The Shocking Truth About The Downfall Of Portsmouth FC

[@MenWithVen]

Still hoping for a "What on Earth is Going on at Sunderland? I saw you sneak Ricky Alvarez and Jack Rodwell into the intro of the "Restrictive Transfer Policy" video. I love these type of videos you do and I think we are definitely worth a deep dive given the ineptitude on show over the years. Sunderland til I die showed our relegation to league one and failed attempt to get promoted back to the Championship, but a detailed look at the Premier League years before our relegation would be great, also looking at how things went after STID. The amount of bad luck and awful decisions and from board level down to the pitch is staggering. In the Ellis Short era, and then the Stewart Donald era. And now we are owned by a 24 year old heir to a billionaires fortune whose father owned Marseille. -England losing against Iceland essentially resulting in us losing Allardyce, a great manager for us at the time, only for him to be sacked by England after 1 game. -At one point having the 6th highest wage bill in the Premier League with nothing really to show for it. -The purchase of Ricky Alvarez, not playing him, trying to back out of signing him, losing a lawsuit to Inter Milan and still suffering financial implications to this day. -Signing the appalling Jack Rodwell and being financially crippled for years again -Playing Adam Johnson when the execs knew he was under investigation for sexual activity with a child. -Signing Emmanuel Eboue, announcing him, then terminating his contract 3 weeks later as he was banned for all football activities for failing to pay an agent. -Well known drinking culture among players, general poor professionalism. -Darron Gibson getting arrested for drink driving after a car crash. Gibson also filmed on social media off his tits bad mouthing the team and manager whilst still a player. -Losing our top scorer in League 1 in January -Buying Will Grigg for 3 million pounds in League 1 because the owner at the time wanted to look like a big shot and then going on to be a Rodwellesque flop. -Losing twice at Wembley in League 1 including in the playoff final in the 95th minute. -Missing out on the playoffs after the season was cancelled due to COVID -Losing again in the playoffs last season. -Losing our top scorer last season to Wigan for nothing -Losing our club captain last season to Wigan for nothing

[@NobletheSavage]

Love this idea . Any video having a pop at Jack Rodwell ( he isn't well thought of up the Everton way ) is something I would love to see . I also love Sunderland fans . As fanatical as South Americans .

[@johnwhittaker311]

Losing your top scorer and club captain was your own fault tbf, nowt to do with us, we just picked up the pieces

[@xmrjacko4547]

@@johnwhittaker311 we didn’t ‘lose’ our captain either we simply didn’t offer him a contract

[@MenWithVen]

@@johnwhittaker311 At no point did I say it was anything to do with you, stop being defensive. If anything my comment makes it clear its our fault, poor management which is the story of the last 10+ years, not tieing players down, same as when we lost Maja

[@johnwhittaker311]

@@MenWithVen wasn’t having a go mate… just you mentioning us rather than just say they were let go makes you come across as a tad bitter. Obviously you’re not but that is how it sounds

[@GodlessScummer]

I'm a Southampton fan but I took no pleasure in what happened to Portsmouth. I wouldn't wish what happened to them on any football club.

[@kanyesouth4002]

Weird Saints fan

[@pompeygod8969]

Not weird, just empathetic

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

@@kanyesouth4002 Nothing weird about it - if it can happen to one club it can happen to others - no football club is 100% immune from this kind of thing...particularly when owned, and being subject to the whims of, a single figure. The Portsmouth story, and others like it, are a warning to all clubs. Southampton fans will appreciate the part that a football club plays in the community, and the loss can be devastating. My Dad's team went out of business, (through mismanagement and outright theft) in 1968 and it still hurts him today.

[@GodlessScummer]

@@kanyesouth4002 not really because I remember when Southampton almost went out of business due to shit owners. So I can identify with what they went through.

[@GodlessScummer]

@@pompeygod8969 exactly. I remember when Southampton FC almost went under due to bad owners. And we should realise that it can happen to any football club. No set of fans deserve to lose their club because of irresponsible owners.

[@freddiejohnson6137]

As someone who lives in Portsmouth and was around during this whole period. It was one of those too good to be true time periods where they seemed to keep signing top English players for the time when you had to ask how they could possibly afford not just the fees but the wages. Even then very few at the time were asking questions as after promotion to the Premier League as things were always looking up. Milan Mandaric's selling the club was the moment things got out of control as from that point on from the spending to constant promises of redevelopment of the stadium or building a new one who then proceeded to sell the club to a guy who pretty much pulled the wool over everyone's eyes including the Premier League. Lets face it all everyone ever thought when they seen it was the same guy that played a huge part in the Man City deal was that he must have money and it will be good for the league as a whole. If anything the Premier League is just as much responsible for allowing this as anyone something that made the future of the club suffer for many years later.

