How Portsmouth player search continues, despite sidelining of recruitment chief Phil Boardman

Kenny Jackett has revealed Pompey’s summer player hunt has been impacted by the furloughing of head of recruitment Phil Boardman.
Phil BoardmanPhil Boardman
Phil Boardman

But the Blues boss insists the club are continuing to explore transfer targets in his absence.

Pompey furloughed a number of coaching, playing and office staff at the end of March in line with the government’s Job Retention Scheme.

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However, all remain on full pay, with the club contributing the difference on the 80 per cent wage permitted to be claimed.

That leaves Boardman out of action at present during worrying times financially for football clubs across the country.

Jackett and his assistant, Joe Gallen, have not been furloughed and are continuing to work.

And Pompey’s boss is adamant others are maintaining the ongoing search for new players.

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He said: ‘For Phil, there are no games to go and watch anyway, which is a big thing.

Pompey have been deprived of head of recruitment Phil Boardman, but Kenny Jackett is continuing the player hunt. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinPPompey have been deprived of head of recruitment Phil Boardman, but Kenny Jackett is continuing the player hunt. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinP
Pompey have been deprived of head of recruitment Phil Boardman, but Kenny Jackett is continuing the player hunt. Picture: Graham Hunt/ProSportsImages/PinP

‘We are not talking to players at the moment. Whether players from other clubs or out of contract, there are no discussions there, so that also stops a big part of his job.

‘The only real part you can then do is be at home and collate more information, watch more games on video and perhaps gather more information on the telephone from people – which we are involved in.

‘We have to follow the rules and have to follow the regulations.

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‘Without Phil, we can still gather information, we can still conduct Zoom meetings, and we can still be watching and reviewing videos.

‘It’s slightly frustrating because obviously our recruitment staff would normally be out there watching games, but as they have been furloughed it changes.

‘It is what it is – we will continue until something changes.’

Boardman was appointed Pompey’s head of recruitment in September 2017, having worked with Jackett at Wolves.

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During his time at Molineux, he rose through the ranks after starting as Academy performance analyst in August 2009.

He later became first-team performance analyst and head of performance analysis, before arriving at Fratton Park.

Boardman has helped to identify the likes of Tom Naylor, Lee Brown, Steve Seddon, Craig MacGillivray, Ronan Curtis, Ellis Harrison, Brett Pitman and Ben Thompson during his time at Pompey.

Jackett added: ‘Obviously we are currently restricted in some aspects of the job.

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‘If, for example, we needed a goalkeeper – which we don’t – we are not in the process of making approaches to goalkeepers out of contract or clubs where they may be surplus to requirements.

‘We are not in that phase. Normally at this time of year we would be.’

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