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Open Meeting: My Thoughts
Last night I went to the open meeting facilitated by Blues Trust at the George, to talk about what has been done since the first open meeting held at the end of October, and what fans can continue to do to seek answers from regulatory authorities about the ownership of the club.
Although the meeting was sparsely attended – there was about 20 of us there, with the inclement weather conditions combining with the better performances on the pitch I think encouraging people to stay at home – the meeting in itself was positive. The Trust confirmed that they had sought the support of local MPs and councillors and had seen some backing – particularly from The Rt Hon. the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, who is shadow Deputy Leader of the House of Lords. They also confirmed that as yet they had no response from the Football League – which is unsurprising bearing in mind I had to chase them up to even receive an acknowledgement.
The Trust are building an e-petition against the re-election of Peter Pannu to the BIH board of directors, which has at this moment gained nearly 1500 signatures. I know, I can hear the groans about online petitions but the idea behind this is solid; at this moment in time Peter Pannu’s stock in BIH is low and if the shareholders in BIH – particularly the major ones, including Carson himself – thought that Pannu was causing BIH embarrassment and losing them money, then I think he wouldn’t be re-elected.
The suspension of shares has gone on for nearly a week now which indicates it’s been hard for them to agree a clarification announcement which is telling in itself; I have a suspicion that we are at a crucial point and that the next step could be extremely positive – or extremely negative. It might sound personal against Pannu that the Trust are trying to force him out but the truth for me is that it’s no longer possible for him to do a good job for us; the word from the club is that he is no longer part of the decision making process and as the club is 99% of BIH’s revenue I cannot see why he BIH would need to pay him the continued salary that they are if he’s not working for the club and the sale process is still stalled by HKSE.
With things picking up on the pitch it can be hard to see that there are problems continuing off it; I can well understand people who say that we should “get behind the team” and I agree – they need our support on match-day and we should do everything we can to help them push up the league table. However, as good as Gary Rowett is he could still easily be hamstrung by events off the pitch and fans shouldn’t forget that all it would take is a demand from Hong Kong to sell players and we’re in the crapola again. I really do believe that fans should work together to ensure their voice is heard; a simple, cohesive and cogent strategy that everyone can be a part of is better than disparate voices shouting into the darkness.
Tags: Blues Trust, Peter Pannu, Protest
33 Responses to “Open Meeting: My Thoughts”
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that’s a very very low turn out Daniel within the blues trust 20 turned up……where the thousands or even hundreds ??? or a least over hundred!
Foolishly I didn’t turn up because I thought the place would be packed out. Clearly that was a poor excuse.
If the worst comes to the worst, selling players wouldn’t be the end of the world, as has been proved over the last 2 or 3 seasons. Other than perhaps Morrison, every player could be replaced for what we paid for them… nothing. It’s a bitch having to start all over again, but it’s not like we haven’t done it before. Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that, but if it does, then keeping the club going is more important than any player.
You say that the next step could be extremely positive or extremely negative.
Would you care to speculate what those extremes might be?
Dan could bih be delaying the clarification announcement till they know the outcome of Carson yeungs bail hearing or would it be a separate issue
It is important for all Blues fans to remember, that all the problems that exist at St.Andrews now, are totally the fault of the incompetent board of directors. For the club to have any chance of survival, these people, must be removed. The main culprit is Peter Pannu , so we need every Blues fan who has access to a PC, to register with the Blues Trust and sign the petition to protest against him being on the board.
John….. I beg to differ. The main culprit was Carson Yeung when he was charged with money laundering in June 2011. Pannu had to pick up the pieces.
He picked up a load of money as well, knowing full well, that the club was in a very bad financial position.
He picked up a load of money as well, knowing full well, that the club was in a very bad financial position. Like I said, its the whole board who are at fault !
