Birmingham Mail - Birmingham City

So far . . . ?

2009-11-11T11:15:45Z

With another international break upon us and almost a third of the season gone, Blues will be taking stock of the season so far.

Probably the opinion down at Wast Hills is OK, but should have, and can do, better.

It's fair to say that in some games Blues have deserved more, in others they have learnt hard lessons and paid the price for not creating enough danger.

What cannot be questioned is the spirit and resolve, and the organisation.

Blues have not looked out of their depth, and there are encouraging signs that suggest good things to come.

Roger Johnson and Scott Dann, for example, are looking like excellent acquistions by the game. Christian Benitez has got that something about him and should improve with more experience of the Premier League.

Blues are - yes, honest - trying to become a less prosaic and a more progressive passing side.

And without question, the change in ownership has breathed new life into the club. It's no longer same old, same old, and a bit stale around the edges.

Carson Yeung, for all the legal rucks going on behind the scenes, still looks to be genuinely enjoying it. His and his group's enthusiasm remains refreshing.

Mind you, he seems to be carrying on the tradition of outlandish overcoats in the directors' box. What was that at Anfield? Had he skinned a Wookiee or something?

January and the transfer window is going to be a pivotal stage of Blues development under McLeish in the Yeung regime.

Quality, more speed and athleticism are all requirements needed to keep Blues on an upward curve in the desire to become a bona fide Premier League club.

But we can only look at the here and now, so let's see how Blues stack up compared to relevant years gone by.

Blues currently have 12 points from 12 games, and are in 15th place.

In the 2005-06 relegation season they were second from bottom with just six points from the same number of matches, and without a home win.

When Blues went down in 2007-08, they had 11 points after 12 games and were in 14th spot.

They had just lost at Everton and Steve Bruce was preparing for what would be his final game in charge, at home to Villa.

Before Alex McLeish came in, Blues form was nosediving: they lost seven out of eight matches in league and cup.

Presently Blues are on a reasonable keel, and should they get to 20 plus points by Christmas, then there is every cause for optimism.

Back to Anfield, and David Ngog. The shame for the kid is that a very dynamic performance that caused Blues no end of problems, which included a well-taken volleyed goal, will be remembered for his theatrics.

He didn't so much dive but hurdled over Lee Carsley's leg and then flung himself to the deck. Some gymnast.

Referee Peter Walton was well positioned too. I maintain he gave what he thought he should be giving, without taking into account what he actually saw.

Then we have Ngog's agent, a pillock called Bruno Satin.

He dragged up Martin Taylor's tackle on Eduardo, which anyone who isn't Arsene Wenger knows was not deliberate, nor malicious. Eduardo was too quick for Taylor, as was Ngog for Carsley, but Eduardo wasn't in the penalty area.

"He's a lad with very good education, correct and polite," said Satin. "He doesn't look for these things. He's never had a problem of this type before in his career.

"Maybe he fell down because he was worried about being injured. At times players make very hard challenges in England. They allow a lot of things to defenders in the Premier League. At times it's really on the limit.

"Sometimes there are challenges that can assassinate you. A defender could get five matches for throwing his shirt and the player who broke the leg of Eduardo only had a three-game suspension."

Throughout all of this poor old Cameron Jerome's goal of his career has been forgotten.

When Sky Sports went down to interview him at Wast Hills the next day predictably they were more interested in feeding the diving debate to fill the need for 'news' 24/7.

Maybe his celebratory dive should have been in the box.

What's in a name?

2009-11-08T20:00:16Z

Stadium naming rights; could you imagine St Andrew's called anything else?

Well, the famous old Blues ground came close to a rebranding a few years back.

Karren Brady, in her newspaper column, spoke about Mike Ashley's decision to rename St James' Park, ludicrously so in most people's eyes, but not hers.

She admitted: "I sold sponsorship for everything that moved at St Andrew's and lots of things that didn't - including my briefcase when I first took over.

"Maybe I'd have quashed, say, St Andrew's Liver Salts but I can't see much wrong with Jaguar St Andrew's Stadium. After all, what's in a name? But it would be a brave chairman who did a deal with Winalot."

