Appleton: Blues bubble has not burst – yet
Pompey manager Michael Appleton. Picture: Robin Jones
Michael Appleton insists Pompey’s pay woes have yet to impact on the players.
But he warned that could change if the problem is not rectified soon.
Players and staff are still waiting to receive January’s wages.
The Blues have yet to receive a validation order from the courts to allow them access to their frozen bank account.
That means all pay continues to be withheld.
It’s a problem which affects everybody at the football club from top to bottom, with staff effectively working for nothing at present.
In the meantime, Pompey missed out on a timely financial boost when Saturday’s home clash with Hull City was postponed.
Staff behind the scenes are continuing to work out of loyalty to the club. But, from a footballing point of view, Appleton is concerned his players’ spirits could wane.
He said: ‘You wouldn’t have thought it was a problem if you watched training on Saturday.
‘The way things are, you would think everything was normal.
‘I think that is testament to the players and the staff that they do get on with it.
‘If it continues, then it’s only natural that eventually it is going to start getting people down.
‘So, from my point of view, the job is only going to get more difficult.
‘I think some days are better than others.
‘But if I see someone is having a bad day, I just make sure I do my little bit to perk them up and make them feel better about themselves.
‘I think I am wise enough and clever enough to recognise who is having a bad day and when they need an arm round them or a cuddle.
‘Obviously some of them are a little bit tetchy at times.
‘But the longer it goes on, the more difficult it is going to get.
‘So the sooner it is sorted out the better.’
The Hull fixture was expected to generate much-needed income for the club with help from the Pack the Park campaign.
It was also set to be the first Fratton Park fixture for three weeks.
As it was, the game was called off early on Saturday morning due to a frozen pitch.
Programmes had already been printed, while the loss of potential ticket revenue from pay-on-the-day fans means the club have been left counting the cost.
However, the exact figures remain unclear, with chief executive David Lampitt unavailable for comment over the weekend.
In the meantime, Balram Chainrai has announced to press in China he and Levi Kushnir have covered January’s wages.
However, none of Pompey’s staff have yet to receive such monies.
The former Blues owner claims he will be back in the country this week seeking a resolution.
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Comments
There are 165 comments to this article
Page 1 of 11
Fatcatpat
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 03:07 PM"""Morning guys. Well, people are talking about Plan B so some questions need to be answered. (1) Where would the matches be played ? (2) What league would the club be in ? (3) Where would the money come from to run the club ? (4) How many fans would want to attend matches in a lower league ? There are alot of people who would'nt want Plan B especially those who travel long distances to get to matches. Lets look at using FP as a stadium for lower league matches first the business rates for FP are 1.4m then there's the upkeep of the stadium and wages for ground staff and also remember the rent to pay to the landlord of FP to pay all the running costs of FP would need decent attendances so do you think it could be done. The avrage home attendances in the championship is around 12 to 14 thousand which you would'nt get in my view in the lower leagues.""" some verry valid points. Plan B is starting to mean different things to different people. It comes down to a budgetted business plan to run a 'down to earth club' on a profitable basis. It as to be profitable at the day-to-day level if there is to be any chance of building a better future. I don't know how the gate will fare if a new Pompey plays in Div2 or lower, or what ticket prices would be? What would wages be? Coaching staff? Other costs like insurance must be signiifcant. Scary stuff!!!
Flying bull
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 11:12 AMAppleton: Blues bubble has not burst – yet! It will when he has to pay his poll tax buy food or his rent. Along with the rest of the staff. Perhaps they can borrow a few quid off Harry?
60yearsafan
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:14 AMRe Post 159. Sorry - partners name is NICK OLIVER ( not Owen) of HOWES PERCIVAL. A slip of the tongue - part of me must think that PFC will one day appear on Crimewatch !
Southerntree
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:59 AMOzinaus LOL ..... theirs not enough south africans or Stoke Players in the world to compensate for Clueless .....
ozinaus
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:56 AMSoutherntree. If u keep him we will send u a former south African captain as compensation.
Southerntree
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:50 AMMatty C ... and i thought you were all so sad to see him go .. anyway i wont hog your forum Good luck Keep the Faith ... U Reddds
60yearsafan
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:47 AMPost 138 (Harry Stotle) In July 2011 Baker Tilly, joint liquidators of Portsmouth City FC, instructed Nick Owen, partner and head of Insolvency and Corporate Recovery Team HOWES PERCIVAL, to assist them with " their investigations into the financial collapse of PCFC having identified significant issues that require detailed investigation". Mr Owens tel no is 02030400200 for anyone requiring an update on progress. Perhaps even The News will make contact ?
Southerntree
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:47 AMozinaus .... not even a swap deal also let you have at least six of our seven strikers we only need 1 under clueless....
MattyPUPPTIDc MattyC
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:46 AMPost b155 - I can seriously sympathise with you especially on the manager front - who head hunts a manager with a record of 2 wins in 19?????? If SC had stayed here we would be bottom. PUP
southseasteve
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:41 AMCheers Dave - i understand why alot of fans are terrified at the idea - but alot of them just need to read up on what the trust is saying. yes we would lose alot of fans with plan b - but i think alot of people who say they wouldn't support it would do once its up and running and they can see it's the same club.
Southerntree
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:39 AMPompey Dave , Thanks for your return comment recent times have been the worst Poor Management and Guidance from the board but at least Nigel kept us from Financial ruin but like you with his sad demise we now have outgoings that seriously exceed incomings and players(especially ex stain mcgoaldrought) (and ex managers) sat on large Salaries ... and a useless tw@t of a manager we cant afford to sack .... three years of clueless you dont know how lucky you are ... we all wait with baited breath to see how both situations unfold... BTW great support but not as united as you guys You Reds.....
Pompey Dave from Devizes Wilts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:35 AM@151 Southsea Steve..... SMASHING STEVE
ozinaus
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:35 AMSoutherntree. We r likewise saddened by the events that have occurred at your great club. However re your kind offer ,don't take this the wrong way but get nott ed!
Pompey Dave from Devizes Wilts
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:34 AMTask Force.... I have a wife and 2 kids and little work. My friends who read and dont post know that this is the case. Come that day my friend I will put a months wages in £2400.00 and a £100.00 per month minimum. Hold me to it although I will probably have a divorce on my hands. Will others do the same???
southseasteve
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 09:33 AMTooks - i live in Bristol and i would travel to borehamwood to watch AFC Pompey. The trust has already said the worst case scenario is conference south - with the size of the city, expected crowds of at least a few thousand we would be back in the football league within 2 to 3 years. The trust has already stated that if you apply within a few days of a club being liquidated you keep the clubs official history and achievements records. Playing FP is possible - not definate but possible. So with plan b in 3 years we could be in league 2, debt free, crook free at last, same colours, same badge, same fans, same songs, maybe same stadium. Where will we be in 3 years with plan a? Fact is there isn't a plan a. It's time to wake up - to survive long term we have to bite the bullet short term and commit ourselves to plan b and the trust.
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