Birmingham City FC fans plan third #BSHL protest before Sheffield United game

Birmingham City fans are planning a third protest against the club’s owners before this evening’s (4 February) home game against Sheffield United.

Fans are once again planning to gather in the city centre before marching up to St Andrew’s before the game to express their frustration with owners Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd.

Supporters say they are unhappy with how the club is being run.

The highlight their uncertainty over who owns the club, the state of their St Andrew’s ground - part of which has been closed for more than a year due to structural issues - and increasing financial losses as issues for their protest.

And with the club consistently struggling near the bottom of the Championship - fans say there has been a lack of information about what the owners intentions are for the club going forward.

This will be the third protest over the last few weeks after supporters gathered on Saturday (January 22) before the game against Barnsley at St Andrew’s and a few days later before the Tuesday night clash against Peterborough United.

Around 500 Blues fans joined the protest urging Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd to sell the club before the Barnsley game.

Supporters marched to St Andrew’s stadium where large crowds then gathered outside the Kop with banners, and chants of “we want our club back” and “time to go”.

And around 200 Blues fans marched from the Tilton Road up to St Andrew’s where fans gathered near the ticket office before their side’s game against Peterborough on 25 January.

Blues board respond to fans

Birmingham City’s chairman Wenqing Zhao issued a statement to the club’s fans for the first time to address their concerns over how the club is being run last week.

In the letter, Zhao spoke about a number of issues which fans are currently unhappy about , including St Andrew’s and the board’s communication with supporters.

With some fans saying there is uncertainty over who owns and runs the club, Zhao said in the letter: “I would like to be clear that ultimate control of the club lies with our two majority shareholders, Mr Paul Suen and Mr Pech Vong.”

He has also said that the board and owners take responsibility for the growing discontent among the fans - you can read Mr Zhao’s letter in full, here.

The letter came after the club invited a selection of fans to meet board members on January 20 to address their concerns.

Blues issued a statement following the meeting and revealed that the owners have “no intention” to sell the club.

The club said: “The board stated that the club is not up for sale and the owners have no intention to sell. Like any business, it does have a value but the owners have invested, and continue to invest, heavily in the club.”

During the meeting, board member Edward Zheng also described the ‘large cultural difference’ that has impacted communication with fans.

It was acknowledged by the chairman and the board of the club that the culture ‘has to shift’ and communication lines will be ‘more open moving forward.’

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