Putting to one side the usual cheap gags that fill the column, there was a serious undertone to the former MD's latest offering.

She was in negotiation with an internet electronic retailer to change the name of St Andrew's, and from what I remember, it came close to fruition.

It was not common knowledge at the time and, for whatever reason, the deal fell through.

So let's count our blessings that we don't roll up to the dabs.com stadium every other Saturday.

Get it down, you Zulu Warrior

2009-10-30T21:22:48Z

In the short space of time he has been chairman of Blues, Vico Hui is fast making a name for himself.

Witness his latest exploits at the welcome party, thrown by BRMB, for the new Chinese owners at Chung Ying Garden, the excellent Cantonese restaurant in Birmingham.

Hui raised a chuckle with his 'buy tickets boys' bark when interviewed on Sky Sports, who stopped the new directors on their way out of St Andrew's on their first day for an impromptu couple of words.

Then he did the rounds at the Sunderland game, telling us 'I love you all!' in signing-off his address on the pitch before walking trackside to shake hands with anyone who cared to do the honours, of which there were plenty.

But the other night Hui surpassed himself, and he may have gone down in club folklore if not legend by showing he is a man of the people, if not the pub.

Hui, Peter Pannu and Sammy Yu absolutely enjoyed themselves chatting, gossiping and joking with 100 Blues fans invited by BRMB to share in the occasion.

They had time for everyone, they willingly got up from the top table to do the rounds of the room - in fact, they asked Tom Ross if they could - and nothing was too much trouble. It wasn't a front, it wasn't put on; these guys are made up to be in charge of Blues.

And as for Hui, well, he caught Sky Sports man in the Midlands Pete Colley on the hop after a conversation about how to say 'cheers' in various languages.

All of a sudden, he turned to Colley and announced 'bottoms up!' and proceded to down his pint in one. Colley was a little slow off the mark and realised he had been challenged to a drinking competition. Suffice to say, as a Villa supporter, his shandy-supping tendencies came to the fore and he was soundly beaten.

Later in the evening, Hui got up from his seat and then downed another pint without pause to amazement and cheers from the guests who were egging him on.

I don't think I've ever seen anything of its like before. Certainly I can't remember David Gold wolfing down the Stella at the player-of-the-season dinner.

I can just see Hui telling Randy Lerner in April in the V***a directors lounge to send forward his top man - the General - for a best-of-three Budweiser shoot-out. Red China v Uncle Sam with a twist, or what?

Before the chatter spreads that Blues have someone at the helm heading for the Betty Ford Clinic, or this was louche behaviour from a person in a senior position, Hui was letting his hair down and basically getting a buzz from the evening. He wasn't so steaming that he wouldn't have known a clothes line from a goal line, to borrow a phrase.

And apparently, according to those who know about these things, in Chinese culture it is acceptable to have a drink or two in certain circumstances.

Pannu looked at my glass of Coke at one point and admonished: 'What is a matter with you, why are you not drinking?' He hadn't been to the Blue Lagoon Bar in Ancona, or whatever it was called, that's what.

It's been pretty full-on for the Carson Yeung camp since completing the takeover and behind closed doors they have attended to some serious business.

Pannu particularly is like a dog with a bone in regard to the legal battle currently being waged over Karren Brady's pay-off and other liabilities.

Hui also gave a very sincere speech in responding to Ross's opening address and similarly so did Pannu and Yu.

Pannu said that Blues would look after season ticket holders after cutting matchday prices and revealed that Yeung often rang him from Hong Kong, which is eight hours ahead, and kept him chatting about the club well into the wee small hours of the morning, forgetting what time it was in the UK.

You will have probably read elsewhere on Internet message boards their replies to various other queries from supporters. They took the time to listen and, from my
experience, everything - whether it be complaints, praise or suggestions - will have been logged and then digested and addressed at a later date.

The feedback I got was that those in attendance were delighted that the board was so approachable, genuine and had no airs or graces.

The new owners seem to have triggered a feel good factor and their lively enthusiasm is rubbing off on many.

