Meltdown won’t drive Pompey boss away
Pompey manager Michael Appleton during training yesterday Picture: Robin Jones
Michael Appleton faced up to administration and vowed: I won’t walk away from Pompey.
The Blues boss promised he wouldn’t quit Fratton Park despite the club again standing on the brink.
The News understands debenture holder Balram Chainrai is close to putting Pompey into administration for the second time in less than two years.
Appleton is preparing for a points loss as a result which would plunge the club into a grim fight for Championship survival.
The threat of losing his top players would also become a reality, with the emergency loan window now open.
But the 36-year-old has underlined his commitment to a proud club again in a dire battle for survival.
Appleton yesterday held a meeting with his squad as the Blues prepare for administration.
The fired-up Appleton promised Pompey would compete to the bitter end for their place in the division.
He insisted he would not turn his back on the club, though, if the worst was to happen.
Appleton said: ‘I wouldn’t be doing my job properly if I wasn’t (ready for a points deduction).
‘I’ve got to be aware of it and make the players aware of it. They aren’t stupid.
‘At the end of the day I won’t beat around the bush with anyone. I will give it 100 per cent every day, though, because that’s what I’m about. Until someone tells me differently I’ll do that.
‘Even if they take the points off and we go into administration, I guarantee it’ll go until the last minute of the last game.
‘We are going to fight to make sure that happens.
‘Now I’ve had a taste of management I don’t want to be a League One manager.
‘If I have to be, then fine, but, as far as I’m concerned, I don’t want to let the opportunity go without the biggest fight ever.
‘It’s easy talking but I want to show that. Hopefully I’m doing that anyway.
‘If Michael Appleton left Portsmouth it would only be to really, really take my career to the next level as a manager.
‘I don’t see any reason to. The grass isn’t always greener.
‘The job in front of me when I arrived is different to now but I’m not bemoaning the situation. I have to deal with it.
‘I did take the job in different circumstances, but it’s only going to make me stronger.
‘Until I get an unbelievable, fantastic opportunity, I’m here for the long run.’
Appleton admitted he was now at a stage where he is desperate to know Pompey’s fate – even if the news is they are again in administration.
A points loss would then become inevitable – with the Blues manager hopeful the Football League would not hit them with anything stiffer than a 10-point deduction.
Appleton said: ‘If it happens I have a plan in place to deal with it, as and when it happens.
‘We were in administration in the Premier League last time, so it probably would be 10 points.
‘I don’t want to comment on that too much, though, in case it isn’t.
‘All I know is the clock’s ticking and a bill needs to be paid.
‘Everyone has got to a point where, one way or another, they want something sorted.
‘If it’s the worse-case scenario we’ll deal with it as best we possibly can.
‘But if there is someone out there who genuinely, genuinely can take this club forward, please do it quickly.’
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Comments
There are 160 comments to this article
Page 1 of 11
chunky39 was 37
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:59 PMTiger, every time I go to Fratton Park I put more money into the club than BC has done. When did he pay the wages? As far as we know no-one has received a penny in wages for over a month. Stop believing what he tells you, it isnt the truth. Should be a good game today, shame we didnt try and get LuaLua on a free earlier in the season...PuP
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:51 AMblackpool on or off, soil heating?
unbiasedopinion
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:44 AM@149 Bluefox - Following their brief foray into the elitism of the Premier League, Blackpool FC have managed to secure their long-term future financially, as well as completing the refurbishment of their ground, bringing it firmly into the 21st century. All this has been achieved by sensible budgeting and strict control of expenses. On gaining promotion to the PL, did they blow millions on players they couldn't afford? No. Did they give any of their existing squad ridiculous new contracts which would be totally unsustainable in the event of their stay in the PL being short? No. PFC may have had a few "boom years" living on the never-never, but I'll tell you this - If PFC's board had had an inkling of the common sense found in the boardroom at Bloomfield Road, then PFC's future would be secure and Fratton Park would be a genuine asset and a pleasure to visit. For a few glory-years, your owners gambled with the very existence of PFC, the gamble turned bad and 100's of millions were squandered. Now who were the morons?
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 09:14 AMChunky, sorry mate. You seem to be factually wrong, BC just coughed up the wages when he didnt need to, your brave so called fans stakeholders via the trust or any other method have not coughed up anything, nothing. Sure we all care, but where is the mechanism or leader to invest, there isnt one, certainly not the Trust, said nicely. the most important stake holder in a club, our club, is the owner, currently we dont have one or rather csi is in admin and AA is the rep. Why keep bad mouthing BC, he invested money and surely should get it back or try to get it back. he could have written off some or alot of it and place us in admin now and just get 5mill back, but seems instead he has to dip into his pocket to help with wages and or HMRC we dont know yet. one thing for sure, fact, if we finishing the seasons fixtures it likely means no points deduction and it means BC must and would have help, ie he is the most important stakeholder right now, by far, because he is the only one capable to bale us out..........i mean how does that make him bad? weird. all moaning and no supporting, cheers for a win today! not a whine!
chunky39 was 37
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:50 AMLew11 - no excuse, he doesnt need the news to talk to the most important stakeholders in the club, the fans, he can do it through any medium. Tiger, the only people who have and will continue to put money into the club (in whatever form) are the paying supporters, no one else. If you really think BC has or will contribute for the good of PFC you are more deluded than even I gave you credit for! BC, POTLESS, as far as putting money into pfc is concerned.
