Saturday was a big day for Blues. On the pitch, the team finally managed to end a winless streak stretching back six league games to November. Off the pitch, the fans broke through the apathy that had been hanging around the club like a bad smell to make their feelings known. What momentum will carry into the future in either scenario is unknown – but it could be a turning point.
Birmingham City published a post on the official club website on Friday morning about Club decision makers meeting with fans and press on the evening of Thursday January 20. While the cynical among us might wonder if the timing of the meeting had anything to do with recent social media campaigns against BCFC owners, there was finally some factual confirmation on what is happening with St Andrew’s.
Following some feedback from posts on Facebook and smallheathalliance.com, I thought it would be a good idea to write a series of articles as a refresher on the powers that be at Blues, Birmingham Sports Holdings etc. This first post looks at the current board of Birmingham City FC – who they are, what they do and where they are based.
Birmingham City’s Chief Operating Officer Lungi Macebo confirmed at a Supporters Forum held on Tuesday afternoon that the work on the Kop and Tilton stands at St Andrew’s was both more extensive and more expensive than first thought. The rumour that work on the lower tiers has not been started was confirmed; with repair costs of more than £2.5million to be shelled out.
With the Championship season now ended for Birmingham City, attention turns to who will leave the club this summer and who will be brought in. The transfer window doesn’t really start until the new pre-season, but Saturday is the deadline for clubs not involved in the playoffs to submit their retained lists.
Less than 72 hours after the Championship season ended, Birmingham City announced that embattled CEO Ren Xuandong was to step down from his role with immediate effect. The immediate reaction online from Blues fans was of one of almost universal happiness that Ren is gone from the club.
As the old cliché goes, a week is a long time in football. That’s certainly the case at Birmingham City, where there seems to be positivity in the air despite a 3-0 defeat to Watford on Saturday. Although Blues remain just three points above Rotherham in 22nd having played four games more, there seems to be a feeling that Blues can get out of this that wasn’t there last Saturday.
Kerys Harrop and Rachel Williams announced their departure from Birmingham City Women this week, adding to a post season exodus which has seen no less than 10 players leave in the close season. With no permanent head coach and a poor season saved by curtailment, the future seems bleak for Blues Women.
I’m proud to confirm I’ve joined forces with the We Are Birmingham website and other fans to do my bit to improve things at Birmingham City. I’ve always held that fans can effect change, and I’m hoping we can prove it. Our first action has been to directly get in contact with Birmingham Sports Holdings Chairman Zhao Wenqing to ensure that he and the owner understand some of the things going on at St Andrew’s. Note that this letter was sent prior to the news breaking about the club being charged by the EFL.
Birmingham City brought their winless streak to an end with a 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup on Saturday. Jeremie Bela’s deflected last minute winner ensured that Blues are in the hat for the fourth round draw to be made on Monday evening. However, pressure remains on Pep Clotet with reports of Blues potentially looking at former manager Chris Hughton to return to the club as manager.
