Portsmouth make 85 redundant

Published on Wednesday 10 March 2010 22:23

PORTSMOUTH have announced 85 redundancies but chief executive Peter Storrie will remain in his job while the club attempt to find a buyer.

Storrie, whose salary when Portsmouth won the FA Cup in 2008 was widely reported as 1.2million including bonuses, has agreed to take a 40 per cent pay cut, while "one or two" players have discussed a reduction in wages to help the plight of the Barclays Premier League's bottom club. "He is still chief executive today," confirmed administrator Andrew Andronikou. "He is still earning a wage and having spoken to Peter he would like it known he has taken a 40 per cent cut in his basic wage. As regards to his basic wage he will be earning significantly less than 500,000. I don't believe there will be any bonuses this year."

Storrie has already stated he will resign when a fifth owner of the season is found, although his presence at the club could anger some fans due to his role during Pompey's financial meltdown.

While Storrie and the club's players remained in jobs, 85 from around 280 positions were made redundant and 12 members of staff are on reduced hours. There will also be discussions about staff taking wage deferrals.

"There is always a day in the administration when you have to look at yourself and wonder whether you like the job you do, but it is a necessary job," said Andronikou, who said he could not estimate the total savings of the cuts. Andronikou, explaining why players were not included in redundancies, added: "The players are very much protected by the Professional Footballers' Association and I am unable to make cuts. Would I want to? They are the shop window of the club and we hope they will attract a buyer. One or two have discussed the possibility of reviewing their position with the club."

On the day that Blue Square Premier side Chester City were wound up and Football League outfits Cardiff City and Southend United were given 56 and 35 days respectively to settle outstanding tax debts, Andronikou expressed hope Pompey's future can be secured.

They have seen the terms of their administration challenged, but Andronikou has held a "constructive" meeting with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs. "HMRC should be now be satisfied that the said debenture is valid and according our appointment is valid. We are hoping this matter will be resolved shortly."