Often Partisan

Gossip Folks – Summer 2013 Edition Part 1

Today sees the official opening of the summer transfer window and with that comes all the speculation and rumour amongst the media of who will leave and who will join Birmingham City.

With this in mind, as I have done for the last three transfers I will be keeping track of which newspapers reported what to see who’s on the ball and what crazy rumours get printed. As always, I am only using rumours from reputable sources – clubcall, tribalfootball and the like are out – and I’ll keep them on a spreadsheet to be posted on here once a week.

The current spreadsheet looks like this currently; as you can see it’s a bit sparse. The hope is that as pre-season kicks back in we’ll hear more about players coming in now – for example I’ve heard rumours of a couple of players on trial but there isn’t much out there about them. There has been a rumour involving former Oldham Athletic player Jean-Yves Mvoto being on trial with Blues but there is very little information out there about it barring a snippet from a newspaper in Doncaster.

As for players going out; it almost seems certain that Nathan Redmond will go but the big question will be if the four players made available for free transfer are fixed up elsewhere. Nothing has been in the press about other clubs who are interested and it’ll be interesting to see if that changes over the coming months.

If you’ve seen something I’ve not spotted feel free to add it in the comments or email me with a link and I’ll stick it on the spreadsheet. I intend to update once a week between now and September 2 when the window closes.

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117 Responses to “Gossip Folks – Summer 2013 Edition Part 1”

  • tony says:

    Would the wages saving if Marlon,Hayden, Darren & Peter all went be enough to bring in £2m+ to make Nathan sale uneccessary?

  • JimBob says:

    I don’t know why but am feeling extremely positive about this coming season, with the two young centre backs coming in hopefully the re-singing of Ravel & Ferguson & wishful thinking I know but king staying I reckon we will be pushing for a play-off spot. P.S when do we get to see this seasons kit. KRO

  • Big Al says:

    I have read links that indicated Hull were interested in King and Shef Wed were interested in Ambrose. I’m afraid I can’t remember the source but both would’ve come via newsnow.co.uk.

    • Pete says:

      Ambrose for Sheff Wed maybe- but King to Hull no chance. A 33 yr old ex-felon who was accused of abusing a Hull girl when he was there before would not exactly go down well…..

    • almajir says:

      I will tell you straight there is no way Brucey would sign King. Absolutely no way.

    • skareggae72 says:

      I seem to remember Hull ‘sacking’ King when he was on loan there,so its probably unlikely as this would surely cause difficulties.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      I’m surprised Ipswich haven’t had a sniff at Ambrose, he made his name there after all. I doubt King would settle for anywhere lower than the championship… and why should he?

  • Francis 4 Bolton 0 says:

    Hi, new to forum.
    I’ve been a fan for 50 plus years but can’t get to games any more. I’m quite excited about the new season but have realistic expectations of narrowly avoiding relegation whilst hopefully remaining solvent. The coverage of the trial saga has been first class. What’s the latest on the attempt to secure ‘special status’ for St Andrews so it can’t be sold from under our feet?

  • andy says:

    I would be surprised if Birmingham offloaded any of those 3, very few clubs would want to sign King anyway, he’s not very popular with supporters around the country and most don’t want him playing for them do they? I like most, am gutted that we have to see our young players sold to keep the club afloat and not fulfil their potential with Birmingham but Lee Clark is doing an admiral job in difficult circumstances.

  • picckko says:

    Nathan Redmond is staying at Blues. Keep saying it enough and it might happen. No deal is done til it’s done and they’re just rumours at the moment. NATHAN REDMOND IS STAYING AT BLUES! Praying might also help. KRO. #eastmidsblues

  • Blueboy88 says:

    Almajir do you think Blues can afford Morrison’s & Ferguson’s wages (if they wanted to come back) without moving on the fab four first ?

  • kpg says:

    Sad they we will lose Nathan but he only has a Year left on his contract remember.
    Also from his position moving to a Premier League club progresses his career and will raise his income significantly.
    Good luck to him he has always shown full commitment.

    Chris Burke situation very quiet, after the interest from other club at the end of last season I would be surprised if it is not followed up in this window.

    Looking forward to the season, bring it on KRO

  • Oldbluenose says:

    At last the mystery about WHO is the left sided c/half is, — now solved, !!. — It is Burn, Mark Cooper sys in an article in the B/Mail, !!.

    • RichardM says:

      And Kyle Bartley from Arsenal/Swansea apparently on his way as well! Gives us 2 young, tall, promising centre-backs, but in a way it’s a shame becuase I would have preferred one and then given Will Packwood a chance to blossom (although not sure he’ll be fit for the start of the season).

