Birmingham City

Birmingham City
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce has defended his decision not to allow Blackburn's Robbie Savage to return and play against his old club on Saturday. Blackburn boss Mark Hughes hoped Bruce would change a gentleman's agreement set up between the sides when Savage contentiously moved clubs in January. But Bruce said: "We had an agreement, although the first I knew about it was when he gave me a call. "Why should we agree to change anything if that was what was in place?" As well an apparent gentlemen's agreement between Birmingham and Blackburn, City managing director Karren Brady claimed there was the safety aspect to consider. The Wales international midfielder's decision to quit the Blues had angered many fans who understandably were preparing a hostile reception. Bruce added: "If you want to get figures and ask Karren what the extra police bill and all the rest of it would have been, we were quoted somewhere in the region of £50,000 extra if he had played. "Now, if that's not a safety issue..." But Hughes believes Birmingham's decision was far from a security issue. "They didn't want Robbie Savage to play," said Hughes after Birmingham's 2-1 win. "They said it was a security issue, but it was a footballing one. "I phoned Steve (Bruce) and asked him about playing Robbie, but he didn't want him to. "It would've been an opportunity to put everything behind both clubs."

Birmingham 2-1 Arsenal
Emile Heskey scored a late winner as Birmingham defeated a below-par Arsenal at St Andrews. Walter Pandiani gave Birmingham the lead on 79 minutes, poking home after a goal-mouth scramble. But Dennis Bergkamp, playing in perhaps his final Premiership game, latched on to a cute Patrick Vieira through-ball to level things with two minutes to go. However, Heskey sealed things for the home side a minute later, pouncing on a long-ball to slam the ball home. Birmingham had more of the possession in the opening quarter while the visitors struggled to find their rhythm. After 17 minutes, Pandiani shrugged off Philippe Senderos and cut the ball back to Stephen Clemence who sidefooted over. And two minutes later Pandiani had a header blocked by Ashley Cole from Darren Carter's cross. Arsenal's best chance of the first half came just before the break when Robin van Persie diverted a Kolo Toure cross straight at Blues keeper Maik Taylor. Van Persie came close again shortly after the restart, bending a left-footed free-kick just over the bar. And Bergkamp squandered a good chance after Van Persie had put him through, nudging just wide of the goal. Bergkamp then shot straight at Taylor before almost setting up Van Persie but the young Dutchman could not bring the ball under control. Clinton Morrison, on for the injured Carter, was foiled by Jens Lehmann on 67 minutes after being released by Pandiani. And two minutes later Jeremie Aliadiere had his shot saved by Taylor after Sol Campbell's neat through-ball. Toure came close to scoring on 75 minutes, crashing a right-foot shot on to the base of Taylor's upright. But it was Pandiani who broke the deadlock 11 minutes from the end, the Italian scoring from close range after a melee in the Arsenal area. Bergkamp levelled things just before the end after an exquisite ball by Vieira but Heskey crashed home his 11th of the season to seal it for the Blues. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Birmingham: Maik Taylor, Melchiot (Tebily 78), Cunningham, Upson, Clapham, Pennant, Nafti, Carter (Morrison 62), Clemence, Pandiani (Martin Taylor 90), Heskey. Subs Not Used: Blake, Vaesen. Booked: Pandiani. Goals: Pandiani 80, Heskey 90. Arsenal: Lehmann, Toure, Senderos, Campbell, Cole, Fabregas (Flamini 75), Silva, Vieira, Ljungberg (Edu 68), Bergkamp, Van Persie (Aliadiere 68). Subs Not Used: Almunia, Eboue. Goals: Bergkamp 88. Att: 29,302 Ref: D Gallagher (Oxfordshire).

Pandiani keen for Birmingham stay
Walter Pandiani has told Birmingham he would like to stay at the club if they can agree a fee to sign him. Pandiani is on loan from Deportivo la Coruna and the Blues are believed to be ready to offer £1.5m and double that based on appearances. "This idea that I have in my mind is to stay here in Birmingham," said the 29-year-old Uruguayan striker. "My agent isn't listening to any other offers from England because I am very happy with the set-up here." Pandiani is a favourite on the St Andrews terraces and has scored four goals in 14 outings for the Midlands club. "I am in tune with the manager and I like it here. I don't think the terms of my contract will be a problem," he added. "It is really between the two clubs now. It is up to them to talk and I am not entirely sure what Deportivo are asking for. "That is out of my hands but I want to stay here and the fans have been fantastic since I first came to the club. "I want to stay in England with Birmingham City and that is my preferred choice."

