Appy: Things can only get better
Michael Appleton takes a training session today on part of the Fratton Park pitch which was deemed playable Picture: Allan Hutchings
Michael Appleton refuses to stop believing Pompey’s fortunes will soon change following their latest blow.
The Blues were robbed of crucial Fratton Park revenue after today’s clash with Hull was called off because of a frozen pitch.
Referee Darren Sheldrake made the decision at 9.45am this morning following a second pitch inspection.
The pitch had been underneath frost covers for several days, but freezing overnight conditions made parts of the surface unplayable – particularly areas near the South Stand.
Pompey’s first home game in three weeks, it prevented the cash-strapped club receiving a precious financial boost, especially after the Park the Park campaign, where it was hoped Blues fans would turn out in large numbers.
It represents another setback at the end of a week which has seen players and staff not given January’s wages.
Appleton remains defiant, however.
And he has every hope that some day matters will take a turn for the good.
He said: ‘I just keep thinking somewhere along the line someone is going to deliver some really good news.
‘There is a general belief that if I am given the tools I would be able to do the job I set out when I first walked through the door.
‘I’m not one for giving up. That was me as a player and is me as a person.
‘I don’t see the reasons for dressing things up, it’s just not my style and I think the players realise that as well.
‘I will not start to make excuses now, everyone realises the position we are in and how hard the job is at the minute.
‘The obstacles put in front of us over the past two or three months have been absolutely scary at times.
‘But I just keep telling everyone as a group – the staff, players and club – that if we can get through and deal with everything we have dealt with, imagine how good it can be when we’ve got the tools to just do our job properly.
‘That is what I keep telling the staff and the players. I will always have that hope.’
A new date for today’s scrapped fixture has yet to be finalised.
Tickets already bought will be valid for the rearranged fixture, but fans can claim a refund.
As disappointing as the match being called off was, Appleton backed referee Sheldrake’s decision.
And he admitted there was no way the game could have gone ahead as planned following overnight temperatures reaching minus-10 degrees centigrade.
Appleton, who this afternoon took a training session on part of the Fratton Park pitch which was deemed playable, added: ‘It’s a bit of a disappointment but, obviously, there is nothing we can do with what happens with the weather.
‘We tried ever so hard in terms of putting the sheets on in the last week.
‘I think we doubled and tripled the covers on the near side (South Stand) because we knew it’s in the shade most of the time.
‘The ground staff have worked ever so hard night and day to get the game on, but obviously the drop in temperatures killed it in the end.
‘You couldn’t get a fork in that near side, especially first thing in the morning and the decision has to be made.
‘Even at 2pm it was still rock hard and would have been too dangerous to play.
‘It’s a shame because the lads are in good spirits and were looking forward to the game.
‘And, hopefully, being close to a full house, it would have been a good atmosphere.’
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Comments
There are 192 comments to this article
Page 1 of 13
insane saint
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:40 PMsounds like reading this that you lot down the road have given up come on guys FIGHT
Fatcatpat
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:33 PM"""he has a charge on the land and is not the owner of the land. the club own it and they clubcsi owe him, this is why he has a charge on the land. he will be the no 1 creditor and likely get 10mill for it versus the 17-20mill he is owed,""""IF WE GET WOUND UP, Assuming his charge is valid, and bulletproof, he will either get the debt secured on it paid, or he will get the freehold of the land, if the land cannot be sold for more than the secured debt. But there is always the possibility of some complex deal being done before we get wound up. If PFC 2010 is wound up, and BC has no role in it, BC would be free to sell FP free of the CVA and all debt, so a brand new PFC could start.
OldPompeyBlue
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 10:42 AMMorning Mr Appleton - If no one has given you this link of what we are all about then please take a look. It is a well put together video and highlights the passion this club has, but I guess you've already come to realise that: http:\\www.youtube.com\watch?v=6r1cmTF0MuE&feature=related - reverse the slashes to view
Trueblue78
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:22 AM187: The Trust have put together Plan B, and will need investment to maybe not 'rebuild' but build a team up from scratch.
cjinrak
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 09:02 AM183 to 185 Being unfair to Pompey ............. UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that BC was owed 17m by Arcady Gaydamak (does that sum sound familiar?) UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that BC did not lend 17m to Pompey (does that sum sound familar?) UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that BC did lend 17m to a third company ostensibly owned by Al Mirage UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that no-one has proven that Al Mirage exists UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that BC was pulling the finacial strings while PFC were supposedly under the ownership of Al Mirage UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that Azhougi is a convicted fraudster with links to organised crime UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that Jacob's own employers washed their hands of him as soon as he & Azhougi had finished their meddling at Pompey UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that during that period cash was taken out of PFC and put in bank accounts administeredrun by Chanrai & Jacob UNCONTESTABLE PROVEN FACT is that BC has NOT paid 1m for January wages, he only said he would (a bit like he pubically said he'd pay charities and small creditors but then quietly refused to pay). WHAT DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 07:54 AMtrue blue u r right of course re infighting but everyone fed up and frustrated. Same time the TRUST i am not, repeat not against it, and am sure they are sincere, these are not the main issues. you say one hand "not trying to secure funding" but aim to rebuild with investment, urm rebuild what? oh they want to raise money after the fact, thats very clever, not. But see my point?