Take Chung Ying Garden manager James Wong for example: he couldn't help but reveal his identity as a Bluenose by belting out Keep Right On for all his worth when the directors were 'serenaded' in time-honoured fashion.

It was quite a night, certainly not one of your average stuffy and staid meet and greets. Credit to Ross and BRMB for the idea. And it may well have gone a long way to establishing Hui as a cult figure.

Chinese whispers

2009-10-27T12:00:00Z

The sheer enthusiasm and almost schoolboy excitement from Blues new owners was clear to see at St Andrew's.

The first home game of the Chinese reign brought the right result and performance.

And it provided a first hand glimpse to many supporters of just how passionate Carson Yeung and his cohorts are about football.

Yeung was like a jack in the (directors') box, cheering, shouting, agonising, pointing.

Vico Hui's joy at giving the owners' address was obvious too and his walkabout sometimes lurched towards the demonic.

It was heartening. They didn't watch stony-faced, like hard-nosed businessmen wondering about the pounds, shilling and pence.

There was no trying to be 'one of the lads' like a Mike Ashley in replica shirt downing a pint.

I'm pretty certain that if crossed or unhappy, Yeung and his group will show their ruthless side.

And let's not pretend that they don't envisage viable business opportunities in Asia off the back of buying Blues.

But at present, they are at the beginning of a new adventure and are not so much empowered by it, or nourishing ego, just simply having fun.

Paradoxically, where this kind of fervour could cause a problem is the succession of footballing 'trophy friends'.

Steve McManaman, Christian Karembeu, Fan Zhiyi and now Gerard Houllier are all - if you don't believe the truth - advising, ready to manage and/or coach.

McManaman, an intelligent guy and a decent bloke by all accounts, looked quite uneasy alongside Yeung when Sunderland visited.

He's a friend and a director of Grandtop International Holdings, but he's not a King maker, or a job seeker. That's what he told Alex McLeish when they met.

In fairness to Blues, Sammy Yu has outlined exactly what roles they are, or aren't, playing in the new regime.

However, the constant round of stories and speculation about them doesn't help the current management, nor does it reflect well on Yeung and his associates.

It may well be hyped-up tittle-tattle, rumours that appear to make sense but are without solid foundation.

McLeish needs to be allowed to get on and manage without distraction and without having to look over shoulder. Anything that undermines his authority weakens his effectiveness and so harms the team and so harms the club.

There is no suggestion we are moving into Flavio Briatore territory here. Yeung has gone on the record saying he has no plans to replace McLeish.

And so far Yu, who is based at Wast Hills and is Yeung's football liason, has established a rapport and understanding with McLeish.

He's got a tracksuit and puts his boots on to go up to the training pitches, but he's not yet got the clipboard out and staged an impromptu coaching seminar, or popped up in the technical area on match day.

Had Yeung parachuted in a director of football, then I'd be more concerned. In this country, that position hardly ever works.

After an £81.5 million takeover Yeung can, of course, speak and mix with anyone he likes. Clearly, he enjoys the company and patronage of famous ex-players and is bound to respect what they say.

Just as long as he doesn't get carried away and adopts a Championship Manager mentality, and just as long as lines of demarcation are clear for everybody, then there shouldn't be big trouble in little China.

Pot of gold?

2009-10-26T09:28:17Z

Colin Tattum

Nice to see you Brucie, nice

2009-10-21T12:04:43Z

Steve Bruce is back in town on Saturday.

He's not been to St Andrew's in a managerial capacity since leaving for Wigan Athletic amid acrimonious circumstances in November 2007.

Speaking to him this week for a special feature in Thursday's Birmingham Mail, he's looking forward to taking his place in the (away) dug out again, and is intrigued especially about the Carson Yeung takeover and how that might affect the atmosphere at the ground and surrounding the club in general.

Bruce's views on his exit, Yeung and the old board make for a fascinating read.

For a bit of fun, I've put together my Brucie's Best Blues, selected from the players he brought in, with the criteria heavily weighed towards how effective they were, and the degree of impact on the team.

