Seems that Portsmouth wont be able to satisfy the Taxman on 1 March. They owe 11.2 million and various other debts amounting to around £60 million. With the league witholding their money and no owner in their right mind agreeing to take £60 million of debt for what is ostensibly a team heading for the Championship they are not viable enough to go into administration. Therefore, it is likely the taxman will pull the plug and they will liquidate which immediately FREES the players from their contracts !

Very sad for a club that won the FA Cup recently - which is an amazing success considering the Big clubs dominate - but they are now paying the price of that success.

A lot will depend on how the very large land-bank surrounding Fratton Park is utilised (currently car parks etc.)

This overall saga is partly precipitated by ownership and football difficulties/matters - but hinges on the acres of lucrative property in the background.

Ground sharing with Southampton is also a possibility.

Sharing with Southampton makes sense financially - but what a big journey for 25,000 fans every game.......

If they win the FA Cup there might be decent bids for several of their players. That could slash their debt considerably, and then it depends how much money the new owner can invest.

They'll be a much weakened club but they could bounce back.

That is, of course, looking on the bright side.

Ground sharing with Southampton will never be an option for either club. The "Solent United" idea has been raised many times but never come to anything. The level of hatred between the fans is far too great.

And the news keeps on getting better.




www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/feb/20/portsmouth-high-court