Comment: Why are we giving up OUR dream?

I don't like this takeover plan. It seems a lot of people love it; convinced it's the way ahead and can only be good. But I'm not at all sure.
The Fratton End on the opening weekend of the 2013-14 season after the Trust takeover Picture: Joe PeplerThe Fratton End on the opening weekend of the 2013-14 season after the Trust takeover Picture: Joe Pepler
The Fratton End on the opening weekend of the 2013-14 season after the Trust takeover Picture: Joe Pepler

I absolutely accept the club need investment, and a good portion of it at that. But investment is one thing – a lock, stock and barrel takeover is quite another.

It’s coming up to four years since the Pompey Supporters’ Trust and presidents took the helm and I’m sure we can all remember vividly the heady mix of joy and relief we all felt as Portpin and Co were run out of town.

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And while I accept no-one ever said the fans would own the club forever, I for one didn’t think we’d be looking at selling up so soon.

I thought we were pioneers for a model that could become the future of football in this country. But now, some seem to be saying it was all just a short-term solution to tide us over ’til the next rich owner came along. How sad.

I agree Michael Eisner’s pair of hands look much safer than any of those who got involved a few years back. But some are urging almost-unconditional support for his bid without the (75-year-old) man himself having said a word, at least publicly, about his plans and long-term vision.

My gut reaction when the news broke on Monday was ‘just tell him PFC isn’t for sale’. But as the week’s gone on, people who know more than I do have told me, without serious investment, Fratton will crumble and we can’t get anywhere above mid-League One.

Maybe we should have been told that sooner, or maybe things aren’t that bad. Either way, I like PFC being ‘OURS’ and don’t feel ready for it being someone else’s.