Fans to wait for summer for investment

Al Fahim is currently in Spain where he is indulging one of his great loves, chess. He was a very useful chess player in his youth and supports the UAE chess federation and has secured an invitation to the Karpov-Kasparov battle in Valencia.

He gave several interviews to the Spanish media where he discussed chess and his role at Portsmouth FC. The Guardian picked up one of the interviews where Al Fahim indicates that there is likely to be no major investment until the summer as the 'necessary liquidity' will only be available at this time.

Portsmouth supporters, who are already concerned by the performance on the pitch, are not expected to be pleased at this news. Al Fahim is due to meet a group of fans ahead of the game against in-form Everton on Saturday.

Guardian extract:

"We're not in a hurry to sign stars and we're not going to go into the transfer market at the moment. We'll probably start signing next summer when we have the necessary liquidity to do so. It depends on how the business side of things evolves between now and then but that would be the logical stage [to do so].

"My model of a club is Arsenal. The philosophy they have of signing young players so that they can grow within the club is ideal. Barcelona are the perfect example too – they signed Lionel Messi at 13 and developed him from the start.

"We have come into Portsmouth because we see an enormous amount of potential here – if we chose this club ahead of others it was precisely because of that potential," he said. "But we have to start by giving the club the right infrastructure. We have to do things at the right time and right now the priority for Portsmouth is to create the foundations so that it can be a stable and serious club in the future."

Al Fahim's publicity drive in the USA

Al Fahim is currently in the USA attempting to raise additional funding. He has given a series of interviews to unquestioning and somewhat under-researched reporters. We have posted the article from Saturday's Washington Times.

Al Fahim makes three notable comments:

• He advises that manager Paul Hart has been been given the player budget that he has asked for.
• He advises that he may take the Portmouth Ladies team on a tour of the Middle East
  
• He discusses building a 40,000 seating stadium for Portsmouth.

Given what has gone on at the club it is simply inconceivable that that Hart asked Al Fahim for his current acquisition budget (largely free-transfer players). Hart has gone on record to say that the budget he is having to work to is even tighter than he was led to believe.

The Portsmouth Ladies team are not part of the Portsmouth club that Al Fahim has purchased.

Although Pompey fans have had a tough summer and gates have understandably fallen, there may not be sufficient demand for a 40,000 stadium as things stand (with current gates of around 18,000). A new stadium is likely to cost upwards of £60m and would probably generate an extra £13-17m a year if it could be filled most weeks. This extra income would need to be offset against the cost of servicing a loan of £60m - around £8m a year.

Eager to trump the past

By John Haydon

Sulaiman Al Fahim, an American University graduate, is the latest overseas businessman to buy into the English Premier League.

A native of the United Arab Emirates, Al Fahim became the sole owner of Portsmouth FC late last month in a deal worth $100 million. Nicknamed Pompey, Portsmouth FC was promoted to the prestigious Premier League in 2003 and came in 14th last season in the 20-team table.

Often referred to as the "Donald Trump of Abu Dhabi" for his real estate projects and "Apprentice"-style reality show, Al Fahim is eager to pump new life into his team.

"Portsmouth is a club that has potential to grow," the soft-spoken Al Fahim said Wednesday. "The club has a great history, established in 1898, and during the 1940s and 1950s was one of the biggest teams. Last year the club won the FA Cup. For me it just sounded really attractive to invest in the game."

The Premier League is a big attraction in the Middle East. Al Fahim said the television rights in the region for Premier League games cost $6 million in 1994; now, the rights sell for $350 million. A quarter of all the money in Europe generated through soccer comes from the Premier League, he said.

Al Fahim got involved in top-flight soccer a year ago. He was the key negotiator for the Abu Dhabi United Group, which purchased Manchester City in 2008 for $363 million. He left the group to buy his own team.

"With Manchester City I was part of a group, but Portsmouth is my personal work," Al Fahim said. "I have a long-term vision. The fans want me to spend money, but we can't match what Manchester City and Chelsea spend."

Portsmouth saw a number of its top players, including Peter Crouch and Glen Johnson, leave the club this summer. The team hosts Bolton on Saturday and is looking for its first win after opening the season under new coach Paul Hart with four loses.

"I told Paul Hart that from now on he should look for players and give me the budget," Al Fahim said. "I told him I don't want to see my club going down. I don't want my club to go below 14th."