[@ivrishcon-abarth38]

In my understanding (and playing countless seasons of different football managing games), Portsmouth have quite a large fanbase, and could easily be in the middle of the table when it comes to attendances if playing in the EPL. Is there such a potential, for, say 40000 crowd/ EPL home game if you had the stadium for it? I´ve always been interested in attendances, record crowds, support potential and such.

[@gothicgolem2947]

I mean kind of but tbf to them they were trying to change the rules to stop this but it didn’t happen in time unfortunately

[@infrasleep]

You're right-fans lived in a fantasy world as well-all I got was abuse when I pointed out (with many others) that an income of £70m with near £80m on wages alone-you're at MINUS £10m BEFORE paying for ground upkeep, electric bills, tax , staff who run the admin and cleaning paying the coach firm hotel bills....and we were WISE Aldershot fans who know all about going bust !! There's always been an affinity between Pompey and Shots fans (Bordon is half way house) but the owners made it an affinity in bankruptcy !

[@rogink]

I also live in the city and tried to follow what was going on at the time, but have to say I didn't understand most of it. Of course in the centenary year 1998 Pompey effectively went bankrupt - which made 2008 even more crazy. Yes, the league and FA are responsible, and the owners culpable. But the fans need to get real, and not expect fantasy results. So far, the Eisner deal is looking good, and at least responsible.

[@bluenosesrule]

I remember Pompey (I support Birmingham and we were pretty much in the PL in the same period) staying up for three seasons and suddenly almost buying a dream team around 2006-07.

[@Cousin-Barnabus]

Portmouth FC is a cautionary tale of confidence tricksters after confidence tricksters trying to obtain football clubs only to asset strip them, turn a quick buck and flee with the money. Absolutely shocking what all the conmen did to this famous old football club. No football fan deserves this. I sincerely hope Portsmouth rise up from the ashes one day.

[@fistingendakenny8781]

Won't likely be soon but they will rise again, I love managing them in fifa, so there's a start 😂😂😂

[@portsmouthfctillidie3704]

The guydamaks are a Saint compared to our current yank owners

[@56postoffice]

Look what's happening to Derby County now.

[@skasteve6528]

@@portsmouthfctillidie3704 I'd rather have a TV & movie executive as an owner than an illegal arms dealer any day. Eisner may not be spending silly money on wages & signings, but what he is spending is going towards the development of the club. Owning your own training ground is a start.

[@FootballDrawn]

I remember the time when Portmouth had some ambitious transfer window, with having people coaches Harry Redknapp, and players like Sol Campbell and Jermain Defoe, all of them to sign for a club that was promoted just a while before that. Another brilliant video from HITC and Alfie ⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽⚽

[@7bucksnutrition303]

those were the days 😀

[@wilfordcolbert1333]

I think their decline started with Redknapp leaving them

[@moumenrezaei1330]

Your content is lit bro 🔥

[@coyotelong4349]

Yeah that was back when Fulham were good too

[@peterlovell]

@@wilfordcolbert1333 more like when redknapp realised he had spent cash that only the onwer could fund not the club, he went with the owner

[@coyotelong4349]

I’m a Tottenham fan but I miss having Portsmouth in the Prem, they’re just a fun club… Pompey fans are such a passionate, “No One Likes Us, We Don’t Care” type of fanbase. Fratton Park is such an iconic stadium. The rivalry with Southampton makes for a great derby to watch as a neutral. Here’s hoping Pompey rise again ⭐️ 🌙 🔵

[@BOABModels]

As a Portsmouth fan, this was definitely a video I was waiting for. I also attended the semi and final - bloody nervous before both games. Fun fact - aside from Fratton Park, I've been to the new Wembley more than any other stadium. Also, Appleton resigned I thought. I was gutted when he left.

[@kanelittle3257]

He got offered the Blackpool job if I remember and left but stayed there for 2 months before jumping ship there and going to Blackburn

[@BOABModels]

@@kanelittle3257 yeah, I think that's right. There was a time where it felt like Pompey had a new manager every week!!