As it will only cause problems, I daren't select a 4-5-1 formation but a nice and attacking 4-3-3 instead.

Taylor;

Tebily, Cunningham, Upson, Kenna;

Johnson, Savage, Clemence;

Forssell, Dugarry, John.

Subs: Devlin, Heskey, Pennant, Bendtner, Jaidi, Kelly, Larsson.

As for the picture, it was taken by Tim Easthope at Blues pre-season camp in Marbella in 2006.

Bruce realised Tim had snatched the shot, and half-jokingly threatened us that it couldn't be used in the newspaper.

By then Bruce and Simon Jordan - who lives out there - had kind of kissed and made up, although the perma-tanned one received much abuse from passing Blues fans as he sat and watched training.

He's coming home?

2009-10-19T17:15:57Z

'I always felt that that as a player it was my destiny to one day manage the team.

'That happened, and I tried very hard to achieve the goal of Premiership football.

'It's just a feeling that I don't think I've finished yet. I believe one day our paths will cross again.'

That was Trevor Francis, October 2001.

Sat next to David Gold, it was during Francis's farewell address at St Andrew's following his sacking as manager.

It was an enigmatic way to end the press conference, and the chairman shifted uneasily.

It was thought at the time that Francis would try to get together a consortium including pals Jasper Carrott and Jeff Lyne to buy the club. Not so.

Now, with David Sullivan, Golds and Karren Brady regime gone, could his sign-off statement, which we all thought was wishful thinking at the time, come to pass?

Don't rule it out.

The Carson Yeung regime have Steve McManaman and Christian Karembeu as special ambassadors to Grandtop International Holdings. And they will be tasked with similar roles for Blues.

The idea of Francis also becoming an ambassador has been floated to them. Not only could he be of use due to his contacts, knowledge and experience, but think of the PR and prestige it would bring them - they are aware of all this.

Francis covered the Arsenal-Blues game for Sky Sports at the Emirates Stadium. Myself and other members of the local media chatted to him.

He seemed excited and intrigued about the change in ownership.

An from our conversation, it was clear that he would welcome an opportunity to at least talk to Yeung and his people.

We all know that Francis didn't see eye-to-eye with Sullivan and Brady. He has only been back to St Andrew's since his dismissal to fulfil television duties.

Francis isn't interested in managing once more. He wouldn't be a threat to Alex McLeish, or anyone else on the footballing side, were he involved in some capacity.

His passion for Blues still burns bright and he will be there again on Saturday, before heading off for dinner with Steve Bruce after the Sunderland match.

They say it's good to talk; the new Blues owners could do worse than to at least have an informal chat.

Yeung at heart

2009-10-15T22:54:19Z

Dispatch from the Carson Yeung press conference, October 15, 2009. St Andrew's, 2pm

He arrived at St Andrew's on a drizzly, grey Birmingham afternoon.

Umbrellas were at the ready for Carson Yeung at the St Andrew's Kop reception.

But you sensed even if a blizzard had been howling, Yeung wouldn't have been bothered.

He brought the weather with him; his sunny disposition wavered not once throughout the official launch of the new Blues era.

His grin stayed wide, he was excitable and, interestingly, what struck this observer was the aura and magnetism about him.

Two years ago when Yeung sat at the St Andrew's top table following his £15 million purchase of 29.9 per cent of the club, with a view to a full buy out, he was much more uncomfortable, introverted even.

Back then he spoke in broken English and the message he and his group tried to get across was lost, and confused.

Yesterday, as he waltzed into the club, it was like a presidential arrival.

Staff lined up to meet him in a crammed foyer and he vigorously pressed the flesh.

His demeanour - the flashing smile, tanned complexion, neatly tailored pin-stripe suit, salmon pink tie and matching pocket square - marked him down as a man of means, of success. And now one of obvious confidence.

Yeung moved jauntily on up the stairs to International Suite where the media were waiting.

He sat centre stage this time, flanked by his team, Blues new board.

After the introductions were made to applause (Yeung started the clapping), the Hong Kong tycoon whipped out a piece of paper and gave an opening address in firm English.

He said: "Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen, I would like to thank you all for coming here today.

