a solution to the portsmouth redundancy problem...

So the players, led by David James, are actually trying to do this. Not forfeit wages, which wouldn't be allowed, but pass the hat around. It's still complicated, for tax reasons:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...und-staff.html

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.

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.
David James



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.

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.

But Sportsmail understands that the entire squad have clubbed together in an attempt to keep more training ground staff in employment.

Yesterday they were trying to navigate their way through the legal red tape in a bid to make it happen.

'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.'


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.

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.'

Originally Posted by Grimson

So the players, led by David James, are actually trying to do this.

To most of us, this would be the obvious way forward if you played for a team. I think it's great that James/Hreidarsson have made the gesture - I hope it works. Has anybody else actually made a commitment? I know the article says: "Portsmouth's kind-hearted players are preparing to dip into their own pockets"...

Originally Posted by voxra

To most of us, this would be the obvious way forward if you played for a team. I think it's great that James/Hreidarsson have made the gesture - I hope it works. Has anybody else actually made a commitment? I know the article says: "Portsmouth's kind-hearted players are preparing to dip into their own pockets"...

Good to see you again vox

Who knows what the details are. I do know it wouldn't be as easy as handing someone ₤16,000. It would have to be reported as income to HM Revenue (because of the publicity it's getting) and deductions made, etc, but hopefully they can work it out.

Good to see you too, chuck!

I'm biased - I went to the pictures to see the latest Michael Moore film this afternoon. I'm full of "there is a light at the end of the tunnel", and that light is co-ops. Co-ops are great - born in Manchester, and works in the US.

Is it true that pilots (as in flying pilots, as in the people who bring be to and from this country every two weeks) are on $21,000 per year? *gulp*

Your all American fantasy (the lad who landed the Airbus on the Hudson River) bloke was there, saying his pay had been cut by 40%, and that his pension had been wiped out, completely. Tell me that's not true, please.

Originally Posted by voxra

Good to see you too, chuck!

I'm biased - I went to the pictures to see the latest Michael Moore film this afternoon. I'm full of "there is a light at the end of the tunnel", and that light is co-ops. Co-ops are great - born in Manchester, and works in the US.

Is it true that pilots (as in flying pilots, as in the people who bring be to and from this country every two weeks) are on $21,000 per year? *gulp*

Your all American fantasy (the lad who landed the Airbus on the Hudson River) bloke was there, saying his pay had been cut by 40%, and that his pension had been wiped out, completely. Tell me that's not true, please.

What are we talking about now?

Major airline pilots make a good salary. It's pilots of small, regional airlines (think small turboprop planes) who are on slave wages. But it's meant to be a stepping stone to the big airlines.

I wouldn't worry about 'Sully.' He signed a 2-book deal for $3 million. But yeah, I don't think you can find a profession that hasn't suffered salary or benefits cuts. You HAVE been reading the news the last 14 months, yes?

Originally Posted by Grimson

Major airline pilots make a good salary. It's pilots of small, regional airlines (think small turboprop planes) who are on slave wages.

Yes, thank you. I nearly died in one of those small turboprop planes.

Originally Posted by Grimson

I wouldn't worry about 'Sully.' He signed a 2-book deal for $3 million.

I don't worry about him - but he worries for us! He's not worried for himself, he's worried for the profession. Or is that very naive of me...?

Originally Posted by Grimson

But yeah, I don't think you can find a profession that hasn't suffered salary or benefits cuts. You HAVE been reading the news the last 14 months, yes?

We haven't lost our rights, or salary (some have lost their jobs, but they didn't lose any rights). It's the Scandinavian socialist way

How did we get from Portsmouth to this? Sorry.

Originally Posted by voxra

How did we get from Portsmouth to this? Sorry.

because you changed the subject vox
didn't know you posted on here

Originally Posted by thenorthwillriseagain

because you changed the subject vox

I know, tnwra, sorry. *hug*

I like David James.