[@daveoaktowers]

When Pompey were promoted and then winning the league two title I cried with joy. As Ian Darke put it aptly, after such an awful time it was as if we'd been given the all clear from a horrible illness and celebrating that high after falling from the top league. It was also the final game under fan ownership and felt like a fitting ending after saving the club from the brink. (Did mean then Pompey had won all 4 professional leagues too)

[@austinfields3288]

That was a wonderful day

[@danielkarmy4893]

I'm not a Pompey fan (to put it politely) but I think the chairman of the club in the rebuilding period, Iain McInnes, was worth a few minutes for the contribution he and others who were involved made toward that process. McInnes is now chairman at my local club Gosport Borough, effectively next door as far as non-local people are concerned, and he came in with the club in much the same situation as Portsmouth were. Somehow we survived the first season with a group of students, amateurs and Wessex League rejects, and several years later we're doing very well. I know you're meant to wish your rivals ill, and treat them like they're your enemy, but frankly as a Saints fan I just don't feel that way - don't get me wrong, it's not a friendly rivalry, but I take my hat off to all those involved in the revival of their club that means so much to them. They now have a model that all football clubs should imitate.

[@TomPFC]

As a season ticket holder who grew up LIVING this, in constant fear of my club disappearing forever - this video is massively appreciated, and was unexpected. Cheers Alfie.

[@dannyrussell1168]

It still breaks my heart. I remember the betrayal of each sham owner like it was yesterday. Great vid! Research is thorough and it makes the muddy tidal waters quite clear.

[@garymane1843]

Why no prison sentences handed out, nearly sure, if we committed fraudulent crimes like this we would be doing bird lol, but that's all behind Portsmouth now, with proper honest caring owners, Portsmouth are back in the championship with great footballers and a young terrific manager, we are on our way back to premership ,play up pompey, keep the faith.

[@debayanbhunia7084]

These documentaries are the reason why hitc sevens and Rabona tv are the best football channels

[@lacey7025]

Nah man Tifo Football is better than Rabona in my opinion.

[@U_C_G]

Tifo are top class

[@AR-rg2en]

Irish guy is the best lol

[@edgzta]

Rabona makes me cringe.

[@lacey7025]

@@AR-rg2en Irish guy is one of the worst man 🤣

[@Cespar997]

Please do a video on Wimbledon FC rise and fall and how their fall spawned two football clubs from one. Love 👊

[@NobletheSavage]

I can't believe he hasn't done one yet . I love the story apart from the bit concerning Kingstonian's ground . That sucked.

[@dragonheatgaming5005]

Would love him to do this video

[@OsofoGriot]

This would be a great video

[@Cespar997]

@@NobletheSavage Nor I, there isnt another story like it in football it's mental what happened!

[@FozzQuaker]

@@NobletheSavage Yeah, buying there ground and later selling it from underneath them

[@benjeffery9958]

As a pompey fan this was some of the best times of my life supporting supporting them... such a shame all of us knew nothing about what was going on and we were consolidating nicely in the top half back then, but that's how the cookie crumbles... were still much very alive and kicking 🙌

[@Pro_Butcher_Amateur_Human]

I went to my first match in the same season we got promoted to the Premier League, it was a 3-0 win with Burton, Todorov and Merson scoring. I fell in love with the club that day. Specifically, when Merson floated a perfect pass from inside his own half, onto Todorov's chest on the corner of the opposition penalty box. I was 16 when we won the FA Cup. I only knew the halycon days of wild success. Promotion, survival, playing against Man Utd and Chelsea. Our downfall was utterly shocking to me. It still is, to be honest. We had a series of cartoonish villains as owners, we were let down by the league's fit and proper persons assessments, and we let our desire for glory overrule our common sense. I remember when we got relegated, before the PST bought the club, going to the last match of the season and wondering if the club would go under, if I'd ever again walk down from the train station to the ground, buy a program and a salmonella burger, and then be part of the best football atmosphere I've ever encountered. When the club was saved by the PST, it's difficult to put into words how much it meants to the fans. Now, we are starting to climb up again, but the slow going has some fans thinking (wrongly, IMHO) that we've fallen prey to another confidence huckstar with plans to bleed the club dry. I don't believe that myself, but I understand that fear. Having gone through that once, it's the biggest fear of any fan old enough to remember what it was like. Personally, I'm glad we finally have an owner who is trying to run the club in a sustainable way. We lived beyond our means for far too long.