"I want to tell you all I am so happy to be here. It has taken a long time to buy the club but, finally . . . I got it!"

"Yes!" exalted Peter Pannu, Blues executive and financial whizz, to Yeung's left. The former Triad-buster in the Hong Kong Police became cheerleader-in-chief in what was a short but lively press conference. Such a contrast to last time.

Then, in probably what was one of the most jaw-dropping acts here since Ken Wheldon brought an AGM to a close seconds after opening it to deny any questions, Yeung quite happily revealed spending plans.

Journalists were expecting Yeung to provide the usual stock, evasive answer to the question what kind of finance would be available to the manager. Oh no, we were wrong.

"My first plan is to support with about £20 million to £40 million."

Stunned silence.

Sorry, Specifically for player transfers and wages, someone asked.

"Ah, yes. Exactly."

'In January, £20 million to £40 million. In January?'

"Yes. £20 million to £40 million. Exactly."

Had he been there and not taking afternoon training, Alex McLeish would probably have whooped, or maybe rolled his eyes and slapped his own forehead.

Don't worry about him giving the game, away, Eck. This was now Yeung's club, £81.5 million worth. His baby. He was in the limelight, having fun, bouncing along.

There was a humorous moment when Yeung was asked whether McLeish's job was safe for the foreseeable future.

"Mmmm . . . not at the moment."

Stunned silence again. Then whispers, into Yeung's ear from Pannu, who had been explaining some queries in Mandarin.

Pannu: "It's my mistake, sorry I mistranslated!"

Yeung: "No, no, sorry, I please say again. I will support him. Yes."

Chairman Vico Hui chipped in: "Alex is part of us. Together."

Pannu, looking sheepish: "I will take the blame for this."

With his background, I doubt if anyone was going to tut tut at him.

Yeung went on to say that he would be in England three or four times a month and try to get to every St Andrew's match.

Birmingham was a "wonderful city . . . my second home now".

He swerved a question about hoping to make Blues bigger than Villa - "we are competition" - and at the end of the conference, brought the top table team together to lay their hands on top of one another's, in a Three Musketeers style of bonding.

The photographers loved it and scrambled forward and Yeung then made an off the cuff remark.

"Finally, thanks all for coming, to be our friends. We are friends together - forever. Thank you."

There was more applause and then Yeung and his group were off to do a series of individual interviews to expand on his delight and Blues vision . . . and another £40 million towards the transfer kitty.

Every picture tells a story . . .

2009-10-12T13:04:25Z

Colin Tattum

The time has arrived

2009-10-12T11:00:00Z

It's the changing of the guard at St Andrew's.

Carson Yeung's regime breezed into Blues stadium today to formally assume control following his £81.5 million takeover.

Karren Brady met Yeung's new team for a briefing before handing over the keys to the club on her last day as managing director.

Yeung is not due to fly over from Hong Kong until Wednesday, but his trusted sidekicks clocked in to get straight down to business.

Sammy Yu, Peter Pannu and Vico Hui were accompanied - this blog can exclusively reveal - by Michael Dunford, the former Everton and Plymouth Argyle CEO.

Dunford, pictured with Pannu, is expected to be confirmed as Blues CEO as interviews of prospective candidates were concluded over the weekend.

Dunford served Everton between 1994 - 2004, first as secretary before rising to CEO in 1999.

He spent the last four years at Plymouth Argyle as CEO before a management restructuring in the summer made his post redundant.

With Dunford to be added to the team, the board has started to take shape.

Yeung is set to become Blues' president with Hui (pictured), Grandtop's CEO, taking over as chairman from David Gold.

Yu is the vice chairman football and chief operations officer, while Pannu's brief is financial and executive matters as another vice chairman.

Michael Wiseman, a Blues director since 2005, is set to take on increased responsibilities and join the new board as well.

Yeung will outline his plans and vision for Blues at St Andrew's on Thursday in a media conference to launch their reign.

New era dawns

2009-10-08T12:33:41Z

You will know when Carson Yeung is in charge proper when the first story on the club website is not plugging tickets for future games.

