Portsmouth Admin

[Hoop Blah]

Deluded. Some of us have memories that last longer than ten years and recall seasons competing against Portsmouth in the second tier not so long ago when your crowds at Fratton were on a par with ours at Elm Park. And how come you rarely sold out your home games in the last couple of seasons in the Premier League, with crowds often dipping subtantially below the capacity.

Spot on floyd.

A few good years in the Prem (paid for by god knows who) and a good side around the war years, doesn't make them any real different to us.

The 70's, 80's and 90's they were in and around us and nothing special but they all seem to have a massive memory blackhole about that!!!

The mess they've got themselves into is not of the fans doing, but if there was one set of fans in the country I'd have to pick to go through it then I'd go for Pompey's pikey lot.

[kieran]

The only thing Reading currently have better is a stadium and that is because its new and Fratton Park is old. Fratton Park is better than Elm Park was, any new Pompey ground will be better and bigger than Readings.

sorry, only? stadium, training ground, academy.. oh and financial position?

So, in summary, bricks and mortar. You got planning permission we didnt. Had we have got the planning permission our new facilities would have been on a par with Saints

[Baines]

The only thing Reading currently have better is a stadium and that is because its new and Fratton Park is old. Fratton Park is better than Elm Park was, any new Pompey ground will be better and bigger than Readings.

sorry, only? stadium, training ground, academy.. oh and financial position?

So, in summary, bricks and mortar. You got planning permission we didnt. Had we have got the planning permission our new facilities would have been on a par with Saints

No doubt you'll be on a par with Saints in the near future.

[kieran]

The only thing Reading currently have better is a stadium and that is because its new and Fratton Park is old. Fratton Park is better than Elm Park was, any new Pompey ground will be better and bigger than Readings.

sorry, only? stadium, training ground, academy.. oh and financial position?

Are you forgetting our Chairman, players and manager?

Your Chairman is better than ours? Thats so funny. What has Football come to when all you care about is your Chairman.

Players and manager may well currently be better than ours (although we have no way of knowing this). If they are good luck to you.

[kieran]

Seriuosly, compare the stats - all stats. Reading are way behind on nearly ALL levels. The only thing Reading currently have better is a stadium and that is because its new and Fratton Park is old. Fratton Park is better than Elm Park was, any new Pompey ground will be better and bigger than Readings.

Deluded. Some of us have memories that last longer than ten years and recall seasons competing against Portsmouth in the second tier not so long ago when your crowds at Fratton were on a par with ours at Elm Park. And how come you rarely sold out your home games in the last couple of seasons in the Premier League, with crowds often dipping subtantially below the capacity.

Agreed, in the 90's Pompeys crowds dropped pretty low. I really dont know why. I think it may have been due to the Fratton end being knocked down. It wasnt until later on in the 90's when they went back up to 18k ish. For the record, Pompey's all time average gate is 18.5k.

Last 3 seasons in the prem our tickets cost £42. Say no more, Pompey is a poor city. Last season there was an active boycott.

[havoc]

Deluded. Some of us have memories that last longer than ten years and recall seasons competing against Portsmouth in the second tier not so long ago when your crowds at Fratton were on a par with ours at Elm Park. And how come you rarely sold out your home games in the last couple of seasons in the Premier League, with crowds often dipping subtantially below the capacity.

and lets not forget the pikey motherfuckers graffiti all over the top of Russel Street

[kieran]

Deluded. Some of us have memories that last longer than ten years and recall seasons competing against Portsmouth in the second tier not so long ago when your crowds at Fratton were on a par with ours at Elm Park. And how come you rarely sold out your home games in the last couple of seasons in the Premier League, with crowds often dipping subtantially below the capacity.

Spot on floyd.

A few good years in the Prem (paid for by god knows who) and a good side around the war years, doesn't make them any real different to us.

The 70's, 80's and 90's they were in and around us and nothing special but they all seem to have a massive memory blackhole about that!!!

The mess they've got themselves into is not of the fans doing, but if there was one set of fans in the country I'd have to pick to go through it then I'd go for Pompey's pikey lot.

Pompey have been in the top 2 divisions for all but 6 season's of their entire history.

Yes, the 70's, 80's and 90's represents our worst period of history. Albeit, still the majority soent in the second division.

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[kieran]

[/quote]

No doubt you'll be on a par with Saints in the near future.[/quote]

I dont mind if we are on a par with Saints though. There's no shame in that, they are a big club. They have been largely better than us in the 30 years leading up to the last ten. The last ten we have been better, on all stats apart from current facilities we just about edge it, although in terms of honours its 4-1 to Pompey

[Archies Left Foot]

The only thing Reading currently have better is a stadium and that is because its new and Fratton Park is old. Fratton Park is better than Elm Park was, any new Pompey ground will be better and bigger than Readings.

sorry, only? stadium, training ground, academy.. oh and financial position?

So, in summary, bricks and mortar. You got planning permission we didnt. Had we have got the planning permission our new facilities would have been on a par with Saints

Where would the money have come from to build the new stadium?

[kieran]

Kieran, your club is about to enter an even worse period of its history.

Maybe. I will still be there though making lots of noise.

I remember being in the 3rd and 4th for a short period (which I think is the period that gives you Reading fans the impression that you have regaularly played us) and it was actually quite good fun.

