Yeung at heart
How ironic is this?
Should Carson Yeung complete his takeover of Blues as expected, his first St Andrew's game after assuming power is likely to be . . . the visit of Steve Bruce's Sunderland on October 24.
It was the appearance of the Hong Kong businessman and his purchase of a 29.9 per cent stake in the club in the summer of 2007 that contributed to Bruce deciding to cut and run to Wigan Athletic.
He wanted a new contract, Blues couldn't give it to him because of the constraints placed on them by the Stock Market and so the club was plunged headlong into turmoil.
Bruce went, Yeung was allowed extra time to complete a full buy out but failed to get enough backers for Grandtop International, the takeoever vehicle.
Blues were relegated that season and the back-biting and recriminations were long and loud.
Yeung tended to be cast as the villain, and slipped quietly into the background, only to re-emerge with an offer for the 50 per cent shareholding of David Sullivan, David Gold and Ralph Gold, which was accepted on Friday.
His £1-a-share tempter valued Blues at a whopping £81 million, and will see the three aforementioned directors trouser £40 million between them.
Yeung continues to be viewed with great suspicion by the Blues masses. And the fact that he has secured a £57 million bridging loan to fund the takeover has caused natural concern.
However, I understand that new Chinese backers have come forward to provide the loan, and underwrite a new share issue in Grandtop.
Yeung was described as a 'man of straw' by David Gold after everything went haywire. Sullivan also stuck the boot in, and seemed to be niggled by Sammy Yu, Grandtop's chief operating officer, who acted as Yeung's chauffeur on his visits to England. 'The lippy taxi driver', was Sullivan's acerbic assessment.
Yeung and his crew have stoically ignored the barbs all along and since the directors stance softened (the 'show me the money' demand answered satisfactorily helped, let's say), they are slowly coming out of their shell.
And they appear to have learned some lessons from last time.
A top London financial and corporate consultancy firm has been appointed, and they are already carefully sounding out various local sources about how the bid has been perceived so far.
Yu, who is set for a key role on the new board, has been in contact with this newspaper for similar reasons, and there seems to be a willingness to find out just what fans expect and what their fears are, with a view to allaying them.
And that's certainly what Yeung and Grandtop need to do if they are to care for, and grow, an earthy club which is part of the Birmingham fabric.
The noises from Yeung's media conference in Hong Kong about speaking to and buying players has furrowed brows; clarification about Steve McManaman's role - indeed if he wants one - is also needed.
Someone mentioned to me, on hearing what was said at the conference, that Blues could turn into the 'new Hearts'. I laughed, then thought about it a bit more . . .
Yeung and his associates need to take a leaf out of Randy Lerner's book. He re-engaged Villa fans by identifying the gripes from the Doug Ellis era and acting on them, he embraced and celebrated the history and traditions, not least 1982 and all that, and he provided money for transfers as a statement of on-field intent.
They need to listen, inspire and liven Blues up again, and lean on proper, experienced football people.
The Yeung camp intend for steady not sudden progression, and tapping into the Chinese market is core to their want of finding a 'sustainable' revenue stream.
You would hope that he hasn't come this far on this occasion without assurances from major backers and partners back home. And a workable business plan.
Let's face it if, after two years he hasn't, he would be barmy - and Bruce would again be wondering what on earth was going on in a few weeks time.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum’s view of what’s going on at Birmingham City FC.
Tatts, i think a lot of fans are sceptical about Carson Yeung. Are they going to run the club properly? Will they listen communicate and listen to the fans? Will Yeung interfere on the playing side? If we go down will he lose interest again as he did last season? Too many questions than answers for me. They need to come out an outline their plans.
Steve, they are aware of this. They can't come out and say anything properly yet until they have control. Then, hopefully, they will reveal their hand and expand on their plans and so forth.
Tatts, Tall from SHA won't spend £48 to watch the vile at St Andrews next month. He'll be in the Cricketers if you need him though.
It's one thing being able to afford to buy a football club, but another thing entirely to be able to sustain it financially. The Premier League is a vast, gaping hole for money to be thrown into, most of the time with no return at all. I fear that Yeung doesn't have the necessary financial clout nor enough knowledge of precisely what life in top level football is like in this country. I'm not holding my breath.
Tatts, good read as always. The point you made about Yu already contacting the Mail is an important one. Hopefully you are talking to him and you can be a very important conduit between the fans and CY. You know the fans fears and concerns and you are in a great position to pass these on and get some answers. Please keep us up to date as much as you can, you know how much we rely on you. I was heartened by your response to Steve as you seem to have a little more information than can be divulged at the moment. I am keen to give these guys a chance, the current board have had enough and want out. If Grandtop play this right they will get the fans support.
Tatts
ive seen that Kingston Developments will be taking 29.9% of Blues.
It looks like these are owned by Li Ka Shing who is worth 16Billion Dollars.
Can you confirm if this is true as this would get blues fans on CY's side
the remark from Olli about Kingston devleopments becoming involved is oddly coincidental since the one side of the ground is on Kingston Hill where the old Kingston Cinema used to be. It really would be a Kingston Development wouldn't it?