American billionaire bids to take over Pompey

[This Time Next Year]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember they were thinking of relocating Fratton Park to the old airport on the Eastern Road? Back in the 70's?

Not sure the residents of Anchorage Park would be too pleased if their homes were bulldozed to resurrect those plans...

[Pompey Penguin]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember they were thinking of relocating Fratton Park to the old airport on the Eastern Road? Back in the 70's?

Yes, that's the first of many failed dreams of relocation that I remember. I think it was a John Deacon plan, but I don't think he ever had enough funds.

On the redevelopment question, does anyone have any reasonable and supportable estimate as to the cost of replacing one Fratton Park stand? For example, to demolish and replace the South Stand (which would seem the most urgent) or the North Stand (which would seem the only area for increased capacity).

[The Cincinnati Kid]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember they were thinking of relocating Fratton Park to the old airport on the Eastern Road? Back in the 70's?

Yes, that's the first of many failed dreams of relocation that I remember. I think it was a John Deacon plan, but I don't think he ever had enough funds.

On the redevelopment question, does anyone have any reasonable and supportable estimate as to the cost of replacing one Fratton Park stand? For example, to demolish and replace the South Stand (which would seem the most urgent) or the North Stand (which would seem the only area for increased capacity).

Isn't the South stand a listed building?.....not sure it could ever be demolished and replaced?

[The Cincinnati Kid]

Following on from Cinci, the US model involves selling the seats in a stadium similar to real estate. Hence San Diego can move to a small 30K stadium and ,make a mint even if the seats remain empty. Often the city foots the bill as the financial benefits of having an NFL franchise for the local economy outweighs the initial cost of the new stadium.

I don't think Portsmouth CC are in that position as the support for that kind of investment over City development isn't there.

Also, the American model often involves taking a rise in city taxes to the voters (The Cincinnati model built 2 stadia for baseball and football using this method). I'm not sure the Bwitish taxation model allows for this method as y'all don't generally have a city income tax or city sales tax as I recall.

[Weybridge]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember they were thinking of relocating Fratton Park to the old airport on the Eastern Road? Back in the 70's?

Yes, that's the first of many failed dreams of relocation that I remember. I think it was a John Deacon plan, but I don't think he ever had enough funds.

On the redevelopment question, does anyone have any reasonable and supportable estimate as to the cost of replacing one Fratton Park stand? For example, to demolish and replace the South Stand (which would seem the most urgent) or the North Stand (which would seem the only area for increased capacity).

Isn't the South stand a listed building?.....not sure it could ever be demolished and replaced?

I thought it was, but I can't find any reference to that any more. Its definitely a Archibald Leach construction and there's very few of those left. Just our Soul Stand Tudor entrance, Craven Cottage and Ibrox I think.

Perhaps its been lifted now?

[Lost in Transportation]

I could be wrong, but I seem to remember they were thinking of relocating Fratton Park to the old airport on the Eastern Road? Back in the 70's?

Not sure the residents of Anchorage Park would be too pleased if their homes were bulldozed to resurrect those plans...

The airport site was bigger than Anchorage Park. The industrial site at Broadoak is a suitable size.

[Lost in Transportation]

Isn't the South stand a listed building?.....not sure it could ever be demolished and replaced?

I thought it was, but I can't find any reference to that any more. Its definitely a Archibald Leach construction and there's very few of those left. Just our Soul Stand Tudor entrance, Craven Cottage and Ibrox I think.

Perhaps its been lifted now?

I don't think it is listed - there's very little original left now according to Mike Saunders. It could be stripped back to its steel frame and refitted as a single tier stand (so covering the terrace paddocks). Obviously the Arts and Crafts entrance (not bl**dy mock-Tudor) and some of the signage extra can be protected and re-incorporated into a redeveloped South Stand.

[Pompey Gary]

I thought it was, but I can't find any reference to that any more. Its definitely a Archibald Leach construction and there's very few of those left. Just our Soul Stand Tudor entrance, Craven Cottage and Ibrox I think.

Perhaps its been lifted now?

Parts of Goodison Park too I believe?

[uspompeyfan]

I thought it was, but I can't find any reference to that any more. Its definitely a Archibald Leach construction and there's very few of those left. Just our Soul Stand Tudor entrance, Craven Cottage and Ibrox I think.

Perhaps its been lifted now?

Parts of Goodison Park too I believe?

I think Everton might object to moving parts of their ground to FP n:-)

[Lost in Transportation]

Things are moving forward. 70 days exclusivity period, Trevor Birch appointed to lead for the club. Inner Circle said to be involved (serious players them). Just a bit exciting.

[Selsey Bill]

Club have just tweeted a statement about 70 day exclusivity to which Michael Eisner has just tweeted in response:

"Exciting times! Looking forward to coming over and meeting you all. Good luck against Newport County on Saturday!! #Pompey #PUP"

[Earl Grey]

Things are moving forward. 70 days exclusivity period, Trevor Birch appointed to lead for the club. Inner Circle said to be involved (serious players them). Just a bit exciting.

Yes, LiT. Exciting times.

I really think this bloke sounds like the real deal. There is little evidence that he's another Howe/Wolanin tyre-kicker.

But we still have to extract some clear fail-safes from him in case it all goes pear-shaped.

But I'm really motivated by this news. If it had been another European/Middle Eastern thing then I'd have been much more cautious but by all accounts Eisner is one of the good guys.

Let's give him every chance to declare himself and look at the deal with a welcoming, glass half-full attitude.

[eltorrro]

In these negotiations can't we say "Right Mr Eisner, in order for you to take over Pompey you must a) pay for outright and build a new stadium which will be given to Pompey FC in perpetuity; b) make a £200m donation/gift to Pompey FC and, c) bequeath on your death all your Pompey interests to Pompey FC, etc. etc. You get my drift? If he really is interested, you know? No chance!!

[No Shot Sherlock]

Things are moving forward. 70 days exclusivity period, Trevor Birch appointed to lead for the club. Inner Circle said to be involved (serious players them). Just a bit exciting.

Hiya mate, knowing that your ear is closer to the boardroom door than most, that your knowledge of the finances is more intimate than mine and that your investigative prowess is legendary, I'm inclined to be swayed by your apparent optimism regarding this potential suitor. Let's see where the next 70 days take us, and what (if any) offer Mr Eisner makes at the end of that period, but I remain sceptical as to whether a deal that genuinely benefits the club's future, without exposing to potentially significant financial risk, can be secured. Regardless of how much of a 'good guy' he is, he's 75 years old and (like Markus Liebherr) he won't live forever.

[Lost in Transportation]

Things are moving forward. 70 days exclusivity period, Trevor Birch appointed to lead for the club. Inner Circle said to be involved (serious players them). Just a bit exciting.

Yes, LiT. Exciting times.

I really think this bloke sounds like the real deal. There is little evidence that he's another Howe/Wolanin tyre-kicker.

But we still have to extract some clear fail-safes from him in case it all goes pear-shaped.

But I'm really motivated by this news. If it had been another European/Middle Eastern thing then I'd have been much more cautious but by all accounts Eisner is one of the good guys.

Let's give him every chance to declare himself and look at the deal with a welcoming, glass half-full attitude.

Eisner is a serious player in business. There's those that like him and those that criticise him (look up Disneywars on Amazon and use their look-inside option).

The key for the PST is building a new role which includes those fail-safes you mention. There needs to be a mechanism should the Eisner ownership go Pete Tong that the PST can step in. Continuing a scrutiny role is another fail-safe. Protecting Pompey's heritage and being the conduit that does consultation between the club and the fanbase are other things I would like to see established.