BCFC: Talking Takeovers IV

It’s been just over a week now since the HKSE announcement from Birmingham Sports Holdings confirming that Vong Pech had agreed to sell the 21.64% stake in Birmingham City plc that he owns. Since then there’s been a fair few newspaper articles, a radio interview complete with wild promises and potentially libellous accusations – but nothing of any actual official value. What’s going on?

BSH: Announcement Analysis

The first official communication that a partial takeover of Birmingham City is underway was made yesterday as Birmingham Sports Holdings made a voluntary announcement to the stock exchange. The announcement confirmed that BSH had been informed by Vong Pech that he was selling his 21.64% stake in Birmingham City plc.

BCFC: The Bassini Deal

Once again, takeover fever is in abundance in Birmingham City fans. According to the Mirror, even the grammatical tense surrounding the takeover has changed with reports that Laurence Bassini has bought the club. With lots of rumour flying around and precious little actual information I wanted to put together some reasoned thoughts on what the hell is going on.

The Elusive Mr King Part XIII – The Smoking Gun

Radio Free Asia reporter Jack Adamović Davies published a huge investigative report into Wang Yaohui – also known as the elusive Mr King – on Monday night. The report confirms that conclusive proof exists showing that Wang is the beneficial owner of one shareholder in Birmingham Sports Holdings and is a close familial link to Vong Pech. It also goes into detail about Wang’s connections in Cambodia and Cyprus and the legal troubles he is facing.

BCFC: Purgatory

There’s an old cliché that a week is a long time in football. The last three weeks must have felt like an eternity for some Blues fans as days continue to tick by without any official confirmation on the status of the stadium repairs, Lee Bowyer or the rumoured takeover. With June almost upon us the club remains in stasis waiting for movement from anywhere.

BCFC: Competency and BSH

Despite reports that one bidder for Birmingham City has been granted exclusivity, rumours of other interested parties have been rife in the British press. However, in Hong Kong the situation is very different with no confirmation from Birmingham Sports Holdings of any bids for the club. How long can this silence go on for?

BCFC: Talking Takeovers III

The football season may have come to a close, but takeover season appears to have well and truly started. News broke on Saturday morning of an offer for the club brokered by Keith Harris, with journalist Neil Moxley claiming that the deal was close and could be done by the end of the month.

BCFC: Talking Takeovers II

Despite there being no official news, takeover rumours regarding Birmingham City have taken hold in the last couple of weeks. I’ve already written a piece about the mechanics of how a takeover would work but I think the bigger question from many people is about who exactly wants to buy Blues – and will they be successful?

Editorial: A Need for Unity

While Blues’ Championship future has been secured for another season at least, there is an awful lot still up in the air as the final game of the season approaches. Fans still do not know what is happening with respect to the repairs of the lower Tilton and Kop stands, while on the pitch Lee Bowyer’s position as Blues boss seems very uncertain despite the remaining year on his contract.

BCFC: Talking Takeovers

Despite the best efforts of Millwall fans to storm the Kop on Saturday, I think the biggest Birmingham City news over the last few days has been rumours of the club being sold. While rumours of buyers making bids are always out there, this bit of gossip seemed to gain life of its own online.