Whether Yeung's takeover is eventually ended up viewed as a success or failure, times are certainly going to be a changing at St Andrew's.

Yeung and his Grandtop International Holdings investment firm get handed the keys on Monday and a major media conference, their 'official' unveiling, is planned for the Thursday, October 15.

Having had further informal meetings with Yeung's people, they continue to make the right noises and are approaching matters with plenty of common sense.

The biggest thing for them is to try and bring any disillusioned fans and sponsors back into the fold, and forge strong links with the community. 'We are family', was the catchphrase that sprang from Sammy Yu's lips.

In recent years, Blues have been a dysfunctional family.

They are concerned about the thousands of empty seats at St Andrew's and do plan to address pricing policy in due course.

Expect talks to open with the Council about the City of Birmingham Stadium project; a new ground is a longer-term goal.

Currently close to appointing a CEO from within football, the make-up of the new board is also beginning to take shape.

But it looks increasingly unlikely that David Gold will be staying on, certainly not in the capacity of chairman, a role he has performed since 1997, if at all.

In many respects Gold is caught between a rock and a hard place: tied to the out-going regime, who are still his friends and business pals; but keen to play a part in the new era, despite losing power.

And trouble is, the extraordinary pay-offs given to Karren Brady haven't helped his pitch with Yeung.

As an MD of a plc, a case could be argued that such a bonanza is wholly justified and normal practice.

But it's outrageous really in these circumstances and securing the St Andrew's 'chief executive's box' for 12 months, at the club's expense, smacks of sticking two fingers up.

Come Yeung's first home game against Sunderland on October 24 you could get the bizarre situation whereby he and the Hong Kong contingent turn behind then from their seats in the Kop directors' box, look up, and see if not Brady but her guests nice and snug and comfortable with their noses in the trough!

Yueng's lawyers are trying to find avenues of compromise and they now also have their hands busy defending a claim against them from Seymour Pierce, their bankers at the time of the failed takeover of 2007.

But, Yu indicated, Yeung and his people won't be airing their dirty linen in public or engaging in any war of words in the media. They want to move on from the past as quickly as possible, even if they are left with painful reminders.

Next week, when they face the media, there will be questions asked about their background, finance, the business model and so on. Hopefully the answers will be illuminating and not vague.

Yeung's personal wealth, according to a direct quote by David Sullivan to me two years ago when he first appeared on the scene, is somewhere between £100 million - £150 million.

And he and Gold have recently stated that they have serious backers to underpin the whole operation, to develop the club and make it prosper.

My view has always been that you are not going to shell out £81.5 million to buy a club without the resources and a viable business plan and take it backwards . . . are you?

There is still a lot we don't know about Chinese and Far East markets and business practices. And Yeung and his group. All being well, that's to be revealed.

But what is certain is that Alex McLeish will remain as manager, significant sums of money are to be made available in the January transfer window (although no-one in the Yeung camp will give a figure) and Steve McManaman will have a role, not a big one, more of an ambassadorial/PR duty internationally.

Ready to take over

2009-10-01T18:10:01Z

Come Tuesday, come Carson Yeung.

That's the day when shareholders will have decided, the first closing offer of his £1-a-share for Blues.

In all probability, when the acceptances are counted, he will have more than 90 per cent of the club's stock, meaning compulsory purchase of the remaining shares.

In the background, Yeung's people are busy preparing to hit the ground running at St Andrew's.

In the past few weeks this correspondent has met Sammy Yu for dinner (in Chinatown, of course), and on the last occasion the new chap on the block, Peter Pannu, was introduced.

As I've noted before, Yu seems more relaxed, assured and completely keyed-in about what's ahead, and what the new regime must do.

Two years ago when he and Yeung's entourage first appeared, no-one was sure what on earth we could be getting.

Pannu was not a part of the failed takeover of 2007 (one of the key movers then, by the way, is no longer part of Yeung's empire).

Although he has known Yeung for a couple of decades, he has only just been added to the team, having been persuaded to quit his law job.

