Portsmouth fan launches crowdfunding campaign to pay off under-pressure manager Kenny Jackett

A Pompey fan has launched a crowdfunding campaign – to raise the money required to sack Kenny Jackett.
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The former Fratton Park season-ticket holder felt compelled to act following The News’ story that the job of the under-fire Jackett is presently safe.

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However, Betteridge has hatched the novel idea of calling upon fans to instead meet that potential divorce bill.

The 29-year-old told The News: ‘My son, Archie, plays for Purbrook Youth and, at his game on Sunday, I read out a Tweet that the club were in talks to replace Kenny Jackettt.

‘Well, I’ve never seen a group of 5-7 men so happy!

‘When The News yesterday said the manager’s job was not under threat and the owners weren’t willing to pay £400,000 to sack him, I thought I would help.

Steve Betteridge, pictured with son Archie, has created a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to cancel Kenny Jackett's Pompey contractSteve Betteridge, pictured with son Archie, has created a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to cancel Kenny Jackett's Pompey contract
Steve Betteridge, pictured with son Archie, has created a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to cancel Kenny Jackett's Pompey contract
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‘If every fan who was meant to go to Wembley in the Leasing.com Trophy could put in £10, then roughly we would raise enough to pay him off.

‘To actually see people commenting and sharing it shows the crowdfunding idea is hitting home with the fans.

‘We are a passionate club, we always have been, but Jackett offers no motivation or inspiration.

‘I think we could be struggling to stay up this season. By Christmas we may be down the bottom of the table.

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‘Even if this doesn’t get enough money, people will notice it. It’s about the exposure, making our voices heard.

‘Where do we go with Kenny Jackett as manager? Nowhere.’

Betteridge last season sat with son Archie in the Fratton end as season-ticket holders, yet is now reluctant to watch them on iFollow.

Having purchased tickets for last season’s Leasing.com Trophy final against Salford, he is prepared to forgo any potential refund to help the club.

And even if he cannot influence the future of Jackett, he hopes money raised can be put to other good use.

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He added: ‘When the campaign closes, whatever is raised will be used to help others.

‘We most likely won’t be able to hit our target, so a group of us have decided it could instead go to Pompey in the Community for the John Jenkins Stadium.

‘I’m hoping some good can come from this.’

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