many years."

 

 

 

 

No, of course not.

 

 

 

Well, we'll see shall we? You're all going to feel really, really sick to the pit of your stomachs when in twelve months time you're still attempting to convince yourselves you're better off in the third division, because that's where you're going to be, if you're lucky. Oh and we'll STILL be a Premiership club.....

 

...

[View From The Top]

pfc123 really isn't very sharp is he.

[Elmore]

I wonder what the resident skates think of this Andy Dunn column

 

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/465291/Even-King-Fergie-would-agree-football-is-the-winner-Andy-Dunn.html

 

 

"Ah, Portsmouth. A club that almost deserves to go to the wall." "Portsmouth could never fill a 40,00-seater stadium, as was once suggested. It could never attract genuine stars, as it tried to do when offering Defoe, Diarra and the like eye-watering deals."

[SOTONS EAST SIDE]

I wonder what the resident skates think of this Andy Dunn column

 

http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/sport/465291/Even-King-Fergie-would-agree-football-is-the-winner-Andy-Dunn.html

 

 

"Ah, Portsmouth. A club that almost deserves to go to the wall." "Portsmouth could never fill a 40,00-seater stadium, as was once suggested. It could never attract genuine stars, as it tried to do when offering Defoe, Diarra and the like eye-watering deals."

Quite the perfect summing up of our peasant neighbours! lol :smt040

[Saints foreva]

Hmmm, interesting how we have the usual airbrushing out of shall we say 'inconvenient' facts across the whole of history which add 'value' or 'kudos' such as:

 

1. Honours

 

Yours first: 1 F.A. cup, 1 Third division and 1 Third division south.

 

Ours: 2 First division titles, 2 F.A. cups, 1 Second division, 2 Third division, 1 Third division south.

 

I make that 8 to your 3.

 

Southampton 0 Portsmouth 1.

 

2. Over time, which club has consistently attracted more bums on seats? The only absolute overall fact over which no-one can argue with, as the alternative is the pointless 'I remember when we had xx number for this game and you only had xx blah blah blah....'

 

Yours: 17260

 

Ours: 17334

 

Close, but still Southampton 0 Portsmouth 2.

 

http://www.nufc.com/2009-10html/attendance-all-time.html

 

 

Fratton Park has always been bigger than The Dell, so it's not a suprise really.

 

I don't get why you skates bring up this ********, when you finally start making your way down the football league you will struggle to get 10,000. And here we are, -8 points and still getting 17,000+.

[CB Fry]

Hmmm, interesting how we have the usual airbrushing out of shall we say 'inconvenient' facts across the whole of history which add 'value' or 'kudos' such as:

 

1. Honours

 

Yours first: 1 F.A. cup, 1 Third division and 1 Third division south.

 

Ours: 2 First division titles, 2 F.A. cups, 1 Second division, 2 Third division, 1 Third division south.

 

I make that 8 to your 3.

 

Southampton 0 Portsmouth 1.

 

2. Over time, which club has consistently attracted more bums on seats? The only absolute overall fact over which no-one can argue with, as the alternative is the pointless 'I remember when we had xx number for this game and you only had xx blah blah blah....'

 

Yours: 17260

 

Ours: 17334

 

Close, but still Southampton 0 Portsmouth 2.

 

http://www.nufc.com/2009-10html/attendance-all-time.html

 

3. Debt

 

Yours- £27m repaid, but lets not be naiive here- he's not going to just 'forget' that £27m is he?

 

Ours- £27m still owing once transfer income has trickled in. Small for a Premiership club, however:

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 2

 

4. Which club generates most income?

 

No brainer here, we blow you out of the water with the Sky money alone. Wages now well within budget also.

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 3

 

5. Which club has the best league position?

 

Not one, but 2 divisions separate us..

 

Southampton 1 Portsmouth 4

 

6. Potential right now, today.

 

You: Plus points- Facilities in place e.g. ground and training ground

 

Minus points: Shrinking fanbase, down more than 40% in three years. Very small turnover compared to a top flight club. Two divisions away from the Premiership, very, very expensive to get back up quickly, or will take years if attempting to do it on the cheap. Bottom of the third division on -8 points.

