Sad to see Pompey's desperation for anyone with a dime
By Darren Lewis
Published 16:00 27/10/09
Always satisfying to see football clubs backtrack the way Portsmouth did after initially suggesting the Mirror’s story about new owner Ali Al Faraj last week was fabricated.
Al Faraj gave an interview to a newspaper in the Middle East where he insisted he was actually not the billionaire benefactor that he was being made out to be and that he was only going to be around for six months at the most.
Pompey got all uppity when the Mirror ran the story, threatened legal action and then rang around to lots of other papers discouraging from following up on it – maintaining it was a pack of lies.
Only to have to sheepishly call everyone back once they had established that it WAS actually true and that Al Faraj HAD actually said them things.
And yet, as much as it was satisfying to witness the climbdown, it was sad to see that fans at Portsmouth are so desperate for someone to come in and bail them out that they are willing to accept any Tom, Dick or Ahmed as long as he CLAIMS he has a few bob and is willing to bail them out.
First Al Fahim took them for a ride and now this. It looks as though this once great club really has been reduced to something to be kicked around and ridden roughshod over.
Column
Why it will be no holiday at this Villa for Mancini's men
Terry Butcher 08:00 12/02/12You have to go back to Guy Fawkes night for a home victory, so the odds on a win for Alex McLeish’s... Read More+
Blog
Comment: Why Liverpool need to accept Suarez is more sinner than saint
Mirror Football Blog 21:30 11/02/12Yesterday's Manchester United-Liverpool clash was a perfect opportunity to draw a line under the Sua... Read More+
Blog
Andy Dunn's Big Match Verdict: Why Rio's grand performance would make him Harry's ideal captain
Mirror Football Blog 21:30 11/02/12The idiotic refusal by Luis Suarez to shake Patrice Evra’s hand, the tunnel bust-up and Fergie’s af... Read More+
Blog
Comment: Why England need to get rid of their cosy club mentality
Mirror Football Blog 21:30 11/02/12I have been in the States this week where the sports news has been majoring on Gisele Bundchen’s pit... Read More+
Column
Harry has won our hearts - and now he can make England proud again
Ian Holloway 21:01 11/02/12Harry Redknapp's confession in the witness box that he doesn’t even know how to send an email may ha... Read More+
Column
Why I can't wait to face Moyes - my tip to replace Fergie - again
Ian Holloway 21:00 11/02/12I really miss pitting my wits against the best managers in the Premier League. However, next week I’... Read More+
Blog
Will Juan Sebastian Veron's football career have a fairytale ending?
Mirror Football Blog 18:07 11/02/12For the new season, MirrorFootball is teaming up with some of the blogosphere's best new writers to ... Read More+
Blog
Tweet my Handshake! The best gags from Manchester United's 2-1 win over Liverpool
Football Banter 16:09 11/02/12Manchester United won the match but inevitably this encounter will be remembered more for the antics... Read More+
Blog
Watch David Beckham's amazing table football trickshot
Mirror Football Blog 11:11 11/02/12We all know what David Beckham can do on a real football pitch, but it seems old Goldenballs is pret... Read More+
Column
Why farcical forced pre-match handshakes should be scrapped
Mark Lawrenson 08:01 11/02/12The pre-match handshake is a meaningless farce and should be scrapped. You shake the hand of an oppo... Read More+
Column
Jose would be perfect for Spurs but Harry could manage England part-time anyway
Mark Lawrenson 08:00 11/02/12Jose Mourinho would be the perfect choice for Tottenham. And surely Spurs would be a great fit for h... Read More+
Blog
What are the odds Suarez and Evra swap shirts at the final whistle? Derek McGovern's Bets of the Day
Betting Blog 22:00 10/02/12The FA reckon Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra should shake hands when they come face to face on Saturda... Read More+
