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The New PP
Panos Pavlakis met with fans of Birmingham City last week in an informally arranged fans forum designed to build links and to aid communication. This follows the departure from the maangement structure of BCFC of Peter Pannu, who was less well known for being forthcoming with fans groups.
I didn’t attend the meeting so I cannot tell you exactly what was said; however the Blues Trust and the Blues Collective were both in attendance. The Trust have emailed out to their members a summary of the meeting; as they have not posted it online I’m uncertain as to whether I should make mention of what was said but I can share with you this statement from the Blues Collective.
Of course, there has naturally been some criticism online – I always thought it was likely that no matter what Panos said in a meeting like this the very fact that Peter Pannu hasn’t left the board of directors of BCFC and/or BIH, and that Carson Yeung is still a large shareholder would mean that anyone connected with BIH still won’t be trusted by a section of the fanbase. That being said, I doubt very much that Pannu would have met with anyone so it’s a step in the right direction – but only a step.
As I said on Tom Ross’s radio programme on Friday night (which you can listen again to here – I’m on from 6:25), it’s now essential if Panos is to be trusted by fans that he speaks to them all directly. I think the wisest thing for him to do is to put his thoughts in the match day programme – as firstly this will get to fans who don’t go online, on messageboards and social media – and secondly it will ensure that his words go out as he sees that they should. We’ve got a home match coming up against Bolton and I will admit I’ll be disappointed if I don’t see anything from Panos at all in the programme; I understand he might be under political pressure due to the fact Pannu is still connected to the club but boardroom shenanigans don’t concern the fans.
I can’t speak for everyone but I can tell you what I would like to know directly from Panos through such a medium:
1) Can he reassure fans that there is not only enough money to get through the season, but that the club has enough money to turn down insulting offers for players and hold out for market value or better.
2) Can he reassure fans that with BIH being unable to sell BCFC in full for the foreseeable future that there is some kind of plan in place to keep the club self-sufficient which doesn’t rely on the old method of selling everything that isn’t nailed down and will allow for the club to regrow somewhat.
3) Can he reassure fans that BIH are trying to get their act together in such a way that there will be no further issues that could invoke an investigation from the authorities and that will mean an investor is more likely to come and buy a part of the club.
I appreciate that not everyone will believe anything he says but I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt; from what I know of Panos he seems a different animal to Pannu in that he wants to be involved at club level and as I understand it takes no wage nor expenses from BCFC, instead being paid a wage direct by BIH. If it makes anyone feel better as I understand it Pannu has no influence at all at the club over decisions and hasn’t had for some time.
Tags: Panos Pavlakis, Peter Pannu
63 Responses to “The New PP”
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Do you know if Panos Pavlakis owns any shares in the club?
Panos has a very big bridge to build if the fans are to trust either him or BIHL. As you say it is the first step and hopefully the first of many whereby the club become more transparent with the supporters.
Peter Pannu needs to be removed completely from both boards as quickly as possible to show the fans that a new broom does indeed sweep clean.
I think the fans should also know exactly how much influence that CY does have as the major shareholder.
KRO+DNM
Not sure about the comment about being a “different animal” but we shall see, These people are not put in charge fir there love of BCFC, these are clever and astute people, and who puts them in a place of power?…not the fans.
SRB
We have too give panos a chance to repair the massive damage to the club that Peter pannu did,it will take some time no doubt as we have no trust in bihl what so ever,baby steps first as they say,also great news that pannu has no influence at the club now also.p.s. any chance of some of the money back you immorally taken from our club mr pannu??
The Board will have to do something soon -the share price is falling daily.
A bit wide of the mark but Well done David Cotterill on scoring for his country in last nights euro qualifier. More of the same at home please.
This could be deemed a step forward, but at the end of the day, the lifeblood of the club is being stifled by the impossible commercial scenario which persists. You say that we should not sell our star assetts below value but at the end of the day it doesnt matter if we get £5m or 5p it wont be reinvested in progressing the squad, we will continue to bottom feed and pay the lowest wages in the division. More of the same for the next few years I fear.
