On this day: Howe - I won't let Pompey die

The former front man of Bad Company said he was passionate about securing the club’s troubled future.

That was despite his partner, American businessman Vincent Wolanin - the chairman of American firm Top Notch Entertainment - pulling out last night.

Speaking to The News, Mr Howe, said: ‘If he (Vincent) wanted to give up then I wish he had told me first.

'I believe in common courtesy that he would have consulted with me first.

‘I’m not in agreement with letting my football club die.’

Howe's latest comments came after administrator Trevor Birch warned time was running out in Pompey’s fight for survival, with the forthcoming match against Middlesbrough potentially one of their last.

Mr Birch, of accountancy firm PKF, revealed the club could run out of money in mid-March unless a buyer came in.

He said: ‘Time is of the essence – we are telling people the truth and being honest that the club literally could fold.

‘I hope the fans respond as this might be one of the last few games we have left in the Championship’.

A spokesman for PKF added: ‘Money is coming in to the club from tickets, but money is going out of the door to pay wages and other operating expenses.’

Mr Birch claimed around £2.2m in Premier League parachute payments owed to the club would go to former owner Sacha Gaydamak – funds he said could have taken the club through to the end of the season.