Chief executive Peter Storrie says Portsmouth's 49% wage bill increase for the 2006/07 season is part and parcel of "the reality of the game".A report showed Pompey had the second highest increase in the Premier League, behind Reading, that season, taking their annual wages bill up to £37million.

But a defiant Storrie told BBC Radio Solent: "The list collates pretty much to where teams finished in the league.

"That is the reality of the game. If you want to have the quality we have got then you've got to pay the money."

Portsmouth finished ninth in 2006/07 and finished eighth last season before winning the FA Cup.

"If we had a bigger stadium we would be far better off, but at the moment it means a lot of continued investment from the owner.

He added: "It's the old story that happens every time. Each time the TV contract goes up people think clubs make a lot of money.

"But the reality is that it goes on improving the squad and the players, so as income goes up, salaries go up.

"We do it quite well with one of the smallest stadiums in the country. If we had a bigger stadium we would be far better off.

"But at the moment it means a lot of continued investment from the owner."

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