Portsmouth Football Club today welcomed a call by Prime Minister David Cameron for HMRC to work with the club to help it survive.
Cameron told the House of Commons that it was vital the club continued and that HMRC should meet with the club to discuss its tax bill.
Pompey face a winding-up petition from HMRC on February 20. The club is seeking new owners and wants HMRC to give it more time to find a solution to its financial issues.
The club’s future was raised by Portsmouth North MP Penny Mordaunt during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.
She said: “If a local supermarket closes down another quickly takes its place. If Portsmouth Football Club closes down, the Pompey fans will not be content with buying their season tickets from Southampton.
“Will the Prime Minister add his voice to mine in calling for HMRC to meet with the club so it recoups the taxes it’s owed, that our club survives and that the fans have their chance to become its owners.”
Cameron responded: “I will certainly do that. I think she is absolutely right to raise this issue. Knowing one or two Pompey fans I can completely understand.
“The idea that they can go and support Southampton is completely incredible. We must do all we can to keep this friendly rivalry going.”
In learning of the support from Parliament, Pompey chief executive David Lampitt said: “I would like to place on record our thanks to Penny Mordaunt and to the Prime Minister for supporting the efforts of the club and its supporters in pursuing an exit route from its current circumstances.
“We will continue to do everything we can to that end, including working with HMRC and other creditors to ensure that the club has the time it needs.”
Click here to listen to an audio clip from Prime Minister’s Questions.