Portsmouth players rally to fund staff wages

Portsmouth players are ready to fund the wages of several staff after this week's lay-offs.

The Daily Mail says 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.

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."