Shame on Pompey!

By: Bill Osborne
Date: 23/12/2003

POMPEY was founded in April 1898. The club were formed out of what remained of the local Royal Artillery team who had been forced to disband after a breach of amateur rules. The present company - Portsmouth Football Club Limited - was formed in 1911.

They played their first game in the Southern league at Chatham on 2nd September 1899 and their home debut at Fratton Park with a friendly against Southampton.

They joined the third division in 1920 after the First World War and in 1923 they were promoted to the second division. In 1926/7 they won promotion to the first division. Pompey was the first southern team to make it to the top division and the first to make the climb from the third Division.

In 1934 they won the FA cup and because the war interrupted football they became the longest holders of the cup.

In the early years of the 50's Pompey slowly slid into decline and by 1958 they were in the second division. Since then they have been a regular up-and-down team moving from one division to another.

But securing a place in the premiership last season has brought the club back to what they claim is their right - the top tier of football in England.

And there the story should end. A club with a great history and the ultimate prize of the premier league.

But it doesn't end there.

In the first division, last season, it was agreed that the clubs who gained promotion would make a 'parachute' payment to the clubs who were relegated.

And so they did!

Except for Pompey who appear to have welched on the deal forgetting how they have suffered in the past due to relegation!

But now it seems, that as they are in the premier league, they have no interest in the minnows of the Nationwide league.

What a pity that a club with a fine history and tradition appear now to have a vision of football that goes no further than their own selfish needs.

A Mr George Oliver is always referred to as the "Father of the Club" as Pompey owes their existence to him.

Mr Oliver would turn in his grave today if he knew that his beloved club were acting with what appears to be dishonour, because he lived in the days of honour, trust and commitment to your word where a handshake was as good as the company seal on a document.

Shame on you Pompey! For your failure to keep your word and, by doing so, bringing the name of your club into disrepute!

You might add that to your history!!

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