Weston Saint

Paul Allen did not make any approach to the club. His company confirmed as much. There was an approach from someone who said he represented Allen's business deals. Turns out he was not connected other than he arranged a jet lease for Allen. Some of the Directors of the club truely believed Allen was behind the initial approach but Allen has always denied it. I am now firmly of the opinion Allen and his company was never involved. (Which is a change from my previous stance) And no Trousers, I never sent ny email.

QUESTIONS ANSWERED EXPERT Gerald Krasner, Insolvency Specialist THE man who was chairman of Leeds United during one of the most troubled periods of the club's history speaks to The News about the challenges which now face Pompey. What do you make of HMRC's objections? They are standard objections. There are very few grounds on which you can object to a CVA and these are the standard ones. What happens next? There has been an appeal to the High Court on a technicality that the CVA is prejudicial in the way in which football creditors are dealt with. Normally an appeal like this would go to the High Court in about two to three months and a judge would rule on it then. But it doesn't work that way with football clubs. They will have to get an early hearing because the new season is just weeks away. In order to get things sorted out before the new season they have to get into court during the next couple of weeks. It is in the administrator's interests to get that sorted out as quickly as possible. What will the administrator be doing now? The administrator will now be instructing his lawyers. The lawyers will be earning more money from this. It's up to the administrator to get his act together now. They will be working out what to do in defence of the CVA. The hearing will go into the realms of technicalities that will be beyond the understanding of a lot of people. What happens if the appeal is successful?The administrator wouldn't have time to go back to the drawing board and come up with a new CVA. He would probably try for a quick sale of the club but would find that difficult. If Pompey can't pay their football creditors in full then their 'golden share' (the right to play in the Football League) will not be transferred to them and the club will disappear. How do you think the appeal will go? My money is on the revenue losing, but with the High Court, who knows? Will Pompey face a points deduction in the new season?Leeds had 15 points for not getting a CVA agreed. Bournemouth got 17. It is at the Football League's discretion. They will look at the financial history of the club. In my view if they do get one it will be between 15 points and 20 points. If the CVA does go through there will be no points deduction, if it doesn't there will. How does Pompey's financial meltdown compare to that of other football clubs in recent history? It is much bigger than Leeds and at the time, Leeds was the biggest. Portsmouth is the classic iceberg story, people are only seeing what is going on above the water line. Can there be a further appeal to the court's decision at the appeal hearing?Yes. Whatever the decision is, whether it goes in favour of the administrator of the revenue, they can both appeal. Sometimes it is possible to hear an appeal like that at the Court of Appeal within four days. The problem is it will be August and during August much of the judiciary is away on holiday, which could slow things down.

I wonder who he received the email from in April 2009

You appear to have missed the point. You are the one going on about sales/marketing issues like you are successful in that field. If so I would have expected you to be earning enough to pay for your season ticket. That was the point I was making. As for discrediting others views I leave you with one of your favoutite words of late "retards". You suggested MarkSFC was one. I was just drawing a comparison in my post. I think others may have seen my point but let us move on. Everyone is entitled to a view and opinion, not just you Stu.

Cortese will be judged on results within the business model including on the field success. He has taken up sorting out the whole business structure, not an easy task since the mess of feuding past directors and Administration. He has come in as a new broom and whilst he has sound and successful business experience he does lack the English Football business experience. Normally that would not be a problem as he would rely on the wise counsel of others within the club structure on such matters. However he seems to be so focussed on making the business self sufficient that he may not fully take on that counsel and that is a weakness that can cause issues. It is clear that he and Pardew do not see eye to eye. Pardew underestimated his single mindedness last season and nearly lost his job. He will be more careful this season but if you tie a Manager down too much and not give him room to do what he thinks best trouble will follow. He is mindful of the fan base and will not upset the majority but in achieving his aims within the business model there will be some of the minority who will feel aggrieved and he may lose their support for the club. The lateness in withdrawing the Instalment plan is really unforgivable even if the withdrawal itself has merit. He will be a risk taker, innovative, single minded and arrogant and will not let what he perceives as fools or under achievers getting in his way. Some of these are often strengths in business but in my opinion a lack of humility is a weakness that could damage the relationship with those good people in the club and hinder progress. Time will tell. He is still finding his feet. In short he needs to continue to be strong, innovative but with humility. Get the balance right and we will go places with him at the front. Just my opinion, you understand.

