‘The fans are suffering on and off the pitch’ - Birmingham City takeover talk

We’re approaching the end of June, Birmingham City players are back for pre-season testing ahead of the new campaign and there is still zero clarity on the ownership situation at St Andrew’s.

Is it Laurence Bassini? Is it Maxi Lopez and Paul Richardson? Are we sticking with BSHL?

In fairness, none of the three options sound glamorous but a little clarity would make everyone feel a little better.

BirminghamLive reported yesterday (June 20) that Bassini had been given a deadline of June 30th to complete a purchase and whilst a deadline is needed - it was needed yesterday - not next week.

If a sale hasn’t been made by that set date, we’ll be a week away from the club heading to Portugal on their pre-season tour and less than two weeks away from the first pre-season fixture against Portimonense.

As it stands Blues have 24 first team players on the books, nine of which include players 21 and under with three others being Sam Cosgrove, Harlee Dean and Ivan Sanchez - all of whom are expected to have futures away from the club.

The current ownership won’t sign anyone if they don’t believe it’s going to be them at the helm whilst the prospective new ownership can’t sign anyone because, well, they aren’t the owners.

Add to that a management team that are most likely sat around waiting for a call telling them that they aren’t wanted anymore if a takeover does go through and it’s one enormous mess.

It’s not fair on the players at the club, it’s not fair on the management and other staff at the club and most importantly it’s not fair on the fans.

The same fans that have stuck with the club through all the lows of the last 10 years, even in recent times when they’ve been booted out of their own seat because the stadium needs repairing - they’ve stuck with the club.

But this takeover drama is maybe one step too far for some.

Clarity is the big thing at this point. Give the fans honest answers. However brutal they may be, give them an answer.

In January, current chairman Wenqing Zhao issued an open letter promising the fans more communication from the ownership. The one and only time since that we’ve heard from him.

Now would be a good time to back those words up.

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