Birmingham City: Out of the Frying Pan...

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NeverChosenOne

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Hey, this is my first story in a few years. Been wanting to do one for ages but just couldn't get into a save properly.

I will be taking over as Birmingham City boss, using a custom database that plunges the club into ?400m+ of debt. I don't know whether Carson Yeung will sell the club, whether anyone will want to buy us, or if administration will make my job harder.

Next update: Clark Walks.
 
View attachment 566260

Birmingham: Clark Walks!

View attachment 390181

Birmingham's pre-season has been thrown into complete disarray following
the departure of manager Lee Clark and his backroom staff.


Clark is believed to have been frustrated by owner Carson Yeung's financial mismanag-
ement, which has thrust the Championship outfit dangerously close to administration.
With the club's coffers entirely empty, and Yeung possibly facing jail time, it is unknown
who- if anyone- the club can afford to bring in to oversee their upcoming Championship
campaign.
 
View attachment 566322

Birmingham City Appoint Youth Man!
14th June 2013

View attachment 390155

Birmingham have wasted no time replacing Lee Clark,
with director Michael Wiseman confirming the arrival
of former freelance youth coach Mikey Hindle as mana-
ger on a one year deal.

Hindle, 21, has worked with many of the country's top
managers, including David Moyes and Jose Mourinho. He is
also cheap- a must for the club according to Wiseman.

"He impressed us with his knowledge of the Football League,
it's players and coaches, and his achievements with some of
the world's best youth players." explained Wiseman.

Hindle seemed calm and collected as he told the media of his
desire to keep the club afloat without sacrificing it's players or
Championship status.

"We are not in administration here, and we don't need to sell
the first-team at reduced value despite the dire state of things.
We're not in a position to buy anyone currently, but if we need
to shore things up anywhere then my contacts should be adequate
to succeed in the loan market."

Hindle is joined by close friends Ian McLeod (assistant), John Paul
Parry (HoYD) and Geoff Massey (Head Scout).

__________________________________________________
 
View attachment 566366

Two Out, One In for Blues.
1st August 2013

View attachment 390142

Birmingham have confirmed the departure
of skipper Paul Robinson and hot prospect
Koby Arthur, along with the arrival of Man
Utd winger Jesse Lingard on loan for three
months.

Robinson, 34, has joined Huddersfield for an un-
disclosed fee- believed to be just over six figures-
while Arthur, just 17, has joined Everton for around
?1m.

"We didn't want to sell either, but offers above the
market value don't come along often enough for
a club in our position for us to be too stubborn."
manager Mikey Hindle told Sky Sports.

The blow of losing the duo was softened slightly
by the arrival of young winger Lingard, 20, whom
has worked with Hindle before.

"He was doing some work for the FA and I spent
some time with him, along with some other English
youngsters. I got on well with him and I think he'll
achieve something here- I'd love to be a part of that."
Lingard said upon arriving in Birmingham.

The club are rumoured to in talks with eccentric,
Canada-based millionaire Eddie Mitchell, who is
looking to buy a football club in England following
early retirement from the pharmaceutical business.


________________________________________
 
As a Birmingham fan I shall be taking huge interest in this story, keep it up!
 
View attachment 566391

Match Day Live:
Brighton 3
Birmingham 3

View attachment 390113

Text Update Filter: Key Moments

16:22 Will Buckley has the ball in the net
following Lopez's mishit, but the linesman
has his flag raised.

28:47 GOAL! Following some good build up
play by the Blues, Chris Burke heads it in
from Lee Novak's cross.

43:50 GOAL! It's 2-0 just before half-time
as Peter Lovenkrands' corner is nodded in
by centre-back Dan Burn.

49:12 SAVE! Darren Randolph is the hero
for Birmingham; producing a wonderful
save to deny the tenacious Leonardo Ulloa.

51:45 GOAL! Just minutes after being denied,
Ulloa scores from a tight angle after a great
run by Lopez.

59:35 GOAL! 3-1 to the Blues, thanks to some
poor keeping and alert attacking. Tomasz
Kuszczak underhit his clearence from the edge
of the area and Nikola Zigic did well to score
from 40 yards.

60:31 GOAL! 3-2! Harry Kane is on hand to tap
the ball in from six yards after Randolph could
only parry Ulloa's curling effort.

66:05 GOAL! 3-3! Unbelievable stuff, Ulloa on
hand to tap in this time from a great cross by
Lopez. What a game!