I think the fault lies with some guys who now run West Ham.
totally agree with your last line staffs regarding players……
It’s simple mark, players and managers come and go, so do owners (eventually,) but survival is always the priority.
funny old week last week with Harry Redknapp kicking off about players attitudes, and nigel Pearson giving it some on Bleating idiots( which i might had was a rant at fans) and we think we got problems lol
only 1500 signatures? Jesus man it takes very little effort and next to no time……
I am guessing most Blues fans have never heard of the Trust.
The issue for most fans is how do we REALLY know PP is the devil incarnate he’s made out to be. Apart from some odd comments and the now infamous email rant whant proof do we have that he’s the cause of all our ills. Equally why are we so convinced the petition shouldn’t be against Panos, after all isn’t he related to CY – I guess my point comes back to the issue of transparency or lack of, and the Trust needs to act with caution in case they call for the head of the wrong person, just a thought….
Have the Trust thought about holding these meetings by WebEx. Would allow fans who can’t attend in person?
The club comes first and always will do so not to worry about blues being around for all time it’s just that we won’t …I’ve said many times what happens of the pitch is out of our control especially when it comes to these owners so my interest stays purely on the playing side, the slip up has to be put right against reading so we can all think positive again and what happens in January happens but hopefully it’s for all the right reasons financially and we can go again come Febuary1st and carry on the good work. Kro.
Reading are there for the taking dave, they’ve been no great shakes this season. Also, if we beat them, we’ll draw level on points. In fact, if we don’t hit the new year with at least another 6 or 7 points in the bag, it’ll be disappointing.
Might help with the direct link to petition rather than link to Blues Trust.
https://www.change.org/p/birmingham-international-holdings-limited-vote-against-the-re-election-of-peter-pannu-as-a-director-of-the-company
Takes you straight there.
A problem for this petition is that many supporters have signed another petition aimed at Football League and either believe they have signed this one or, have e-petition fatigue. It’s a shame there are two co-existing petitions. The Football League petition is a waste of time and will achieve nothing except a well-being feeling for the organiser and signatories (The Football League have already notified that it is looking into Pannu/Yeung/BIHL after Pannu’s comments, so this petition will add nothing). On the other hand, the BIHL/Pannu petition could have a real impact on this Club’s future if, as OP stated, the Shareholders/Board feel that Pannu is becoming a serious liability.
Sign and get as many other Blues supporters to sign, so that the Shareholders/Board will be left in no doubt as to the damage, that continuing to have Pannu as a Board member, will have for BIHL.
https://www.change.org/p/birmingham-international-holdings-limited-vote-against-the-re-election-of-peter-pannu-as-a-director-of-the-company
It was a very informative meeting and to be honest I think the low numbers actually benefited it. There was no ranting and raving, it was to the point! ..
I had attended the meeting planning to raise a few points on engagement with fans etc… However it didn’t feel like the right time, so I will attend the next one and raise some suggestions then.
just managed to raise a few pints
Mark & Julian. Remember this meeting & the last one was a SUPPORTERS meeting, not a Trust meeting. The Trust was approached to mearly host it. But I do think that if 1500 people have signed a petition put out by the trust when we only have 500 members is a great response!
I think the petition is a great idea to let bihl know how we feel about pp but we should have more signatures by now !!! so if you haven’t signed please sign now !!
Dan can you please put the link up again ?
I couldn’t go I’m in Brugge drinking Zot luverly jubbly
I never did like that Rt Hon. the Lord Hunt of Kings Heath OBE, he pinched my peanuts in The Cross Guns
I used to know the gaffer of the Cross Guns and his son, who’s name was Eddie. Is that you mate?
1500 signatures is very disappointing and sends out a couldn’t care less message to the board so please sign the petition.
Perhaps a link to the petition in the article would help.
It is linked in the article ;)
Sorry Dan, was viewing on my phone (Android – Chrome) and the hyperlink didn’t show on their. On my lunch at work now….petition signed!
:D
Deal is done, just fingers crossed it goes through now
we went to the meeting,and it was very interesting,with a lot of hard work going on,stinking weather,but whats new.