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Sale Questions
It’s now over one week since Birmingham City secured their stay in the Championship for another season and judging by what I’ve seen on social media attention has firmly turned towards the long-protracted sale of the club.
Judging by the emails I have received over the last week in addition to the messages via social media and in the comments on this site the pending sale of the club seems to be very much at the forefront of people’s minds. As I’ve said before, I don’t want to add to the speculation any further but what I think I can do is to try to answer some of the questions about what will happen and what we are waiting for. I’m not a stockbroker nor do I work in the “City” but I have asked questions of people who do to try to give some answers.
Why doesn’t BIH just tell us what is going on?
The simple reason is that they can’t. BIH are bound by the rules of the HKSE and as such they cannot disclose anything about bids, bidders or the process until there is a MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) in place with a bidder. The only time they can comment publicly before that is if there is a story in the HK press about a specific bidder – like there was with respect to Paladini – and again, that is because there are rules that BIH have to follow in that instance.
So why do the newspapers report speculation?
Again, simple reason – it’s the job of a newspaper reporter to write stories that will sell newspapers. People in the media are only bound by the truth; as long as a story isn’t libellous it can be printed and so its a lot easier for a newspaper reporter to print what is happening. Even so (and speaking as someone who has worked for a newspaper), a reporter has to be careful in that a) any story published has to protect sources and b) it makes sense to me as a Blues fan (and so I would logically assume the same of someone like Colin Tattum) not to publish anything that could harm the sale of the club – in which case I hope people understand why some news has to be held back.
Will the club be sold all in one go?
It won’t be. I’m told by insiders within the “City” in HK that the HKSE will not allow BIH to divest its interest in the club completely until they have another business to run in its place. As BIH do not have the money to invest in that business they have to sell a chunk of BCFC, invest that in something else, and then go back to sell more/the rest. This means that there will be a transitional period when a new owner comes in with BIH in the background until BIH completely sell up and that could last up to two years. I would expect any new owner would want full control immediately though.
Does this mean the next owners will be Chinese? After all, they’d be the only ones to agree such a deal.
Not at all. I would imagine that every single bidder who has retained interest in buying the club will understand the strictures in place and will have accepted that it’s going to be in tranches. It’s not an ideal situation but it’s the way it is and we have to accept that.
BIH have held onto the club for the last three years since relegation. Why do they have to sell now? What’s changed?
Simply, there is no money left. My understanding is that the last parachute payment (which is due in August) has been factored; I would expect season ticket revenue to be much lower if a sale didn’t come through especially bearing in mind home results last season and I would expect commercial revenue could also be potentially lower. With much less money coming in it will be harder for the club to break even; there are no overdraft facilities and BIH are reliant on BCFC for cash – so their only option is to sell or go bust – which they will not allow to happen.
Why are BIH so desperate to retain their stock listing? The company doesn’t do anything but own BCFC, it’s just a shell.
Crazy as it seems, that stock listing has an intrinsic value of £20mil – £30mil alone. It’s harder than ever to launch a new company on the HKSE so it makes sense for an investor to buy a company already listed and repurpose it to what they want to do. It’s what Carson did when he wanted to buy BCFC. Thus the directors of BIH will do anything they have to do to ensure that they keep the stock listed – and we can also see why it was so important that the stock was relisted on the HKSE.
So when will the sale happen?
That’s a difficult question – for two reasons. Firstly – what do people consider as “the sale happening”? Is it when a MOU is announced to the HKSE (although an MOU is no guarantee of a sale – ask Beijing Liangzhu)? Is it when it’s confirmed a deposit has been paid for the initial stake in the club? Is it when we see a new investor at St Andrew’s? Or when BIH have gone?
I would hope that an MOU will be agreed quickly with a preferred bidder – surely by no later than the end of this month, if not sooner. Likewise, I’d expect that once an MOU is agreed a deposit will be paid soon after that and a new investor to come into St Andrew’s ASAP – any new investor is going to want time to get the team ready for the new season. As for the whole thing – that could take a lot longer – it could be two years before BIH have sold up completely (although I would hope it would be done a lot sooner).
The good news is once an MOU is announced we will have an idea who is coming in. Let’s hope that the BIH board can come to a consensus on who to sell the club to soon and make an announcement to the stock exchange.
Tags: BIH, The Takeover
111 Responses to “Sale Questions”
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Excellent synopsis, Daniel. Thanks for clarifying the situation.
Beijing Liangzhu was only a shell and front company as far as Chinese friends tell me, without even a contactable valid telephone number, almost the same as the so called IT company within the Oil and Gas sector, which again strangely dissapeared off the radar.