Trueblue78
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 07:29 AMMaybe i am being a tad naive, but why can't Lithuaniun authorities release money from Antonovs frozen accounts. In the CSI statement, he clearly said the club was being funded via personal wealth. As it stands i guess he is still the owner of the club? CSI owe BC £17-18m do they not? I really don't understand how all this works, CSI buy the club from BC, but fund the club via persoanl wealth. CSI go into admin and now the club is liable for repaying BC. Surely his money must be recouped from sales of other CSI companies? On the subject of the Trust, i think the guys are doing a great job, with the 12th Man etc, but i do agree that they do not have the funding to take the club forward, but it has been pointed out that they do not want to secure the funding, thery just have a plan to rebuild with investment. It baffles me that we argue between us at a time when all staff at the club have not been paid, and are just cracking on regardless.
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:45 AM182. so you dont want and are not interested in BC's 1 mill to pay the jan wages, and you not interested for him to pay HMRC, this because the trust will pay either, no! you and your words of wisdom can and will u pay, no, thought so. to stay afloat and get MA the chance to let the football do the talking we need a club and tea, BC's offers this and fans should be grateful wotever his motivation, its real money not potless plan B and or being rude to BC and defaming him with all these conspiracy theories is stupid. he owed the money, fact
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:38 AMhe has a charge on the land and is not the owner of the land. the club own it and they clubcsi owe him, this is why he has a charge on the land. he will be the no 1 creditor and likely get 10mill for it versus the 17-20mill he is owed, so naturally he has a financial reason to help pfc, that said many many many business people could and would right off the other 10mill and just take 10mill and walk away, he hasn't
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:36 AM182, straight from a novel, there is not a shred of evidence to support your al mirage claim re BC, what do i know, i suspect a darn lot more than u. alot more. what you are alluding is gossip, rumour, inuendo, and nothing more than that. he lent some money alot of money to someone who didnt pay him, and therefore he has every right to wish to get the money back. he doesnt need to aid the players salaries he doesnt need to stop hmrc by paying them he doesnt need to keep the club going he could simply sell the land and be done with it and the demise of us.
cjinrak
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 06:11 AM180 being unfair to Pompey.............. BC was not a reluctant owner. He entered Pompey under the cloak of Al Mirage. He did so wilfully. He (BC) lent himself (as Al Mirage) that 17m and then sent in his convicted fraudster and the disgarced lawyer to re-structure our accounts in order to present him as a secured creditor (whilst taking cash out at the same time). Lets try again. BC is NOT a reluctant owner. He created a secured debt without paying a penny to PFC (he lent to himslef - geddit). BC has taken money out of PFC. BC has not put money into PFC. What do you not uderstand?
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 03:29 AMTrust and Dan Brett, just read your comments on AA and BC..i must say my thoughts on AA are getting more negative of late, but BC i wouldn't criticize as yet. The Trust and you, now sincere, sure. But what for AA spend valuable time talking to you and the trust, you are already potless, completely potless. completely, and thus far for all the talk, you havent got a solid plan to keep the current club going. all u can do is say plan B for when it fails, well thats a bit late isnt it. AA discuss with the Trust what, that the Trust can write a cheque for 1,8 mill HMRC? no right, Can the trust buy the land of BC and create a REIT of foundation or some other mechanism for the club to be cheaper and or not beholding to a new owner, no, right you cant. The Trust offers nothing at all at this point except talk and talk only. Sincere sure. time wasting for now, yes. Talking with the Trust is useless for AA and DL and BC and or any potential or new owner until HMRC resolved and end of the season done and CC or PL for next season is reality. we are 2 games in hand almost and most of us believe and know we are play off material, so lets get to the play offs and see what the club and fans can achieve. Trust right now is potless completely and until u raise 1 mill quiid hire a proper consultant to device stratefgy to take BC and or SG land you will remain potless
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:41 AMi for one have never been negative about bc. He was a reluctant owner to secure his debt and i and am sure many others not blogging on the site agree we owe him the money and debt of gratitude for saving us before He could stop putting good money after bad ie not prop us up longer but the wages are 1mill close to and it seems he has paid it and stuck in the frozen aCcount That said seems likely he will bail hmrc and enable us to find the buyer i suspect aim for play offs and promotion and the chance to get the 14 or 17 he is owed plus another 3 mill needed now We shud not bite the hand that feeds
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:36 AMPending Moderation
DunKirk
Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 09:10 PM@176. I agree with you, but challlenging the untruths in public, to as many people of prominance as possible is but yet a start. Your right AA not answer as he is part of the problem
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