Portsmouth fans reject offer of stake in club from Keith Harris

Trust spokesman Colin Farmery said fans had no interest in Harris' offer, in which 15% of shares will be allocated free to a group made up of supporters

Pa
Monday 18 February 2013 10:55 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Pompey Supporters' Trust have dismissed a late bid by football financier Keith Harris to give fans a free 15% stake in the club as part of a revised offer for the League One outfit.

Harris' offer, made public today, comes after Portsmouth's administrators PKF confirmed earlier this month they were considering a bid he was fronting.

The Football League responded then by announcing the south coast club would be expelled if the Pompey Supporters' Trust - PKF's preferred bidder - was not successful.

Trust spokesman Colin Farmery said fans had no interest in Harris' offer, in which 15% of shares will be allocated free to a group made up of supporters who have donated funds to PST, season-ticket holders and hospitality clients.

Farmery said: "Why would we be interested in 15% when we are just about to take a 100% stake in the club?

"It is curious timing to say the least from Mr Harris with the Football League having made it quite clear that our bid is the only one that can be considered.

"Mr Harris seems to think he has still got a bid but he hasn't. Our bid is literally about dotting the i's and crossing the t's."

The Trust expect to move a step closer to acquiring the club on Thursday when a court hearing will set a final date for the valuation of Fratton Park to be heard, followed by a high court date at which the Trust expect to be given the right to take over the club.

The Football League were not available for comment on whether Harris's revised bid would change anything with regard to their previous expulsion threat.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in