As you say Dan, lets hope for some good solid news very shortly and a solid bid that will please or make the smiles return to all Bluenoses.
The Indonesian thing is very real I’m told.
I have to also confirm that Beijing Liangzhu hired a firm of HK lawyers to agree the MOU and did it legally and above board.
Dan – you mean you “can confirm” or you “still need to confirm” that fact? Wasn’t clear from how you’d written it.
Can confirm
Thank you Dan, I bow to your superior knowledge and information from Hong Kong, my post was on information received from friends in China, now no doubt not accurate.
It would be good to know if and when things start moving. I would anticipate a more positive outlook from season ticket holders if some kind of announcement could be made and an indication of the end to this painful decline.
Can you mail me the names please Dan. Its clear you know whats about to happen.
a) I don’t know them
b) i wouldn’t if I did.
Hope that helps
a) pants on fire!
b) what happened to the love we once shared?
Any chance you could let us know if you ‘know names’ and wont tell us??
C’mon, nothing wrong with dangling a nice juicy carrot! ;-)
Dan, can you let me know next week’s winning lottery numbers?
Also, where is flight MH370? Is there an afterlife?
hi all…thanks for the laugh…cheers…mike b
I know the answer to all these questions. The Sultan of Brunei is the new owner, Sir Alex is coming out of retirement to manage us and we are bringing in Ronaldo and Messi up front. Happy Days :)
Could we not get better than those, Rich, ?. — LOL.
Thanks for some clarity.
Couldn’t new owners purchase a controlling share of say 51% initially or would that cause BIHL to lose their HKSE listing?
If not, it would allow BIHL money to re-invest in whatever industry that wish and allow whoever to run BCFC.
Another question, can BCFC grow and move forward if BIHL are going to be a millstone for up to a further two years?
KRO+DNM
Very good point there Chris W, Just how much of the club,% wise could be allowed as initial purchase Dan, ??.
I would expect the maximum would be 49.9% but HKSE might have a lower %age
They were looking at selling 25%. Whether that has changed I don’t know.
thanks for your response Dan, I guess we can only sit back and await further developments now,?.
Good summary. BIHL have proved time and again that that couldn’t run water. Let’s hope that the sale of the club does not prove to be as farcical as their track record would suggest.
Thank you, that’s a very helpful summing up. Fingers crossed then!!
Any chances of making a quick call to Randy, tell him to buy a real club with real supporters !!!!
Yes, us “fake” supporters registered an average attendance of 36k in one of the worst seasons in recent history…..Both clubs require new owners who can raise the profile of Birmingham and it’s football teams. Good luck in your quest for one…
absolutely right Daniel BIH cannot move on because of the stock exchange, and imo Clark could be with us for the foreseeable future. Why because he has understanding of our club and some of the difficulties going on…………..a new manager would probably rock the boat maybe….
Or, Mark, someone could come in next month and sack him. ;)
if only 25% is what touted, then imo bih will still have the overriding vote on Clark position maybe…………
Mark
Do you read anything I write? At all? Ever?
WHEN a new owner comes in, they will want total control. IE, to decide who the manager is – whether they own 25% or 100%.
daniel that’s low for even you lol
If no one knows who the bidders are how is it that the Mail were so sure that 2 bidders would have dropped out if we’d been relegated?
I am sure there are some people who have been entrusted with that information for there is no way that would pass it on
Thanks for the update Daniel. What would Lee Clarke’s position be once a sale goes ahead? Is his contract with BIH, so if new owners come in they could tear it up, or would the new owners still be bound by his existing contract terms?
Whether he is employed by BCFC or BIH is not relevant. Change of in owners of either of businesses has no effect. If he was transferred to a new company say BCFC 2014 plc his contract would be protected under TUPE
Depends on who bought it and if they wanted to keep him, doesn’t it?
I’d like to see him stay. Seems like the players are behind him, just read the recent comments by Caddis and Robbo.
If you were asked by the local paper your views on your boss would you tell the paper he is the bee’s knee’s and keep getting paid or tell them what a complete idiot he is and risk terminating your contract.
What they say amongst themselves and what they say in public are probably complete opposites.
Personally, I think it would be in all parties interests to start from scratch, new board, manager and backroom staff.
KRO+DNM
I think players like Caddis would say it as it is. Have you forgot his famous spat with Di Canio?
Maybe he learnt his lesson, these players are in the twilight of their career so are less likely to rock any boats, they want some stability for when they retire, which could come anytime, you only have to look at Carr and Murphy.
But i get your point that they usually call a spade a spade.
KRO+DNM
dan if bih have not totally gone for 2 years & the clubs revenue picks up whats to stop them changing their stand & not going where would BCFC stand then.