 

Us: Plus points: Already in the Premiership, training ground ready to go and just requiring cash, site for a new 40k ground with 2018 world cup approval already rubber stamped, again requiring cash. A blank canvas.

 

Minus points: Currently bottom of the Premiership, albeit with plenty of time to turn it around, Poor current facilitiles with limited capacity and very expensive ticket prices (twice the price you pay).

 

You can argue this point either way, so a 'goal' each?

 

Southampton 2 Portsmouth 5

 

In short, you're ready to go, but are two very expensive to bridge divisions adrift, we're already their but need money spending on infrastructure and players. That really sums it up.

 

Either way, BOTH clubs are attractive but for the different reasons outlined above. However, to be fair, our 'value' will decrease rapidly unless we get out of the bottom three this season. If we don't, then the balance would shift....

 

 

How much time are you going to spend on a SOUTHAMPTON FOOTBALL CLUB FORUM trying to persuade people that our traditional rivals are, like, much betterer than Saints and everything and stuff.

 

What a complete spanner you are.

 

Keep on typing

[dubai_phil]

I normally keep my business updates to the main forum thread, but this one deserves to be here.

 

It seems clear now that Mr Al Fahim's plans for his takeover at Portsmouth were thwarted when his elaborate plan to get his bonus cheque out of the Emirate began to unravel.

 

It seems his mysterious partner was unable to use the preferred method of currency exchange due to technical issues with the specialised stealth deleivery systems. These faults seem to have escalated into a problem for more than our Donald Trump wannabe, and look to be proving to be yet another own goal in Dubai's current problems with global PR.

 

For the full story......

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/6074279/With-scuba-gear-under-a-burka-French-spy-Herve-Jaubert-made-his-escape-from-Dubai.html

 

You just gotta love this crazy place and the naive Europeans

[Weston Super Saint]

I normally keep my business updates to the main forum thread, but this one deserves to be here.

 

It seems clear now that Mr Al Fahim's plans for his takeover at Portsmouth were thwarted when his elaborate plan to get his bonus cheque out of the Emirate began to unravel.

 

It seems his mysterious partner was unable to use the preferred method of currency exchange due to technical issues with the specialised stealth deleivery systems. These faults seem to have escalated into a problem for more than our Donald Trump wannabe, and look to be proving to be yet another own goal in Dubai's current problems with global PR.

 

For the full story......

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/dubai/6074279/With-scuba-gear-under-a-burka-French-spy-Herve-Jaubert-made-his-escape-from-Dubai.html

 

You just gotta love this crazy place and the naive Europeans

 

Phil, you usually make less sense than a jumbled up box of Scrabble (t), but this time, you seem to have outshone your own impeccably high standards.

 

Any chance you could come back on topic rather than post some random ****** from Dubai, that frankly no-one gives a monkeys about except you.

[skintsaint]

they been taken over yet?

 

only a week left for transfers and I cant see them not being virtually down by xmas at this rate.

[dubai_phil]

Phil, you usually make less sense than a jumbled up box of Scrabble (t), but this time, you seem to have outshone your own impeccably high standards.

 

Any chance you could come back on topic rather than post some random ****** from Dubai, that frankly no-one gives a monkeys about except you.

 

My apologies WSS, let me be more simple.

 

I commented on the annoucement of Al Fahim expressing an interest in buying Sk*tes on Day One. I laughed, a lot.

 

That comment was based on my experiences but also research into sources of finance for football in this region. Call that an old hobby if you like.

 

In simple terms, I was surprised at the lack of due dilligence and research carried out by the Sk*tes.

 

I was not 100% certain that Al Fahim would not be able to go through, but I was pretty damned sure. Did nobody actually LOOK at those clips of his TV show? Did they not see what happened at Hydra? Did they not see what happened at Man City? Did they not ask one simple question - where is his money coming from? No, they all just partied and popped up on here to take the p*ss.