_______________________________
 
View attachment 566483

Birmingham on the Brink, Takeover Collapses.
9th August 2013

View attachment 390081

Birmingham City may enter administration after
the proposed takeover by Eddie Mitchell fell apart.

Director Michael Wiseman confirmed via Twitter
this morning that the takeover talks had ceased
with no agreement made, meaning unreliable
owner Carson Yeung remains in charge.

Manager Mikey Hindle vowed to continue doing
his job despite the distraction.

"Obviously it's resting heavily on us all, the threat
of administration. But we've got to push on, get
as many points as we can, and just hope that some-
thing can be arranged to see the club remains past
the season."

"I'll continue my job, and I know the players will
continue theirs."

_____________________________________
 
View attachment 566524

Birmingham Docked Points.
13th August 2013

View attachment 390058

Birmingham City will enter a crucial
second half of August with a 10 point
deduction after slipping into adminis-
tration.

The cash-strapped side will now have to sell
players or be successfully taken over to
stay above water.

"The takeover failure earlier in the month
left us with no other option, and we as a
board are genuinely and wholeheartedly
sorry. We apologise to every fan, player
and member of staff at this club." said
director Michael Wiseman.

Manager Mikey Hindle attempted to remain
upbeat.

"Two solid performances in the Championship
mean this deduction doesn't look as scary as it
could- and although we're bottom now, it
will only some more good grafting to get us
where we need to be."

There is no current news on any interested
takeover parties.

_________________________________
 
View attachment 566680

Birmingham: August in Review.
1st September 2013
View attachment 389991

It's been an odd month for the Blues; with
everything going so well on it, yet falling apart
off it.

Working with a skeleton staff, unhappy players
and administration, Birmingham have amassed an
impressive five wins and a draw to keep fans
hopeful despite the financial strife.

Brighton 3:3 Birmingham
 Burke
Burn
Zigic


It all started with this action packed draw, which
showed Blues fans that they could hold their own
in the Championship despite not having a proper
pre-season or any money to spend.

Birmingham 5:3 Bristol Rovers
Novak
Smith OG
Lingard
Mullins

Alarming defensive apathy aside, and a crucial
first win- at home no less- for Mikey Hindle. A
solid performance from the midfield up and
five goals for the fans to enjoy.

Birmingham 4:2 Burnley
Mullins
Novak
Burke
Lingard

More defensive ineptitude completely forgotten
beneath another blitz of attacking mastery. Burnley
actually lead one-nil at half-time but Chris Burke
went on record to say Hindle's half-time talk made
all the difference.

Leicester 2:3 Birmingham
Burke 2
Spector

Birmingham continued to score goal after goal in
yet another thriller. Leicester were, in truth, lucky
to score two goals but their was very little luck
involved in a match that Chris Burke shone in.
Whispers of a move to a Premiership team will
not die as long as he continues to shine.

Birmingham 3:2 Watford
Bartley
Zigic
O'Nien OG
Bartley S/off

What made this win for Birmingham- which took them
to 0 points in the table- is that they managed for nearly
half an hour with 10 men, following Kyle Bartley's horror
tackle. He'd done well up until that moment, even scoring
the opener as Birmingham made it three Championship
wins in a row.

Birmingham 2:0 Bristol City
Green
Hales

After dumping out Rovers in the last round, Bristol City
were the next team to face the wrath of Birmingham. This
was the soundest defensive performance of the season, with
second choice keeper Colin Doyle making several smart saves.
Teenage striker Reece Hales proved he was one for the future
with a calm finish in the second half to secure the victory.

Birmingham 0:1 Millwall

The only blip in an otherwise solid month, the Blues fell asleep
once in 90 minutes and had to pay the price. Some positives
will have been taken despite the result keeping them bottom.


______________________________________________



 
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Hindle: A Positive Start.
3rd September 2013

View attachment 389975

Birmingham boss Mikey Hindle told
Sky Sports how he's feeling after
his first month in charge, and gets
his opinion on the drama happening
off the field at St. Andrew's.

"Obviously I wasn't expecting us to
be bottom. None of us were preparing
for a point deduction because we were
expecting the takeover to happen."

"That was careless, we saw it as a done
deal and in football there are so few done
deals. I think it gave us a reality shock that
thankfully didn't knock us off our stride."

Hindle, who came third in the Manager of
the Month, has settled well into life as a
professional football manager after three
years as the youngest freelance youth
coach in the country.

"It's different, but I think I've managed
to juxtapose the basics from one to anot-
her quite well. Youth coaching, at the level
I was at, teaches you to build a good squad
for very little money."

