Blues in chaos after board threaten to quit

A MISERABLE day for Birmingham City descended into outright chaos last night after chairman David Gold hinted he may resign and director David Sullivan insisted he wants to quit following the club’s relegation from the Premier League.

The two board members were angered by abuse directed at them and their families by home supporters as the club suffered demotion to the Championship for the second time in three years

Gold afterwards likened the whole ordeal to a near-death experience, saying: “I feel dreadful. I can understand the fans’ disappointment at relegation, but never have I seen them being so abusive. Am I talking about a minority, or is it a majority? If it’s a majority I will be left with no alternative other than to resign as chairman of this football club.”

The Blues chairman singled out fans sat adjacent to the director’s box, adding: “They were the ones who really hurt me because you could see the hatred in their eyes.”

Sullivan was equally forthright in his criticisms. “These people don’t know anything about business and nothing about football. I’ve had enough and I don’t want to be here next season,” he said. “There are five or six clubs out there who would welcome me with open arms. It’s time to move to a new club.”

Gold admitted the protracted takeover talks last autumn with a consortium headed by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, which ultimately fell through and led to the departure of manager Steve Bruce to Wigan, had played a key part in Birmingham’s disappointing campaign.

Meanwhile, Bruce’s replacement, Alex McLeish, hopes the board will back his summer rebuilding plans.

“There is a job to be done here and with the right investment I’m ready to take inspiration from other managers who have been down this road,” he said. “My plan is to bring more players in. I’ve got to put my own stamp on the club and hopefully we will see some changes in the summer.’’

Goals from David Murphy, Fabrice Muamba and two from substitute Cameron Jerome, who was drafted on to the bench at the last minute after James McFadden aggravated a calf-strain in the warm-up, equalled Birmingham’s best win of a difficult season. Morten Gamst Pedersen replied for Blackburn.

“It’s been a long season and I’m proud of the players,” Mcleish said. “They have punched above their weight on many occasions.

“How do I feel right now? Ask me again in 48 hours. I’ve thanked the players for the support they have given me this season.

“I’m disappointed we did not win more games at home, but we had a good record here, only losing once in 13 games and that was to Chelsea.”

Birmingham began the game knowing they had to get a result better than relegation rivals Reading and Fulham. But Reading’s win over Derby at Pride Park, and Fulham’s victory over Portsmouth at Fratton Park, rendered the outcome academic.

BIRMINGHAM (4-4-2): Taylor 6, Murphy 7, Kelly 7, Jaidi 6, Ridgewell 7, Larsson 7, Muamba 6, Kapo 7 (McSheffrey, 87), Johnson 6, Forsell 5 (Jerome 69, 7), Zarate 7.

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Parnaby, Nafti.

BLACKBURN (4-4-2): Friedel 5, Warnock 5 (McCarthy, 81), Samba 5, Nelsen 5, Reid 5, Bentley 6, Emerton 6, Vogel 6 (Dunn 67, 6), Pedersen 6 (Tugay 67, 6), Santa Cruz 5, Roberts 5.

Subs Not Used: Brown, Khizanishvili.

REFEREE: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire) 6: A firm and efficient performance from the experienced official. Refused to be swayed by two loud home penalty appeals.

MATCH RATING: **** An open game and both teams set out to win. Blackburn threw the towel in for the last few minutes but there was plenty of drama and, ultimately, tears.