benjii

This is correct. The PFC fans' anger is a bit misplaced at the moment IMO. Sure, Fahim is embarrassing and has contributed nothing and Al-Faraj seems to have the PR nouse of Gerald Ratner but they haven't made anything worse than it already was. In fact, as far as we know, Al-Faraj has performed minor miracles in keeping the rusty old cart on the road until now. His problem is the ridiculous self-contradicting statements that accompany all the bad news and the lack of transparency. If PFC fans are to be truly angry then it should be directed at Gaydamak and Storrie (and maybe Redknapp but frankly, what manager wouldn't use the budget available to them? Apart from Wenger, but he is that rare breed - an intelligent person in football). On the other hand, is the anger even justified at all? Without this overspend they would have sunk, flushed like the first turd of the day, down the leagues some years ago. They will probably survive in some form, and they will probably be at their natural level which is low second tier/third tier.

On reflection, it is a really, really, really bad idea. I am comforted by being 99% certain that he isn't actually that mental.

If he does it he'd better hope the stewards/police get to him before the local nutters.

I knew a girl with a Bishops Cleeve once.

I will if he does it. At first. I will then be slightly appalled at the aftermath. It is also not particularly intelligent to announce in advance, on a public forum, your intention to commit a crime. If he's going to do it, he should just close that group and do it. I also chuckled at the bit where he says he's not sure which games he'll be able to get a ticket for! That bit should be the easiest part of the plan!

Gaydamak bought the company from Mandaric and couldn't be arsed to change the name. I expect.

Isn't one of Milwall's centre backs supposed to be really good?

I'm sure there will be some sort of team but the prospect of them being clobbered down the divisions like Luton doesn't seem that unlikely just now. I think it's fair to say that the month of January 2010 will be pretty important!

You're welcome to express them and we are at liberty to laugh at the more ridiculous ones!

I suspect the shareholders information you have is based on the last filed annual return. This is only as good as the date it was filed. Falcondrone Ltd is the Faraj vehicle I think, apparently registered in the BVI. Quite who exactly is the beneficial owner of this is the million Dirham question. Interestingly, "Falcon Equity" was Al-Fahim's supposed cash-cow that was going to finance Portsmouth. In another interesting twist, a chap called Pierre Falcon was a co-defendant or Arcadi Gaydamak in the Angolan gun-running investigation.

It is out of date. Falcondrone are the majority owners now. I've no idea who or what Falcondrone is though.

Lol at Mr Portentous.

Because he doesn't appear to be anywhere near the Stoke team; he has been loaned out to Sheffield United this season already so maybe we can get him on loan ourselves; he knows it's nice here.

He says he is guarantor for the Barclays debt; he's on the hook legally whether he likes it or not. Seems like he couldn't get Fahim to assume that liability.

Why would the PL do anything? Ok - it would be a bit embarrassing if Pompey go into admin or are wound-up but what's the alternative? Help them out? Well, we don't want that happneing as it's unfair. Either they let events take their course (they already have fairly robust provisions in place to protect industry creditors) or they help them out. I'm not sure quite what action people expect them to take.

Yeah, you're right most leagues are much better.

He's apparently neither a director nor an owner. It clearly did ring alarm bells though which is why the PL are investigating whether he's in fact a shadow director but that's always going to be a grey area and one up for legal debate.

Given that we've lost two of the last three, I think it's important to get back on a winning run asap and for that reason plus the seven day break, we should play our strongest team or pretty near to it.

Andrew Davies must be a realistic shout (depending on wages)?

Good job that's nicely formatted and easy to read otherwise I wouldn't have bothered

They are one of the highest wage payers I think. The simple fact is that small clubs (Hull, Pompey, Wigan, Blackburn, Bolton, Fulham, Birmingham City, Burnley etc) can't afford to be in the Premier League unless a rich person is willing to subsidise them. Hopefully there will be a natural correction and within the next few years those clubs will be replaced by Forest, Derby, Wednesday, Saints etc...

Happy New Year to you too.

Why do you say that? That test is designed to stop criminals or people with a history of involvement with insolvent football clubs from taking ownership, either legal or beneficial. The Premier League/FA, whoever, can't seriously be expected to approve each potential investor in a football club based on some perception of whether they might be any good or not. Ridiculous.

At the risk of sounding pious and unpragmatic, I would be gutted if that budgie thug played for us.

There's no point saying the authorities should have stopped Al-Fahim or Faraj getting involved - why and how? The damage was done by Storrie and Gaydamak and should have been prevented by regulations governing expenditure.