 

Did they (ie Storrie) not understand the issue about ego? Did they not understand that all those "arrogant instructions and deadlines" would simply make the deal fall apart even quicker?

 

I have expressed that opinion through sarcasm because there have been no facts available, but I have posted links to items such as You-Tube and other supportive articles, as well as to take the p*ss out of our fishy friends while their confidence in being bought by a zillionaire has diminshed.

 

I don't have it in for the Boys in Blue, as much as have it in for their completely OTT reaction at the time.

 

Anybody who ever trys to do business in the Middle East must understand that it is an alien land with alien belief systems, values and motivations in every aspect of life. It is however, actually a very simple place to do business, but Europeans have been so ingrained by politics, processes and legislation that they make things so much more "pompous, arrogant and self important" than they actually are.

 

If you like I am showing a mirror to reflect that the biggest failing of Political Correctness is to be terrified of "causing insult" when in fact the secret of PC should be to actually "Understand". Do you not understand that the population (of all races and religions) LAUGH at things like the ridiculous Burkini stories and other PC gone mad. You guys are so dulled by it you all just shrug your shoulders. But that "Little Englander" type mindset is the one that caused our friends to make a mistake of Wilde proportions that may well have cost them their club's existence.

 

The article I posted refers to yet another "European Businessman" who was so totally naive when he started to do business here that 1) he didn't even realise he would not own his own business and 2) had to resort to the most ludicrous means to actually get out of here.

It is a very close analogy to what Peter Storrie has done as did others before him.

 

That was entirely consistent with my previous points.

 

So, Portsmouth are in real trouble because the takeover has not gone through.

 

The point everyone is missing is the most simple one.

 

Nobody at Portsmouth took the time to truly understand the nature and motivations and background of who they were dealing with, they simply did not understand HOW to get the deal done and more importantly even understand if the deal existed.

 

I am constantly digging back and reminding our fishy friends of their Let's Go Wilde with the open arm welcome to Al Fahim and their look at us you got Jacko attitude.

 

You may THINK this is all irrelevant, but like I have mentioned, there are a lot of stories in the mess that was left behind, but this one point about "looking at a business situation with a different perspective" may well have damaged Portsmouth. It also damaged Charlton, it certainly damaged Mike Ashley and that trail about understanding differing business mentalities runs into a lot of surprising places, not least of all into SMS with our new owners. If the fans start to understand the experience and methodology of our new owner and leadership, they can make valid points and suggestions and will understand why things happen when they do. Not my job to teach that, my job is to keep taking the p*ss out of or undermining the belief of the blue few.

 

Go back and read where NC worked if you think this "garbage" about understanding is all so irrelevant.

 

So there you go, I'm back to p*ss taking now, not a dig back, you made a fair point

 

How long to the transfer window closes for our friends?

 

:smt051

[Merovingian]

Dubai Phil - heard anything about the rumours we have found another middle eastern investor - rumoured to be one of the prince's. To be announced by tomorrow, Al Fahim is leaving the board with Storrie as chairman. Storrie apparently has said its deffo a middle eastern new owner and its not SAF.

[Crab Lungs]

Dubai Phil - heard anything about the rumours we have found another middle eastern investor - rumoured to be one of the prince's. To be announced by tomorrow, Al Fahim is leaving the board with Storrie as chairman. Storrie apparently has said its deffo a middle eastern new owner and its not SAF.

 

Keep dreaming, fish fiddler.

[dubai_phil]

Dubai Phil - heard anything about the rumours we have found another middle eastern investor - rumoured to be one of the prince's. To be announced by tomorrow, Al Fahim is leaving the board with Storrie as chairman. Storrie apparently has said its deffo a middle eastern new owner and its not SAF.

 

That narrows it down to an area about 3 times the size of Europe and a population of around 200 million.

 

I did analyse the possibles on one of these two threads a couple of days ago will look to see if I can find it.

