Editorial: Book II
During the current lull in activity in Birmingham and Hong Kong, I wanted to add a quick post to talk about plans for my writing for 2018 – in particular, details of a potential sequel to “Haircuts and League Cups”.
Author: Almajir
Finances in Football: China cracking down
It’s been no secret that the government of the People’s Republic of China have targeted companies in an attempt to scale back their investment activities abroad. News has broken in the last day that this has now been somewhat clarified, with investment in sports clubs including football in the “restricted” category.
BCFC: Work Permit Troubles
Birmingham City faced transfer heartache on Wednesday when news emerged that Ogenyi Onazi was refused a work permit and thus could not sign for the club. While Onazi captained Nigeria in their last competitive game and has played many internationals for them, he was hamstrung by Nigeria’s poor FIFA ranking over the past two years.
Editorial: The Right Kind of Players
An opening day defeat to Ipswich left Birmingham City manager Harry Redknapp disappointed with the result – and cursing the paucity of strikers he currently has to choose from. He told Radio WM that “it hadn’t been for lack of trying” that they had not signed a striker, but that he “was not prepared to pay” huge sums for players.
BCFC: Redknapp playing the pressure points?
In the aftermath of Birmingham City’s friendly defeat against Swansea, Harry Redknapp spoke of a need to finalise transfers if the squad is to compete for promotion. Birmingham City have added just four players this summer with one of those – Craig Gardner – already on loan previously.
BSH: Delay for Cambodian Deal
Birmingham Sports Holdings have confirmed yesterday that there will be a delay before they hold an EGM to approve a proposed deal for the company to invest in a Cambodian company.
BCFC: Academy in China
Birmingham City reported on their official website that the Academy’s u14 team have gone to China to play in the Beijing International Schools Cup. The website confirms that the Board of Directors of the club have arranged the trip which “signifies the intent of the of the Board and the Club owners to promote and showcase the Academy programme”.
BCFC: Transfers and Misdirection
Birmingham City wrapped up the signing of Cheikh N’Doye on Friday, with news first breaking of the potential for the deal only the day before. In a time when rumours are rife and with a manager who is eminently quotable, how are Blues pulling these under the radar deals off?
BCFC: Mystery Trialists
When the party for Birmingham City’s pre-season tour to Austria was announced, it was also confirmed that the 24th man of the party was an unnamed trialist. As of Wednesday night the trialist has still not been named with the only word coming from Harry Redknapp being that the player isn’t technically a trialist at all.
BCFC: Recruitment Process
The Birmingham City squad flew out to their pre-season training camp on Sunday complete with Ravel Morrison and news of a mystery trialist. However, the two signings that Harry Redknapp had wanted to make haven’t quite come off and the more excitable members of the Birmingham City support have started to worry.