[@austinfields3288]

Well said play up Pompey

[@harrytwood]

A great video about the rise and fall of Pompey. This is why I'm so thankful for Tornante and how the clubs been run now, PUP! 🔹️🔷️🔵💙

[@jasonharrison4959]

Gotta say, as a bolton fan, I have so much sympathy for what you had to go through. Never realised it was this bad for you. Good luck for the season to you guys 👊

[@harrytwood]

@@jasonharrison4959 cheers mate, same to Bolton to. It's great that both Pompey and Bolton are still here today. 👍🏻

[@jasonharrison4959]

@@harrytwood agreed, and hopefully the many other struggling clubs can pull through. Dont want to see anyone else go the way of Bury

[@harrytwood]

@@jasonharrison4959 yeah, that was a very sad ending. 😞

[@tejas8719]

"Portsmouth" the name brings in so much nostalgia. I started following PL at that time. Crouch, Defoe, Muntari, remember all these names

[@chlcrk]

I saw Portsmouth at MK Dons in League One over the weekend just gone and it still amazes me how quickly the Pompey house of cards collapsed, let alone some of the crazy stories mentioned here. It is extraordinary just how quickly it unravelled between 2008 and 2013 and some of the characters involved in the drama. Good film. Keep up the good work

[@janvisser4132]

3:17, more takeovers then an average F1 GP. I guess that in this day and age, that means a pretty stable ownership record.

[@Crypto-Jas]

I told you a million times not to exaggerate !!, PUP.

[@deeznoots6241]

More overtakes nowadays than ten years ago though lol

[@janvisser4132]

@@deeznoots6241 wouldn't know, didn't watch it back then. Find in boring anyway, this year is better now that there is a real fight for the championship. And some drama.

[@cycklist]

This is wonderful. I've been a pompey fan since the early 90s, and watching all this chaos unfold was heartbreaking time and time again. There were times we thought our beloved club was going to be no more. Can you imagine the pain? We'll never forget what happened, but the healing process is going well. Play Up Pompey.

[@benedictwallis1993]

As a portsmouth fan, I would do it all again! Tough times followed the FA Cup win but to sit soulless in the Premier league like West Ham, Newcastle, Scum and Burnley is not what football is about. I would love a Premier League return but life outside brings back football and the match day experience back to its real fans. Great video and thank you for uncovering and stitching together the whole story!

[@commissaryarrick9670]

As a fan I appreciate the premier league for what it is and the talent is wonderful but also as a fan there is just something special about the lower leagues. I can't explain why but i love leagues 1 and 2 for some reason . I am not from England I am from the US so it is not the norm to care about these leagues here but there is just something about these leagues that makes me happy. I got exposed to league 1 and 2 teams through fifa cause we don't have the games on TV here . I keep up with the leagues the best I can though.

[@guguy00]

Took me a while to realize that by scum you meant Southampton. At least call them Scumhampton or Liverpool B!

[@AR-rg2en]

West Ham is anything but souless lol

[@benedictwallis1993]

@@AR-rg2en middle of the Premier league is soulless. Every season is nothing to play for (apart from last season)

[@AR-rg2en]

@@benedictwallis1993 West Ham were literally fighting for Champions League qualification. Not souless at all.

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

I honestly had no idea and thought Michael Eisner was going to be a joke. The irony of several conmen getting to own the club easily, yet the legendary CEO that transformed Disney into the mega Disney Corp era getting major due diligence against him, is still hilarious though. As a Man City fan I miss Portsmouth in the Premier League. We had such nightmares against that team, and as eternal underdogs for so long it was hard to deal with, as many of the top sides found out too. Play Up Pompey! Pompey Play Up! The club has an amazing set of fans that I hope to see making Premier League stadiums louder again in the near future. With the swings between them and rivals Southampton being so large in recent decades, a derby of this kind every season being added to the top flight would be very special too.

[@FrenchFry-hi4rn]

Unfortunately it won't be happening anytime soon, League One is tougher than you realise to be promoted out of.

[@samwestinvest]

Great recap of our vast troubles. AC Milan at Fratton Park is still the best atmosphere I have ever experienced in any game. Gives me goosebumps every time I think about that magical night. So putting the troubles aside, I'm still grateful I got to experience Pompey in Europe. Wolfsburg away was also very special.

[@UKProgRock]

I lived a 2 minute walk from Fratton Park for about a decade (which wasn't great for after Southampton games). I remember a lot of this at the time, it was a crazy time.