And there you have it. On one hand MarkSFC, a successful business man who was introduced to this forum during his quest, with a few others, to make sure Saints did not go out of business during the early Administration process and enjoys going to football to support the team he loves hoping for entertainment and a winning team or Dave Benson Phillips aka StuRomseySaint who has regularly stated on here that his main enjoyment is getting as much alcohol down his throat on match days (most at local pubs rather than in the ground) and freely admitted that his earnings as a salesman/marketing man or whatever he does now still meant he was initially unable to by a season ticket other than by instalments You have now heard both sides of the argument. Which argument are you more likely to accept. I know which one I support. I suspect Cortese does as well.

Who said anything about 32,000! Do you think gates would have been 32,000 with marketing and all the past add on's? Also see my post above

Do not judge on how many season tickets sold. Judge on whether gates rise this season over last. That is the measure.

And we hade a few goods league gates on some success. If we are at the top early on that will generate interest and gates will rise.

Yes, something I have always said. Pain is generated to indicate a problem that needs rest to cure. If you dull the problem the damage carries on getting worse. Nothing against injections to ease the discomfort providing that is coupled with rest and rehab. May be the case here.

Agree with this. Something we have discussed recently.

They were interested in supporting Saints on a regular basis so approached us so they could sit with us. A simple email to the club sorted it. They (the club) were aware and when the new potential season ticket holders made direct contact the transaction was complete.

We had a group of 4 season tickets last year. We used one spare to bring others to the games and now two of those have bought season tickets themselves making 6 in total now. In addition to that the club were very helpful in releasing club seats to accommodate those extra two along side us. Hardly the move of a club trying to stop season tickets. We can only wait and see how many season tickets are purchased. Until then I reserve my judgement.

Looks like he is struggling to sell his top players http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/frattonlatest/Topearner-BenHaim-set-to-be.6417907.jp You reap what you sow

For those who dis not know the Hampshire Cricket web site can be found here: http://www.rosebowlplc.com/home/cricket The site is updated most days and will keep you up to date with what is happening at Hants and the Rose Bowl.

Wrong. He does have an Agent and it is not his father. His only involvement is to offer fatherly advice and encouragement.

Belhadj reported to have gone for £3.5m http://www.portsmouth.co.uk/frattonlatest/Belhadj-seals-Qatar-move.6410437.jp

As at last Wednesday the club had not put forward a new contract. Early in pre season yet though. Will be a suprise if a new one is not discussed before Dec 2010

All rumours! Players do not know targets so I am sure Season Ticket Holders do not have a clue. We know we are looking for a Forward to cover for Lambert. Cannot see Tyson dropping a league just to warm the bench most of the time. I can tell you we are also looking for a wide midfielder to put Puncheon and Lallana under pressure next season. We know he also wants a box to box midfielder but no clues so far. Plenty of time. Just enjoy the sun and warm weather. Winter will be on us too quickly.

Not sure what conspiracy theories you were refering to. There have been no approaches for Lallana and I am told there is very little money out there at this moment in time. Adam continues to want to be part of this years set up and has a year left of his contract.

This is how the ticket parking might apply at SMS. Parking for up to half hour free. Timed ticket collected at barrier on entry. Pay as you leave. Corporate events attendees given a pass out ticket so no charge. That is how the Novotel at Southampton run theirs.

Is this further Cortese bashing without all the facts? I am a member of the Executive Club at the Rose Bowl. It is called the executive club. My pass says Executive Club. It is situated in the Robin Smith Suite. Could it be the names of the "rooms" are the same and that all the club have done is be a bit clearer what the product offers?

Is this thread getting out of hand like many others? Have the staff of SMS been told they must pay for parking on non match days? The introduction to staff paying on match days was that Cortese identified that on such days the car park filled with paying customers. Rather than kick out the employees to increase revenue streams he suggested a small fee for the day. Customers and other non employees paying on non match days is a revenue stream It really is not a big deal. Increasing revenue streams was always part of the business plan. As for match day parking, the fee increase, if correct, does seem high. Rose Bowl charge £7 per day or a season ticket for £70. Parking in the city is £5 for 5 hours. That is £115 for 23 matches, less if you take off some night matches. A slight premium perhaps for knowing you have a spot but I would have thought last seasons fees should not need to be increased.

I can now confirm that Pardew tried to get Surman on loan just before the window closed in March but McCarthy blocked it.

They wait until the "early bird" have renewed. They then target non renewals with a reminder and at the same time advertise in the media. It is all about keeping administration cost levels to a minimum the business model can justify