By Andrew Warshaw, chief correspondent
February 12 – The latest stage in the long-running battle to prevent Portsmouth from being expelled from English football is set to take place on Thursday with another High Court hearing into efforts by fans group Pompey Supporters’ Trust to save the club.
Last week Portsmouth’s administrators PKF confirmed they were considering a bid fronted by well-known football trouble-shooter Keith Harris but the Football League responded by saying it wouldn’t accept any new bids because they would only cause uncertainty — despite Harris’ respected reputation and vast knowledge plus the fact that he was once the League’s chairman.
The League warned that the troubled club, who have been in administration for almost a year, would be thrown out of the League if the Trust – PKF’s preferred bidder – is not successful.
PST chairman Ashley Brown said in a statement: “The Football League has come to a sensible decision. Our bid is ready to go and we will be meeting with the administrator PKF shortly to prepare the timetable to complete our takeover.
“We have always been clear we are the best solution for the creditors and the best solution for the club and this has now been recognised across the board. Our bid will put capital into Portsmouth FC and will make a clean break from the past. Any fans who have been unsure about backing our bid financially can now do so in the confidence their money will go towards the rebuilding of the club. There is no knight, white or otherwise, who is going to do it for them.”
The PST’s bid hinges on being able to buy the club’s Fratton Park ground, which is controlled by former Portsmouth owner Balram Chainrai. PKF are seeking permission to sell the ground and are due back in court with Chainrai’s company Portpin on Thursday.
Brown urged Chainrai, whose company has been making few public statements, to soften his stance to allow the League One club to move forward. “Chainrai has always made it clear he does not want to see Pompey liquidated. We are sure he is genuine in his sentiment and I would urge him to work with us to ensure the club will stand the best chance of success in the future.”
Portsmouth have been in administration since February, 2012, and are said to be around £60m in debt. PST spokesman Colin Farmery described the current situation as “Trust or bust.”
“The future of Portsmouth Football Club effectively appears to be in our hands,” he said. “I think the Football League, to be honest, are actually just a bit fed up with it dragging on. This is a clear message to the administrators that they want this sorted out sooner rather than later and a sudden bid appearing over the horizon at the last minute is not what they wanted to hear. I think this now confirms the fact that it is us or liquidation and we hope now that fans will rally round to our cause.”
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