[kieran]

Where would the money have come from to build the new stadium?

It was mandaric at the time and the council were going to share it, so it was meant to be self financing. It didnt happen though, but never mind. Over 100 years old Fratton Park and boy does it look it.

[floyd__streete]

Agreed, in the 90's Pompeys crowds dropped pretty low. I really dont know why. I think it may have been due to the Fratton end being knocked down. It wasnt until later on in the 90's when they went back up to 18k ish. For the record, Pompey's all time average gate is 18.5k.

Last 3 seasons in the prem our tickets cost £42. Say no more, Pompey is a poor city. Last season there was an active boycott.

Fair answers, Kieran. Not quite sure about the accuracy of the statement highlighted in bold above because you were always a struggling side until Harry and Jim took you up in 02/03, but I bow to your superior knowledge of your own club.

By the way, regarding your little man syndrome comment earlier in the thread - the reason that Pompey's administration has sparked so much debate on these pages is because for 8 years you achieved success beyond your modest means which was achieved purely by (for want of a less cliche'd, catch-all phrase) financial doping. Your facilities, your crowds and your market potential could not support the mega-wages of an FA Cup winning team, hence why the bottom fell out last year. Reading lasted a mere 2 seasons in the Premier League because our board refused to speculate anything like as dramatically on wages and players we could not really afford. Frustrating at the time, but Pompey's collapse would seem to be vindication of our board's policy, a policy which still splits RFC supporters opinion on countless other threads elsewhere on this message board.

[papereyes]

Kieran, your club is about to enter an even worse period of its history.

Maybe. I will still be there though making lots of noise.

I remember being in the 3rd and 4th for a short period (which I think is the period that gives you Reading fans the impression that you have regaularly played us) and it was actually quite good fun.

My memory is that we followed each other for a short while when I was a youngster but our return to the Championship in 02/03 coincided exactly with your promotion season.

Always got taken to Fratton Park as a treat. Cheers Dad.

There's a pretty comprehensive source for attendence figures: http://www.european-football-statistics ... b/porm.htm

[Archies Left Foot]

Where would the money have come from to build the new stadium?

It was mandaric at the time and the council were going to share it, so it was meant to be self financing. It didnt happen though, but never mind. Over 100 years old Fratton Park and boy does it look it.

I don't think any major new stadium built in the last 10 - 15 years, and I include the Madjeski in this, has been able to be self financing. In fact I'll take that back, Arsenal seem to have done okay, but aside from them...

It really annoys me when clubs make statements like, "we have built a gozillion seater stadium and we will fill it every week and make bucket loads of money..."

Look at us, our average crowds are way in excess of Elm Park days, we have a massive hotel which does very well, conference centre with a lengthy waiting list to be used, host various celebrity fixtures, the odd England U21 game, regular rugby with London Irish, hire out the academy dome and so forth. And still we hear about "cutting our cloth" etc

If the council part owned the stadium, the half the income from these events would go into their coffers.

10 years later, and I am sure one of the financiers on here will provide the accurate details, but I am sure the Club still owes Madjeski for the build of the stadium.

My point is, that a new stadium is not necessarily the panacea that some seem to think it is, and could actually make things worse...

[Silver Fox]

Pompey is a poor city.

With a club to match, most sensible thing you've said on this thread

[kieran]

Where would the money have come from to build the new stadium?

It was mandaric at the time and the council were going to share it, so it was meant to be self financing. It didnt happen though, but never mind. Over 100 years old Fratton Park and boy does it look it.

I don't think any major new stadium built in the last 10 - 15 years, and I include the Madjeski in this, has been able to be self financing. In fact I'll take that back, Arsenal seem to have done okay, but aside from them...

It really annoys me when clubs make statements like, "we have built a gozillion seater stadium and we will fill it every week and make bucket loads of money..."

Look at us, our average crowds are way in excess of Elm Park days, we have a massive hotel which does very well, conference centre with a lengthy waiting list to be used, host various celebrity fixtures, the odd England U21 game, regular rugby with London Irish, hire out the academy dome and so forth. And still we hear about "cutting our cloth" etc

If the council part owned the stadium, the half the income from these events would go into their coffers.

10 years later, and I am sure one of the financiers on here will provide the accurate details, but I am sure the Club still owes Madjeski for the build of the stadium.

My point is, that a new stadium is not necessarily the panacea that some seem to think it is, and could actually make things worse...

Agreed, it does bring more fans in though. I think on average a new stadium adds 75% on to attendances. Pompey could do with that now!

Saints went bust having bought their new stadium and now having got out of admin have a stadium that many would like and it generates good cash flow I guess.

I love Fratton cos I have been brought up there, so I would be really sad to see it go. I neednt worry though I think!

[Thaumagurist*]

.

[kieran]

Pompey is a poor city.

With a club to match, most sensible thing you've said on this thread

Cheap reply and with no substance.

Pompey maybe be a poor city, but it is from this City that our Country goes to war.

[Royal Rother]

And how come you rarely sold out your home games in the last couple of seasons in the Premier League, with crowds often dipping subtantially below the capacity.

and lets not forget the pikey motherfuckers graffiti all over the top of Russel Street

And that vvanker with the bell.