[@ddlee84]

As a Pompey fan, I want to say thank you to Alfie. It would have been so easy to put the boot in to a club that has been failed on sooooo many levels. From the Premier League(who let a convicted fraudster run the club on a technicality) to the Football League (who apparently couldnt find an international arrest warrent for Antonov) to Peter Storrie(who oversaw most of it). Pompey will be back where the supporters diserve at some point and I for one have a lot of trust in the current ownership, who have been so smart since taking charge. It may take time but it WILL happen.

[@westshorebassfishing3205]

Thanks for making these videos! I'm back watching football religiously again after nearly 15 years and showing my son the beautiful game. Your videos are directly responsible for rekindling my passion for football. Thank you 🤘

[@antifugazi]

That was the year Rio Ferdinand went in goal against Portsmouth for a penalty

[@backtothefifa1059]

And the season before, Ferdinand scored an awful OG against Pompey

[@brettaldred1116]

Alfie you should do a “what the hell is going on at Ipswich town!” 20 years out of the top flight, several managers later, 2 takeovers and it’s only getting worse

[@rickygrimshaw1255]

I remember when we played Pompey at home in preseason 2008 and Harry Redknapp lifted the trophy up prematch and getting a standing ovation from us Bournemouth supporters because of his legendary status here at Dean Court.

[@quingold6838]

I'm loving these mini documentaries.

[@beatownsend9253]

I'd love to see a video on the rise and fall of Blackburn rovers from the premier League title to their masses of debt they are now in

[@bentarbuck6161]

Literally love these videos! When I was starting at uni I almost went to portsmouth purely because I was looking to move far away and I thought I could try and catch a few games. My years at uni coincided with their downfall so thankfully I ended up at preston instead

[@kindmulberry7196]

Strap in everyone, things are about to get Sheikhy

[@ryanbetrand4600]

That's is amazing

[@yusufkassim8236]

Shut up

[@debayanbhunia7084]

Come with the real id Adminho

[@kindmulberry7196]

@Ian Thompson Thank you for the kind gesture

[@robertward6582]

You really need to do a video on Coventry. We have certainly been through our fair share of horrendous of the field dealings

[@jeniferallan6693]

I am a Saints fan. I wish 2 things. That Pompey survive and more importantly that this horrid hatred for each other stops. It is nasty. Rivals yes...but it has become really nasty. We are Hampshire.

[@timbayliss4153]

Dear Jennifer, I firmly believe, as I heard a comment from a fellow Pompey fan, whom had had enough of scummer this and scummer that, that war truly ended between us, when Alan Ball became manager of us, AND Milan Mandaric banned the 657 crew from making another book, about their exploits. One thing has always interested me, with respect to all Saints fans, that you hear more about our 657 crew, whom gave us a bad name, than your lot and equivalent, the Firm, I think it was called.

[@floppytnarwal1641]

Although a saints supporter, I have never understood the hatred between the club's. A local rivalry is great but hatred? I have some good friends who are Pompey fans and we have great banter. As far as I'm concerned, Portsmouth FC haven't ever done me or my family any harm so I have no reason to hate them.

[@ddlee84]

Sorry I know this is two years later, I think the hatred has died down a lot over the last 30 years. There will always be Scummer this and Skate that between the fan bases because that is banter between fans. Same as there will always be some (normally drunk) dickheads who will take it too far and start fights between the fans. I have watched Pompey beat Southampton 4-1 in an FA Cup game and I have watched Southampton beat Pompey 4-0 in a Cup game fairly recently....both times there have been fans who take it too far on both sides. But mostly I will always remember the laughable banter of just saying "Hows your trophy cabinet" to Southampton fan.....or a Southampton fan saying "pay your debts" to us 99% of the time you can laugh it off and thats what I will always love about the rivalry between the clubs.

[@DPRMomo]

"U-turning faster than Boris Johnson any time Marcus Rashford hits the tweet button" took me out hahahahah

[@Louisejames23]

I managed to get hold of a copy of the list of creditors Pompey had when they went bust. I think the total was £120 million plus, including the local milkman. Quite how nobody ended up in jail is beyond me…

[@heavenlyd7302]

Would love to see the breakdown

[@sbassett5572]

The chaos at Pompey started years earlier.. At one point we sold the club to famously legit operator Terry Venables for $1.. That was the first in the cascade of crazy ownership with only Milan Mandaric looking like a genuine guy in that whole era

[@samanthalines2150]

As a Pompey fan who lived through this, thank you, great video and research

[@BiggieTrismegistus]

I was watching a Premier League compilation earlier today and found myself wondering what happened to Portsmouth. Excellent timing.

