Portsmouth Saved From Liquidation

PORTSMOUTH FC has been saved from almost certain liquidation, following a takeover by Hong Kong businessman Balram Chainrai.  The administrators of the South Coast club announced the change in ownership this morning, after former chairman Sacha Gaydamak agreed to sign a deal with the club over cash owned to him.

On Friday, the administrators had released a statement that the club was close to liquidation, after Gaydamak has changed some terms at the last moment and wanted cash in hand.  Yesterday, the cash-strapped side beat Hull City 2-1 in the Championship to go six games unbeaten, but there had been talk that the game at the KC was the last in Portsmouth’s history.  Fortunately, that isn’t the case and the club’s short-term future is at least secure.

The club were relegated last season from the Premiership, after becoming the first club in Premier League history to go into administration and got a nine point deduction.  Had the club folded, they would have been the first to go completely out of business since Maidstone United back in 1992.  Let’s hope that the future is brighter now at Fratton Park.

Graceful Grant Exits Pompey, Next Destination Will Be Upton Park

It didn’t come to many people’s surprise last night, when news broke of Avram Grant’s decision to step-down as manager of crisis-hit club Portsmouth.  The Israeli, who took over the Championship bound side at the end of November 2009, following Paul Hart’s dismissal oversaw a fairytale run to this season’s FA Cup final, which sadly ended in defeat against his former employers, Chelsea last Saturday.

The match at Wembley turned out to be Avram’s final game in charge of Portsmouth, with the club having dropped out of the Premier League, entered administration and docked nine points and record even higher debts than were initially feared.  The way he spoke to journalists after the final last week suggested that he was set to go, but not without a heavy heart.  This was further proven by his emotional letter to the beloved South Coast fans, posted on Portsmouth’s website last night.

GRANT’S LETTER TO THE PORTSMOUTH FANS

This was one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to take in my football career.

After a lot of soul searching and under the circumstances I’m taking a different direction.

It’s been both a difficult and complex year for us at the club, but at the same time, it’s been a wonderful and uplifting professional and personal experience.  

I have been inundated with letters and emails from fans. Many have brought tears to my eyes and take it from me; it takes a lot to do that.

I will never forget you; the loyal fans of Pompey who, without a doubt, helped me protect the team under such complex circumstances. There are very few teams in the world that have fans as passionate and devoted as you are.

Seeing you all so proud with your heads held up high is the best reward I can receive.

It has been a great experience to be part of one of the most wonderful occurrences that has happened in the history of British football and also shows that even in the most desperate times, loyalty, devotion, professionalism and passion can be demonstrated.

I wish you all the possible success which you genuinely deserve.

Portsmouth has given me a feeling of home away from home. I might be leaving Portsmouth physically, but you cannot take Portsmouth away from me and my heart.

I have informed Andrew the administrator that if and when the need arises, I will be at his disposal to assist in any way I possibly can.

At this point I would like to mention the good job the administrator is doing, under very difficult circumstances after he received the club from Mr. Chainrai and Mr. Levy which they had saved from liquidation. Thank you for that.

I can never fully repay the faith and backing I got from the fans, players and staff who gave a hundred per cent. I truly thank you all for granting me the opportunity and the privilege to be part of your special city and unique club.

Grant, who took Chelsea to within one spot kick of winning the 2008 UEFA Champions League has had successful spells in Israel and only narrowly missed out on getting the national team into the 2006 FIFA World Cup finals in Germany, despite finishing unbeaten in a group containing Switzerland and France.  He returned to Portsmouth as director to football at the beginning of last season, stepping up after Hart was sacked following a 1-0 loss at Stoke City on November 22^nd 2009.  Grant won ten games in charge, the most memorable success being a 3-2 comeback result against Hull City in March, a stunning 2-0 success over shambolic Liverpool before Christmas and in that amazing FA Cup run, the dramatic and well-deserved semi-final glory at Wembley against Tottenham.

It remains unclear who will take over at Pompey, though England goalkeeper David James has expressed an interest in taking over the reins.  For Grant, his next destination appears to be the vacant manager’s seat at West Ham.  The Hammers sacked Gianfranco Zola ten days ago after a dismal season that saw them finish 17^th in the Premiership.  It would make sense for Avram to go there, as he would team up again with his former assistant at Chelsea, Steve Clarke. 

