Fan-owned side Portsmouth are to start the coming season in League Two with a £1.2million playing budget.
That figure, similar to the sum spent by the Bulls in exiting the division at the wrong end 12 months ago, is quoted in the local press during an interview with new Chief Executive Mark Catlin.
He believes the figure is mid-table at best, with the likes of Bristol Rovers, Chesterfield, and Newport claimed to be spending heavily. He told The News: ‘There is a general disbelief of what we are working under in regards the budget.
‘The perception of Pompey is a few years ago they were winning the FA Cup and in the Premier League. Surely they can’t be on that budget?
‘The problem with a lot of the other clubs is they have rich owners, even at League Two level. To own and run a League Two club on a relatively small gate you cannot just be a millionaire, you have to be a multi-millionaire.
‘Most of these clubs, even small ones, are operating on million-pound plus losses which are either being propped up by the owner, a cup run or a player sale. A lot of clubs go into the start of the season knowing they are going to lose a million-pound plus.
‘At Pompey that is not the model, we want to be self-sustaining so our budget is basically what we can afford.’
Catlin also reports season ticket sales at the club of 5,300 - saying the club is bucking the trend of falling sales at other League Two sides. The Fratton Park outfit are 5/1 favourites to win League Two, ahead of 9/1 Fleetwood and 10/1 Chesterfield.