Mark Hateley demands “clear plan” from Portsmouth owners

By Tom Blackett

Former Portsmouth striker Mark Hateley believes the club’s passionate fanbase ‘deserve to see a clear plan for moving forward’.

Former Walt Disney chief executive Michael Eisner completed his takeover of then-League One Pompey in 2017 and they have since made steady progress.

The Hampshire club won promotion to the Championship under John Mousinho in 2023-24 and have since battled hard to retain their second tier status.

Off the pitch, Eisner has also funded a number of projects to improve Fratton Park.

IN CHARGE: Portsmouth owner Michael Eisner

Ambitious

But he has dismissed speculation that any major stadium development could be imminent.

“It’ll happen someday but we can’t put a date on it,” Eisner told BBC Radio Solent in August.

“I’d like to have more seats and satisfy everybody but I don’t think we need them right now.

“We’ve bought quite a bit of real estate around the stadium in anticipation of someday building a new addition to the fourth stand.”

Ex-England targetman Hateley would like to see Portsmouth being more ambitious, which could even involve a move away from their beloved Fratton Park.

“I am pleased they are back in the Championship, but I have been disappointed with the ownership,” he said.

“When owners arrive with a big business background, supporters naturally think it could be the start of something exciting.”

UP FOR IT: Mark Hateley in action for England against the Netherlands at Euro 88 and, below, with his Portsmouth teammate Alan Biley
PICTURES: Alamy

Clear plan

“But I think Portsmouth should be planning more seriously for the future, including the stadium,” he added.

“Fratton Park is iconic, but we have already talked about how important modern facilities and hospitality are.

“The ownership and investors need to be working towards the same long-term plan.

“It is a brilliantly supported club with an unbelievable following.

“I keep in touch with people there, including those involved with the Hall of Fame and club events, and there is a feeling that the club is still stuck in a time warp.

“Business people coming into football have to listen to people who understand the game, the supporters and those who know the club.

“That is where my frustration comes from. Portsmouth’s supporters deserve to see a clear plan for moving forward.”

Surprise

After moving from Coventry to Portsmouth, Hateley scored 22 goals in the Second Division in 1983-84.

At the end of the season, he made his England debut against the Soviet Union and then scored for the Three Lions in their memorable 2-0 win against Brazil at the Maracana, adding to John Barnes’ famous solo goal.

At the end of that month, Hateley left Portsmouth for Italian giants AC Milan in a £1m move.

“I was progressing through the England ranks at the time,” recalled the 64-year-old, who also played for Monaco, Rangers and QPR in a glittering two-decade long career.

“We won the Under-21 European Championship, I scored in the final against Spain and had a good goalscoring record that year.

“People were watching. I was scoring regularly for Portsmouth as well, so there was awareness of what I was doing.

“But the way it all happened was still a surprise. I was thinking about going on holiday with the Portsmouth lads after a good season, then I got the call from Bobby Robson.

“It was a chance for them to see how I handled the step up. I did not know I was going to play against Brazil until the evening before the game.

“I was going to help the kitman, being one of the youngest players there, when Bobby came up, put his arm around me and said ‘Paul Mariner has picked up an injury. You’re playing tomorrow. Have a good sleep’.

“My ambition had always been to play in Europe and develop into a European-style No.9 as well as a British centre-forward. That was the direction I wanted my career to take.

“And all of that came after Brian Clough had told me I would never be a footballer!”

Then John Barnes and I ended up taking the headlines.”

Mark Hateley was talking to The FLP in conjunction with BetWright