Finnan tells of player worry

Pompey defender shares fans' worry over club's financial state

Last updated: 2nd January 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Finnan tells of player worry

Finnan: shares fans' concerns

The players obviously talk about what is going on, about getting paid, but as players we have to get on with our job for the club and hopefully things can resolve themselves, but I think no-one really seems to know what is going on.

Steve Finnan on Pompey's financial woes
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Defender Steve Finnan admits the Portsmouth players cannot help but be worried by the club's current financial plight.

Pompey had hoped the outstanding player salaries would be processed on Thursday but the monies will now be cleared after the Bank Holiday.

Avram Grant's men head into 2010 bottom of the Premier League and beset by financial worries.

Pompey issued a statement to deny the club had been formally served with a winding-up petition by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs in relation to disputed VAT, PAYE and National Insurance contributions of a reported £3.5million.

A High Court date has been set for early next year, but Portsmouth - who continue to operate under a transfer embargo imposed by the Premier League over unpaid transfer debts - are expecting to have the matter resolved before then and the threat of possible administration lifted.

The Fratton Park faithful are becoming increasingly frustrated at the dire financial plight of their club and Finnan knows it is a testing time for all involved.

"The players obviously talk about what is going on, about getting paid, but as players we have to get on with our job for the club and hopefully things can resolve themselves, but I think no-one really seems to know what is going on," he said.

Worries

"It worries us, it is not nice for the fans, they have obviously been supporting the club for a long time, it is just not fair on them.

"For the players it is the same - we want to play for the club.

"It concerns everyone involved, hopefully it will get resolved, but the players have to keep fighting away.

Finnan added: "I certainly heard the chants (during the defeat to Arsenal), and most of the players heard it.

"They are frustrated like anyone else and you can understand why. They have supported the team a long time. It must be really disappointing for them."

Portsmouth take on Coventry in the FA Cup at Fratton Park on Saturday. Finnan said: "A cup run can give us confidence. After a poor start, we have got ourselves in a position where we can still stay up."

This is the second time this season Portsmouth have been unable to pay players' wages on time.

A statement from Portsmouth read: "Portsmouth Football Club expect to pay their first-team squad's December salaries on Tuesday, January 5.

"The club has been speaking to the Professional Footballers' Association and the players have been informed.

"The club has been assured of receipt of funds by Tuesday and the owner and board have been working hard on resolving the short-term delay."

Comments (10)

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Bob Elkins says...

It is such a shame to see a great club like Portsmouth in such a mess. They are not the only one's and in the next two seasons we could see more going the same way. I had the good fortune to visit Fratton Park when in England and the supporters who are really great must feel so let down by the board of Directors. Pay all players a lot less and perhaps we will see football flourish again. Keep your chins up lads.

Posted 14:36 1st January 2010

Jamie Doe (Arsenal fan) says...

Portsmouth are mugs. They need to learn and it looks like they will learn the hard way. They do not belong in the premiership. Poor ground, poor club...... Arsenal for the league!

Posted 14:14 1st January 2010

Steve Burroughs (West Ham United fan) says...

What I can't understand is if Pompey's new owner is a rich Saudi, why can't he put his hand in his pocket to save the club that he has bought? Or an even more intriguing question is why did he buy a club in so much financial doo-doo? Didn't his people do the correct due diligence or is there some sort of hidden agenda going on here? Things are certainly not adding up in my book.

Posted 13:16 1st January 2010

Ian Barber (Hull City fan) says...

I'm afraid I have absolutely no sympathy for Portsmouth. Their boards have behaved appallingly over the last few years and it's sad to see clubs like Watford suffering for the sake of Portsmouth's moment of glory. Administration is the best thing that can happen. It will rid the club of all the winnits and clegnuts currently sucking the life out of it and leave it to bounce back. Hopefully in the hands of those who genuinely care for it, and not their own status and bank balance. It may be difficult to stomach for the fans but a short sharp culling is better then the alternative. A slow strangulation strung out over a decade or more as the club is passed from one crook to another before finally hitting rock bottom, the fans gradually losing interest and the stadium falls apart. The sooner sports teams are banned from being in debt the better. I'm no financial expert so to simplify I'll say this. They should all have their credit cards taken away and replaced by debit cards. With penalties incurred for going overdrawn.

Posted 12:47 1st January 2010

Mick Ferrie says...

Looks like another 'Leeds United' - heading for the lower divisions for a few years to recover. I dont think Porstmouth will be the only ones to go - the game has lost touch with reality.

Posted 10:15 1st January 2010

Dave Smythers (Portsmouth fan) says...

Certainly is mate, not looking good at all right now. But hey, this is typical Pompey!!

Posted 09:57 1st January 2010

Carly Beaumont (Rochdale fan) says...

I think Pompey's FA Cup win in 2008, will go down in history as one of the biggest frauds ever in English football! Harry Redknapp doesn't have to explain himself, it was Peter Storrie and the board who sanctioned the deals. Sol Campbell arrived on a free transfer, but had wages of £5M a year. He wasn't a freebie, he cost Pompey £15M. When you then look at all the other big earners who were there too, you don't need to be a genius to work out that crowds of 21,000 cannot pay for these players. Signing players from other clubs, when you know full well they probably won't get their cash, is a footballing sin. It goes against the integrity of the football community - I feel for Watford & Lens, it's a disgrace. It would be heartbreaking for Pompey fans to see them fold, but I'm hoping it would change the mindset of other Chairmen.................then again I doubt it

Posted 09:16 1st January 2010

Paul Abbosh (Southampton fan) says...

We have been there and know what it is like! Even as a Saints fan I have sympathy with Portsmouth fans under the current circumstances and dont really want them to disappear. Just drop down a couple of divisions as we move up and set things back to their rightful place! We need them around to continue winning derbies against!

Posted 08:58 1st January 2010

Wayne Moore (Southampton fan) says...

Sod the players getting paid, what about the rest of the staff that work there? When Southampton were in administration I visited the club shop and the girls working there were in tears as they hadn't been paid, those are the people I feel sorry for, the players are over-paid as it is and barring the younger ones that maybe play for the reserves and the like they can all certainly wait a few days extra for their money, i'm sure they have tens of thousands in their bank accounts already! Why is there no mention from Pompey about the back offfice staff not getting paid? It's not all about the players and I notice even Mr Finnan above doesn't mention the people at Pompey that help keep the club running having to wait for their pay, typical self-centred, over-paid buffoon.

Posted 08:55 1st January 2010

Matt Wheatley (Portsmouth fan) says...

And now Lens are calling for us to go out of business too. Certainly is 100mph stuff supporting Pompey.

Posted 07:46 1st January 2010
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