Source: Daily_Mail
Portsmouth players offer to pay wages of axed training ground staff
Portsmouth's kind-hearted players are preparing to dip into their own pockets in a bid to keep up to eight members of the training ground staff in work until the end of the season.[LNB]Led by goalkeeper David James and club captain Hermann Hreidarsson, the players are desperate to keep the kit men, catering staff and cleaners they consider vital in their bid to reach a second FA Cup final in two years. [LNB] Generous: Portsmouth goalkeeper David James[LNB]Despite their position at the bottom of the Barclays Premier League, manager Avram Grant has guided the side to a Wembley semi-final against either Tottenham or Fulham.[LNB] One report suggested yesterday that club administrator Andrew Andronikou had blocked a personal attempt by James to pay the wages of 64-year-old training ground manager Tug Wilson and assistant kit-man Clarke Denford, who were among the 85 employees made redundant on Wednesday.[LNB] But Sportsmail understands that the entire squad have clubbed together in an attempt to keep more training ground staff in employment.[LNB] Yesterday they were trying to navigate their way through the legal red tape in a bid to make it happen.[LNB] 'These people are the oil in the machine,' said one Fratton Park insider. 'We are only talking about raising about £1,500 from each player. It's not a lot when they could end what has been a difficult season by appearing in the FA Cup final.'[LNB] Reason to be cheerful: Portsmouth's players can look forward to a Wembley appearance after a turbulent season[LNB] James has already agreed to remove a clause in his contract that guaranteed him a new one-year £2million deal if he played a certain number of games this season - he did so amid fears that he could jeopardise his World Cup chances with England if the club could not afford to pick him - and in an interview with Sky yesterday club owner Balram Chainrai said that Grant has been working for free.[LNB] Wilson paid tribute to James for his generosity. He said: 'David is a good man and we get on well. People slag off players for earning so much money but most are good people just like David.'[LNB] There was better news for Portsmouth yesterday when HM Revenue and Customs accepted the validity of Andronikou's appointment as administrator and withdrew their High Court petition to have the club wound up.[LNB] Portsmouth boosted as HMRC drop challenge to club's administrator I'll get my money back, insists Pompey owner Chainrai despite £80m debtAnger as Storrie survives Portsmouth purge: 85 jobs go at Fratton Park[LNB] [LNB]
