Birch defends Pearce deal

Portsmouth administrator Trevor Birch has defended the cut-price deal which saw Jason Pearce join Leeds United last week.

Administrator says money was needed to keep Portsmouth going

Portsmouth administrator Trevor Birch has defended the cut-price deal which saw Jason Pearce join Leeds United last week. Pearce only joined Portsmouth on a three-year contract from Bournemouth last summer, but has left Fratton Park to aid troubled Pompey's financial plight. Leeds paid a reported £500,000 for Pearce, with 10 per cent of the fee going to Bournemouth, but Birch is adamant such measures are necessary to keep relegated Pompey afloat. He said: "I am aware there is going to be criticism over the fee (for Pearce). You are always going to get that. But we do the best deals we can. Let's not forget, we have not got a very strong hand. "We are on a deadline and other clubs know we need to sell our assets. "In fact, anybody paying anything at all is an achievement in the absence of a concrete bid from a party (prospective owner) and the possibility of liquidation. "We do not want to sell any of these players, but it is a necessity. We are losing money hand over fist. There are ongoing costs so anything raised goes straight into the company."