If he gets paid by bihl, he fats paid by bcfc
*paid
No matter what Pav says I just feel the damage has been done. Anyone connected with BIH I take with a punch of salt. They have shown to me that they can’t be trusted and the only thing that matters to them is the business as a whole and not the club. We are just an asset to them and while they have us they can float on the stock exchange. They don’t care for the supporters because they would have been honest and more upfront with us.
Good questions Dan but I still can’t see anyone sane buying ‘part’ of the club. It’s all or nothing. At least a cast-iron timeframe to complete ownership. BIH have soiled their corporate nest and only a fool would want to get into a business partnership with them. They are a Zombie listed HKSX company; no money, huge losses and an asset that can’t be sold (BCFC). And, sadly, that makes us a Zombie club until someone resurrects us.
The gatekeeper is the HKSX – if they will allow an 80% sale of the club instead of this 24.4% bullshit, maybe a proper investor can be attracted.
It’s all so very depressing at times.
If there is to be any investment/24% sale, it can only come from within Carson Yeung’s/BIHL’s circles of friends/relations. As has been said many times, no one in their right mind would buy 24%, without the promise of the rest within a set period of time. They’d be p1s*ing their money down the drain. I’m pretty certain that there will be no sale of the club, until, at the very least, BIHL have bought another company, to be able to keep their HKSE listing. Even then, who knows with that lot?
In my opinion the only way forward for the time being is to get bums on seats. It will generate funds to keep the club going and if we are to trust the words of the news PP then all funds raised by BCFC stay within the club.
If players are sold in the next transfer window for give away prices then I feel it is time for a total boycott of games.
BCFC
I think January will be the proof of the pudding, so to speak. If any of our young players are sold off, we’ll know for certain that nothing has changed. If we manage to hang on to them, then we should be ok for the rest of this season.
In my opinion the only way forward for the time being is to get bums on seats. It will generate funds to keep the club going and if we are to trust the words of the news PP then all funds raised by BCFC stay within the club.
If players are sold in the next transfer window for give away prices then I feel it is time for a total boycott of games.
BCFC
i have met panos a couple of times he knows more about football and our football club than the other bloke did he goes to all the games is up the training ground every week.we have to give him a chance.
I Would like to know what questions were asked of Mr Paviakis, especially regarding the continued employment of Mr Clark.
We are stuck with Panos for the immediate future so have no option but to give him a chance to build bridges..it’s not ideal but that’s the way it is ..if after a while strings are being pulled and he dances to the tune of BIHL we will know he is no more than a puppet.Lets hope he expects more from Blues and our dismal home record and that he is willing to make management changes sooner rather than later.
In my view it’s ‘fiddling while Rome burns’. (God knows there’s been a lot of fiddling going on).
I welcome more dialogue with the Board via Panos but I don’t believe that anything fundamental will change until we are sold or go under…whichever comes first!!
I really hope that we don’t lose any of our young players come January but I have no confidence that this will be the case. I hope that I’m proved wrong.
KRO
Are potential purchasers missing a trick? Granted that only 24.4% of BCFC can be sold without a threat to BIHLs Hong Kong listing, but if without further diversification BCFC is about 96% of BIHL,what prevents a bid for the entire holding company? The share price is dwindling and a successful bidder would both entirely acquire the football club and unseat the incumbents at BIHL. I don’t know if the same rules apply in HK,but in the UK if someone picks up 29.9% of a company!they have the right to acquire the balance
At the end of the day the club has to survive and if supporters are not attending games then players have to be sold. So it’s up to us to get down to the games and not have our best players sold . As I said in an earlier post we will see what happens in the next transfer window.
The only time the owners will sell the club is when the money runs out and they can’t get any further loans.
I am amazed that anyone with half a brain could give any credibility at all to PP 2 and his cronies.
What has the man said since his arrival at St andrews? absolutely sweet FA. So ask yourself why ?
Ok get it ? So treat them all with the contempt they deserve and make life as uncomfortable as possible for them
until they depart our club..
Thats the only way .to accelerate their departure. Fact!
don’t .listen to people who are out for their own ends and are gaining popularity and benefits from our clubs demise.
Its so bloody obvious i cant believe people are so naive . look at the facts ! It is what it is so deal with it and get them out asap.
Anyone want to buy a pyramid.?
Come on think about it ?