[@aliceunchained28]

Hi Alfie, would be interesting to watch a video of the demise of Birmingham City fc. They were decent about 10 years ago but then they won the league cup and got relegated. great video as always.xxx

[@Twinned_with_Jim]

These are so interesting. I remember watching this all unfold and it’s great to get a proper breakdown on what happened. Love these documentaries

[@nicholastricarico2957]

Portsmouth: One of the few European clubs who are happy with ownership by an American.

[@ivrishcon-abarth38]

Excellent journalism! Imagine if BBC had similar integrity and relentlessly dug out the truth, no matter what...

[@anthonypetty9288]

My father was a Pompey fan, but I'm glad he passed before all those shenanigans happened. So sad to see what happened, but I hope Portsmouth will continue to grow and one day grace the Premier League again, albeit in a better run fashion. Fun fact, Portsmouth held the F.A. Cup for the longest time unbeaten.............. courtesy of winning it in 1939, then no cup games until after WW2.

[@Elliot-T]

This season, back to the championship...

[@Locomattive8572]

I love these documentaries videos, they are extremely interesting. Keep making them, Matt the Norwich Fan.

[@callanparsons8707]

It was a dark time the city really went down hill , Portsmouth is also the only city that is fundamentally linked to its football club when the club does well the city does well in literally every single sense and when it goes bad the city declines , it was known as the warning to football and ever since so many clubs are being subjected to careless and destructive owners and very little is being done about it , Pompey now have billionaire owners but they are being careful with money and tbh considering what the club went through its prob a smart idea for the owners to take the steady approach , Pompey have a rich history of achieving the impossible . English champions twice and fa cup winners twice but the club drops very low soon after it achieves against all odds glory but the fan base at the club is the reason it’s as strong as it is , the people say the club belongs to pompey not football and even at the darkest hour they still achieve the impossible the club had no rights to pull through but the fans made sure it did , I ain’t just proud to be a pompey fan cos of its history and one of the loudest and vocal atmospheres in Europe/world but how much the fans will go through and give to keep its club alive … it’s a naval and military town the people have a lot of heart , passion and grit

[@malteseowl]

The title "Sheikh" does not mean anything, some places it simply is a landowner.

[@omarabdulkarim356]

True. I'm a sheikh, and I live in Yorkshire. It means fuck all haha

[@chriswoodtoarsenal]

Day 12: every football league clubs greatest ever academy product

[@joeypeawood4656]

2006 era Pompey and Blackburn were two of my favourite childhood clubs, used to love Matty Taylor, Pedro Mendes and Gamst Pedersen

[@kennethwilkinson2095]

I'm a lifelong pompey fan and the people in tge comments need fear not. I had a season ticket few years back, sold out every home game in league 2? Not every club can say the same, we've won every league, held the fa cup the longest and will never die! PUP!!

[@NoOrdinaryRabbit93]

Great video as always. Would love to see you make a doc on Wigan Athletic.

[@51501]

Crazy looking back on all that happened. Always thought that Gaydamak Snr was the main man behind the club, the guy with the cash. When the cash ran out it was time to jump ship. We went down quickly too and very nearly out of existence with the charlatans and free loaders that followed. Thanks to the fans and Mr Eisner we are coming back bit by bit. Nice clip thanks for posting.

[@joeburgess7225]

Great video as ever. And considering this one is about my team. I admire and appreciate how detailed this is

[@TheCatDrinksAllTheRedBull]

Can you do a video on either Oldham, Rochdale or Wigan? The greater Manchester clubs have had a really hard go of it recently

[@josh_Pezza]

Bit weird to show a Donny Rovers concession stand at 24:00 but fair enough if it’s to show the Pukka Pies

[@Andrewjg_89]

Do one of Southend United FC and the club owner Ronald Martin. As Southend United were relegated last season after spending 101 years in the English Football League. And are now in Vanarama National League (Non-League).

[@machinainc5812]

19:50 Met him at Download Festival 2006. Portsmouth most famous supporter. Cool guy, we shared a beer and had a chat about the club.

[@fleshen]

As a rugby fan I used to get annoyed that your channel kept getting recommend to me!! But you have one me over now l have subscribed and I'm almost falling back in love with Soccer!! Sorry couldn't resist that... Football!

