Eisner praises Pompey for its support for his takeover bid

Shareholders overwhelmingly backed the bid of American billionaire Michael Eisner to buy the club.

Mr Eisner said he would be looking to have the takeover agreed and signed off in the next few months.

Writing on his Twitter feed, the former Disney chief executive said: ‘Thank you @PompeyTrust and presidents for your support and to all the amazing Pompey fans for welcoming my family so warmly.

‘Hoping to complete acquisition process (due diligence and all that stuff) this summer.’

The process will now see further negotiations taking place over the legal and financial implication of Mr Eisner’s acquisition of Fratton Park.

Although no fixed completion date has been agreed, The News understands the process could take between six and eight weeks.

The deal would mean the removal of the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust’s three representatives from the club’s nine-member board.

But as part of Mr Eisner’s deal, the American businessman has already pledged to form a new heritage board that would seek to protect the club’s name, colours and badge. It would also play a key role in preventing the relocation of the club to a ground more than 15 miles from Portsmouth city centre.

As one of his ambitions, the 75-year-old said he wanted to see Fratton Park improved.