I would suspect that anyone buying the club would have a binding legal agreement that the sale go through. You wouldn’t buy it otherwise.
Hi Dan, thanks for the information as always.
One question; when BCFC is sold completely, will BIH change their name when the ‘shell’ gets re-purposed?
Personally I want any reference to Birmingham removed from that group of so-called businessmen.
I would assume so, it’s common practice
Do you think BIHL haven’t sacked Clark because they can’t afford to or that they genuinely think he doesn’t deserve to be sacked?
this cloak of silence from HKSE..is another reason why biues should avoid another
Hong Kong owner …I mean what sort of rule is it that if a bidder wants to win the
Bidding all he has to do is. find out who else is bidding and expose their name
secretly to the press. ….seems to be another no brainer or is it me..
I feel optomistic after hearing what you have told us today. Thank you.
Can’t see the piecemeal tranche-by-tranche thing happening. What business minded person would want to be a minority partner with BIHL, a company that repeatedly failed to submit accounts to the HKSE, being suspended and risking de-listing?
You might see light at the end of the tunnel, Dan, but it could be a friggin’ big train bearing down!
It is the only way the club will be sold.
I have to admit Dan, I am confused to this. Who would buy 25% of a club if they have no controlling rights, surely any decisions that cost money would be vetoed by BIHL.
There would have to be some mandate in place disallowing any bargaining or decision making which would make the whole scenario a sham just so BIHL could save face in Hong Kong.
KRO+DNM
If this was the case HKSE would delist surely
To put a positive spin on things and yes I realise it’s not what any of us want but if the buyers have a legally binding sales agreement based on definite payment dates at defined times they’ll be able to keep their money in their own account and earn the interest until the next payment is due so it might not be as off putting as it first seems.
Maybe it’s the only way BIHL will offer it for sale but it may not be the only way someone will buy it! I’m intrigued by Paul’s analysis of a binding staged purchase assigning irrevocable rights. Only thing is BIHL has a history of failed deals that are announced and then don’t happen. If I were buying I’d want cast iron, no way out security guarantees involving a high authority such as the HKSE. Anyway, let’s wait and see mate.
It’s nothing to do with BIH mate, it’s the only way the HKSE will allow it to be sold – that’s the thing to remember.
Thanks Dan; hadn’t twigged that. HKSE setting the purchase agenda. They are being very considerate towards BIHL then, if I now deduce correctly, they mandate a staged sale; get cash into BIHL who can then go oil prospecting or supplying technology because right now they have little or no cash; the company stays listed, sells the rest of BCFC and is then in the clear to become a radically diversified firm; away from football. Is that right?
LSE would just let them fail like a lame duck, no?.
Hope all you ‘delay buying a season ticket/don’t go til new owners are here’ are now reconsidering having read Dans piece. Could be some time yet brothers and sisters. As I keep on saying we have zero influence on the purchase so be what you are ie. A loyal Blues fan putting your money in to keep the club going.
On a lighter note has anybody else booked up for Cork? Am there for 3 nights in the same hotel as the team. Hope to have a beer with some of the squad and Lee and thank them for keeping us up.
give your mate lee some tips on tactics and team selection for me paul I am sure he will listen to the voice of reason !!
Paul, I am a loyal supporter, missed 2 games all season, but fail to see your argument to putting money up front this season.
BHIL have to pay wages up till 30th June plus maintain the running of the club, pay rates and any other bills plus club registration fees, that adds up to a conservative £3-5 million, where are they going to get that kind of money…. They have already had the last parachute payment, if rumours are true Season Ticket Sales up front, sponsorship deals and any media investment, the only way the average Joe Supporter can have any influence is to withhold any advance purchases, similarly with the new kit, again if rumours are true.
I will withhold my monies until we know something concrete, on paper and, more importantly, reported as such by Dan on OP
KRO+DNM
Agree completely, not to mention ‘consultancy fees’.
Wholeheartedly agree Chris. Pauls argument, completely falls down here. It is only because BIHL ‘HAVE TO’ sell, due to funds drying up, that they are selling now.
If we all brought season tickets now, BIHL would hang on longer hoping for a better price!
And in the real world we all want rid of BIHL,PP and everything to do with them as soon as possible, save our money for the new owners to use for the betterment of the team, club and those who matter, the supporters.
It is a two-way deal, owners invest in the club, the supporters support them thus investing in the owners… win, win all round, something BIHL,PP and CY failed to do.
KRO+DNM
2nd time today that I agree wholeheartedly with you Chris.