He may have gone for pastures new in the Premiership, but his reputation has been enhanced even further, and he has also won a soft spot in the hearts of many neutral observers.  Avram Grant is a man with two hearts, and for whatever success he may achieve in the future, whether that is at West Ham or somewhere else, he will always carry an undying love for Portsmouth FC.  I wish him all the best in his soon-to-be appointed new role.

FA Cup Final Review - Cool Chelsea Land Historic Double

On a pitch that would have been more suited for rallycross yesterday, John Terry and Frank Lampard held the FA Cup aloft, as Chelsea maintained their grip on the trophy, in a one-sided final at Wembley.  Carlo Ancelotti’s men overcame a brave, if limited Portsmouth side 1-0, to add the FA Cup to their Premiership title success seven days ago.  With it, he becomes the first Blues coach to land the double, even managing to achieve something that managed to elude the ‘Special One,’ Jose Mourinho.  Well, now Ancelotti can have his own claims to that particular mantle.

Chelsea were firmly in command from the outset yesterday, and had it not been for a bit of luck, plus coming up against an in-form David James, could have turned the final into a routine Sunday training exercise.  No less than FIVE TIMES did they hit the woodwork in the first half.  Frank Lampard and John Terry were both thwarted, whilst Didier Drogba has a free-kick wonderfully turned onto the bar by the inspired James.  Later in the exchanges, Drogba smacked the post again, then kicked at it in frustration, was this to be their day?  It was made all the more galling by Salomon Kalou’s shambolic miss from 3 yards out.  Ashley Cole set the chance up on a plate, but the unpredictable Kalou somehow smacked the crossbar with a gaping goal, a chance that to be honest, Stevie Wonder could have scored! 

However, Avram Grant’s spirited Pompey side didn’t give in, and had it not been for inspired Cech reactions, denying Frederic Piquionne from close range, his side might have had an unlikely lead.  Ten minutes into the second half, they squandered a golden opportunity to inherit the lead.  Steve Finnan’s strong work down the right-hand side, fed through Aruna Dindane, who bamboozled and forced a careless lunge out of Chelsea departure-bound Juliano Belletti.  Five weeks ago, Kevin-Prince Boateng has slotted away the decisive spot kick in the semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur, but this time, the Ghanaian (responsible for ending Michael Ballack’s game in the first half), scuffed his kick horribly.  Cech saved the poor penalty with his feet, and with it, went Pompey’s glory moment.  Less than three minutes later, they were behind.

Papa Boupa Diop tripped Nicholas Anelka on the edge of the box, and Drogba, always deadly from set-pieces produced another moment of magic.  His free-kick beat the disorganised Portsmouth wall, and just grasped out of James’s reach, striking the post.  This time though, his accuracy was spot-on, as it struck the post and bounced in.  The Ivorian was celebrating his seventh goal in an English cup final, and gave the Stamford Bridge the deserved edge.  In the late stages, Michael Brown’s silly lunge on Lampard earned another penalty, but for once, Lampard cracked under the pressure and sent his kick wide, James not even been forced to save the kick.  Lampard became the first player to actually miss a spot kick in the Wembley showpiece and it’s the first time in FA Cup Final history that two penalties haven’t been converted in normal time.

However, that couldn’t take the edge off Chelsea’s success, as their players celebrated for the second time in six days.  They are the dominant force again in England and the question is, can they turn this into a sustained period of success….with one of two new acquisitions in the summer, there is a good chance of this happening.  For Portsmouth, it’s the end of the FA Cup fairytale and the squad will break-up for pastures new, as will Grant, who despite his love and incredible affection with the passionate South Coast fans, looks set to take over the vacant West Ham United job.  With the Fratton Park side still in administration, their future looks very bleak.  For Chelsea, their future looks far more bright and promising.

FA Cup Semi Final Review - The Portsmouth Fairytale Continues

The magic of the FA Cup never fails to deliver; underestimating it is a sorry state of affairs.  Yesterday, the fairytale of Portsmouth in this season’s FA Cup continues, as they overcame Tottenham Hotspur at Wembley 2-0 after extra-time.  It is a staggering result, considering the perilous state of affairs that have engulfed the South Coast club in the past twelve months.  Relegation was confirmed from the Premiership on Saturday afternoon and still, there is an uncertain future for the club, with no signs of an immediate buyer.  However, the players and Avram Grant have stuck together throughout thick and thin, and the results are now starting to pay dividends, especially for their loyal and caring supporters.