 

I did seek clarification from my sources on one name about 5 or 6 weeks ago, it could be him as I received silence in return, but the politics and PR angle doesn't seem right. Questions would be asked if it was him

 

Also know for a fact that some people in Israel were looking to buy a south coast club a few months back (think it was in the Echo - lol)

 

One off the wall bet an outsider if you like - you lot are to blame for the row with the Yanks, could be a son of Tripoli. As in a you sort this problem out & we'll buy the sk*tes for you.

[dubai_phil]

Dubai Phil - heard anything about the rumours we have found another middle eastern investor - rumoured to be one of the prince's. To be announced by tomorrow, Al Fahim is leaving the board with Storrie as chairman. Storrie apparently has said its deffo a middle eastern new owner and its not SAF.

 

Here you go

 

dubai_phil

Full Member

 

 

 

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: Getting the Killer Attack Tortoises into shape

Posts: 5,683

 

 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyes k8

According to the Mirror quoting Storrie, it's not Al Fahim but an individual from a family in the middle east. I know you've got your ear to the sand Phil, any rumours out there as to who?

 

Well, if they're from Saudi ...

 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...0bn-fraud.html

 

From Dubai, then the release of figures last week of the debt level at Dubai Holding has pushed estimates of the debt Dubai quasi Gov operations up to around $100BILLION.

 

Much of the local families were heaviliy into property (obviously) but funded through Eurobonds which are starting to come up so their problems are pretty simple.

 

http://business.maktoob.com/20090000...er&utm_content=

 

The local banking sector has all but dried up sources of lending, so that locals cannot leverage their book assets, most of the others will have their money tied up in securities and that leaves you looking for having to sell stocks to raise cash.

 

The Bahrainis have looked at investment but at a low and grow level, the Qataris have already jumped in with both feet with Notts County, people from football have been banging down the doors in Kuwait for years (including Ashley when he was wealthy).

The Saudi's have also looked in detail at football, and a number of research projects were under way before the crash last year and one of those looked to continue as they were in behind the scenes talks with one of this season's CCC clubs

 

So, that would leave SBT with his only real contacts - the Abu Dhabi families.

 

He burnt his bridges with them over the Man City deal, would the FA be so stupid as to allow a cousin or uncle of His Excellency Sheikh Khalifa to buy a club?

And would a local business family WANT to go head to head with the ruler of his country?

What could happen if Man City played them needing 4 clear goals and 3 points at the end of the season to get into the CL.... (don't use British standards when answering that)

 

The only other possible names linked to ownership are H.E. Sheikh Mohammed (very publicly with Liverpool in the past) and less publicly his brother Sheikh Ahmed was allude to by SBT previously.

 

There is simply no way that the ruler of Dubai would look to blow $250 million on a football club at this point in time. They have a team working very hard to re-build the PR image of Dubai and are putting a huge amount of effort and what little funds they have left into sorting out the problems here.

 

That leaves Sheikh Ahmed, who as CEO of Emirates could have the personal wealth and marketing budget. However, they also see no benefit in getting into a p*ssing contest with Etihad and Abu Dhabi. They have a lot of people with the skills and experience to do something in football, but again, unlike SBT, they have a touch of PR sense as well. This one is a possibility, but I would be very surprised. As I mentioned before, the Value Add scenario simply does not fit any messaging that Emirates or Dubai would want to show in the current climate.

 

So the only other source would be a Dubai family with an issue politically. The Al Habtoors, are one of those, but they were never really interested unless there was a $750million plus property project related to the purchase.

 

SBT's two sources of funds were Thaksin or Abu Dhabi. It looks as if it was hoped that an SPV could have been constructed to hide the "Beneficial Owner", but the FA weren't THAT stupid

 

All IMHO of course and based on analysis, friends, contacts and local media sources

[OldNick]

That narrows it down to an area about 3 times the size of Europe and a population of around 200 million.

 

I did analyse the possibles on one of these two threads a couple of days ago will look to see if I can find it.