      • Oldbluenose says:

        Richard mate;, Even if both the new guys actually do sign-up for us o-k, We will still have room for Robinson and Packwood, [ when fit again ], Injuies, bookings or even just cup appearances, !!.

        • Pete says:

          If they are the bees knees – we are just preparing them to go back. We are pimping somebody elses ride in order they make all their mistakes with us. I knwo it worked in the past to a degree but there was always the chance of buying Mumaba, etc. It was also worth blooding them when it was Butland etc- but to blood a player at the expense of stopping another of our youngsters getting a shot is not what I would like to see.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        Could be the new Johnson & Dann.

        • mark says:

          6″3 and 6″6 now that’s what I call man mountains lol with Zigic in there as well we could possibly have the tallest defense in the league……………………..lol

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Steady now… we wouldn’t want dogs mistaking them for lamposts would we? lol

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Come to think of it…. if we get another tall one, we could stand one in each corner of the pitch.. and … Barry??? =)

  • Tony says:

    Potato head will not sign King, whoever he does sign if anyone will end up playing full back anyhow he always does like Gardner.

  • Alex T says:

    So thats it then, Redmond on his way to Norwich…… joining the growing list of homegrown talent being sold on after only a year or 2 of service. Whats the point of being a fan if all you are watching are loanees and journeymen? Ok, there are a couple of academy players, but they will be sold on if they are half decent.

    Im sure i’ll get back into it all again (perhaps when my lad is old enough to go), but for now, thats it for me. I’ll not be renewing my ST for this year at the very least.

    GUTTED!

    • Pete says:

      I understand frustrations. But I am equally gutted about that level of support and sticking with the side whoever they are through thick and thin and joys and sorrows too.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Am I the only one not devastated by the sale of Redmond? If he wants to go to Norwich, fine. Good luck to him. As long as the club is still here. I’m looking forward to see who replaces him. I’d be far more upset if the likes of Reilly and Hancox went.

    • Alex T says:

      thats the point….. If they are proved to be any good this year, they will go!!

      • StaffsBlue says:

        Hopefully, the piss-pots running the club will be gone before then. Any businessman worth his salt knows that you don’t sell your assets if you want to be successful.

        • RichardM says:

          It’s more the piss-take price tag that Norwich have stolen him for that angers me the most. Pannu has demonstrated that he is completely out of his depth in this area (eg Butland for £3 mill when we could have got £6 mill earlier in the season).

          Butland has to be worth £4 million, AT LEAST, plus add-ons.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Selling Butland, Davies and Redmond, if we’d got reasonable prices, plus reasonable add-ons… we should have pocketted somewhere between £8-12m eventually.

    • chas says:

      Staffs, I am with you here. We have always sold off our Homegrown Talent(when we get any) the same as all other Clubs in our position. If his sale means the Club is OK, then that is all that matters.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        As much as we hero worship them, players come and players go. The club and the fans go on. There will probably be a new hero or two this season I bet.

  • Art Watson says:

    PP wants to get Burke ,King off the payroll.

    Redmond will be gone by the end of the week and the other two will follow soon.

    Meanwhile PP continues to bleed the club dry.

    The demolition continues!

  • StaffsBlue says:

    Thing is… if we’re not going to use the sale of players to raise money to keep going day-to-day, where are we going to get it from? Gate receipts? Doubt it. I think we just have to hang in there, support the manager and team and hope to have new owners by Xmas (fingers and toes crossed.)

    • dean edge says:

      “Gate reciepts” I here you say is it not about time the price of entry was made affordable to the common man.Football has become or is bocoming a rich mans sport its actually cheaper to have a round of golf than go to the match . I and many more have followed the Blues Home & Away for many many years sadly those days are over I for one will not subsidise the likes of Carson and his Gang of invisable men.
      Football clubs need to stop taking the preverbial wages need to be capped sky tv need to be F***ed Off the game needs to be returned to 3 O’clock Saturday afternoon untill then nothing will change return the game to the people who love it not those that wish to exploit it
      .
      I know its not really a response I just felt like a rant ( Shit day at work bla bla bla )

      Anyway keep the faith good things come to those who wait ( and i’m still waiting )

      K.R.O S.O.T.V

      • Peter says:

        It is cheaper there than under old owners and cheaper than last season. Excuses just why not to bother supporting the team from many so called fans.

      • Peter says:

        It is cheaper there than under old owners and cheaper than last season. Excuses just why not to bother supporting the team from many so called fans.

