Peter Storrie reveals he's advising sports firm over Pompey takeover

FORMER Pompey chief executive Peter Storrie is advising a sports firm over a possible take over at Fratton Park, The news can reveal.

Mr Storrie, who was Pompey chief executive from 2002-2010, said he is acting as an ‘intermediate’ between the company and the club’s administrator Trevor Birch.

He would not reveal the interested business, stating they wish the remain confidential, but confirmed they are a firm currently involved in another sport.

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Mr Storrie said he would not return to Fratton Park if the company mounted a successful take over.

Mr Birch told BBC Radio Solent this morning he had spoken to the former chief executive over the formation of a consortium.

Speaking to The News, Mr Storrie said: ‘It’s not a consortium. It’s just someone I know that might be interested in the club. They want to remain confidential.

‘I’m advising the people that are interested and liaising with Trevor Birch with figures and going through them with him. I’m just an intermediate.

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‘They are a company that’s already involved in sport – but not football. It’s at an early stage.

‘We have got information to look at and it’s up to them to take it to the next stage and go to Trevor Birch.’

The interested party would be happy to work alongside fans and the Pompey Supporters’ Trust, according to Mr Storrie.

It comes as the trust today launched its share scheme plan for a community buy-out of Pompey.

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Mr Storrie said the club’s current problems spurred him on to approach the business, and added Pompey was still in his heart. He said: ‘I just want to help.

‘I think it’s an easy club to sell to people. It’s a great club with a great fan base and great supporters. I know I am biased but it’s a good club.

‘I wouldn’t recommend these people unless they have the funds to take the club forward.

‘At the end of the day it’s up to them to decide whether they want to go into football or not.

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‘Trevor Birch is looking to do something as quick as possible. They are trying to do it quickly but there’s a lot of figures and complexities to the deal.

‘They are a big organisation but I cannot speak for what they would do or the money they would put into the club. They know they would need a fair bit of money to sort it out.’

Mr Birch said this morning Pompey’s debt is around ‘£50m’.

He said: ‘In total, if you include the claims from the liquidator of the old CVA, if you include those in the £16m, and you include (Balram) Chainrai’s £17m, it’s probably £50m in total.’