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:33 AMchris, yes yes, good quessie the steaming i almost forgot to ask that........i just hope we get a little luck and then nick a point or 3 just not lose and then crucify the tractors Tuesday!
russian chris
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 08:30 AMBluefox,actually it was 5 visits to Wembley. A record for new Wembley. 2 semis,2 finals and a Charity Shield( whatever its called now!) And Portsmouth hol the record for the most visits to the Old Wembley as well....well The Royal Marines band(Portsmouth ) do anyway! And when the Fa cup starts each season,you can say the final will be between Portsmouth and Leicester City. why? Because its the same distance to Wembley stadium from each ground! Just something to lighten your Saturday up! because reading all these accounts reports does my head in! And ayone know any streaming channel i can get the match on today? I saw the Leicester game on a NZ stream but i cant remember it. Hope its not as cold in Backpool today as it is here -28c currently! PUP.
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:31 AMWe should bottle MA tonic up! Fixtures will be completed confirms no admin, and the club has been quoted on radio not sure who or when pray tell, that the club denies admin etc. I not for one minute believe there is any business sense going admin from BC perspective over 2-3mill of bills or possibly 4-5mill needed to see the season out. No way, plan B, I still see the Trust Scott Mach barking on saying they look forward to meeting read their comments below in blue Graham, their heads up somewhere the sun don’t shine, the council and Trust have a role to play in securing the future of PFC, I am just wondering what is it they either can do to help secure the future of PFC, baffles me with no cash both potless......its like they just want to look good, talk the talk but not walk it, weird to me, sure the Trust fellas sincere. I never understood why the Trust and or a new owner hasn’t met with the council the explore and secure their support to how the ground can be spun 90 degrees, SG land snapped up and stadium enhanced with 12 storey luxury apartments condo’s facing Southsea! Anyway rant over. But I am not sure DL has been censored, wouldn’t come as a surpise if gardening leave to me, but I think this is more of DL, doesn’t spin, doesn’t make comments of what may or may not be only what will be and is happening and until he has resolved the wages bank and delayed and or interim payment re HMRC I don’t expect much from him, or anything, just more of the same. His job is to keep us in the CC at all costs, and see if MA can get us play offs etc, and AA job is to secure PFC such that the asset is worth something as a CSI asset that can reap some reward for the admin of CSI etc, he doesn’t care about the BC part really, he just cares about getting 3-4 mill for the club so that 3-4mill goes into the CSI pot for creditors etc that’s his role as I see it, I think? Am sure AA seeing the Trust because of the article I sent him and he replied, he could do a little background PR and explain to the Trust in confidence a few things, no harm, bits will drip out, but really AA won’t want all this in the NEWS for now. I agree with u (Devon), and during this week it all will unfold, it must because we have Ipswich at home before HMRC and Leeds at home after HMRC both must wins and I like to think a draw at Bpool or win is a real potential and I want us to batter Barnsley batter them. MA needs a little luck right now with Norris getting fit and Varney and Kitson and Moks too TBH he needs a break a little slice of luck, a fluke win at Blackpool and the FL chip in 2-4mill or something from chute and HMRC get some and back down and MA gets 2 loanies in and luck with injuries. Definitely all could should would agree that only a little luck has stopped us getting points or a point from Hammers Cardiff and Birmingham . TRUST SECURING THE FUTURE, WELL THAT NOT HELPING STAY IN THE CC COS THEY ARE POTLESS SAME AS COUNCIL, but they will stand around and mop up if we are in admin, is that securing the future? "The PST will attempt to persuade UHY and Mr Andronikou of our belief that the fans and the City Council are potentially two of the most important stakeholders in football club and both have a role to play in securing the future of PFC in these difficult times."
