Previously on almajir.net I’ve written about a group of large shareholders in Birmingham Sports Holdings I’ve termed “The Faceless Four”. Today I have spent time investigating two of those shareholders to find out more about them and who they are.
One of the big themes for protest here in Hong Kong is that “Hong Kong is not China”. While the former colony is a Special Autonomous Region (SAR) of China, it has its own government, money and legal system. Today I spoke to Tobias Zuser, who is a researcher in Sports & Cultural Policy, Hong Kong Baptist University and an expert in Hong Kong / Chinese football about how that difference between the SAR and the Chinese mainland affects Blues.
One of the biggest things I want to achieve while I’m out here in Hong Kong is to help the fans who want to know more about the ownership of the club to understand how it all works. I know it’s not something everyone cares about – but I believe it’s important so that we know what to expect from Birmingham City’s owners and what to hope for.
While things at St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium have been much calmer and less chaotic than our friends over the expressway, there still remains a slight cloud of secrecy over just where Blues are going.
Dragon Villa will become the second biggest shareholder in Birmingham Sports Holdings (and thus by extension BCFC) once the share subscription announced on Thursday goes through. Their holding will take them above the 10% threshold that ensures that their owner Lei Sutong has to take the much-maligned Owners and Directors Test. Just who are these people?
Announcements were made by both Birmingham City FC and Birmingham Sports Holdings today that have financial ramifications for the immediate future of the football club. BCFC confirmed that they have sold naming rights to both St Andrew’s and the Wast Hills training complex while BSH have confirmed another share subscription deal that sees Dragon Villa become their second biggest shareholder.
The EFL announced on Friday changes to its rules ahead of the new season. The biggest of these rule changes are with respect to the conduct of owners of clubs and agents working for them; both issues that have affected Birmingham City in the past twelve months.
Further evidence of financial meltdown swirling around B6 became further apparent today after news broke of an unpaid tax bill. According to various reports £4.2million was owed to Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, with the taxman threatening a winding up order if payment is not made within seven days.
As clubs try to get to grips with tightening controls on spending due to FFP restrictions, the idea of selling naming rights to a stadium is one that has come to the fore. With Blues looking at additional ways to bring in revenue to the club, there are rumours of the possibility of naming rights for St Andrews being sold.
Saturday saw Fulham complete their return to the Premier League after winning the playoff final at Wembley. While the Cottagers can now go forward with plans to spend and improve their team, the losing team are stuck with another year in the second tier despite bold hopes this season. Is this finally the time for the Birmingham Power Shift (© H-Bomb of SHA) to kick in?
