Birmingham City fans plan protest before Peterborough game

Birmingham City fans are planning another protest against the club’s owners before this evening’s (January 25) home game against Peterborough United.

Fans are planing to gather at the Royal George pub with a protest march planned from Tilton Road up to St Andrew’s at around 6.45pm to express their frustration with owners Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd.

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

Under the ownership of Birmingham Sports Holdings, which took over in 2016, the club were found to have breached profitability and sustainability rules in 2019 after incurring losses of nearly £48.8m in three years, and were subsequently docked nine points.

The club have also been forced to close the lower sections of the Kop and Tilton Road End at St Andrew’s due to structural issues, and Lee Bowyer’s men are currently 18th in what is Blues’ 11th straight season in the Championship.

If it goes ahead, this will be the second protest in a matter of days after supporters gathered on Saturday (January 22) before the game against Barnsley at St Andrew’s.

Around 500 Blues fans joined the protest urging Birmingham Sports Holdings to sell the club.

Supporters marched from the city centre 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”.

West Midlands Police said flares were let off during the procession as the protesters reached St Andrew’s - and that some of the protesters tried to force their way into the ground.

The Birmingham City supporters also protested in front of the club directors during the game.

There was one arrest as a flare was thrown during the game and nearby stewards suffered minor injuries. West Midlands Police said they are reviewing CCTV footage at the ground.

Saturday’s protest follows the social media campaign in which supporters used the hashtag #BSHLOUT to demand change at the top of the club.

Birmingham City met with fans last week to discuss their concerns - you can read what was said, here.

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