Watch: Birmingham City fans protest against club’s owners

Blues fans held a protest against the club’s owners before Lee Bowyer’s men earned a vital win against fellow strugglers Barnsley - BirminghamWorld spoke to supporters before the game.
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Birmingham City supporters held a protest today (January 22) before their side’s home match against Barnsley to voice their frustration over the club’s ownership.

Fans marched from the city centre to St Andrew’s stadium where large crowds then gathered outside the Kop with banners urging the owners - Birmingham Sports Holdings - to sell the club.

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Fans chanted “we want our club back” and “time to go” during the protest, which took place before Blues beat Barnsley 2-1.

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.

Birmingham City fans gathered at the game today (22 January) to protest against the club’s ownersBirmingham City fans gathered at the game today (22 January) to protest against the club’s owners
Birmingham City fans gathered at the game today (22 January) to protest against the club’s owners

Why are supporters protesting?

The march followed a social media campaign in which supporters used the hashtag #BSHLOUT to demand change at the top of the club.

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Since Blues were relegated from the Premier League in 2011, the club’s difficulties on and off the pitch have been well documented.

Under the ownership of Birmingham Sports Holdings, 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.

Birmingham City fans gathered outside the Kop at St Andrew’s prior to kick off to protest Birmingham City fans gathered outside the Kop at St Andrew’s prior to kick off to protest
Birmingham City fans gathered outside the Kop at St Andrew’s prior to kick off to protest

Birmingham City owners respond to fans

The club invited a selection of fans to meet board members on Thursday (January 20) to address their concerns.

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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.”

Fans have expressed frustration at the lack of communication from the club over their concerns.

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

Birmingham City fans protest in the directors box during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Barnsley at St Andrew'sBirmingham City fans protest in the directors box during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Barnsley at St Andrew's
Birmingham City fans protest in the directors box during the Sky Bet Championship match between Birmingham City and Barnsley at St Andrew's
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He advised that professional businesses in China tend to ‘act first and talk later’.

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.’

The club’s project manager, Michael Moran, also discussed the structural issues with St Andrew’s stadium, detailing the extent of the repair works required, with part of the stadium having been closed for more than a year.

You can read what the club said about the issues with the stadium, here.

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During the meeting, the board also said that it does have an allocated budget to sign players ‘where considered appropriate’.

It was said that the club is also in a ‘far healthier financial situation’ than it was three years ago when it breached the EFL’s Profitability & Sustainability (P&S) rules, but ‘lessons have been learnt’ from previous mistakes and there is ‘great consideration’ regarding P&S - which is the reason Blues have adopted a ‘more balanced outlook’ on the transfer dealings during the window.

BirminghamWorld has contacted Birmingham City for comment following today’s protest.

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