It was a fantastic semi-final, and even if chances were scarce, both teams had the desire and the energy to win the game in normal time.  It quickly became clear that one goal might be enough to see off your opponents, either through a stroke of genius or a critical error.  In the end, it came from Michael Dawson.  The centre-back, who has been in great form for most of the season, crucially slipped at the most inopportune time from a free-kick and the quarter-final hero for Pompey, Frederic Piquionne coolly slotted his chance past the advancing Gomes.  As Spurs pushed forward, gaps were exposed at the back and a determined Aruna Dindane drew a foul from Wilson Palacios in the closing stages of the extra period.  Kevin-Prince Boateng, an ex-Tottenham player and a man who looked bereft of confidence all day following an injury lay-off despatched the penalty with some aplomb.  The fantasy had turned into a dream.  

Moments away from going out of the cup in a replay at Coventry on a freezing January night, Portsmouth got some luck courtesy of a Stephen Wright own goal, then Aaron Mokena headed home with the last kick in extra-time to see Pompey scrape through.  Since then, they haven’t looked back and the 2008 winners will have a load of mutual appreciation for their battling qualities and support from many to finish the job off back at Wembley on May 15^th.

They will face cup holders and Premiership league leaders Chelsea in the final, after a rather comfortable semi-final success over Aston Villa on Saturday night.  A 3-0 scoreline certainly flattered Chelsea, but they were clear winners.  Villa had been on top in the first half, but failed to seize total command when Chelsea looked bereft of confidence.  Martin O’Neill’s side were unlucky, when John Obi Mikel blatantly brought down Gabriel Agbonlahor in the first half.  However, referee Howard Webb continued his shocking form, by waving away the strong protests.  He also decided to only book John Terry for an x-rated challenge, which James Milner was lucky to walkaway from a serious injury.  It wasn’t malicious, but certainly wreckless and unnecessary from Terry, and drew a lot of frustration from O’Neill, who must feel that his side have been robbed at Wembley this season, following the Carling Cup final, when Nemanja Vidic avoided dismissal for clearly bringing down Agbonlahor when he was clear in on goal. 

Didier Drogba’s Wembley love continued, as he broke the deadlock midway through the second half, turning in a mishit shot from Terry.  It is Drogba’s fifth Wembley goal already in six appearances, a staggering statistic.  Further goals from Florent Malouda and Frank Lampard in the dying stages put a further gloss onto the final scoreline.  Despite their early European exit, you can’t complain about Carlo Ancelotti’s first season at the Bridge, if he delivers the domestic double.

We are now down to the final two then, on May 15^th, Wembley Stadium, hopefully with a better playing surface which plagued the semis this weekend and though Chelsea start as overwhelming favourites on the day, the hope is that the Portsmouth bandwagon can give them a great game for a fabulous occasion.  

FA Cup 6th Round Review - Penniless Pompey Makes The Headlines

Sometimes in the beautiful game, fairytales and dreams can come true and once again, Portsmouth couldn’t keep themselves out of the headlines.  Their crazy season took another amazing twist, with the fans now having the opportunity to look forward at a day out at Wembley in the FA Cup semi-finals.

The competition that Pompey won back in 2008, is keeping their season alive and it seems that the recent plunge into administration has actually bought the players and staff closer together.  For Avram Grant, it was another emotional moment in his managerial career in England.  Vilified at Chelsea, despite doing a decent job and taking them a kick away from European glory in 2008, he is doing the best he can on such limited resources and should take huge credit for keeping the player’s belief together in such traumatic financial times down on the South Coast.

Saturday 2-0 lunchtime win against in-form Birmingham City was impressive and the main story of a fairly pedestrian and disappointing quarter-final weekend, certainly by this year’s high competition standards.  On-loan striker Frederic Piquionne scored both goals for relegation-bound Portsmouth, but Birmingham can feel aggrieved at being denied a certain goal, due to the lack of technology.  On Saturday morning, FIFA ruled out the use of goal-line technology at a meeting in Zurich.  Hours later, Liam Ridgewell’s header at Fratton Park was fumbled by David James and clearly went over the line.  However, to Ridgewell and Alex McLeish’s chagrin, none of the officials saw it and the ‘goal’ was not given.

