PORTSMOUTH began the most critical seven days of their 112-year history by suffering a heavy blow to their hopes of surviving when Victor Cattermole, one of the parties interested in buying the club, ruled out taking over before Monday’s winding-up petition, reports Jamie Jackson.

Speaking from New Zealand Cattermole told the Guardian: “In an ideal world we would like to purchase the club before Monday, but we will not be rushed. The unfortunate thing is putting anything together in business takes time. Most processes like this cannot be rushed.” Had he the finance to take over? “Yes, we believe we do,” he said.