Birmingham City boss buys FA Cup
The oldest surviving FA Cup, auctioned for a record-breaking £478,000, was bought by the millionaire chairman of Birmingham City FC, David Gold. He made the successful bid by telephone on Thursday, but his identity was not revealed at the time. Mr Gold, 68, who owns lingerie chain Ann Summers, said he bought the item to stop it going overseas. "The Germans might have won more World Cups than us but I couldn't stand by and let them win the FA Cup as well." The trophy, one of four produced for the FA Cup competition since it began in 1871, is the only one to have come up for sale. "This is surely one of the country's most important items of sporting heritage and seemingly no-one was prepared to do anything about keeping the cup in the country," Mr Gold said. The cup is the most expensive piece of sporting memorabilia "Neither the government nor the governing body of football seemed prepared to do anything proactive about it, which I think is outrageous, so I felt compelled to do something myself." Mr Gold, 68, said he had bought the trophy on "behalf of the nation's football fans" and it will be displayed at St Andrew's stadium throughout next season. "I was in the lucky position of being able to preserve a historic piece of British sporting memorabilia," Mr Gold said, adding that he wanted to give football fans the chance to see "this beautiful and historic piece of silverware for themselves". Record breaker The sale, at Christie's in London, beat the previous record of £254,000, paid for the Jules Rimet World Cup in 1997. A premium took the actual price of the silver cup, presented to winning teams from 1896 to 1910, from £420,000 to £478,400. The trophy was made as a replacement for the first cup, which was stolen from a shop window and is thought to have been melted down. It was replaced by the FA in 1909 after holders Manchester United made a replica and the body realised it did not own the copyright. The obsolete cup was then given to Lord Kinnaird to mark his presidency of the FA for more than two decades.

Baggies join in chase for Johnson
West Brom have offered £2m plus Robert Earnshaw for Crystal Palace striker Andy Johnson, according to reports. Palace chairman Simon Jordan is understood to have rejected the offer from the Baggies, one of a number of clubs interested in the 24-year-old. Birmingham chairman David Gold admitted on Thursday that his club would like to re-sign Johnson. Johnson has insisted that he will stay with Palace, despite the club being relegated from the Premiership. West Brom narrowly avoided relegation and chairman Jeremy Peace has pledged to strengthen the squad, saying he envisages about five players coming in. Gold admitted that he has yet to talk to manager Steve Bruce about Johnson but said the name would "crop up in conversation like any other top striker". Johnson joined Palace from Birmingham three years ago as part of the deal to sign Clinton Morrison.

Jordan faces Blues legal threat
Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has threatened to sue Crystal Palace's Simon Jordan over a verbal attack on Blues chief executive Karren Brady. Eagles chairman Jordan is reported to have insulted Brady over a bid made for Palace striker Andy Johnson. "We will be putting it in the hands of our solicitors and libel experts," Sullivan told The Sun newspaper. "I don't know why Jordan wants to keep saying these things. He seems to have criticised almost all in football." Fellow Birmingham co-owner David Gold added: "He's carrying a bitter grudge and is acting like a man who's had an argument with his wife and taking 10 years to get over it." Jordan fell out with current Birmingham manager Steve Bruce when he quit Selhurst Park to take over at St Andrews.

Premiership pair chasing Smicer
Liverpool midfielder Vladimir Smicer says he has had offers from Charlton and Birmingham after being told he would be allowed to leave Anfield. Smicer, 32, celebrated winning the Champions League with Liverpool last week but is now out of contract and available on a free transfer. "Charlton and Birmingham are interested and Lens and Bordeaux in France have the same interest," he told The Mirror. "But I have to admit my family would prefer to stay in England." Smicer was signed by former Reds boss Gerard Houllier for £4.2m from Lens in July 1999.

Upson rejects Birmingham contract
Matthew Upson's Birmingham future is shrouded in uncertainty after he turned down a new contract at St Andrews. And Upson's agent Barry Neville hinted the England defender may leave in search of European football. He said: "We did speak to Birmingham about a new contract but Matt decided he did not want to accept it." The 26-year-old has been linked with Middlesbrough, and Neville added: "I think Matt feels he needs to be playing in Europe."

Baggies want Birmingham's Carter
West Brom have made an offer for Birmingham midfielder Darren Carter. Carter spent three months on loan with Sunderland last season and made a big impact when he returned to Birmingham in December. However, the 21-year-old struggled to gain a first-team place in the latter part of the campaign and boss Steve Bruce has not ruled out selling Carter. Bruce said: "I can confirm we have had an offer from West Brom and now we will see what develops."