  • TracyKRO says:

    If you don’t want to renew your st or don’t buy anything it is your choice, but I will say this you don’t hear Pompey fans moaing after what they gone through, Coventry fans will still support there team when they play away this season, Blackburn fans don’t like their owners but still support at home, Wolves fed up with their owner still sold 9000 st at championship prices, We had no choice Carsons money has been frozen until there is change all we can do is support Clark and players LET THEM KNOW WE ARE THERE kro.

    • Mortonsblue says:

      Tracey, Pompey averaged 12k last year and Coventry 10k, Blackburn had lower crowds than us, we are the most expensive team to watch in the Midlands and have sold all the players worth watching its no wonder people are becoming disillusioned. Until their is some positive news about new owners the crowds will continue to dwindle, not everyone has blind faith like yourself, some of us have other interests as well. Sorry to say my £1200 will not be lining the pockets of Pannu this year.

      • TracyKRO says:

        That is totally up to you, has long has most fans who don’t watch the GAMES don’t make silly comments about the manager and players because you don’t know whats going on THE PITCH. We all what change at the top, We not doing a runner when times are bad.

        • Chris Walker says:

          The prices at BCFC are quite high compared to some clubs and purchasing a ST is more likely line Messer Pannu or BIHL than go towards team wages or rebuilding.
          Sadly Nathan Redmond, like the others before him, will be sold, if this board is to be trusted to keep the club solvent.
          Personally, I shall not renew my season ticket until new owners a sought,however, I shall be at every match home and away again this season.
          I shall not be shopping at the Blues shop this season and will try to get my new kit (depending on the style) direct from the wholesalers or manufacturers if possible.
          I have supported BCFC up and down the country for 50+ years seen the highs (Wembley 2010) to the lows of Division 3 (League one).
          Owners come and go but we, the supporters, will still be here.
          The only way to protest would be for a 100% boycott, that will NEVER happen, and the only sufferers would be the team.
          We can, unitedly, protest at games like the Blackburn supporters, or with peaceful marches before games, to make our feelings known.
          Though I have a good feeling for the coming season, I still believe we are only one game away from administration, which, in my opinion, would be a good thing and force the sale of the club.
          KRO

          • TracyKRO says:

            that’s fair comment Chris I was aiming at the other guys who don’t go really and put prices of other clubs further on

          • Chris Walker says:

            Sorry TracyKRO, that was not a comment aimed at you personally, as I am new I just wanted to make my point on your thread.
            Last season it cost me in excess of £3k to follow the team home and away, this season I have moved to Nottingham and though I have easier access to a majority of games I have put aside £4k mainly because I will not be renewing my season ticket, this is twofold, 1) I have 2 grandchildren who wish to follow the Blues but can’t make all the home games 2) I refuse to line the pockets of our Chinese/Hong Kong Contingents.
            As for some of the comments regarding the sale of BCFC, that will be determined by BIHL as they are the owners and HSBC who have first option on the ground due to monies loaned to BIHL.
            The Birmingham Trust have forwarded a motion to Birmingham City Council to have the ground protected as a centre for community enhancement and interest, if successful they will be given 6 months to put in an offer should the ground be up for sale by BIHL.
            Yes, we always have been a selling club and produced several world class players through our ranks, but, we have also been able to buy world class, though in the twilight of there careers, players to help these young starlets. John Roberts, Colin Todd, Frank Worthington and Tony Hately were such players who helped the likes of Trevor Francis, Bob Latchford and Matthew Upson to become England internationals.
            I now breaks my heart to see a young up and coming manager having to work miracles with freebees and loans from the lower leagues.
            I was one of the most vociferous on the mail pages last season towards Lee Clark but, towards the end of the season and by his own admission had learnt from his earlier mistakes and ould have been lucky enough to earn a play-off place.
            He could have walked away at the start of this season, but he has gone about the task in hand diligently and made some astute signings without moaning.
            I for one will be 100% behind him and the team from day one this term. If we are lucky with injuries and the new lads hit the ground running we should be in for an exciting season, first target to avoid relegation, that is every clubs aim, after that will be a bonus.
            KRO

      • TracyKRO says:

        Coventry and Pompey in league 1 as well what does that make us, Soilhull Moors is £160.00 ST and that’s non league lol

    • Pete says:

      Could not agree more Tracey. This club has no right whatsoever to say we have top supporters or are big if when after a year or so of selling players we all stop going and keeping behind the players. Mortons- you are right Portsmouth averaged out 12,000 with low away following going there and the fans GENUINELY not knowin if there would be a game the following week after 2 successive relegations.

      • Ali Duncan says:

        It still angers me that it (depending where you sit) is cheaper to have a season ticket at Villa Park than at Stans. Yes there are more games in the championship but I know what teams visiting Stans I would rather see. A ST in the North Stand lower is £370. Very good value you could argue.

