‘Blues are coming back’ - Birmingham City fans react to exciting takeover development

News has broken this morning (May 8) that an agreement has been reached for the sale of 45.64% of Birmingham City Football Club.

Birmingham Sports Holdings Ltd (BSHL) have informed the Club that two Sale and Purchase Agreements have been signed. The identity of those buying the club has also now officially been revealed as Shelby Companies, managed by American financier, Tom Wagner.

The full club statement reads as follows: “Birmingham City is excited to announce the following update regarding the Club’s ownership. “The Club was informed by its owners of the exchanging of two signed Sale and Purchase Agreements (SPA): Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited (BSHL) will transfer 24% of the shares in Birmingham City PLC to Shelby Companies Limited.

“After the transfer of shares Shelby Companies Limited will own 45.64% of Birmingham City PLC and all of the St. Andrews Stadium. Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited (BSHL) will transfer 24% of the shares in Birmingham City PLC to Shelby Companies Limited.

“After the transfer of shares Shelby Companies Limited will own 45.64% of Birmingham City PLC and all of the St. Andrews Stadium. “Tom Wagner and the Knighthead team will be joining us at St. Andrew’s today for the Club’s final Sky Bet Championship fixture of the season. We look forward to giving them a very warm welcome.”

Fans react to takeover news

Blues fans have been calling for a change of ownership for more than a year now, holding numerous protests before and during home matches over the last 12 months. Birmingham City supporters also recently sent a the letter to the club calling on the owners BSHL to once again put the club up for sale.

The news was of course well received by fans, with many expressing their delight following the club’s announcement.

Replying to the club’s post about the deal on Twitter, one fan wrote: “What a time to be alive.” Another said: “Finally this nightmare moves a step further to ending ,… please let it end. To my Dad who endured this nightmare and is no longer with us…. It’s happening Dad, your Blues are coming back, finally.”

One fan wrote: “Fantastic news, it’s actuallly happening.”

West Midlands mayor Andy Street also responded to the news. He wrote on Twitter: “Big step forward and pleased to finally see significant progress - particularly the stadium ownership as we all know major work is needed at St. Andrews. But ultimately majority ownership hasn’t changed hands yet, and the current owners must be committed to ensuring that happen.”