[@deanbrown29]

Brilliant! Thank you so much, it's so strange to live through these events but know so little about what's actually going on

[@deeps2169]

Can we get a ‘what on earth is going on at Nottingham Forest’? They’ve had 27 managers in 17 years!

[@prezzie1]

Wow I never knew that poor old pompy were absolutely ripped apart like that. I am truly gutted for all the pompy fans and all that you have been through. And I thought I had it tough as a forest fan. I really hope Portsmouth at least get back back into the championship. Good luck pompy

[@andycole366]

Thanks for that. The championship is the main aim with the Premier league being the dream again if course. Well done on your win against Spurs!👍

[@garymane1843]

Be back I in premership within next 3 years, play up pompey keep the faith

[@the_one_the_only4651]

Alfie can you do a video documenting the rise and fall of Oldham Athletic and how they managed to go from being founding members of the Premier League and having competed in the top-flight at recently as 1994 to now favourites to get relegated out of the Football League altogether here in 2021?

[@jasenwright1178]

Good fans at Pompey! They cheered the Arsenal off the pitch years ago after being 'well beaten'! Up Pompey!

[@aaronday8665]

Appleton didn’t lose his job, he walked out on the club

[@Laidback_616]

Currently have this team back in the championship in fifa. From third tier to premier league champs in three season is the goal. Let’s go Pompey’s.👌

[@fromthe6477]

One of the best Channel out there you learn so much thank you HITC sevens

[@RomaInvicta202]

That's exactly why we should have our own 50 + 1 law

[@patrickracer43]

"And more takeovers than a Formula One Grand Prix" I felt that

[@axxessmundi]

His documented name was sheikh yerbouti.

[@newforestpixie5297]

Isn’t that a Zappa Album ? 🐢

[@axxessmundi]

@@newforestpixie5297 Yes!!! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Correct!! You're the greatest!!

[@wolfmauler]

1st rate. This is the stuff we can't get anywhere else; please keep it up mate! My idea, 7 best individual performances by players who only spent that one season in the top flight.

[@apc9681]

Thank you for this, a lot of people believe that we were a club who just spent beyond their means however as you said it was a lot bigger than that.

[@differentdreamer7317]

Another hit ! On an unrelated note, have you/will you make a vid on when the premier League went from 22 team's to the current format. Keep up the good work

[@UltiBlue]

The Belenenses - B-SAD split would be a great topic, especially with the possibility of this season both having a match on the Cup of Portugal.

[@johnwhittaker311]

I’d love you to do one on Wigan although the sad truth is you could make one about most clubs in the lower football leagues. The EFL isn’t, and has never been, fit for purpose. They need to go

[@timothydaly8161]

As a massive Arsenal fan I consider Portsmouth to be my second club. I grew up in the USA so I chose to make my team to be the first one that won when I watched the Premier League. The first match I watched was Arsenal vs. Portsmouth in which Arsenal won. But, I still have some of my heart in Pompey because I could easily be a massive Portsmouth FC fan. I still follow them religiously and I hope they owners can get their shit together. I still have their 125 year kit in my closet. Cheers fellow fans.

[@callmedavid9696]

Great video. Now do strangest transfer announcement videos/photos

[@Podders1991]

I lived near by Fratton park and went regularly as a kid. I never really cared for football growing up but I am starting to really enjoy it, being a neutral the last few years. Pompey is a club I feel I should be following, even though now I live in Plymouth! Thanks for this video really informative- looking forward to visiting the old girl soon and supporting this club

[@Referee001uk]

You could do the rise and ultimately demise of Gretna FC, they were basically the dictionary definition of overspending beyond your means

[@vKonFuZaH]

I live just round the corner from fratton park, still can hear it rocking most weekends. Was fortunate enough to see us lift the FA cup, one of the best days ever

[@ramiresibsen]

21:45 Damn, an actual happy ending

[@jeb-zf4un]

I don't suppose you fancy doing an expose into Worcester City's demise. That would be fun haha

[@upitpompey]

No mention of the CRUCIAL 2-1 win over Man City and the 2 stunners scored by Pedro Mendes. Had we not won. We were as good as relegated Benjani was not a "dud". Legit surprised you dismissed his energy, pressing, and work rate which made him a fan favourite that half-season. His only goal was a crucial equalizer against Sunderland too. Matt Taylor's goal soon after in that game kept us up with one game to go.

