Nine years ago, in 2003 we were celebrating winning the Division One (Championship) title and looking forward to the Premiership. Fast Forward to 2012 and we are hoping that we will still have a club to support in League One after the Football League AGM on 2nd June. So what are you fondest memories of the past nine years? And on the other side of the coin, your worst memories.
Smashing the Scummers 4-1 both at home and St.Fairy's and when they were in the so called accendancy this season, holding them 1-1 at Fratty and then 2-2 at St.Fairy's, the latter being probably our worst performance against them, but two sensational goals securing the draw.
The best memory is a toss up between getting promoted to the Premier League and getting to the FA Cup final under Avraam Grant. The FA Cup win, itself, was a great moment but its been tarnished because of the financial turmoil that followed it. The worst moment was going into administration last year. The financial problems we suffered in the Premier League meant that administration that time was inevitable and expected but CSI's collapse came unlooked for and was a low blow because it seemed we were finally getting back on track. I also have fond memories of seeing Patrick Berger play in Pompey colours - as he was always one of my favorite players - and the great goals scored by Berger, Taylor and Mendes during our Premier League tenure. And Pires dive that robbed us of a win against Arsenal during their unbeaten season still annoys me. But, on the flip side, the match later that season at Fratton Park where they destroyed us is still a fond memory.
Pompey fans realising that there club had brought a cup, became the laughing stock of football, owed £100 million to good honest people, were just about to go in admin for the second time And possibly fold completely. But the best bit is, Some fans think it was worth it. Absolute joke
Pompey fans demanding to know how their club, backed by a very rich Russian owner, ended up owing over £100m, asking (begging) for a criminal investigation into the dealings that brought the club to its knees and wanting answers as to how good honest people were owed so much money, questioning how 2 more "owners" passed the PL F&PP Test, asking how the FL could pass a new owner with an alleged murky background as fit and proper. Even so, who could have forseen the latest episode? That Pompey won the FA Cup is just a fact. Rather like Chelsea who are backed by a very rich Russian owner winning the FA Cup and the PL in 2010. Until the FA brings in a level playing field financially, some owners will continue to pour funds into a club in order to fund (buy) their successes. If hindsight could be bottled and sold as foresight somebody would be very rich.
Great reply 3rd eye - straight from the heart Over to Possum for an acknowledgement of what you have said - is that tumbleweed I can see ?!..............
Why do some of you Pompey fans believe you are such a large club and even compare your dealings and owners along side a Top Premier League side. Money has always been in football and rich businessmen (some of dodgy dealings) behind all top clubs, even the brown envelope brigade have been around for as long as i have followed football. There is a FEW of the true blue brigade that feel success in a FA Cup was not worth it, but unfortunately there are to many blue sheep. You are always passionate about YOUR club 3rd eye along with Wd and others but its always other peoples fault. Do you not feel Abramovich has had a healthy return on his investment of some description then 3rd eye
Possum - if the shiekh at Ciah walked away - they would be stuffed. The same with Abramovich. Unless they could ever get another equally as wealthy owner in to replace, they would be in the serious stuff. This is what happened with us - how long is it going to take for people to understand this? We had a "sugar daddy" who wants to pay for everything.....then he walks away leaving the club footing the bill. How is that the fans fault? Chelsea are currently running at 140% of turnover goes to wages - do you really think that is a commendable business model? No. Didnt think so - yet the majority of the Prem and 80% of the Championship find themselves with similar business models currently. Again - is this the fans fault?
Its interesting, the Scummers wage bill in their promotion winning season in League 1 last season revealed a £15mn loss and wages accounting for some 91% of turnover. Pot and kettle spring to mind!
Singing - I will stand by the fact that this wage/turnover issue is FOOTBALL wide - not just PFC/SFC - this is a problem they are now trying to fix with the financial rules - but its too little too late. Until EVERY fan in the country stops going to games, stops buying Sky etc - then it will always be a problem.
Scum at home 2004 and 2005 Fa cup win 2008 Scum away 2010 Hull at home 2010 when O hara and Kanu won it for us in the 89th and 90th minute. Brum at home FA cup 1/4 final Knocking sachel face redknapp out of the cup in 2010 Millwall away 2010/11 Jumping up and down on my crutches when Ward beat bottle job Guly to ball infront of the FE Scum away 2012. NORRIS!!!!!
I can, with hand on my heart, absolutely refute any possibility or the idea that I had anything to do with the troubles that the club has found itself in. All I have ever done is paid over my cash to attend matches, bought occasional drinks from the caterers (aren't they external caterers? Not sure), bought matchday programmes, bought a few items from the megastore and cheered on the players........... and laughed until I fell off my seat at the matchday bugle. I have never been party to any decisions made re Pompey players and the running of the club. I have never been into the boardroom and my advice has never been sought from the directors or staff at PFC. I have had no input to the appointment of managers, the purchase of players, their wages, agents fees, running costs and/or suppliers. So yes, I do believe it is the fault of others - including but not exclusive to, the PL F&PP test, the FL F&PPT, the owners, the directors - executive and non-executive, and the way that this sport has been allowed to fester unfettered by those in charge, both nationally and globally. As far as I know though we have not been subjected to other fraudulent activities practiced in other countries which I have been reading about this week. Do I feel that Abromovich has had a healthy return on his investment? Well I'm assuming he's had a return, I'm not party to any of the finances at Chelsea, whether the return is "healthy" or not I cannot say. I also feel that Gaydamak got a return from Pompey, but I don't actually know if he did or not. So what do you want us to do about winning the FA Cup? Run around in hair shirts flagellating ourselves? Personally I just see that as a small consolation for the **** we've had to put up with in the 21st century.
Lecture on club spending from a skate? [video=youtube;tF4JTd61xco]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tF4JTd61xco[/video]
As long as we still have a club to support come Auguest, then of course it was all worth it! At least we have something to show for our financial meltdown, when it happened to Saints all they had to show for it was 27yrs in the PL doing **** all!
Apart from a UEFA 4 star rated stadium, first class training facilities and one of the best youth academies in the country
So, your financial woes saw you: 1: In a fancy stadium (which coincidentally I went to in April (Kingland North) - not that special) which you couldn't fill and was above your league 1 status 2:Have first class training facilities to train your league 1 team. 3: A great youth accademy in which you became nothing more than a selling club. I'd much rather have the FA cup, U.E.F.A Cup, Wembley, and superstar player memories compared to that