KRO
Strange comments considering Panos held a meeting with fans groups last week and talks with fans on social media most days.
I don’t think it will make any difference in putting another 1000 bums on seat’s. This lot will sell any player they can get money for. I’ve got no time for anyone associated with BIHL they have taken us back to the day’s of the Kumars ‘ and Ken Wheldon, although I will still go down to the home game’s it’s not enjoyable anymore.
does panos make all the decisions regarding bcfc or does he have to ok it with the bihl board ?
Two observations. (In my opinion) Tom Ross is a shocking anchor. I seem to remember him being better and more fluid on BRMB. He was awful here.
Secondly, Pannu was bigging himself up on the comments board here? Are you serious? If that is the case I’m even more disappointed in him as a man and someone who is / was a major player at our club. This also begs the question that had been troubling me for sometime: is Pannu’s anonymous name Mark by any chance? ;)
Ali, the only person who consistently backed up Pannu with a blind faith was a poster by the name of Letsby Avenue.
3 years of posts from Letsby backing Pannu was a bit obvious
They seem decent enough questions Daniel, but as i said before their are more questions than answers, pictures in my mind that will not show…………..imo i believe panos to be a decent fellow got the club at heart, does not wave his money around, so fans should not get up in the air……….has a excellent working relationship with Clark which is spot for me…..I feel PP knows he leaving it in good hands with panos, and wants to get on with his own stuff, cannot really blame him for that can we….come on give the guy a break lol…..he big achievement keeping us out administration that took some going….obviously a crown jewel here and there was removed but for the benefit of the club……and here we stand with our club still intacted…………no pleasing some fans…. must get back to the football nothing like good football……feel like we turned a corner……. kro
regarding Gray its not new news about Liverpool intentions regarding this player, and possible exit in January?? if Gray wanted to go, firstly how could we stop him leaving, he would be offered higher wages? some possible involvement in the first team at Liverpool. Would Liverpool buy him then loan him back again possibly til the end of the season? What would be acceptable offer if liverpool wanted him, 2,5m,3m,3.5,4m?/
Personally if I was Gray or any young player at blues I would look at those that have had their heads turned by the bright lights and fat wage packets, Jack Butland, still playing third fiddle at Stoke, Tom Adeyemi, bench warming at Cardiff, Nathan Redmond, one season wonder in the Premiership now back in the Championship, Jordan Mutch, moved up to the Premier after a season with Cardiff, looks like he will be back in the Championship come May.
The grass is nor always greener.
Gray and Arthur are two talented youngsters learning their trade, if they stay at Blues they will get game time and development which will make them better players for the future before all the extra pressure.
KRO+DNM
They might not be pulling up any trees on the pitch but you can bet their bank balances are a lot healthier for leaving.
Sadly, that is all that is wrong with the modern game, not saying they should be on the minimum wage but they should be on par with the working man. There is no loyalty anymore, you rarely see players offered testimonials for service.
The TV and Sky monies should be filtered throughout the game pro rata.
Wages should be paid out of gate revenue, that way the successful clubs will still maintain the better calibre players, but would have realistic wage bills, players would then be responsible for any endorsements they decide to add on to the wage. Something the FFP rule is trying to enforce so clubs become viable business structures.
KRO+DNM
Im not sure that Mutch and Redmond would have the same assessment of their careers since they left blues .
Out of those mentioned only Redmond is playing regular 1st team football so he may be an exception to the rule.
But the point is Gray and Arthur are getting some regular football and developing why would they want to go to a premier club just to be loaned out or sit on a bench other than money, that will come sooner than they think.
KRO+DNM
They would probably triple or quadruple their money just by going to a good Championship club. They would be very stupid not to take it. Who knows when a serious injury can happen and the money isn’t there. They would also have a much better chance of England recognition playing at a higher level.
Maybe so Staffs, but I think it would be foolish to leave this season just for the money.
They are both exciting talents who are just stepping out in the game, stay with Blues and progress as they are.
KRO+DNM
I have absolutely no doubt that if the prem clubs come waving £££s at our young players, you won’t see their ar$es for dust.
For me I will give Panos a chance just like I keep giving LC a chance, I have a gut feeling he is an OK guy. I will be there on Saturday.
