Round and Round We Go

By: Andrew | July 22nd, 2009

Apologies for not being around lately. July has been a very busy month so far.

Here is a timeline/recap of the month’s news:

July 1 — Trimming the squad
The club confirms the release of Noe Pamarot, Lauren, Glen Little, Djimi Traore, and Jerome Thomas
And, Sean Davis goes to Bolton on a free transfer.

July 3 — Linvoy Primus commits for another (his 10th) season with Portmsouth, serving in an “ambassadorial role, a pastoral role.” He stated on the club’s official website that he is “definitely going to finish (his) career here and then stay with the club when that finishes.”
Plain and simply an act of loyalty and courage. Props to Mr. Primus.

July 7 — David James reports from Malawi, where he (and his David James Foundation) spent 3 days touring the south African country with the Samaritan Trust to discuss farming techniques and agricultural education with Malawian farmers. He told Afriquejet , an African news agency, that “once his agriculture projects flourish, he will consider setting up a David James Sports Academy to nurture young talents.”

July 9 — Sunderland makes an ~~$11 million~~, $12 million bid for Peter Crouch. Speculation also stemming from Fulham, Aston Villa, and Blackburn.

July 10 — Players report to training
Among the notable non-participants are Crouch, Hreidarsson, Belhadj, Utaka, and Cranie. Video from the training session, courtesy of Portsmouth FC.

July 13 — Official statement from PFC
The club declares on its website that:

The due diligence process for the takeover of the club by Sulaiman Al Fahim has now been completed.
Al Fahim Asia Associates are now conducting their final commercial assessment.
A formal application for the ‘Fit and Proper Person Test’ has been submitted to the Premier League.

Also, kit sponsor Canterbury is forced into administration. Thus, the kit contract with Portmsouth is null and void.

July 17 — Crouch in talks with Sunderland
Rumors are confirmed when Peter Crouch flies to Newcastle to meet with Sunderland’s manager, Steve Bruce, after the club approved of a $12 million transfer fee.

July 19 — A Guardian Newspaper article details charity work done by Utaka and Kanu.

July 21 — Finally, the takeover is complete. Paul Hart secures a 2-year contract. So much for Mancini or Sven…

Hart doesn’t waste much time addressing Crouch’s future, telling the press, “I think Peter will leave.”

Eugene Bopp scores 2 goals as the Blues settle for a draw with the Hawks. The first half squad featured Begovic, Wilson, Kaboul, Distin, Bhasera, Basinas, Mullins, Hughes, Kranjcar, Ritchie, Nugent. The second half: Ashdown, Ward, Audel, Primus, Hurst, Bopp, Diop, M’Bami, Cowan-Hall, Pancrate, Subotic.

The remaining preseason schedule is as follows:
~~July 21 v Havant & Waterlooville (a)~~, July 25 v Basingstoke (a), July 27 v Eastleigh (a), July 31 v Guimaraes (a), Aug 1 v Benfica (a), Aug 8 v Rangers (h)

July 22 — Pictures of the new (sponsorless) home kit from MyPompey
Hart quells speculation that Distin is on the outs, dismissing a possible move to Aston Villa, saying the club wants “Sylvain to remain at this football club and will be making sure he does.”

Diego Maradona wants to come to Pompey as a “global ambassador” Huh, what?