The other main headline was Aston Villa’s stunning second half resurgence at the Madjevski Stadium.  Just seven days after their Carling Cup final agony, Villa’s players looked hungover and lacking hunger for the fight in the first half at Championship strugglers Reading.  Two goals from Shane Long had the Royals 2-0 up at half-time, playing beautiful football and all set to add Villa to their list of conquests this season, which includes Liverpool and West Brom.  Martin O’Neill borrowed the Ferguson hairdryer, ripped into his superstars at half-time and their response was clinical.  Norwegian striker John Carew scored an outstanding hat-trick, and Ashley Young added his name to the scoresheet, as O’Neill’s side charged back to win the game 4-2.  It was cruel on Reading, who as a team, has given the competition so much entertainment this season, but in the end, Premiership true quality eventually shone through.

Once again, Chelsea had little trouble in progression, reaching their 4^th semi-final in five seasons.  Stoke City, who embarrassed Arsenal and Manchester City in this competition were very tentative, and put up little resistance in a comfortable 2-0 win for the holders at Stamford Bridge.  As ever, John Terry couldn’t keep himself out of the headlines, powering home Chelsea’s second goal from a Frank Lampard corner and the release of emotion in his dynamic celebration suggests someone still is feeling hurt by losing his England captaincy.

The final quarter-final was dour and forgettable.  London rivals Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur play out a disappointing 0-0 stalemate on Saturday night, in an even contest at Craven Cottage that lacked attacking ineptitude.  Fulham looked the more likely to score, with Zoltan Gera and Damien Duff both testing Gomes.  A replay beckons, which for both is a real pain, with Fulham still in the UEFA Europa League and Tottenham busy in the scrap for 4^th place in the Premiership table.  Hopefully, the return at White Hart Lane will be more eventful.

Yesterday, the semi-final draw paired Aston Villa v Chelsea and Portsmouth v Fulham or Tottenham.  For Portsmouth fans, the possibility to overcome Harry Redknapp is the semi-finals would be sweet, but Chelsea still looks overwhelming favourites to defend their trophy.  Wembley beckons for the final five, but quite rightly this weekend, the main story of success belonged to Portsmouth FC.

Portsmouth FC - The Lesser of Two Evils

Yesterday’s news conformation was no real surprise to many in the football game, but it was a sad day nonetheless.  Portsmouth made unwanted history, by becoming the first Premiership club to enter administration, since its inception into the English game in 1992.

A 9-point deduction has followed, meaning a mathematical miracle is now needed to avoid relegation from the FA Barclays Premiership, despite today’s 2-1 morale-boosting win at fellow relegation stragglers, Burnley.  However, it’s the best move possible, because it means that the club will probably be able to stay in business, which looked increasingly unlikely just a few weeks earlier. 

Portsmouth’s downfall from grace is almost unheard of, but it is a sorry state of affairs.  Less than two years ago, Pompey defeated Cardiff City 1-0 to win the FA Cup.  With it, came the prospect of European football and star playing arriving at the club, such as Peter Crouch, Niko Kranjcar and Jermain Defoe.  However, spiralling players wages began the financial mess that the club got themselves into.

Manager Harry Redknapp left for Tottenham in autumn 2008 and in a desperate attempt to balance the books; over £100m was raised in selling players, such as Crouch, Defoe, Lassana Diarra and Glen Johnson.  So, how come the club got themselves into £80million in debt, it’s such a startling figure.  Basically, it was borrowing money it simply couldn’t pay-back, such as to Premiership clubs for players, TV rights money from BSkyB, work on the stadium from local businesses, plus pay-outs to former managers, Tony Adams and Paul Hart.  Former owner, Alexander Gaydamak is also owned money in excess of £30million pounds.

I feel really sorry for the players that remain at Fratton Park, the likes of international stars such as David James, Anthony Vanden Borre and Nadir Belhadj, and former Champions League winners, Steve Finnan and Kanu.  Also, the manager Avram Grant, who loves the club so much and like at Chelsea, is in a precarious and imperative position through no fault of his own and finally, the Pompey supporters, who have been through so much pain, trauma and heartache over the last 18 months.  Portsmouth FC is a community club and bankruptcy would have ripped the heart out of the city, let alone the football community.  However, despite it being a sorry scenario, Portsmouth has got themselves into this mess themselves, so there can be little sympathy, especially from the rest of the FA Premier League.

Five owners in a season is nothing short of absolutely ridiculous, the lack of stability is comical, some of the owners don’t even know a thing about football.  To be honest, Bart Simpson could have done a better job than these Arabian men, who had no money in the first place, then took the club further into debt.  Chief executive Peter Storrie, who had such a decent reputation, has lost all his creditability, for not stepping in to sort out the fracas.  He finally stepped down yesterday and about time too, the fans who confronted him at the entrance of the ground yesterday made their point well and truly clear.  He is nothing short of a waste of space.   The FA and the FA Premier League also need to shoulder some of the responsibility.  They have refused to help Pompey in their hour of need, especially with the TV money rights, and more could have been done to prevent this scenario.

