In the wake of Pompey’s confirmed promotion to league one on Sunday – as just said, WHAT a day – Iain McInnes announced the news he was to step down as the Blues’ chairman.
He told News: ‘For me, it is time to move on and let somebody else come in and have a go now. Michael Eisner is a decent bloke, negotiations are ongoing. I don’t want to comment about those, if they are right for the club then they are right for the club.’
A pre-curser to Michael Eisner’s potential takeover being confirmed in the not too distant future? The chances are this WOULDN’T change what could, or would, happen with the American’s proposed bid to assume control at Fratton Park but it seems another sign towards this happening?
This is about McInnes, not Eisner’s takeover, but what I would just quickly say is I think we would all now agree without his group coming in can the infrastructure be put to a level we need it at…
McInnes added: ‘I think it’s the right thing to do to stand down and I will continue to support my team. This is the time to go, but it’s not about me, it’s never been about me, it’s about us. Our board grew up together in London, we’ve been down in the dumps, we’ve been threatened, but it has been fantastic.’
There was never a doubt in McInnes’ mind Paul Cook WOULD take Pompey up. Having achieved this they carried out the promise they made to each other – they had a quiet beer together at Meadow Lane.
Pompey’s outgoing chairman finished: ‘Cookie and I said if we got promotion we would sit in the corner and have a beer and cry – and that’s exactly what we did. He said “Thanks for sticking by me, I really appreciate it”. But I was always convinced he would do this for us, always.’
I cannot believe – not that I’ve read too many, as they wind me up usually – some of the comments on the News… how can you knock the job McInnes and the board have done? And how could you ever claim Pompey would be in a BETTER position if he hadn’t been appointed, along with the other board members?
McInnes and his fellow board members, along with ALL that have played a part in saving this club, have performed a fine job at Fratton since he took up his position in April 2013.
It’s got to have been a tough, rough and very strenuous four years for McInnes, who warrants praise and thanks for what he did for PFC. Without being disrespectful and making it as if he should be put out to pasture, McInnes now at the stage of his life where he deserves to wind down and enjoy following Pompey simply as a Blues fan again without the pressures of being chairman too.
PLAY UP POMPEY
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2016-17 Prediction League – April
Cambridge (h) – Saturday 22nd April – click here.
Mansfield (a) – Saturday 29th April – click here.