Pannu, who once fought triads as a member of the Royal Hong Kong Police, is interviewing candidates for the role of Blues chief executive officer. Someone with Premier League experience he hopes to recommend to Yeung.

He came across as a bright, dynamic person. He has an anglicised sense of humour, like Yu. They were happy to laugh at themselves. I wasn't sure how to take it at first when they both joked that monkey, dog and cat were on the menu - typically
Chinese, no?

Pannu has done his homework, too. He suggested that Blues fans were becoming more welcoming and positive about the takoever, and he stressed that the club would not be swamped with Chinese players.

He reiterated that Steve McManaman's role would not be majorly significant, certainly not as a manager-in-waiting, and that Alex McLeish would have the final say on players and selection.

As for who exactly is driving the takeover, whether there is a mystery benefactor in the background, Pannu just smiled.

The gist of the conversation around this subject was that it's Yeung's baby, he is getting it done, and there are associates and backers there providing support, and poised to get involved, if need be.

It seems to have gone unnoticed in other quarters that Yeung and Kingston Securities, who have underwritten the £57 million bridging loan, are the biggest shareholders in Grandtop, following the recent rights issue.

Pannu repeated a phrase Yu has said to me before: 'Finance is not a problem'.

Once they are installed, the nitty gritty of Yeung's plans, his vision and the business model - as well as the precise structure of command - will be announced.

What was certain, from both men, was that the new regime has no intention of raising false hopes. They want to show that they are honourable people - this was important to them - and will be straight with everybody.

Yu and Pannu will form two key pillars of the incoming St Andrew's hierarchy.

Yeung is likely to be a Randy Lerner style figure at the top of the heap, seeing and overseeing, but not heard much. Vico Hui will be in a figurehead's role, while Yu and Pannu will be tasked with the day-to-day stuff, with the CEO reporting to them.

David Gold's exact role has yet to be finalised, but he is likely to be asked to relinquish the chairman badge as a more American-style of boardroom and executive management, with titles like president and vice-president, is ushered in.

Remember when . . .

2009-09-25T14:58:30Z

Checking up on some background information the other day, I hunted for some of my old Blues programmes.

And there it was, the historic issue from March 6, 1993, the very first match of the Sullivan-Gold-Brady regime.

Paul Peschisolido is pictured on the cover, being presented with the 'young eagle' of the month award. In that kit.

Terry Cooper talked about the need for Blues to 'simply keep calm, play with pride and professionalism, stop throwing priceless points away with sloppy mistakes'.

The True Blue Club page heralded the fact that its members were paying the wages of Paul Fitzpatrick, who had joined from Leicester City in January.

John Frain, in the Captain's Log, column bemoaned the fact that Blues had used six goalkeepers already that season.

And the centre spread feature was on David Foy, a 20-year-old from Coventry who listed his favourite food and drink 'Chinese and lager'. Imagine that today!

Yes, it was a long, long time ago that match against Oxford United (won 1-0 thanks to Pesch's goal), when Karren Brady was introduced to an 11,104 crowd by Jack Wiseman in a pink Puffa jacket.

From another programme back then, you got an insight into how the board kept a watchful eye on the finances, and how they made sure fans knew about it: check out Brady's 'Sincerely Yours' column.

On Saturday, Sullivan, Ralph Gold and Brady say their goodbyes to the St Andrew's faithful. Well, at least Sullivan will for definite as Brady can't make it because she's filming The Apprentice.

There will be no walkabouts or showy speeches. In fact, apart from a piece on the big screen, by the time the game has finished we might not even know that's it, over, no more for the gang of three.

It would be four, but David Gold wants to stay on as chairman, or in a similar capacity. He was due to meet Sammy Yu, Carson Yeung's top chief, on Friday to clarify his role.

Yeung and Vico Hui, chief executive of Grandtop International Holdings, have passed the Premier League 'fit and proper person' test.

And their share offer has become unconditional after it was announced that Grandtop have gathered up 81.7 per cent of the stock.

Alex McLeish has now also had a brief telephone conversation with Yu, so it's all systems go for the takeover.

