Pompey - on the brink??

[Gordons Cumming]

I'm wondering if Tommy Smith made the right choice in the end?

At least Reading pay wages on time.

[AF1]

Former Chelsea boss Avram Grant has returned to Portsmouth as their new director of football.

The 54-year-old Israeli was technical director at Fratton Park from June 2006 to July 2007, before leaving to become director of football at Chelsea.

He subsequently succeeded Jose Mourinho as manager at Stamford Bridge before being sacked in May 2008.

It is the first significant move at Portsmouth since Ali Al Faraj completed his 90% buy-out of the club this week.

"I am happy to return to the best league in the world, the English league," Grant told Israeli sports website http://www.one.co.il.

Grant, who led Chelsea to the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow, will work alongside Portsmouth manager Paul Hart as the club aim to climb off the bottom of the Premier League.

It is expected that Grant will work with Hart on player recruitment, and England and Portsmouth goalkeeper David James said the move was a welcome step in the right direction for the club.

[heathrow royal]

How long before Avram Grant takes over in the managers post?

[Thaumagurist*]

Well, isn't that the job of the DoF, Mini???

[Thaumagurist*]

Thanks for the explanation, much better than a simple question mark which didn't really say much.

[Hoop Blah]

Well, isn't that the job of the DoF, Mini???

I was questioning how the club are going to be able to afford to recruit anyone given their current situation.

The current situation?

The one where some blokes just bought them and is now ready to put the money in? I'd have thought that was how they'll be able to afford to buy!

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[No Fixed Abode]

***BREAKING NEWS***

Avram Grant appointed DOF at Portsmouth.

How long before he takes over from Paul Hart?

[LoyalRoyalFan]

***BREAKING NEWS***

Avram Grant appointed DOF at Portsmouth.

How long before he takes over from Paul Hart?

How does this news get to the USA?

[Dirk Gently]

This may not all be quite over - there's a rumour going around that the head of the Saudi FA has spent 3 days asking around, and no-one out there has ever heard of Pompey's new owner!

[Deadlock]

This may not all be quite over - there's a rumour going around that the head of the Saudi FA has spent 3 days asking around, and no-one out there has ever heard of Pompey's new owner!

Faraj also has has business interests in Saudi Uniform Manufacture and Easyway Limited and is currently awaiting clearence from the fit and proper person commitee of the Convenience Caterers and Food Manufacturers Association (CCFMA) for his recently acquired 55% stake in Mick's Monster burger van located on Portsdown Hill.

Faraj is very much a member of the school who feel Liquid & Envy is a far better night out than Tiger Tiger. The rationale behind this is that Faraj feels the birds in Tiger are too old and are of a lower quality than those found in Liquid, despite Matt K often claiming otherwise.

He is also interested in purchasing a stake in Matalan.

Ali al-Faraj's favourite colour is blue and sources close to the Saudi have said this and the opportunity to expand his newly acquired catering arm (Micks Monsters) into the stadium on match days are the main reasons he has purchased Portsmouth FC.

I hope he takes good care of Mick's - they're the best thing about Portsmouth.

[Geekins]

confirmed what dirk said on bbc football

[PieEater]

Don't quite understand this:
http://www.mailonsunday.co.uk/sport/foo ... wings.html

Presumably this means Al Faraj either has no money or has no chance of getting the ok from the FA to run the club.

[exileinleeds]

It means the new owners do not have the money owing to HMRC and other creditors. If they do not find it, they will be forced into administration, have points deducted, and possibly go bankrupt. They have borrowed £15m- secured against the assets of the club, to get out of the immediate danger. It is a short-term loan, possibly only a year, so £15m+ interest is added to the amount the club needs to find funding for. Banks are not too keen to lend money these days for some reason.

This loan is buying time to find a proper re-financing package- which might make you think the latest owners do not have easy access to the money they claimed to have ready to invest. They plan to raise money by selling FUTURE TV rights.

How do you value future TV rights of a club very firmly rooted to the bottom of the league- and with no money for transfers in January?

There is no real indication of commitment to football- or funds to invest on behalf of the owners- one has to ask what the land value of Fratton Park is? I think PFC are in very very serious trouble.

[Uke]

It means the new owners do not have the money owing to HMRC and other creditors. If they do not find it, they will be forced into administration, have points deducted, and possibly go bankrupt. They have borrowed £15m- secured against the assets of the club, to get out of the immediate danger. It is a short-term loan, possibly only a year, so £15m+ interest is added to the amount the club needs to find funding for. Banks are not too keen to lend money these days for some reason.

This loan is buying time to find a proper re-financing package- which might make you think the latest owners do not have easy access to the money they claimed to have ready to invest. They plan to raise money by selling FUTURE TV rights.

How do you value future TV rights of a club very firmly rooted to the bottom of the league- and with no money for transfers in January?

There is no real indication of commitment to football- or funds to invest on behalf of the owners- one has to ask what the land value of Fratton Park is? I think PFC are in very very serious trouble.

So the Pompey fans got what they wished for a new rich owner, but like most 'rich' people their cash is tied up in the things that make them 'rich'

If only some of the morons on this site could have a bit more awareness of the outside world than Nick Griffin they may realise what they are wishing for!