Never mind Seattle- It’s sleepless in Portsmouth tonight

By: Mark | August 2nd, 2010

Portsmouth Football Club awaits the next twist in their fight for survival as the hearing for HMRC’s CVA appeal is heard tomorrow at the High Court.

10.30am is D-Day for Blues fans as they will wait anxiously of news of the hearing in front of Mr Justice Mann- who hopefully will keep the average mann on the street in his thoughts as he passes judgment.

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are making an example out of Portsmouth Football Club- I doubt even they would deny that now if the question were put directly to them. They disagree that the taxpayer should come second to outstanding business debts.

In a way they are preaching to the choir- particularly after the World Cup fans of the beautiful game more then ever are questioning whether or not even their own heroes on the pitch deserve quite the financial gains they receive.

Tax paying fans pay ticket prices, season ticket prices and television subscription to watch their teams, buy merchandise and matchday refreshments and what do they get in return? Pompey fans certainly will never see their money again. There may as well have been a giant pit in the Fratton End.

Maybe the solution is to call in BP and plug the gap with a giant top hat- or perhaps we can just use John Westwood’s jester hat. An idea I am sure some would take too seriously…

But now is most certainly a time to be serious. The very existence of the club could be in doubt tomorrow. Most fans are looking beyond the trial- whatever the outcome- and realizing this season will probably be the hardest in the club’s history.

After the Fulham friendly the squad has some quality but the uncertainty over key players and severe lack of strength in depth, highlighted by Michael Brown no less, is of great concern.

That concern is reinforced by just glimpsing at the squad profiles page on the official club website- an Internet page worthy of regular visits so far this summer.

Liam O’Brien is listed as the only goalkeeper, only four defenders including Aaron Mokoena are registered, and with 5 midfielders and 5 strikers fielding a team is technically possible- but would have a bench of three forwards and a midfielder.

If O’Brien were to get injured? Bring on the spare defender? Then if a defender gets sent off? Push back a midfielder? And what for next week with the defender suspended and goalkeeper unfit?

Indeed, the further into Portsmouth FC’s future you look- the more uncertain things get. But the only certain thing at Fratton Park right now is that it is high noon at the high court tomorrow. Well, 10.30 actually.

Mark A.