Can Portsmouth rebuild?  Yes, probably they will, but it won’t be until long-term.  In the short-term, more must be done by everyone in the game to prevent this becoming a normal situation.  It may be the lesser of two evils – administration or liquidation, but whatever the scenario, the fans and players of Portsmouth FC have lost out, in the worst possible fashion.  Togetherness and grit is needed by everyone for the South Coast club to return to their glory days.

FA Cup 5th Round Review - More Gripping Drama

This blog was first published on February 15th at http://happydude88.livejournal.com/

Records were broken, the unexpected stirred and games were breathless to keep up with it, the 2010 FA Cup is turning into one of the best of recent years, and 5th round weekend failed to disappoint those hardcore fans. Sure, there weren’t any giant-killing upsets, but the efforts of many were impressive, even if the scoreline went against them, even flattered the opposition.

Cup holders Chelsea remain firmly on course to successfully defend their trophy at Wembley on May 13th. Championship play-off contenders Cardiff City gave the Blues a run for their money in the first half, but crumbled in the second forty-five as Ancelotti’s side coasted into the quarter-finals with consummate ease. Didier Drogba has carried on the form he was showing before he left for Africa, Danny Sturridge continued his record of scoring in each round so far and with a side minus Petr Cech, John Terry, Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard, then the remaining sides must fear the men from the Kings Road.

West London rivals Fulham also made it through, with League Two side Notts County, recently bought for £1, putting up very little resistance against the Cottagers. Fulham are certainly dark horses for this competition, injuries are clearing up slowly and in Bobby Zamora, they have a striker in the form of his life. It might be too late for South Africa, but Fabio Capello must keep his eye on Zamora as an alternative to the bumbling Emile Heskey.

Heskey disappointed again at Crystal Palace, and so did his Aston Villa team-mates, as Neil Warnock’s side came within three minutes of causing a stunning upset at Selhurst Park. In a classic cup-tie, Palace took the lead twice; including a stunning free-kick from Newcastle reject Darren Ambrose, finally showing his true potential. It had to take a gutsy header from Villa captain Stilian Petrov to take the tie back to Villa Park. Martin O’Neill will know his young chargers were in a game and with the replay now due for four days before the Carling Cup final, it could be seen now to the boss as a major inconvenience.

Another cash-strapped club made it through into the last eight, as Portsmouth overcame a brave Southampton in the South Coast derby. Saints had their chances, but failed to take them and when Pompey got theirs, they showed their Premiership class, despite being rock-bottom of the division and fighting a battle to stay in business. A final scoreline of 4-1 did flatter them though, considering there were two goals in stoppage time as Alan Pardew’s League One side pressed for a leveller.

Reading’s Jimmy Kebe broke a record, for the quickest FA Cup goal ever. It took him just seven seconds to find the net against West Brom. However, Roberto di Matteo’s Baggies gritted out a 2-2 draw, despite being down to ten men and trailing twice. It is a missed opportunity for Reading, and they may well struggle now in the Hawthorns rematch.

Both Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur earned unwelcome replays, as they battle it out for 4th place in the Premiership. City’s multi-millionaires looked weak and lacked passion on Saturday night, Stoke with the Rory Delap weapon fully deserving their second crack at the whip, despite a devastating medial ligament injury to Matthew Etherington. Tottenham outclassed Bolton in the second half of their encounter at the Reebok, but wasted chances again and Tom Huddlestone’s failure from the penalty spot highlighted this face well and truly. They will be disappointed not to get the job done, and need goals fast if their season doesn’t want to end up disintegrating.

Birmingham City also progressed. They worked hard for their narrow 2-1 win at Derby County. A last-minute winner from Liam Ridgewell was lucky, but sometimes, you need luck to progress and Alex McLeish’s side will fancy their chances now to bring silverware back to the Midlands.

With four replays required, the sixth round draw still is incomplete and messy, but the prospect of West Brom v Aston Villa, Fulham v Tottenham and Chelsea v Manchester City would whet anyone’s appetite. The FA Cup continues to provide its old romance and great stories, but the men from Stamford Bridge are looking increasingly tough to beat.