        • TracyKRO says:

          I know it angers a lot of people with these prices but villa and albion probly can do cheaper because they are getting a huge sum from tv money, we are not if you think our prices are bad, take a look at Solihull Moors £160.00, Tamwoth £250, Kiddminster harriers £300 Walsall £400 these are aldults

          • Pete says:

            Also Ali, maybe they can afford to do this when they have decent crowds turning up. We had a reduction in when the new owners came in and everyone was happy….. All the current situation sees are people making excuses not to go. If they prefer the prices at Villa then they can bugger off to Villa then. I know fans are entitled to an opinion, but this is an excuse for many.

          • Ali Duncan says:

            A sad state of pricing in football in general Tracy.

  • dave mann says:

    ive noticed over the past3/4 years
    our home support as been not good
    enough, but away from home were
    magnificent, the diffrence is quite
    massive so stop moaning about
    redmond because ime not and get
    your backsides down st andrews. KRO.

  • AGBlue says:

    Trialist Matt Green looks “likely” to sign for Blues:
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23132357

    • StaffsBlue says:

      That one’s been mooted for about a month. All went quiet for a few weeks. Good to know it may be back on again. He’s well thought of.

  • Mortonsblue says:

    I would have rather lost Burke than Redmond, at least Redmond’s value will go up!

  • dave mann says:

    57 goals in 2 seasons at mansfield is impressive but thats non league, so give him a go
    and lets see if he can do it at championship level, nothing to loose to be honest.KRO.

    • Mortonsblue says:

      Look at the positives, if he does do it we will have someone to sell in January!

      • StaffsBlue says:

        The one thing that doesn’t change, whatever league you’re in… and that’s the back of the net. And he certainly seems to know where that is.

    • Pete says:

      Well I remember seeing a player from Rotherham 2 years ago and thinking why did we not go for him. Adam Le Fondre scored well in the prem last season….. Go for it.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        I remember thinking the same when he was at Rochdale. I can never understand why bigger teams never took a chance on him (no disrespect to Rottherham or Reading.) In the same way, I wondered why no one but Southampton went in for Ricky Lambert. There’s such a thing as looking a gift horse in the mouth.

        As for Matt Green, he’s told his manager if he doesn’t sign for Blues, he’ll stay with Mansfield. His manager expects him to leave, so..

  • dave mann says:

    lets hope by january were have new owners and we wont after sell anyone but ime not
    being to optemistic.kro.

  • dave mann says:

    trouble is st andrews has always seem to be a strikers graveyard, score goals previously
    come to blues couldnt hit a barn door, so lets hope he does no where the back of the net is
    and not the back of the stand.KRO.

  • Tony says:

    Have mentioned before all this hysteria concerning Redmond is misplaced, he shows promise but is a long ,long way from the finished article. People talk as if he is the next Francis errrrr hes not and never will, be hes a million miles away sorry but there you have it.

    • Alex T says:

      he is the best thing to come out of the Blues youth SINCE Trev, so why belittle him? Also, Trev had 9 years with us, Redmond only 2, so how come you cant even consider he may be in the same ball part??

  • JohnBond says:

    Matt Green could be a good signing probably sell him come January get 2million for him.. When Redmond goes what happens then?? We just let Zigic and Pannu milk the club dry until we go into administration? There’s no one else to sell

  • Tony says:

    Staffs do you remember a striker from Man city many years ago Alex Harley, he was scoring goals for fun loads of em then he joined us the goals dried up big time
    He ended up playing for a pub team up the town.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      A bit before my time Tony. 1969 was my first season. But the same happened with Robbie Blake. He was a cracking player before he came to us… but to be fair, he never got a fair crack of the whip imo.

    • chas says:

      He broke the Goal scoring record at every Club that he played for, prior to joining us. He was the fastest Player I had seen at Blues , like shit off a shovel, so what did our Players do ? Played the ball to his head.He couldn’t head a ball to save his life..It wasn’t ALL his fault that he failed, your Team mates have to help you out.

      • StaffsBlue says:

        They always say that, a striker is only as good as the service he gets. Some truth in that!

        • chas says:

          I can see in my minds eye the day he made his debut, Staffs. The Blokes were swooning, never mind the Women. Looked like a Greek God, all tanned and shiny(Men didn’t tan in those days ;-)). He took Harris’ place , who was very popular with the other Players, so…..

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Wasn’t there a guy at Everton like that? Young was his name?

          • chas says:

            Young was very good, but a different type of player. He was slimmer and blonde..I think the Everton Fans called him The Ghost or summat.

            If you saw Barry Bridges, Just add on a couple of stone and you get Harley. Both very fast and could score goals.

