Everything Portsmouth chairman Michael Eisner said in 750-word message to Supporters' Trust - including thoughts on Danny Cowley, promotion aspirations, Fratton Park and the academy

Speaking via a video message from America, the Blues owner spoke for more than six minutes as he addressed several key issues, including Fratton Park’s ongoing refurbishment work, Roko, the academy, Richard Hughes’ appointment as sporting director and the club’s forthcoming 125-year anniversary.

Eisner also said he was ‘very happy’ with manager Danny Cowley, remained committed to achieving promotion – hopefully this season – and retained long-term aspirations for Pompey, before concluding that he and his family were ‘pleased’ with how their time at the Blues was developing.

Here’s exactly what the former Walt Disney Company chief executive said in his message to the Trust...

‘As we approach the 125th anniversary of Portsmouth Football Club, I’m here to tell you that we’re in pretty good shape.

‘We’ve had an excellent, creative life since we’ve acquired the club. Thank you.

‘Fratton Park is just amazingly getting fresher, more modern and better, more concessions, more public spaces, better sight lines, it won’t rain on you any more, well at least it won’t rain on you when it’s coming down straight!

‘And we had a really wonderful experience with Andrew Cullen, Tony Brown and Steve Cripps in realising the plans for Fratton Park.

‘I think Archibald Leitch, were he be alive, would be happy with the way we reconstructed, or refurbished, the South Stand, which is now almost back to the way it was, but modernised.

‘I think everyone is happy with the new concessions, with the new toilets, the new open space – it’s only getting batter.

‘We’re now starting construction on the Milton End, which I think will be a great addition, both for the entrances at the Milton End, for the North Stand and the South Stand, and for disable elevators, elevator, to bring up those who would rather not or cannot use the stairs.

‘So off the pitch, we’re happy.

‘We’re happy with Roko, finally having a training ground in Portsmouth, on the Island.

‘We acquired it. We’re now spending a lot to refurbish the health centre, soon the first team will be inside that building and we’re happy we have this done.

‘We’re also happy with the academy.

‘I think the academy is strong under new leadership.

‘We have 10 new scouts out throughout the country, more depth looking at kids in the Portsmouth area.

‘So the academy is a big area that we want to emphasise.

‘It doesn’t happen over night, but it is happening.

‘Mr (Greg) Miller, who’s now the head of it, we think is a great choice and he’s really committed to do that.

‘So that worked out well then and that’s a good addition.

‘Rick (Richard) Hughes comes to the organisation as what some clubs call head of player personnel. But he will be involved with all sorts of things, whether it’s the medical, the academy and, of course, transfer windows, the first team, working with the Cowleys.

‘We’re very happy with the Cowleys.

‘Danny and Nick seem to be perfect for Portsmouth.

‘Yeah, it would have been better if we hadn’t tied, or excuse me, had a draw for the two games we were in Portsmouth for (last month).

‘I was there with all three of my sons, and my wife, and we spent a whole week there.

‘We didn’t lose, but we didn’t win.

‘We had a draw last week, again, at Morecambe – would have preferred a win.

‘We want to be promoted, we will be promoted – hopefully this year. We’re in it for the long term.

‘Have we spent more than what we thought we were going to spend?

‘I’d say about four-times as much, if you include all the properties we’ve acquired, Roko, and all the work we’ve done, and the cladding on the back of Fratton Park and the new roofs on the stadium and, of course, all the Fratton work.

‘There’s been some loses, big loses, during Covid, but that doesn’t change our commitment to move forward.

‘We will realise how good this was for us, and for you, to come together.

‘I think we’ve accomplished, pretty much what we promised we would do five or six years ago.

‘Obviously, every day it changes, every day it gets better, so we’re happy.

‘We look forward to the 125th anniversary, we have all sorts of plans to promote it, to be excited around it – and that’s coming up just next spring.

‘So, my report is, our family is pleased. We hope you are.