Boards
For those of you questioning the future of Portsmouth Football Club
This has made me feel a LOT better:
In this weekend's matchday programme, Pompey owner Sacha Gaydamak and
executive chairman Peter Storrie will address the fans regarding
recent media speculation and player movements.
"First of all may we wish you all a very happy new year.
"We want to take this opportunity to update you directly on our plans
to continue the success we have achieved over the last three years.
"Since the January 2006 takeover we have spent substantial sums on
both transfer fees and players' wages.
"As a result we have built a high-value, quality squad which has
brought success over that period and allowed us to build a club based
on sound and sustainable business principles.
"Recently, with the approval of the board and Tony Adams, Peter
Storrie has negotiated the sale of Lassana Diarra to Real Madrid and
Jermain Defoe to Tottenham, for similar club-record fees.
"Both of these sales have deferred payment terms, in addition to
outstanding fees payable to their previous clubs.
"As a result, we are on course to achieve a turnaround from a loss-
making business to a break-even position, which gives us a solid
platform to recruit new players to the squad and move the business
forward.
"We are now operating in a more volatile economic environment in the
UK. This, together with the international nature of our player
trading leaves us susceptible to adverse movements in exchange rates.
"To counteract this we have reviewed all areas of the business,
including salaries and overheads, with a view to making reductions
where possible.
"Forefront in our minds will always be our Premier League status.
"The resultant changes will ensure that as a club we come through
these difficult times for businesses and football clubs in a stronger
position for the future.
"We have no further need to sell any players from our squad. Indeed,
we are looking to offer new contracts to players that Tony sees as
part of the future beyond the end of this season.
"In addition we are currently working on the permanent acquisition of
three players along with two loan deals to the end of the season, one
from the UK and one from abroad.
"These acquisitions will increase the size of the squad that Tony has
by five players. We are confident that a couple will be concluded
shortly, but that all five players will be here well before the
transfer window closes.
"Over the last three years we have all worked closely together and
have always updated our supporters on club matters, as we are now.
"We are not in a financial crisis as sections of the media would have
you believe. We have simply adjusted the business to deal with the
current climate until we move into the new stadium when our revenue
streams will be increased.
"The sales of Sulley Muntari and Pedro Mendes in the summer allowed
us to purchase Peter Crouch and Younes Kaboul and pay loan fees for
both Armand Traoré and Nadir Belhadj, the latter of whom we have now
purchased.
"During this window the players that have left us are one who wanted
to go and another who openly stated, on joining us, that one day he
would leave for a bigger club. We have helped both achieve their
ambitions.
"The strength of this club has always been derived from the support
that you, the fans, give the team and the club. Working together as
one, we can continue that success.
"We hope we have given you all a clearer picture of the positive way
forward for the club. We will always keep you updated directly via
our website and the programme.
"On a final note, we want to reassure our faithful supporters of our
commitment to the sustainable longevity of Portsmouth Football Club.
"Sacha Gaydamak and Peter Storrie"