BC we Trust pardon the pun
Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 01:26 AMWe should bottle MA tonic up! Fixtures will be completed confirms no admin, and the club has been quoted on radio not sure who or when pray tell, that the club denies admin etc. I not for one minute believe there is any business sense going admin from BC perspective over 2-3mill of bills or possibly 4-5mill needed to see the season out. No way, plan B, I still see the Trust Scott Mach barking on saying they look forward to meeting read their comments below in blue Graham, their heads up somewhere the sun don’t shine, the council and Trust have a role to play in securing the future of PFC, I am just wondering what is it they either can do to help secure the future of PFC, baffles me with no cash both potless......its like they just want to look good, talk the talk but not walk it, weird to me, sure the Trust fellas sincere. I never understood why the Trust and or a new owner hasn’t met with the council the explore and secure their support to how the ground can be spun 90 degrees, SG land snapped up and stadium enhanced with 12 storey luxury apartments condo’s facing Southsea! Anyway rant over. But I am not sure DL has been censored, wouldn’t come as a surpise if gardening leave to me, but I think this is more of DL, doesn’t spin, doesn’t make comments of what may or may not be only what will be and is happening and until he has resolved the wages bank and delayed and or interim payment re HMRC I don’t expect much from him, or anything, just more of the same. His job is to keep us in the CC at all costs, and see if MA can get us play offs etc, and AA job is to secure PFC such that the asset is worth something as a CSI asset that can reap some reward for the admin of CSI etc, he doesn’t care about the BC part really, he just cares about getting 3-4 mill for the club so that 3-4mill goes into the CSI pot for creditors etc that’s his role as I see it, I think? Am sure AA seeing the Trust because of the article I sent him and he replied, he could do a little background PR and explain to the Trust in confidence a few things, no harm, bits will drip out, but really AA won’t want all this in the NEWS for now. I agree with u (Devon), and during this week it all will unfold, it must because we have Ipswich at home before HMRC and Leeds at home after HMRC both must wins and I like to think a draw at Bpool or win is a real potential and I want us to batter Barnsley batter them. MA needs a little luck right now with Norris getting fit and Varney and Kitson and Moks too TBH he needs a break a little slice of luck, a fluke win at Blackpool and the FL chip in 2-4mill or something from chute and HMRC get some and back down and MA gets 2 loanies in and luck with injuries. Definitely all could should would agree that only a little luck has stopped us getting points or a point from Hammers Cardiff and Birmingham . SILLY IF U ASK ME - The PST will attempt to persuade UHY and Mr Andronikou of our belief that the fans and the City Council are potentially two of the most important stakeholders in football club and both have a role to play in securing the future of PFC in these difficult times. WHAT ROLE DO THEY PLAY IN SECURING SOMETHING WITHOUT ANY MONEY, they are referring to not helping the club stay in CC ie plan A but if the club went into Admin they will be around to pick up the scraps plan B, now how is that securing anything? Said nicely as the Trust is sincere, but not the point.
Devon Pfc
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 11:52 PMAll newspapers are set up to sell newspapers fact. We have to be careful that we don’t judge on sensualisation. The next week will start to give us more of an idea on what’s happening . Lew of post 150 has made a fair comment. I have noted in the past DL has been pretty transparent but kept information factual. This is a professional man. I believe there is something going on behind the scenes that are obviously giving him good cause to remain silent. Tiger post 140 reminded us that Mr Andronikou said: ‘Tuesday’s match will be going ahead and the club will be fulfilling its fixture list.’ There is NO way that the Club would liquidate halfway through the season! Take this as a positive it will not happen the league would be in a disastrous position. This is brinkmanship! I disappear at the negative postings but appreciate we all have to work through the historic sagas that got us here. Appey is more of a Pompey fan then some of us. I wish I could bottle some of that attitude and distribute it. There is no way that this club is going down no plan B for me. PUP
lew11
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:47 PMmr lampitt can only really communicate via the media.the portsmouth news have created issues by decaring BREAKING NEWS ,at the wrong time.they did it on the morning of the lampitt forum,he was unhappy and rightly so,recently they have announced the tax issues at the the wrong time,there are other issues also.lampitt not happy ,and he has a case.this in my oponion explains some of the silence.all in all lampitt and the news not a marriage made in heaven.
Bluefox
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:30 PMLew11: knowing our luck Madonna will buy us then get sued for breach of copyright, lose all her money and we will be back in admin again!!!!!! TangerineHead: we had 4 trips to Wembley, an FA Cup, a European adventure, including AC Milan at FP during our 7 years in the PL. What did you get from your brief stay in the PL? Moron.
lew11
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:12 PMi am all tarted up and going out on the town,madonna has been begging for a date with me for some time.everyone rest assured i will secure the required funds from her,she wont be able to resist me,play up pompey
Bluefox
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:10 PMI disagree with the posters that say AA and DL should not be talking to the fans, letting us know what is going on. We are 10 days away from the court date that could see PFC fold and yet we have heard nothing for weeks. It seems to me that they have all given up and we are quietly and meekly heading towards oblivion. As the rail passengers stranded at Haywards Heath today said on the BBC News, at least we were kept informed of what was going on - made the wait so much more bearable. Exactly - we can all take bad news, it's the not knowing that kills us.
tangerinehead
Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:05 PMIts all bad news on here today------Visit my paper The Gazette its all good news with our Ollie.;;;;;;;;;;;
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