Grant: I will help fund wages
Avram Grant has revealed he will dip into his own pocket to help fund the wages of some of the Fratton Park staff who have lost their jobs.
The Pompey boss was saddened by the news of the scores of redundancies at the club last week after administrator Andrew Andronikou was forced to axe 85 jobs.
While the players and coaches have been largely unaffected by the cull, important members of the support staff – in the medical, video analysis, ground maintenance, kit and media teams – were shown the door.
But after members of the playing staff made enquiries about helping keep some of those axed, Grant has joined the movement.
Grant said: 'It was a general discussion to help some of those people who have lost their jobs – the idea didn't come from one person.
'I'm very happy that some players want to do it.
'The staff are happy to do it as well and I am personally ready to do it also.
'Everyone is together. I think we need to do something for these people.
'The players spoke between themselves and we will see what they are ready to do.
'But I am thinking about these people almost every hour because it's
not easy to lose their job. They are really great people.
'These are nice people who have given their heart to the team, even when it was a bad time.
'They have helped us a lot. If we can help them, it's a good idea.
'Some of them had been at the club more than 10 years and 20 years. It was a very sad few days.
'It's not a normal way for a club to run, but if we can help them, I think its good.'
Grant has faced the toughest job of his managerial career and has been effectively working with his hands tied behind his back since taking charge at Pompey last November.
But after seeing vital members of his squad sold against his will, he is now facing losses in vital areas of his support staff.
Grant said: 'A football club is not easy to run, but since I've been here, it's not a football problem.
'You always read about superstars, the players and sometimes the manager, but you don't know that this cannot be done at any club without these people.
'You cannot do anything without the kitman, the scouts or the masseur. The club cannot progress.
'I think the administrator had a very difficult job to do, and it was not so easy to be at this club all of the time but especially last week.'
Peter Storrie resigned from the club after he was blamed by some fans for his part in the club's financial demise last week, but Grant insisted the former chief executive did not deserve the criticism.
Grant said: 'I worked with Peter, left, this season and he was very professional.
'He gave everything for the club in very difficult circumstances and tried to find a solution for a good future for the club.'
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Weather for Portsmouth
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 15 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
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