[@fraz5786]

these documentaries are awesome. i am begging you to do one on Rangers' liquidation in 2012

[@sambrown7082]

As a Pompey fan, this is a great watch 👍🏻

[@adamjohnson5041]

Great video. Should be broadcasted on tv say like C4. So other fans can understand and take a more interest into how their club is being. Look at Derby and it won't finish with them!

[@siugaourcGOIUBGUSOCA]

Alfie i can really see you as a perfect replacement for martin tyler, i think youd make a great commentator, is this something youve ever considered?

[@nickmuratori3922]

Crazy that they’ve won a major trophy more recently than Spurs

[@portsmouthfctillidie3704]

We also won a trophy in 2019 which was our recent trophy we've won 7 trophies in our history 4 major trophies and 5 fa Cup finals we're probably already better than spuds

[@nickmuratori3922]

@@portsmouthfctillidie3704 as an Arsenal fan, I have to agree

[@user-jq7di9pz8m]

And more recently and more in our history by far than scumhampton

[@anniechrisbendy6000]

As a chelsea fan ........ pompey fans deserves 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 well done lads ..... CARRY ON💪

[@yusufkassim8236]

Day 12: The rise and fall of gretna fc

[@greisquirrel]

I can't believe you added the debt to Pukka Pies at the end. This is a good video on what happened! PUP!

[@johnw29]

It really started looking dodgy to me when we bought Defoe in the final hours or minutes of the January transfer window. He was an England International in his prime. It wasn't the fee but it was obvious that the wages were beyond what a club of our size should be able to afford, even with the PL money then and Sasha Gaydamak claiming he wasn't very rich when he took over. That Ali Al Mirage (as he was known here) is the only image you'll find online. Even Peter Storrie had never met him but had spoken to someone claiming to be him over the phone. How does someone like that even get hold of a club? Al Fahim famously waved his £50m cheque around at a fan's meeting and as per the video it was money stolen from his wife. As for Chainrai, this video doesn't cover even a small part of his involvement. Thanks to some great fans Chainrai was defeated in court and then the rush was on to raise nearly £6m in a few months. Absolutely shocking chain of events under the watch of the PL, FA and EFL. We believed lessons would be learnt and then Bury is shafted and there are ownership issues still ruining clubs around the country. Great to see the truth because many still believe it is just a story of cheating. BT Sports did a good short film about fan ownership called "Ours" and a film just about Pompey through this mess was made too called "Our Club".

[@scorelineupdate129]

Portsmouth were FA cup holders from 1939-1946 longest holder in history

[@Mattinator95]

And due to neglect and administrative period they are behind pretty much every club in facilities and stadium refurbishment and academy

[@Lupin788]

"the only island city in the United Kingdom' - Isn't EVERY city in the UK an island city? ;1

[@peterlovell]

Great video I've used this to show fellow Pompey fans who moan about the current onwers not spending shed loads of money on players. Thank you for this. 👍

[@harvidmoreton817]

Do Forest. We lost another manager and are bottom of the Championship. Would love to see an outside perspective on the dull chaos that is the Tricky Trees. FTID.

[@ianmacfarlane1241]

A horrendous example of greed and corruption, and desperately sad for the people and city of Portsmouth - I can only hope that they manage to maintain a level of stability in the future. Best wishes to Portsmouth FC.

[@subsilkdj]

Saints fan in peace - both clubs having downfalls several years apart robbed us of so many derbies, and these are the most exciting games. When we went through all of it first, the pompey fans were happily wishing our club out of existence but...I think... or hope at least for some of their lot they recognise that without fierce rivals it all becomes that little bit less special. It was amusing at first seeing their plight, having had so many messages of joy and celebration at our struggle for survival and points deduction, but as much as it pains me to say it I still would not wish it on any football club and its fans, even for pompey. It is always the fans that suffer for years afterwards, and somehow these dodgy owners keep finding ways into controlling historic teams.

[@andycole366]

You're spot on. There's always a few uneducated supporters that laugh and wish another club to go extinct. But, majority of Pompey supporters were in support of Saints and wished them well. When we had the same situation from 2008 onwards it was the worse and most depressing situation as a football fan. Without our fan base I think we would have gone extinct, literally. Hopefully play you again soon. Well that's if we ever get out of this boring league. Our owners are billionaires but being frugal which I do understand especially now with prices going up. All the best 💙🤝❤️