Pay up Pompey - the first elite to fall

Well, yesterday's news came as a surprise to very little; Portsmouth FC have entered the dark world of administration. Just under 2 seasons ago, they were on their way to Wembley Way and to eventual FA Cup success.

Now, after 4 owners have taken the reigns this season, the axe hanging above the club dropped and they have become the first top-flight side to be deducted the dreaded nine points.

So what's gone wrong?

Effectively everything. The blame firstly should be placed firmly at the board, specifically Peter Storrie who somehow has been ever-present throughout the issues (akin to Risdale at Leeds in my opinion)

Four chairmen in one season is just ludicrous. It's clear that none of them were invested in the club for the long haul and wanted to make a quick profit. That shouldn't be how a club is treated, but unfortunately it's a sign of the times. On the flipside, some owners of other clubs have outstayed their welcome and have worsened the financial situation.

The blame could be directed at the Premier League for their fit and proper owner policy which previously has been called into question for not being strict enough. The best example being the Glazer takeover in 2005 on borrowed money leaving the club with reported debts of £700million today and Thaksin Sinawatra's takeover of Manchester City in 2007, who today had his assets seized by the Thai government. (Admittedly, the latter of these stories led to another takeover, which helped City in the long run)

But its clear the policy needs looking at if so many owners's dealings in the past are being brought into question. Simply, the Premier League needs to tighten the policy to avoid situations like this one.

On a personal level, I feel really bad for their fans. As soon as they were promoted to the Premier League, the fans probably felt like on Cloud Nine and they've endured hardship over the years. People like John 'Portsmouth FC' Westwood show their enduring passion for the club and created a party-like atmosphere in those first few years of Premier League. Some critics may say Mr Westwood is obsessed and out of touch with reality. Not at all the case, if you've got the passion, flaunt it.

I have a sort of affinity for Portsmouth, I took the club to the Europa League final on Football Manager (John Utaka was Europe's best player, how Pompey fans must wish this was real ) but these dreams seem so far in reality. Under Redknapp, Pompey were knocking on the door of Europe, 24 months later they are knocking on the doors of potential investors.

I really hope the club find a buyer. I don't like to see clubs going under, even Leeds who I should despise. The Leeds case is eeriely parallel to Portsmouth's and I think the club are nowhere near rock bottom yet unfortunately.

So in conclusion, the borrowing culture of the Premier League's club's needs to be stamped out before more clubs follow Pompey into the dark abyss of adminstration

Photos courtesy of Sir Pix-a-Lot and bhardinge