This: Portsmouth need to go under.

Do I feel for the supporters? Somewhat. But this charade has gone on long enough, at Portsmouth in particular and in football general. Perhaps the end of one club might the start of a more responsible and realistic beginning for a lot of others. As AFC Wimbledon and Rangers prove (not to mention London Scottish and Richmond Rugby Clubs), out of a sad end can come a viable new beginning.

Sydenham by birth. Selhurst by the Grace of God.

See the news tonight of the 10th August deadline for liquidation

after 13 years in which Bernard Lerring had pulped over 4 thousand weasels he suffered a compound nervous breakdown.

Some years ago Viz comic featured a cartoon called Black Bag; The Faithful Border Bin Liner

Its a zero-sum game (and a Von Nuuman infindate regression, because both sides are essentially at a point where they can only know what to do, if they can be sure of what the other side will do, but also know that the other side know that too). So its impossible to ascetain if either side is bluffing.

Realistically, even if the players agree to cut wages and abandon their contracts, the new owners will not be able to afford the football debts (and are looking to offset them to be paid in the future - so the owners will establish rather sizable debts to be paid at a future date that total into the millions).

I cannot see the supporters trust being able to meet these payments in the future, as Pompey will need to make impressive profits in order to accumilate the income to pay them off.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Probably the worst thing would be for the fans to take over, realistically in that case, it'd probably be better to go the AFC Portsmouth route. Because at least that way they may have success to build on - like AFC Wimbledon. Otherwise the club faces five years under rather strict limits by the FL, underperforming which ultimately means dwindling crowds.

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]

Indeed, AFC Portsmouth, even if they recreated in the EVO Stick South, micky mouse league, will be clear of any debts and in possession of a loyal fanbase (possibly with increased loyalty). They'll be free of the stadium, allowing them to relocate to a cheaper ground, and possess a financial capacity beyond all others in their league.

Also they'll progress, they'll be able to afford a professional team in a non-professional level league, even if they get a quarter capacity, it will be a sell out game each time (steady income basis).

On top of that successive wins brings more fans. Where as if they take over in the league, they're bound by all manner of financial restrictions from the FA, a spending cap on wages, limited capacity for investment, without an owned ground etc. They'll stagnate, and start to lose crowds, resulting in lower incomes and they've got that for five years. They'll be another Oxford Utd, once a top tier club, sliding into the non-leagues, poverty and abandonmnet - Saddled with a ground they can't earn off of, and are locked into, that increasingly will have less ticket sales

"One Nation Under God, has turned into One Nation Under the Influence of One Drug"
[Link]