Portsmouth

The Championship side’s former owner, Sacha Gaydamak, revealed he had reached an agreement with the club over a £2.2m sum owed to him.

Portsmouth had issued a statement on Friday saying they could be forced to fold.

But Gaydamak, the club’s key creditor, said on Saturday night: “A new agreement was reached on Saturday and as soon as I receive the papers I’ll sign them.

“I hope this draws to an end the uncertainty surrounding the club.”

Barclays Bank and another former owner, Balram Chainrai, are the Hampshire club’s other main secured creditors.

“Portsmouth, its fans, employees, players and the community that surrounds it deserve more than being subjected to rumour resulting from some parties using the press,” added Gaydamak.

The former owner will now receive £2.5m in instalments over five years.

Portsmouth (40/1 to win the Championship) have been in administration since February this year, and were £120m in debt at one point.

“Contrary to some reports, I fully intended to sign the deal on Friday and had it not been changed at the last minute I would have,” said Gaydamak.

“Everyone involved understood on Friday that further negotiations were now required.”

Former Hull chairman Paul Duffen now says he has put together a consortium that is interested in buying out the club.

Duffen was part of a group that bought the Tigers from Adam Pearson in June 2007.

“I have been monitoring the situation at Portsmouth for several months and trying to do a deal for some weeks,” Duffen told Express FM. “I have a fully funded bid ready to go.”

Duffen stepped down as executive chairman of Hull and Superstadium Management Company Ltd in October 2009.

Saturday proved an excellent day for Pompey as they continued their recent fine form with a 2-1 away win at Hull.

David Nugent gave Pompey the lead with a breakaway goal in first-half injury time and Greg Halford netted with a free-kick.

Nicky Barmby’s goal for the home side was mere consolation and Portsmouth have now taken 16 points from their last six games.

Bet on the World Cup and get £200. Click here to visit Bet365 and claim your free money.

Pompey battled admirably and showed real grit to make it to their second final in three years but the South Coast side certainly had the rub of the green.

With the score at 0-0 and the game into extra- time, Spurs centre back Michael Dawson became the umpteenth player to slip on the Wembley surface over the weekend. Unfortunately for Dawson, he did it on his own six yard line as he moved to intercept a routine knockdown in the box.

With his marker grounded, Frederick Picquionne had a simple finish to put Portsmouth a goal to the good. If Spurs fans were bemoaning their luck about that incident, far worse was to come.

Peter Crouch soon had the ball in the net at the other end with a trademark volley but referee Alan Wiley disallowed the goal for an infringement on the goalkeeper. The look on Pompey keeper David James’s face said everything about the decision- he clearly felt that his team had dodged a bullet.

The ‘foul’ was against Nico Krancjar who did nothing but jump to head Gareth Bale’s cross. James came flying out to meet it, missed the ball but inevitably collided in mid-air with Krancjar- the Spurs player didn’t move at all in the keeper’s s direction but was still penalised for the collision.

Any Spurs fans who still felt it might be their team’s day had their optimism punctured when Aruna Dindane then went on a curving run towards the penalty area. Midfielder Wilson Palacios tracked the run all the way but couldn’t get a tackle in until the pair were inside the box.

Inevitably the tackle was clumsy and Wiley gave a penalty- despite the fact that Palacios did get a touch on the ball. Kevin Prince-Boateng delivered the final blow by despatching the spot-kick.

Now Portsmouth can make history. No side has been relegated and won the FA Cup in the same season though several reached the final. Middlesbrough were the last in 1997 and Pompey fans are beginning to think their club is the one to overturn this particular hoodoo.

Related posts:

1. Portsmouth Enjoy A Tremendous Week In The Courts And On The Pitch
2. Villa Maintain Push for Second Final But Must Take On Chelsea
3. FA Cup Predictions – A Win For Southampton Would Be No Surprise

View full post on PartyBets Blog