As for players coming and going I almost cried when we sold Francis but all these years later we are still here so hey ho money speaks volumes and the fans wishes are just pie in the sky when it comes to business.
I remember being devastated when TF left… but then he had given us about 9 years of quality service, so deserved his move in fairness. Can’t say that about any who have left in recent times.
Oh for another striker Like Trev Francis!! ..we are now stuck with strikers that couldn’t hit a barn door(or my mother in laws arse at 2 paces)!!
You have to wonder if Donaldson and Thomas will ever improve on what they are now. It’s not as though they’re difficult chances that both are missing. I’m looking forward to seeing what Matt Green can achieve. Apparently, he’ll come back fitter and stronger. He surely couldn’t do any worse than what we have.
i looking forward to Matt returning to the fore, because if he can get goals it will surely put pressure on the other two to take their chances imo……….kro
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-find-out-how-7936480#rlabs=1 noted some fans think stans is expensive, i think our away fans spend more….
i wonder how many more excuses can so- call fans come up with lol hey Dave you got lol?/ Very dis-service to workers at the stans who make the experience at stans first class imo….
Good questions, Dan. As written above, the proof will be in the pudding. I would like to stress the positives, and when I find some, I shall.
Even our Media Manager (Andy Walker) has been head hunted. Is nothing sacred…..
Good Luck and Best Wishes Andy.
Today’s Share price has tumbled again by a staggering 21%
Clearly their is little confidence in the Board or its Mickey Mouse decisions.
It’s very worrying!
Art with you all the way, also a considerable amount of volume traded at which point the share price actually fell below 4 cents that to me would indicate a big lack of confidence in the value of the shares.
At the start of the month they were 6 cents now at 4.5 cents
If BIHL collapses would Blues as a subsidiary also collapse???
Not sure how this works, BCFC are the only income BIHL have but according to some comments by both PP’s BCFC is self sufficient and running along nicely if lacking in investment.
That in one respect is good news regarding the FFP ruling since BIHL announced a £12m loss.
It does show a complete lack of confidence in BIHL and its board and it might force HKSE to show their intentions and once again suspend BIHL trading until they get their house in order.
Whatever happens in Hong Kong you can rest assured it is not going to go well for the club.
These are only my readings into the recent announcement and I am sure Dan will be working on a layman’s insight to clear things up.
KRO+DNM
obviously they are dropping Carson will be keeping eye them so he can buy more shares at a low price, and take biggest shareholder amount again??? purely a prediction, predication……..
obviously they are dropping Carson will be keeping eye them so he can buy more shares at a low price, and take biggest shareholder amount again??? purely a prediction, predication……..
Absolute balony!
obviously they are dropping Carson will be keeping eye them so he can buy more shares at a low price, and take biggest shareholder amount again??? purely a prediction, predication……..
obviously they are dropping Carson will be keeping eye them so he can buy more shares at a low price, and take biggest shareholder amount again??? purely a prediction, predication……..
Won’t be any statement in tomorrow’s programme, I wouldn’t be disappointed if there wasn’t.
Nothing to say at the moment so why antagonize fans more with statements that satisfy nobody but could leave more questions than answers.
If i was Panos i would steer clear until i had answers for fans
Dan,
I fully understand you have time pressures and commitments which mean you have less time to dedicate to O.P, would it possible to just put up an open “next match” headline so fans can exhange ideas, predictions, news?
Cheers
I think that’s a great suggestion.
A big well-done to Andy Walker wish him all the best in his next chapter……… a great servant to bcfc
wonder if Broadhurst fancy the job lol
I wouldn’t let that guy clean the bogs… although, if it meant I didn’t have to listen to his bitter ramblings on the radio ever again, I might make an exception just this once.
:) quite agree there staff’s
Looking forward to a positive result tomorrow, and 3points in the bank…hopefully the players have had a good enough break to be back at the races…
F iy your mum…. ..you have a personal agenda against Peter who previously let you off the hook when the club s lawyers almost shut down you site. He is still very much in charge you freeing idot. He is on the UK board and head of the HK board that the UK board reports too. Get your facts correct. Also are you saying the new PP is evading UK taxes.
Rocking Horse Mentality!