Almajir posted this blog today on Often Partisan. I have expressed my support to what he is trying to achieve. Please read it and consider your support too. This would be a much better approach than waving signs and burning shirts!
Kev
So, the news broke. Blues are officially in the toilet financially, and whilst administration hasn’t been discussed by the board (and I’m told is not in the equation in the medium term), it’s going to be a bit of a firesale at St Andrews.
Naturally, this has caused much anger, worry and bitterness amongst Blues fans, and I don’t think it’s inconsequential that the number of people looking to protest against the board and the owners has risen rapidly today. I’ve been quite vocal about my opposition to the idea of direct action against the board, and with the new information that has come into the public domain I thought it was time I offered an alternative.
Unlike many football clubs in the league, Birmingham City does not have a singular umbrella organisation for their supporters groups to congregate under. There’s a fair few supporters groups out there for Blues; most based on geographical location but some flourishing via the wonders of the internet. However, what Birmingham City does not have is a “Supporters Trust”.
A Supporters Trust is an organisation built by fans on democratic principles to give themselves a legitimate voice in the running of their club. Birmingham City have in the last twelve months been active in helping the supporters clubs grow and become an active part of the club itself, but an umbrella organisation is needed so that when times are hard, there is a focal point for people to rally behind. It also can do things like buy shares in a football club – which then give fans a real say in how it is run; get fans appointed to board room level to ensure that the club doesn’t lose touch with it’s fanbase, and most importantly give a united voice which can influence media reporting on the fans.
It’s not like it’s hard to start either. Supporters Direct is an Industrial and Provident Society (ie not for profit) set up by the Government to help build supporters trusts and to make sports more accountable and democratic with respect to the fans. Their website gives a useful handbook in how to set up a supporters trust of your own for your club. Instead of shouting platitudes whilst holding placards, this is a chance to actually do something that the club – and more importantly, the owners – cannot ignore.
It’s something that is going to take commitment, and I will state here and now that if fans want to be involved I will offer my help in setting this up. I have no desire to be the public face of Birmingham City fans whatsoever, but I do have the desire to do something to give the long suffering Blues supporters a proper outlet to vent their frustrations, and to help build a dialogue with the club. I’d also say here and now that my personal opinion is that the aim of the Supporters Trust should not be to force Carson out; but to build a better dialogue between the board and the fans; to force the board to be more open and accountable in their dealings and to take a stake (as in shareholding) in the club. I understand the high feelings regarding Mr Yeung et al, but without a financial white knight on the horizon we’re going to have to deal with what we have and it’s better we work together to make things right than pull the club apart.
If people would like to get involved, please email me – almajir@oftenpartisan.co.uk – and hopefully we can get the ball rolling. If Blues fans are going to push for a better club, we have to do it in a proper way, and use the system that is set up. Together, we can do it.
Very much behind this, will do all I can to help.
One of the more practical and positive suggestions.
I have contacted Almajir to offer my support.
I think that this is a splendid idea. Who knows, Birmingham City could become the UK’s Barcelona! (at least that could be a long term aspiration).
Good idea but it’s some way off – eventually, this may be the only way we save the club. But for now, we need direct action against Pannu and the Yeungs – they are at the very least incompetent and we’ll be out of the Premiership / Championship for years if we let them carry on. We need to be very clear that we are behind Chris H., the players and the team. I will be keeping my season ticket going but letting Pannu know I want him and his style of management out. There’s is absolutely no respect for the fans from Pannu or the Yeungs.
Count me in too, will do whatever I can from afar.
as a supporter since 1946 I fully support and appreciate your efforts as you have so expertly explained, I am a season ticket holder on the club class area on the Kop KRO