SELL UP Pompey, Pompey sell up! The Fratton Park club have been bought for little more than half the money Saints received for Kevin Davies.

Miami-based tycoon Milan Mandaric has paid £4 million for the ailing Division 1 club who were facing extinction unless they could find a buyer.

The Serbian-born computer magnate is thought to have outbid three other interested parties including fans' consortium Portsmouth United.

Mandaric, whose empire has made him a multi-millionaire, failed in an attempt to take over the club four years ago.

Now though he has teamed up with the club's former vice-chairman David Deacon, son of the late John Deacon, the former Southampton mayor who spearheaded the club to the top flight 12 years ago.

Ex-Arsenal defender Bob McNab is expected to be appointed as the club's chief executive once the deal is approved by creditors and the Football League.

New ownership will inevitably cast doubts over the future of manager Alan Ball even though he is loved by the fans for his achievements in keeping the team up on a shoestring for two successive seasons.

Many would love to see Ball given the chance to repeat the 1987 promotion push if money now becomes available to strengthen the side which avoided the drop this season only on goals scored.

Ball's hands have been tied this season by massive debts and cost cutting.

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.