But how does Hindle feel about the Carson
Yeung saga?

"Well I found out this morning that he now
can't sack me... so... I don't know how to put
it."

"He gave me a job. I'll always be grateful for
that. But whether I was wise to believe him
or not; he lied. He told me the takeover was
a glass of champagne away from completion."

Did he consider walking away following it's
collapse?

"No. Not even for one second."


_______________________________


 
View attachment 566808

Big Zig Eyes Bosman Exit.
13th September 2013

View attachment 389969

Nikola Zigic's agent has confirmed
that, following an less than positive
chat with manager Mikey Hindle the
lanky hitman will be leaving on a
Bosman.

Zigic, 32, earns a whopping ?60k
a week at St. Andrew's and despite
being a popular figure, the striker's
departure will surely please fans
from a financial point of view.

Manager Mikey Hindle believes
Zigic is doing what is best for his
family, and holds no grudge despite
their fallout.

"Words were exchanged. Things were
said. In the cold light of day I think
we'll both feel regret. The bottom line is;
Nik wants to leave."

"Even were we in a position to try and
stop him, I'd baulk at ?60k in this league."

With the club having only two other out
and out strikers in the squad- Lee Novak
and teenager Reece Hales- Zigic should
still be first-choice for the right forward
position.

In other news, Blues fans will be fuming
following the news that Charlton's take-
over is proceeding well.

____________________________

 
View attachment 566905

Birmingham: September in Review.
1st October 2013

View attachment 389934


Blackburn 1:2 Birmingham (Championship)
Lingard
Zigic

A great start to the month, with wantaway
striker Nikola Zigic showing off his talents
to potential suitors and Jesse Lingard
shining after replacing Peter Lovenkrands
in the first half. Early indications suggest
Lovenkrands will miss at least this month.

Sheff Wed 0:4 Birmingham (Championship)
Burke
Burn
Zigic 2

There was certainly no conflict of interests,
as Sheffield born manager Mikey Hindle
watched his team run riot over the club
who have now replaced them at the foot
of the table. Zigic shone once more, with
early season star Chris Burke once again
chipping in.

Birmingham 0:0 Reading (Championship)
A second clean sheet in a row went some
way to making up for the two dropped points
in a match that the Blues dominated. Lee
Novak, Jesse Lingard and Wade Elliot all had
efforts on goal but none could claim the winner
for the Birmingham, despite this they are now
out of the relegation zone.

Huddersfield 4:2 Birmingham (Capital One Cup)
Lingard
Green

Despite racing into an early two-goal lead,
Birmingham exited the League Cup in slightly
embarrassing fashion. Three goals in fifteen
second half minutes condemned the Blues
to only their second loss of the season, and
ended the hope of a decent run in the comp-
etition easing their financial woe.

QPR 1:0 Birmingham (Championship)

Consecutive defeats will certainly make for
bleak reading, but with only the three in nine
games; it isn't as bad as it looks. Frustratingly
for Darren Randolph, who's had mayonnaise on
his gloves for most of the season so far, his
best game of late somehow ended without a
clean sheet or a point.


_________________________________
 
As a Bluenose I will definitely be following....looking forward to the next update
 
View attachment 567018

Lingard Oath as Blues Leave Administration.
13th October 2013

View attachment 389897


Birmingham City have confirmed they are no
longer in administration, meaning they can
finally plan properly for surviving in the
Championship.

Director Michael Wiseman, who has become the
main voice of the Blues' board this season, told
Sky Sports that it had been tough raising the
funds needed to pay the PFA what was owed,
and stressed that they were still heavily under
the required FFP total.

There was more good news to come, however,
as manager Mikey Hindle used his new powers
in the transfer market to arrange an extension
on Jesse Lingard's loan deal. The winger said
he was delighted to continue.

"I've grown very attached to this club, in my
short time here. I really feel like we can achieve
something despite the problems, I felt that when
I arrived and I still feel it now."

Hindle was equally as positive as Lingard.

"Jes has been an absolute revelation for us,
and the fans completely adore him. I asked him
if he felt he'd rather find a club more stable and
he said no. If he has one defining quality, above
all the others, it's that he's so determined to
finish what he starts."

No further news has come from the Blues, but
rumours of a new takeover plan are taking over
the fan forums.


______________________________________
 
View attachment 567031

Hindle on Alert as Kean Leaves Rovers.
19th October 2013

View attachment 389891


Birmingham boss Mikey Hindle has
confirmed that he has met with keeper
Jake Kean, following the player's bitter
exit from Lancashire club Blackburn.

