Portsmouth Women pledge ‘phenomenal’  financial help to any players who need it

Portsmouth Women are pledging their financial backing to all players and staff by making a support fund available amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Due to wet weather, Portsmouth Women have only played nine of their 22 league games in 2019/20. Picture: Jordan HamptonDue to wet weather, Portsmouth Women have only played nine of their 22 league games in 2019/20. Picture: Jordan Hampton
Due to wet weather, Portsmouth Women have only played nine of their 22 league games in 2019/20. Picture: Jordan Hampton

The Blues discovered the Women's National League Southern Premier Division was null and void after an FA announcement on Thursday.

They were one club who probably had few complaints at that - they had only played nine out of their 22 League games due to the wet weather and a host of postponements at the PMC Stadium they share with landlords Baffins Milton Rovers.

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Even prior to the FA announcement, the earliest Pompey Women would have returned to action is the end of April in line with the men’s team.

Pompey Women manager Jay SadlerPompey Women manager Jay Sadler
Pompey Women manager Jay Sadler

But the club are still offering help to any squad or staff member who might need some financial assistance because of the Covid-19 epidemic.

An internal statement was issued by chairman Eric Colborne to all involved with Pompey Women this week.

It is believed a four-figure sum from the club's remaining expense fund has been set aside should anyone need support.

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All involved in the Blues' women's team are non-paid volunteers and some of the squad are self-employed.

That could mean reduced or no income for players and staff at the moment and boss Jay Sadler has thanked the 'phenomenal' gesture.

'The club have offered a financial package for the women’s players in terms of Portsmouth Women and our chairman Eric Colborne,' he revealed.

‘If any of our players are self-employed or those employed that can’t support themselves financially, the club is able to support.

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‘We’re under the same umbrella, but with us being a separate entity we’ve got a separate way of financial accounting.

‘What is in that account would have been the money to get us to Plymouth Argyle and back.

‘The rest of the season is currently there to roll onto next season.

‘But it is there as a cover blanket in a way for any players and staff - even myself included - and the other staff that are unpaid volunteers.

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‘If we’re in desperate need of finances, then the club can help out.

‘The club have released an internal statement to all players and staff, which is phenomenal.

‘I think it’s a four-figure sum.

‘So if any of us we’re in desperate need of money, just to get food shopping or get to the rest of the week before any finance comes in etc, then we can do that.

‘It just epitomises what Pompey is about really.'

Sadler is in daily contact with Colborne as developments continue with the pandemic.

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The men's side have had five first-team players test positive for Covid-19.

And Sadler has been in communication with chief executive Mark Catlin and commercial director Anna Mitchell throughout the past few weeks.

‘Since I moved to the club it’s been about supporting everyone and that stems from Eric Colborne,’ Sadler said.

‘He rings me daily for updates, announcements and to discuss things.

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‘That’s one thing where we’re pulling through together really and anyway we can support and help.

‘Any measures we can take from the men’s team in cases of what they’re doing and what we should be doing.

'The professionalism is phenomenal.

‘We’ve been in communication with Mark Catlin and Anna Mitchell right from the start when it all kind of escalated in terms of our game with Plymouth (being postponed) and taking the one club approach.

‘Also, it’s been every two or three days we’ve been in contact with them to see what procedures and measures they’re taking and using.'