 

I did seek clarification from my sources on one name about 5 or 6 weeks ago, it could be him as I received silence in return, but the politics and PR angle doesn't seem right. Questions would be asked if it was him

 

Also know for a fact that some people in Israel were looking to buy a south coast club a few months back (think it was in the Echo - lol)

 

One off the wall bet an outsider if you like - you lot are to blame for the row with the Yanks, could be a son of Tripoli. As in a you sort this problem out & we'll buy the sk*tes for you.

Gaddafis son is interested in football, could be a shout.Probably wants to play upfront though.The good thing is that is they have a poor match a few will be whipped.

[dellgirl]

It's all supposed to be done and dusted today isn't...any news?

[Merovingian]

no close of play tomorrow

 

most money going on this bloke

 

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani - worth around $2B

 

who knows though - getting as protracted and drawn out as your one was lol ! no one really knows.

[aintforever]

Whoever it is, they've conveniently taken over just too late to spend any money as the FPP test will take 1-2 weeks and the transfer deadline is next Monday.

[dubai_phil]

no close of play tomorrow

 

most money going on this bloke

 

Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani - worth around $2B

 

who knows though - getting as protracted and drawn out as your one was lol ! no one really knows.

 

 

Oops

 

That may be a problem.

 

He's the Crown Prince of Qatar

 

 

They already own a football club

[CB Fry]

Well, Markus did come out of the blue at the last moment, and while Pompey are still a Premier League club there is nothing to stop some Arab or other lumping in, especially now the blue few have been asset stripped to buggery and are desperate ergo cheap. So this time tomorrow a new and rich owner is perfectly possible.

 

But any passing billionaire would be much better off buying Everton. They've genuinely got a fan base and are based in a real football city.

[miserableoldgit]

Whoever it is, they've conveniently taken over just too late to spend any money as the FPP test will take 1-2 weeks and the transfer deadline is next Monday.

May be, but this is the Prem. They can make up or bend their own rules don`t forget.

[PES]

 

But any passing billionaire would be much better off buying Everton. They've genuinely got a fan base and are based in a real football city.

 

If I were a Billionaire I'd rather buy Everton than Pompey and, Obviously you'd be a fool to argue that Portsmouth is a 'Real' football city when compared to Liverpool, however if your insinuating in any way that Southampton is a Footballing city and Portsmouth isn't (then your mad).......

[Verbal]

Well, Markus did come out of the blue.

 

Skate.

[Saint George]

Unfortunately, the Skates have one thing going for them in the Arab world, and that's their 'Star and crescent' logo....I don't think your average rich Arab will be able to resist it.....Sad but true

[revolution saint]

Unfortunately, the Skates have one thing going for them in the Arab world, and that's their 'Star and crescent' logo....I don't think your average rich Arab will be able to resist it.....Sad but true

 

Well they have done so far...... isn't it a bit simplistic (and probably stupid) to suggest people would invest because of a logo? I haven't bothered to read most of this thread as I really don't care about Portsmouth - that's not in a nasty way, just that I don't see why I should. Apart from being geographically close is there any reason to care about them? For the record I hope they don't go bust - I don't want any club to go bust. That's about as far as my feelings for Portsmouth go - I do get annoyed when all the pubs are closed when we play them though.

[PES]

Unfortunately, the Skates have one thing going for them in the Arab world, and that's their 'Star and crescent' logo....I don't think your average rich Arab will be able to resist it.....Sad but true

 

Ironically It's the badge given to the 'new' city by Richard the Lionheart, in recognition of Portsmouth's contribution to the Crusades. It actually symbolises the Star of Christianity ascendant over the Muslim Crescent moon. Still we'll keep that quiet till it's all gone through, eh guys, don't want to upset our new governors!

[mack rill]

Well they have done so far...... isn't it a bit simplistic (and probably stupid) to suggest people would invest because of a logo? I haven't bothered to read most of this thread as I really don't care about Portsmouth - that's not in a nasty way, just that I don't see why I should. Apart from being geographically close is there any reason to care about them? For the record I hope they don't go bust - I don't want any club to go bust. That's about as far as my feelings for Portsmouth go - I do get annoyed when all the pubs are closed when we play them though.

 

Not been thirsty to many times of late then Son!