Portsmouth chief Mark Catlin's sympathy for Peterborough, Sunderland and Ipswich after season curtailed

Mark Catlin has offered sympathy to those League One clubs whose promotion drive was halted by a vote.
Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin has sympathy for those clubs whose promotion ambition ended on a vote. Picture: Joe PeplerPompey chief executive Mark Catlin has sympathy for those clubs whose promotion ambition ended on a vote. Picture: Joe Pepler
Pompey chief executive Mark Catlin has sympathy for those clubs whose promotion ambition ended on a vote. Picture: Joe Pepler

Pompey’s chief executive has been a long-time advocate for the 2019-20 campaign to be fulfilled on the pitch.

However, during Tuesday’s Football League EGM, just four League One members favoured continuing the season.

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Among their number were Pompey and Peterborough, although the voting was confidential.

With the overwhelming majority wanting to curtail the season with up to 10 matches remaining, Peterborough, Sunderland, Doncaster, Gillingham and Ipswich miss out on the play-offs.

And Catlin empathises with those clubs unable to decide their fate on the field of play.

He said: ‘I have sympathy for Sunderland, Peterborough and Ipswich, the clubs just outside the play-offs.

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‘If things had turned out differently, I could be having this chat now and Pompey would not be in the play-offs.

‘For us, it was always a case of just making sure we were covered from all angles – and thankfully that has been achieved.

‘Now we have a great shot at the play-offs – but I really feel for a lot of other clubs just outside the play-offs.

‘Their players and supporters are not going to be given the opportunity we’ve now got to potentially achieve promotion.

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‘Unfortunately those outside the play-offs do not have that luxury.’

With unweighted points per game deciding the final League One table, Coventry and Rotherham have been promoted.

That leaves Pompey, Oxford, Wycombe and Fleetwood in the play-off semi-finals.

Catlin added: ‘Doing the Zoom vote, I put ourselves in other clubs’ positions, considering what they and their fans must be going through.

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‘But the vote has been taken, we must move on, and we are looking forward now to a semi-final shot against Oxford.’

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