Kean, 22, was unhappy at being usurped
by veteran Paul Robinson and following
a training ground bust up with boss Gary
Bowyer asked for his contract to be
terminated.

Hindle had originally not wanted to make
any signings, with the club financially
withered, but admitted the prospect of
signing Kean sans a transfer fee was too
tempting to pass on.

"Any manager in this league would do
the same. Jake is an amazing player,
and it's no secret that I'd wanted a
keeper to come in before the money
disappeared."

"Funnily enough, it was Jake we were
looking at, but obviously at the time
we expected to have to swap a player
and maybe even pay some money for
him."

In other club news, Hindle confirmed
the arrival of Jon Cooke (Head Physio),
Louise Fawcett (Physio), Nigel Spink
(GK Coach), Jonathan Dalzell (Fitness
Coach) and Billy Stewart (coach) to the
club.


____________________________
 
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View attachment 567054

Consortium to Banish the Blues.
24th October 2013

View attachment 389883

Birmingham are subject to a takeover
bid, possibly lead by former player Geoff
Horsfield, according to Sky Sports sources.

The consortium, which held meetings with both
Carson Yeung and Michael Wiseman last week,
is believed to be backed by several very influential
entrepreneurs.

Neither Yeung nor Wiseman has been available
to comment, and manager Mikey Hindle was
keen to leave the backroom stuff firmly in the
hands of those within it.

"I only care about getting as many points as we
possibly can. I've heard all the same rumours as
you have, but although me and Michael get on
very well, he'll be under orders from Carson not
to tell anybody anything."

"We could have new owners by Christmas, but
that isn't really a priority to me. In my eyes, we
could easily be in the top half of the table by
then and that is what I'm concerned with."

Hindle declined to comment on whether any
agreement had been sorted between the club
and former Blackburn keeper Jake Kean.


______________________________________
 
View attachment 567074

Birmingham: October in Review.
1st November 2013

View attachment 389878

A great month for Birmingham, both off and on
the field, saw them break even and break into
the top half of the table.

With the finances stabilised and the goals flying
in from all angles, it's certainly been a morale
boosting time at St. Andrew's.

Birmingham 3:1 Bournemouth (Championship)
Zigic 2
Elphick OG

A great way to start the month, bouncing back
perfectly from the defeat to QPR with an organ-
ised victory over Bournemouth. It was here that
Nikola Zigic started off a month that must rank
very highly in his entire career, the brace was
a sign of things to come.

Birmingham 4:0 Doncaster (Championship)
Zigic 3
Lingard

Doncaster being reduced to ten men proved to
be the turning point in a nervy affair. Despite
the scoreline, this wasn't a hammering for the
Yorkshire side- who were looking a pretty decent
point before the red card ruined their day.

Birmingham 2:2 Wigan (Championship)
Zigic 2

Wigan may be high in the table and playing well,
but this truly was two dropped points for the
blues. Two-nil up- again- before a collapse that
is starting to look all too familiar. Darren Randolph
ended the match as the subject of fan chants that
were none too complimentary.

Middlesbrough 1:4 Birmingham (Championship)
Lingard
Bartley
Zigic
Lovenkrands

Jesse Lingard celebrated his loan extension with
a performance worthy of the Premier League, while
Nikola Zigic rounded off an amazing month with his
EIGHTH goal in just four games. Unlike the luck that
helped the Blues topple Doncaster, this was a perfect
performance that will have delighted the away fans.


________________________________________
 
View attachment 567088

Blues Pair Nab Awards.
2nd November 2013

View attachment 389874

Birmingham boss Mikey Hindle and striker
Nikola Zigic patched have officially patched
up their differences, after collecting the
Manager and Player of the Month awards
together.

Hindle, 21, and Zigic, 33, both looked
delighted as they took their awards and
shook hands at the club's training ground.
Hindle went on to tell the media gathering
that the pair were now back on good terms.

"He's a good guy, and I know what he said,
as with what I said, was all done in the heat
of a pretty bad moment for both of us. We
swapped apologies the other day and now
we can concentrate on making his last months
as a Blue as productive as possible."

Zigic is top scorer, both for the club and in the
Championship overall, with 13 goals in 16 games
this season.

Meanwhile, former Blues striker Geoff Horsfield
has seemingly been ruled out the group planning
to take over the club, after signing up as manager
of the youth team.


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