          • StaffsBlue says:

            Bridges was brilliant. I saw him demolish the Villa at Vile Park one afternoon.

            Just looked it up. Everton fans nicknamed Young, The Golden Vision.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    I’m glad someone else feels the same about Redmond. Imho, he’s still not fullfilled the promise he showed in his first season. He has to learn to do it week-in, week-out. He’s certainly never shown that level of consistency. It’s mooted now that we’ll get just over £3m for him. Better than £2m.

    • Blueboy88 says:

      He is 19 years old …!!!

      Improving & learning his trade , starring with the England U21.
      Just the sort of young talent we should be encouraging & building
      The club around.

      This is a sad day for the Blues.

  • TracyKRO says:

    I feel the same aswell. Might be a great player in years to come hope there is a sell on clause KRO

  • KeeprightCroydON says:

    I picked up this link from the B’ham City Fans Forum, so dare say you’ve seen it too Al
    http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23132357

  • KeepRightcroydOn says:

    Some comments above saying (hoping?) we’ll have new owners by Jan and be able to hold on to youngsters like Riley and Hancox. I’m not so sure because I think these piss pot owners intend to hang on as long as they possibly can. They invite bids for the club to appease fans, but have absolutely no intention of selling. All they do is string interested parties along for as long as they possibly can until they lose patience and interest. The only way they will be forced to sell the club is if CY is found guilty and loses the appeal, which he will surely make. And all that is going to take a long time, so don’t expect a sale of the club before next summer. Do expect more player sales to help them hang on as long as they possibly can.

  • StaffsBlue says:

    KRO, if we don’t have hope, what else have we got left. I’d prefer to be optimistic. The life of a Bluenose ain’t perfect mate… but I wouldn’t support anyone else. It’s still the best there is. KRO.

  • Tony says:

    Robbie Blake was a good player very good on the ball, not a great goalscorer but good player.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      He scored regularly enough throughout his career. Trouble was, after he joined us, he was used more as a substitute, even at Bolton (I see they released him this summer.) I liked Blake, liked his movement on the ball. Shame he wasn’t given much of a chance at Blues.

  • Richard Granfield says:

    It’s noticable how Bluenoses have reacted to the latest star (Redmond’s) proposed transfer.
    By and large we are resigned to it as so many stars have left previously…….Johnson, Dann, Larsson, Gardner, Ridgewell, Ferguson, Jerome, Foster, Beausejour, Phillips, Mutch, Butland and Davies.
    I haven’t quantified the total incoming transfer fees for these 13/14 players, but it must be approaching £40 million.
    Ironically this is the amount CY said he would invest in Blues when he took control. Who would have thought that the club has given CY £40m instead of receiving £40m!!!

  • Tony says:

    Dan do you know how much we pay in wages in a year?.

  • Stephen says:

    Zavon Hines has been released by Bradford, maybe worth giving him a trial. He was lightning when he came through at west ham, similar player to Redmond and could be an adequate replacement and I wouldn’t have thought wages would be an issue.

  • Stephen says:

    Although i wanted Redmond to stay the one positive is that Koby Arthur should get more game time this year and could be a bigger prospect than Redmond if he’s nurtured correctly.

    • mark says:

      stephen- imo koby Arthur can play anywhere across the middle, can play off both feet, and can produce the killer ball. Yes i believe koby could be a bigger prospect than redmond. It will be very interesting to see how much game time Clark will give the lad…………… I would like to see more younger players taking their opportunity now that Clark has thrown down the challenge to them……..
      i believe exciting times are returning on the footballing side…………. tbh that where most fans want to see the most change ………..a vibrant young team, defence 100% better, attacking high tempo football, homegrown players fighting for their shirt……… what more can a bluenose fan ask for………………our journey starts here…………..bring it on kro……

      • stephen says:

        Completely agree mate, i just think his best opportunities are going to come wide left and wide right, he might be 17 but if your good enough your old enough as they say and hopefully if we get Ferguson in again then Coby Arthur will get opportunities as back up on both flanks which I’m looking forward to.

        Bought my 2 season tickets in the Tiltin last week so cant wait for opening day because it should be exciting at both ends of the pitch with having nearly a whole new defence.

        What the lads will lack in experience they will hopefully eclipse with youthful exuberance, pace, energy, excitement and the sheer bloody will to prove that they can cut it. Win, Lose or Draw, these lads need our support so i’ll be their singing the blues.

        Bring on Watford.

    • StaffsBlue says:

      If Green does sign today, that leaves just two positions left to fill… left midfield and defensive centre midfield, unless he intends using Adeyemi or Reilly in that role.


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