Careful, we’ll get talked about, I’d better start talk gibbberish for a while…:-)
KRO+DNM
It is the only language I know or understand Chris,
I think you need to read the article again. At best we will only lose BIH in increments so withholding ST money and deserting just adversely affects the club and doesn’t harm BIH at all. They can’t sell any quicker whatever you do ST wise. It’s pretty clear in the piece to be fair.
True, but any money forthcoming is going into BIHL’s coffers, meaning they can hold out longer.
All I am going to do is wait for whoever buys the first tranche see what it entails and go from there. What i am not doing is rushing out and funding BIHL, the money is earning me interest at the moment, I might afford an upgrade and get a box if everyone else keeps BIHL in financial security.
I will still attempt to watch every blues game again next season, health allowing.
KRO+DNM
Carry on then with your illogical process. Every game? You going to Cork? If so mines a Guinness seeing as you can almost afford a box ;)
Mines a Guinness too, any time you’re in the Rooster.
KRO+DNM
so if potential owners came in you would be happy to pay more for your ST, OBVIOUSLY new owners will want to recoup their investment……
Makes me laugh cos if they pay on the day rather than have a ST they’ll be giving BIH even more money lol
it appears to me blind leading the blind…..with the adult st Paul you can take a child under 10 free……there a saving in its self… yes the pay on the day what moans at paying £30-00 when a st roughly works out about 18 quid per match not rocket science…..who to say new owners might want to increase the ST???
On the flip side, new owners might want to entice the lost supporters back with a reduced price, say for a limited period, they will still be recouping their money back, and more if the fans flock back.
KRO+DNM
And with a new manager we might get the crowds flooding back.
3,800 went to bolton how they loved Clark
Your mistaking relief for love.
Another reason to hold out, any other club would have sacked him by now, at least he was given a whole season to prove he was incompetent, even the baggies are looking for a new manager and they were safe on the last day of the season.
Tim Sherwood got his team into Europe and looks like getting the boot, I’m surprised we haven’t had a civic reception for LC
KRO+DNM
thanks for your reply firstly at moment that subjective….we already know the prices and offers already for next season to entice fans back…..imo is the match day prices are too sky high…..as proved by the £10 offers
i am sure you will agree with me they will flock back if our home fortunes change……
I agree on both fronts, the day prices are well over the top especially in the current economic climate.
I am not surprised that crowds dwindled at home winning only 2 games is deplorable.
I’m not sure LC can sort it in the summer, the mindset mentality will have set in with the players, I kept going thinking it can’t continue, sometimes it took me all my time to get in the car for my 100 mile round journey, another reason I loved the away games so much, the drive home was pleasant more often than not, even the trip to Middlesbrough, though we lost we did at least but up a fight.
KRO+DNM
Firstly, I just want to say I probably will buy a season ticket, but not whilst bihl are in charge. Secondly, regarding pricing…. prices will be set as they are every year according to the basic principles of economics so I just cant comprehend your argument
It is not at all surprising that you fail to understand the facts presented by Daniel. He believes the Company ‘has to be sold’ because the owners will soon run out of money having most likely factored the parachute. So if you want to put pressure on BIH to do the right thing sooner rather than later and avoid bolstering their shortterm postion with your cash then to hold back your ticket investment is wholly sensible. Additionally once decided then any new investor /owner will be delighted with a positive and substantial influx of ST sales income
Dream on. Those of us who will buy a ST ain’t gonna sit back and watch and see who buys us out and what the timeframe looks like and all the twists and turns in between. The people who do that are kidding themselves if they think it will make a tad of difference. There has to be a phased withdrawal. As if football fans purchase using that criteria. We will buy our tickets because we want to watch our team next season and keep the club afloat. Zero funding means no employees or players wages. Hello? Points deduction. Great idea lets start the season on -10 eh.
Yep and them out faster. Hopefully Clark with them.
makes a change to see mr and mrs crosby normally they are harping on Mr walker little slot……..
You’ve been on the pop tonight I see.
Mines a Guinness mr crosby still celebrating our greatest…….well done Mr Clark
I take it you are happy with PP and the motley crew who are BIHL.
Bet you cried when the Wheldon era came tumbling down and we had even less than we have now.
Sorry Paul, I cannot see any logic or reason in your argument. Why would you feed the hand that keeps taking money out and not supported the manager, bit like missing out the bank and just give your money to the bank-robber, in one respect I feel sorry for Lee Clark as he has been left high and dry by PP and Co.
I love my club, have done since 1961 when a Mr Hennessey took me to my first game, have been going ever since, wind, rain sleet or snow, as the song went and I will continue to follow them.
