SOS Pompey prepare for EFL Trophy fight

SOS Pompey have reformed '“ and issued a call to arms against the instigators of the EFL Trophy.
Bob Beech, centre, with his Pompey SOS colleagues protesting outside Pompeys former training ground in Eastleigh in 2012Bob Beech, centre, with his Pompey SOS colleagues protesting outside Pompeys former training ground in Eastleigh in 2012
Bob Beech, centre, with his Pompey SOS colleagues protesting outside Pompeys former training ground in Eastleigh in 2012

The supporter group played an integral part in the successful defeat of Portpin as Pompey came under community ownership in April 2013.

Now they are back, determined to scrap with football authorities over the controversial revamp of the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

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Member Bob Beech insists a public meeting is already on the agenda as they plot their line of attack.

And he has pledged SOS Pompey will once again bare their teeth in this latest fight.

He said: ‘We have been taking a sabbatical and had no reason to be stroppy, but now we’re back.

‘The only difference is we are with the club on this one.

‘Pompey need a goalkeeper but you wouldn’t put Gary Roberts in goal because that is not his job. This is the job of SOS Pompey, this is what we are good at, leave it to us. We are just a gang of vagabonds.

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‘We have a duty to get involved against this ridiculous competition. Across the country this seems to be that straw.

‘I find it hilarious Pompey could be fined £5,000 for putting out the same standard of side that Reading could play against us.

‘It also makes a mockery of it that clubs like Reading, with all respect to them, are making up the numbers.

‘This situation is entirely the fault of the Premier League, who have allowed these clubs to hoover the seabed for every young player they can find and now they are not playing. Somehow that is our fault and we have to sort it out.

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‘Mark Catlin is right, the club have got to act professionally and have a duty to the Football League, we understand that, but at the same time fans across the country have to say “Do you know what, we have had enough of this, can we have our football back, mister”.

‘We’ve had no need to get involved in anything in recent times, the club has never been in safer hands.

‘But, judging from messages I have received and social media, there seems to be a mandate against this Mickey Mouse cup.

‘It’s like getting the band back together – and we have only just started.’

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Meanwhile, Pompey fan Matt Smith is attempting to raise £15,000 should the club be fined for fielding weakened sides in the tournament.

Visit https://crowdfunding.justgiving.com/Paul-Cook-Fund?utm_id=60&utm_term=DYb3djGn6

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