The Socialist

The Socialist 3 March 2010

Fighting for jobs, services and conditions

Fighting for jobs, services and conditions

PCS: All Out to Defend Jobs and Services

Stop council cuts


Invest in jobs, education & Training

Cut the working hours, not the jobs!

Portsmouth students and workers unite to fight cuts

Brighton students say: Save our nursery

EMA inadequacy impacts badly on students


Building action across Europe

Greece - millions take part in general strike

Spain: Thousands join mass demonstrations


The fairytale world of RBS

Nationalise the energy giants

Activists launch socialist challenge

Walsgrave hospital Coventry: Stop the parking charges rip-off

Fast news


Where is the BA cabin crew dispute going?

Smash the bosses' construction blacklist!

Leeds lecturers win concessions - but cuts remain to be fought

Workplace news: In brief


Unison general secretary election: Nominate Roger Bannister

Legal ruling exposes hypocrisy of Unison leadership


FBU general secretary speaks to The Socialist


Women will be at the fore in the fightback!


Global media monster News International condemned

The hounding of Tommy Sheridan

Savage cuts planned at the Beeb


Supporters should own Pompey, not developers


The worldwide thievery of big business

 
 
Socialist Party logo Socialist Party on the climate change demo December 2007, pic Paul Mattsson Socialist Party News
Socialist Party Policy statements
Socialist Party contemporary Marxist analysis

Link to this page: http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/issue/614/8955

Seach this siteGoogle search the site

Printable versionPrintable version

email to friendemail to friend

Facebook

Twitter

Home   |   The Socialist 3 March 2010   |   Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe   |   Donate   |   Bookshop

Supporters should own Pompey, not developers

THE COMPANY controlling Portsmouth Football Club (FC) has now gone into administration. This means that control over the club's finances has been taken out of the hands of the owner.

David Maples

A points penalty will almost certainly be applied so relegation from the Premier League is virtually confirmed. However, any idea that this will end Pompey's problems is misplaced. The administrator talks about taking eight weeks to understand the company's affairs and suggests that financial malpractice may be unearthed.

In that scenario, it is highly unlikely that a new owner would be in place for next season. Instead Portsmouth could have an extended spell in administration with more players being sold to meet immediate bills.

With the possibility of a further points penalty, the future for Portsmouth looks bleak.

Portsmouth employs about 600 staff. The administrator is talking about deep cuts. These will principally be amongst staff who earn little more than the minimum wage.

The current owner, Balram Chainrai, has used former News of The World editor Phil Hall as his mouthpiece. Hall calls for patience - code for supporters to sit passively while the property developers who have destroyed the club jockey for position. Portsmouth supporters have been patient for 60 years - not any longer.

About £400 million has gone into Portsmouth FC since 2003. There is an increasing groundswell for an inquiry. Portsmouth council should organise this with supporters' organisations and the Professional Footballers Association. All the business secrets should be out in the open.

There will not be a secure future for Portsmouth FC until it stops being a property development opportunity. This means the club should be owned by the supporters, the only people who have its long term interests at heart.

The Portsmouth Supporters Trust has made an excellent start and needs to rise to this challenge. The prize is worth even more than the FA Cup.


In this issue

Fighting for jobs, services and conditions

PCS: All Out to Defend Jobs and Services

Stop council cuts


Youth fight for jobs

Invest in jobs, education & Training

Cut the working hours, not the jobs!

Portsmouth students and workers unite to fight cuts

Brighton students say: Save our nursery

EMA inadequacy impacts badly on students


International socialist news and analysis

Building action across Europe

Greece - millions take part in general strike

Spain: Thousands join mass demonstrations


Socialist Party news and analysis

The fairytale world of RBS

Nationalise the energy giants

Activists launch socialist challenge

Walsgrave hospital Coventry: Stop the parking charges rip-off

Fast news


Socialist Party workplace news

Where is the BA cabin crew dispute going?

Smash the bosses' construction blacklist!

Leeds lecturers win concessions - but cuts remain to be fought

Workplace news: In brief


Unison

Unison general secretary election: Nominate Roger Bannister

Legal ruling exposes hypocrisy of Unison leadership


The Socialist Interview

FBU general secretary speaks to The Socialist


Socialist Party women

Women will be at the fore in the fightback!


Media

Global media monster News International condemned

The hounding of Tommy Sheridan

Savage cuts planned at the Beeb


Football

Supporters should own Pompey, not developers


Socialist Party feature

The worldwide thievery of big business


 

Home   |   The Socialist 3 March 2010   |   Join the Socialist Party

Subscribe   |   Donate   |   Bookshop

Related links:

Football:

triangleBristol Central Socialist Party: "Reclaim the Game", capitalism & football

triangleMubarak's state machine blamed for football massacre

triangleBrazilian socialists remember Socrates

triangleShowing racism the red card

triangleReclaim the Game!

triangleFifa scandal

Portsmouth:

triangleReinstate Paul Kelly: Solidarity with Portsmouth RMT

triangleWorkplace news in brief

triangleFight fees and cuts - join Socialist Students!

triangle30 June pension strike reports