To increase revenue, Al Fahim plans to build a 40,000-seat "eco-friendly green stadium" by 2018. The club's current venue holds 20,000.

"Portsmouth is the only Premier League team south of London and has a potential fan base of 8 million to draw from," Al Fahim said.

The Dubai-based businessman said he has no plans to invest in Major League Soccer but he does have contacts in United States monitoring American players.

Now in his early 30s, Al Fahim came to live and study at AU when he was 21 after the death of his parents and younger brother in a traffic accident in Dubai; he went on to earn a master's degree in business administration. He was back in the District to talk to congressional leaders about green housing.

Through the years, Al Fahim has promoted numerous sporting events in the United Arab Emirates, sometimes challenging prevailing traditions. He has funded horse-riding programs for women and said he wants to see more women play soccer in the Middle East. He even suggested taking the Portsmouth FC Ladies team on a tour of the region.

"We need to break concepts and perceptions," he said. "Sports is the best way to do that and bring people together."

Al Fahim also has invested resources to fight malnutrition and has funded a clinic in Kenya; he plans to open another in Haiti.

http://washingtontimes.com/news/2009/sep/12/eager-to-trump-the-past/

The truth is out there (finally)

The truth about Al Fahim's protracted takeover has finally been divulged by a an increasingly frustrated Peter Storrie.

In a meeting with a group of fans representing online fans forums and Pompey fan sites, Storrie disclosed the financial details of the takeover and explained the problems facing the club. We have printed the minutes of the meeting and can summarise the key issues:

• Al Fahim is the 100 percent owner but has not secured the funding for the ongoing running costs of the club (including Inland Revenue bills)
• Al Fahim is in the states trying to secure new funding
• Other interested parties (Al Faraj) are still keen to invest in the club, however Al Fahim is loathe to dilute his position of full owner.
• Gaydamak is still on the board to protect the debt the club owes him.
• Gaydamak has lost £26m during his ownership of Portsmouth
• Storrie is clearly worried about Al Fahim's lack of financing and has been openly critical of Al Fahim's lack of action
• Storrie is also dissmissive of Al Fahim's craving for publicity
• Al Fahim's love of the limelight may be an obstacle for Portsmouth FC

The full minutes:
Meeting between representatives of Portsmouth FC and Pompey Virtual Alliance
(PVA)

Held at the Sports Bar, Fratton Park at 11am on 12/09/09

Chair - Colin Farmery (PVA)

Minutes - Bill Gillon (PVA, pompeyonline.com)

Attendees: Portsmouth FC - Peter Storrie (Chief Executive Officer), Lucius Peart
(Head of Operations)

PVA: Scott Mclachlan (pompey.org), Brendon Bone (truebluearmy.com), Mike Hall
(pompey-fans.com), Vern Rickman and Jimmy Barton (pompeytillidie.com), Peter
Corrigan (pompeygossip.co.uk), Jim Bonner (frattonfaithful.co.uk), Dominic
Raywood (thepompeychimes.net), Albie Somerset (Pompey Cardigans), Glen Jones
(pompeyrama.com), Dave Allen (playuppompey.net), Ed Binks (Vennar Av Pompey),
Paul Morling and Dave Taylor (Vital Pompey)

Also in attendance: Johnny Moore (Supporter Relations Manager), Chris Hayler
(Brand & Marketing Manager), Mark Mudie (Observer)

Items for discussion;
1) Ownership of PFC
2) Debt position of PFC
3) Future investment for PFC
4) Role of fan websites
5) Next steps

Colin Farmery began by outlining the purpose of the meeting and the PVA, that being setting up a dialogue between the club and the websites, to communicate and listen to each other. The PVA currently covers the interests of thirteen Portsmouth FC fan websites, who are concerned at the current situation of the club. It was stated the it had to be understood that there were a variety of items which the club would be unable to answer because of confidentiality.
Each attendee of the meeting then introduced themselves and, where appropriate, which website they represented.

Colin then brought up the first item for discussion, the ownership of PFC. Note
that the resulting discussion also eventually incorporated items 2 and 3, so theseare dealt with in one section in the minutes.