Back in that 1992/93 season, Blues scrapped the paint pallet kit, splurged on new players, and avoided relegation from Barclays League Division One on the final day, courtesy of Paul Moulden's goal against Charlton Athletic.

It was just the start of a real rollercoaster of a ride at Blues under the Sullivan-led regime.

Very soon the Birmingham Mail will be publishing an in-depth retrospective on their time in charge before the club moves into Far Eastern hands.

Belly up?

2009-09-20T09:23:01Z

The 'fresh doubts' that have surfaced about Blues takeover have surfaced in one ill-informed individual's mind.

A report that claims it's possible Carson Yeung's buy out could collapse again should be disregarded.

Now, I don't claim to be an expert on legal and financial matters relating to the City and takeovers.

But Yeung's purchase of Blues is NOT dependent on the rights offer for Grandtop International Holdings.

The money has already been secured in the form of a bridging loan, and the rights issue has been underwritten by Kingston Securities anyway.

Yeung hasn't asked for any more time to raise cash because it is already available!

And a formal offer document has gone out to shareholders.

It's all systems go as far as the change in ownership is concerned. Even David Sullivan says Blues fans should be optimistic, and get behind Yeung.

Sammy Yu flew into England early on Saturday morning and is expected to watch the Sunderland game and talk to Blues owners, and David Gold about his role.

In the meantime, whilst things take their natural course, on the playing side Blues can reflect on a welcome first away Premier League win since Alex McLeish's debut match, Garry O'Connor scoring at Hull City (pictured).

Cheerio, cheerio, cheerio

2009-09-17T18:49:23Z

Those posters were, I suppose, typical Blues.

A grand gesture to say goodbye and thanks . . . then a plug for ticket prices!

Perhaps that's being a little unkind. It was well meaning; I must stop being so cynical.

Twenty billboards around the city proclaimed what we suspected, that David Sullivan, Karren Brady and Ralph Gold plan to resign and be off when Carson Yeung's takoever effectively comes to pass on October 6.

By then he should have accrued their 50 per cent shareholding, to go with his own 29.9 per cent through Grandtop International Holdings, and probably the vast majority of remaining shares in circulation, held by people like you and me.

Regardless, it will be the beginning of a new era and the directors know that they can't really be hanging around.

David Gold is likely to be held over, and talks on his new role are to taking place. He is likely to be the conduit between Yeung and supporters, maintain the club's relationship with various football bodies over here and do the usual PR.

Sullivan reckons Yeung and his group will 'throw some money at it' and improve matters. He says he would be surprised if £10 million - £20 million wasn't made available in January.

Alex McLeish, who has not yet sat down with Yeung or his right-hand man Sammy Yu, has already got a list of targets sorted out (a new list, for new owners, if you catch my drift) and it apparently contains some top names at top clubs in Europe. And these players aren't likely to come cheap.

About time too. You have to be prepared to pay what it takes for quality just to keep up with the Jones's in the Premier League.

McLeish himself is relaxed about the impending change, which should all be done and dusted in around four to five weeks time. He has been speaking as if Sullivan and Brady have given him a few encouraging tidbits.

Meeting the media ahead of the Hull City game, he suggested that everyone should be positive and any potential worries had not gnawed away at him.

"I have never felt uncertain by the whole thing. I would like to think my cup is half full. There's change coming, let's embrace that and try and make this work rather than fear what's going to happen.

"It's new exciting times for Birmingham City Football Club and Birmigham City's fans and everybody who is already at the club.

"If they are ambitious enough and they believe in themselves enough, they will believe that they can go forward with the new owners."

Yu told me, after I caught him via phone just after he landed in Hong Kong back from a trip to Beijing, that they would recruit an experienced football executive to replace Brady, and it wouldn't be Peter Kenyon.

He watched the Villa match via satellite television and we discussed whether Blues had or had not been too cautious.

Eck's going to get a surprise in that at least one member of the incoming board will be keen to dissect his tactics rather than dissect his budgets!

So, after Hull, it's onto the Bolton Wanderers game, the 'official' farewell St Andrew's match for Sullivan, Brady and Ralph Gold, as the billboards confirmed. With cut-price tickets, too.