KRO+DNM
How come every post you make you harp on about how much you love the club yet you think starving it of money is a good thing. BIH are going nowhere for the foreseeable can’t you read what Dan has said. So your decision not to buy your ST is irrelevant. On a wider note there won’t be any mass increases in attendances when this lot has gone. Just wait and see.
Paul in life people have their own agenda’s the wider berth will make their decisions regarding their ST REGARDLESS of what we say…..especially if they got a decent seat and they dont want anybody else to have,,,,,fans were saying on here we wont ever is crowds of 20,000 again at the stans…..they were wrong…..lol
So we are both wrong.
Neither of us will see either of our scenarios to say who is right, so best we agree to disagree, you fund BIHL, I’ll save my money for the new owners, but like you I shall still have my season ticket.
KRO+DNM
So you won’t be buying a ST for the new season then if no new owners have taken over?
Great.
As Dan has pointed out, BIHL have to sell and will sell.
From communications I have received from the Football League BIHL cannot operate under the present format and are monitoring the situation closely now the season has ended. I reckon we should see some activity before the end of May with an announcement from the HKSE around mid June.
KRO+DNM
it is really up to you Chris, and definately your prerogative but i would not leave it too late as your choice to seat or your box might be limited……
Thanks for the advice Mark, I am pretty confident my seat is safe. Well until we have something concrete to go on anyway.
KRO+DNM
You’ll be able to sit where you want, apart from Mark and Paul’s seats.
I believe they are the only two that are not available anymore.
KRO+DNM
At the moment my head is controlling my heart: not renewing to starve BIH and to give the money to the new owners.
That said if we still have BIH when the season tickets go public I’ll be thinking about losing my seat and neighbours
I was just asked the question why it is that (according to the media) that Vilers FC is valued at c£15m but Blues at c£25m? Maybe something to do with the level of debt at the Vilers or maybe someone is being optimistic?
BlueSteve
When and if the incremental sale happens will that be enough for the withholders and deserters to come flocking back or will it be a case of ‘I’m not buying a season ticket/going to the games’ until BIH have ‘completely’ gone. Lets the deserters/withholders off the hook for a longer period of time.
Buying a season ticket for many people is a significant financial decision especially at the prices Blues charge. It’s about value for money for many not a matter of principle. With the utter crap we were served up at St Andrews for the great majority of last season and at least half of the previous season I wouldn’t blame anyone for deciding that forking out £500 didn’t amount to value for money.
Neither would I. If people want to become ex-fans that’s up to them.
The way around this is for the buyer to sell a ‘small trading’ subsidiary to BIH simultaneously with the buyer acquiring the whole of BCFC. BIH then use the rest of the monies to acquire one or more other businesses at which point they sell the ‘small trading’ business back to the owners of BCFC.
If only things were that simple, I have to admit it is ingenious.
Buyer A buys BCFC off BIHL, they then sell them a business to tied them over while they reinvest into whatever they are going to diversify in, thus maintaining their HKSE status, they then sell the business back to Buyer A, with interest.
Unfortunately I wouldn’t trust BIHL if they said the grass was green.
KR+DNM
BIH would need to keep the goodwill of the subsidiary they have bought. If they didn’t the management could run it into the ground
I see your point, but it would appear that BIHL have very few scruples when it comes to business acumen, all they seem worried about is losing face on the HKSE.
KRO+DNM
Time is coming when we should consider forcing the board to sell, make their tenure uncomfortable, get their full focus
Any suggestions, mine is with holding season ticket sales.
Paul- Voice of reason says to give them whatever they need to keep trading by buying season tickets.
KRO+DNM
Paul
How about allowing someone the decency to make their own decision without getting holier than thou about it? For once?
Dan as a journo you know very well what redressing the balance means. I don’t want people following those on here advocating starving the club of cash, with all the serious repercussions of that. So I’m making the case for supporting the club and doing what fans normally do, support. Sorry if this doesn’t sit well with you. While I’ve got you can you tell me what positive effect delaying purchases or not going will have? There are none.
Paul
There is “redressing the balance” and there is being a bit of an arse about it. You know as well as I do which you are being.
Try being more civil for a change – goes for other people too, sick of deleting comments because people are acting like five year olds.
Yep….It’s simple…..stop giving them your money!
The board will not risk administration -it would cost them millions.
Really BIHL should be barred from having a share listing ANYWHERE in the World.
No real surprise to see BIHL ‘factoring’ the final parachute payment.
Means they will have finally sucked the final breath out of us and time to move onto the next victim. mosquito style.
Even if i wanted to buy my season ticket i wont because I don’t know how much they will be? I have normally been contacted by BCFC by email/post by now and usually registered that I will be buying mine. Anyone else heard anything?.