Peter Storrie;
- Has been at the club for around seven years and, in that time, no owner has put equity into the business. Every owner has only increased club debt.
- Average turnover is £60 million, this year will be the first in which the club is close to break even (£30-£40 million on wages, £20 million on other costs). This leaves no money for player transfers when previously club has lost heavily each season.
- Has personally wanted to save the club over the last year, but acknowledged the tremendous help received from other Pompey staff.
- Has promised other clubs he will not leave Portsmouth so they know he is in
position to help player deals and payment of funds owed to clubs
- Stated that banks could have called in money at any time, and still could. Indeed Standard Bank called in the loans this was bringing the club down club down, hence players had to be sold.
- Banks compounded problem as club had to pay out loan fees immediately instead of staging permanent transfer fees
- Portsmouth are still paying transfer fees for players who have left the club but these will be cleared in January
- All Sky money received in August went straight to Standard Bank
- Club had to refinance so had to bring in owner who could put in equity
- Other clubs and agents have helped the club by putting back payments due
- Club can only break even additional finance is brought in with larger stadium, so owner will have to provide the equity

Question from Mike Hall - Has Sulaiman Al Fahim completed his takeover and, if so, where is his money?

Peter Storrie;
- In February, Peter was approached as Al Fahim was interested in buying the club.
Discussion took place then nothing else was heard
- In May, Peter received a call and subsequently met Al Fahim at the Champions
League Final in Rome. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed.
- Situation dragged on over next few months, Al Fahim was fully aware of effect on club
- Pini Zahavi approached Peter to raise awareness of the Al Farraj brothers interest in the club. Meeting was held and interest confirmed, things then moved quickly
- One member of Al Farraj consortium was suing Arcadi Gaydamak. Even after the Al Farraj brothers withdrew him, Al Fahim's offer was completed after he came up with the required money. This was probably driven by Arcadi Gaydamak due to the suing position. Al Fahim owns the club
- Al Fahim has not refinanced the club as things stand, and it is not sure when funds will be available. Al Fahim has assets but all tied up in business, no liquid assets. He is currently trying to raise new finance, but we have not heard whether this has been successful yet
- Al Fahim has club at heart but has, so far, only talked. Finance director not getting answers on how to fund the club, and Al Fahim doesn't yet understand how the club runs and how it relates to things like the Inland Revenue, but he is working hard to raise funds.

Additional from Mike Hall - Are the Al Farraj brothers still interested?

Peter Storrie;
- Yes, proposals are being discussed, but nothing could happen unless Al Fahim
agrees as he is the sole owner of the club
- In response to a follow up on why Al Fahim is being resistant, have to understand the individual, Al Fahim likes publicity
- Al Fahim will bring in his own people in time

Question from Scott McLachlan - Will he start releasing statements through the club?

Peter Storrie;
- Al Fahim has to stop releasing statements in other media outlets, it is concerning, especially as it has an effect on dealings with other clubs. When Al Fahim mentions he would like to sign various players, other clubs state that debts to them have to be paid before we sign those players mentioned
- Al Fahim is in the States trying to try to get club refinanced
- Al Farraj brothers are ready and waiting. Whilst 50/50 partnership would be legally improbable, share agreement could be discussed

Question from Colin Farmery - Are there any outstanding issues with Sacha
Gaydamak?

Peter Storrie;
- Gaydamak still sits on the board of the holding company (Miland 2004). Pointed
out that Gaydamak has written off £21m debts which the club had. There is no
impediment in the deal Al Fahim has done with Gaydamak, to prevent him selling the club on.

Question from Mike Hall - Is there any news on Al Fahim's claimed £100 million
bonus, and will this go into the club?

- Doesn't know about this, has just been told that Al Fahim is expecting a bonus

Question from PVA (sorry, didn't catch who this was) - Can the club shed any light on the supposed 48-page dossier?

Peter Storrie;
- Doesn't think this exists, and believes this was a publicity stunt

Question from Vern Rickman - Is Al Fahim listening to people regarding their views on his statements and his publicity stunts?

Peter Storrie;
- Al Fahim is doing his own thing, he doesn't appreciate how it comes over to fans, and doesn't really appreciate how things work but wants to attend next fans forum.

Question from Scott McLachlan - What can the club do to get confidence back in the club after a summer of broken promises, there is no enthusiasm for some people to come to Fratton Park?

Lucius Peart;
- The club’s image has taken a huge hit from unkind and inaccurate reporting, and everyone at the club has suffered. The club understand how hard it is for the fans as people at the club have found it hard work

Peter Storrie;
- Haven't got the finance to start the training ground as it stands, or to start work on turning the ground. We have a fantastic new design for the ground and this can be moved quickly with finance. Would like a 4,000 to 5,000 family enclosure. Also said that what doesn't help is other clubs returning late tickets as Portsmouth have to sell these tickets at the same price the returning club was charging.

Lucius Peart;
- As a thank you to STH’s he said the club are announcing two increases in discount to Season Ticket Holders.
As a thank you to STH’s we are delighted to announce 2 increases in discount to STH.
1) From now on STH will receive 20% off the launch prices of any replica kit
purchase(shirt, shorts, socks). This means STH’s can get a S/S home adult shirt for as little as £28.00. This offer is open until 30th November 2009 and should prove useful with the home kit just being launched & the new 3rd kit being released on Oct 7th.
2) Additionally, STH normal discount of 5% has been increased to 10% from today and will run until May 31st 2010.
This means any full priced item can now be bought for 10% off in the PFC shops.
This offer does not apply on line as these shirts are currently at a higher price and STH would not benefit from the full discounts.
For STH to receive their discount they must provide their own valid season ticket at the tills when purchasing.

Question from Peter Corrigan - It's great to have players who want to be here instead of the "overpaid, sulky" players we did have, but will Peter Storrie be staying?

Peter Storrie;
- Yes, he has just bought a new house and turned down a huge offer from a big club.
Happenings do get him down but has been reassured by messages from fans. Would like to see how club can get fans back to games who just come to the one or two games a season

Comment from Jim Bonner - Has seen and talked to other fans who would love to be in our position, in the top leagues having just won the FA Cup.

Peter Storrie;
- Partly the club's fault for allowing expectations to get too high.

Question from Dave Taylor - Could Portsmouth take advantage of the 20,000 students due in the city this year and look at discounts for them to help fill the stadium and
what do the club think of the Mirror article of the 12th which basically stated the fans were in revolt over unanswered questions?

Lucius Peart;
- Yes, working with Portsmouth University and also sponsoring their athletic teams. The club has very good relations with the fans.

Peter Storrie;
- Shocked by the number of supporting emails he has received over recent times

Comment from Vern Rickman - Feels that Peter has had a good summer, and it has shown how much he cares about the club, with what he has done and said.

The chairman then moved the discussion onto Point 4, role of fan websites.
What can the websites do for the club and how can we move forward?

Peter Storrie;
- Club has lowered prices on Milton End tickets and season ticket holders are
receiving discoounts on shirts until the end of November
- Try and quell expectations of Al Fahim, he is the way he is
- Promote ticket sales, let's get people back to Fratton Park
Comment from Scott McLachlan - If we are going down, all we want is to go down fighting and we need to attack teams more

Peter Storrie;
- Paul Hart has never felt he had the players to play an attacking formation, especially in midfield. Now has his own players
- Atmosphere on training ground is vastly improved, and players have requested
double sessions

Point 5, Next Steps

Peter Storrie confirmed he is happy to have these meetings every two months
Regular meetings will also be held with

Johnny Moore and Chris Hayler on how the club and websites can work together.

Meeting closed: 12.02

Old errors still persist

The journalist Matt Scott at the Guardian has been one of the better UK journalists over the 'Al Fahim affair'. His recent article on the takeover paperwork is particularly interesting.

Al Fahim signed the official paperwork, registered with the FAPL as 'Dr' Al Fahim. Quite why he persists with this bogus title on legal documents is bewildering.

He also gave his occupation as 'Goodwill Ambassador'. Regular readers will recall that this relates to the rather suspect IIMSAM organisation which is already being investigated by the UN for maintaining that they are part of the UN. There have been a number of questions about the funding and deliverables of IIMSAM and it would be truly worrying if they were able to support Al Fahim in a way that made it his 'full-time' occupation.

Link to Guardian

The start of the Al Fahim era

At the first home game of the season against Manchester City, Al Fahim was at last able to celebrate his ownership of the club.

Al Fahim wore a replica Portsmouth Away shirt and a baseball hat. He even had his name and year of birth (77) printed on the back. During half-time and at the start of the second half, he paraded round the ground milking the applause. He embraced a number of the disabled fans and then sat with the fans for the start of the second half.

Some fans were not impressed and the UK journalists were quick to pour scorn Al Fahim. These kind of gestures and this 'self-centred' approach rarely impress the hard-core fans in the UK.

The message from Al Fahim was that he is 'one of them' and shares their ecstasy and pain.