Birmingham seal Forssell transfer
Birmingham have signed Chelsea's Mikael Forssell in a £3m deal. Boss Steve Bruce swooped after Everton pulled out of a deal amid reported concerns about the 24-year-old's Finnish striker's recent knee injury. But Forssell has passed a medical and completed his return to the club where he was a major success on loan in 2003/4, when he scored 19 goals. Bruce is now hoping to sign a midfield player, with Newcastle's unsettled Lee Bowyer a possible target. When Everton's move for Forssell stalled, Birmingham seized on the chance to sign a player they have long admired and managing director Karren Brady worked on a compromise package with Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon. Birmingham are mindful of Forssell's knee condition which meant that his second season on loan was cut short last September after just a handful of appearances. The 24-year-old joined Chelsea from HJK Helsinki seven years ago, while Ruud Gullit was manager, but played little first-team football for the Stamford Bridge club. He had loan spells at Crystal Palace, Borussia Monchengladbach and latterly Birmingham, and there was strong interest in him from within the Premiership and abroad this summer. German giants Schalke were among the clubs to target Forssell, while Everton were close to clinching a deal before pulling out. Birmingham's view is that Forssell's problem can be managed given the right supervision from the club's medical staff, and they are keen to pair him with Emile Heskey, last summer's club record £6.25m signing from Liverpool.

Bruce delight at Forssell capture
Birmingham boss Steve Bruce said he was delighted to have beaten off competition to sign Mikael Forssell. The 24-year-old Finnish striker completed his £3m move from Chelsea to Birmingham on Friday. Bruce said: "Mikael has always been my number one target. I am delighted that we have got him here. "Nine clubs were after him, and the reason so many teams chased him was because of what he did a year ago playing for Birmingham." Forssell held talks with Everton about a move to Goodison Park, but when they stalled on a deal Bruce made sure he got his man. "As soon as we knew he was available, we had to act," he added. "We all know what he can do for us, we saw him score 19 goals for in a Birmingham shirt, and I am sure he can do that again. "He's the type of footballer that everyone would want to have at their club, not just because of his football ability, but the way he conducts himself on and off the pitch as a professional."

Carter to hold talks with Bruce
West Brom target Darren Carter will hold talks with Birmingham manager Steve Bruce before deciding his future. The midfielder has been the subject of a bid from Baggies boss Bryan Robson, which Bruce said he was considering. Carter, 21, said: "The first I heard about it was when I read of it in the papers and people started calling me. "I'll speak to the gaffer and see what he says and what his plans are for me. I'll then take things from there when I know more myself." Carter struggled to hold down a first-team place with Birmingham until he was recalled from a successful three-month loan spell with Sunderland because of injuries. He impressed on his return to the side but was back out of favour towards the end of the campaign - and Bruce is believed to be looking for new midfield talent this summer. Chelsea's Scott Parker and Lee Bowyer of Newcastle are understood to be major targets for the City supremo. Bruce said: "I am not going to reveal my number one target because that would be unfair of me but you can rest assured that we are working hard to try and do something. "With Scott Parker you never say never but I think we are up against it with that one. "We won't give up hope but there are three or four other irons in the fire and we are talking about some very good players. "Lee Bowyer is a player I admire. I like him a lot and we will see what develops over the next few weeks."

Birmingham waiting on Pandiani
Manager Steve Bruce has said that Birmingham are no closer to signing Walter Pandiani from Deportivo la Coruna - but a deal may yet happen. The 29-year-old scored four goals in 14 appearances after arriving on loan. He said his agent was not listening to offers from other English clubs as he wanted to stay at Birmingham. "We have had discussions and we are a million miles apart in our valuation but it's not dead yet," Bruce told the club website. Bruce has already signed Mikael Forssell from Chelsea and indicated that he would be making more additions to the squad. "We had to beat off competition for Mikael and that will be the same for the other couple of people we have in mind," he added.

Blues fans to scupper Bowyer move
Lee Bowyer's move from Newcastle to Birmingham looks to have collapsed following protests by Blues fans. Birmingham appeared close to completing a deal for the 28-year-old midfielder, but the move has hit a late hitch. Owner David Sullivan told their website: "It looks like we are now going to lose out on a terrific player due to a small minority of fans. "I am absolutely gutted. English midfielders with his ability are so hard to find." Bowyer is expected to leave Newcastle this summer after he fought with team-mate Kieron Dyer during their game against Aston Villa in April. The former England midfielder has had a troubled past but Sullivan felt he would have been a great signing for the club. But a section of fans publicised their opposition to his signing through an online petition. "Lee Bowyer would be a fantastic addition to our side," Sullivan added. "We are looking to build the best squad that this club has ever had and the signing of Lee would take us a long way down that road. "But the player has now said that he doesn't want to go to a club where he is not wanted. "We are potentially going to lose out on a terrific player as a result of this petition and I can't describe how disappointed I feel at the moment." The St Andrews club are yet to find a long-term replacement for controversial midfielder Robbie Savage who left the midlands to join Blackburn last season. Sullivan revealed former Leeds star Bowyer was second only to last week's signing Mikael Forssell on manager Steve Bruce's wanted list.

Bruce fury at fans' Bowyer stance
Birmingham manager Steve Bruce admits he is "devastated" that a section of the club's fans have stopped the Blues from signing midfielder Lee Bowyer. A website petition was set up to keep the Newcastle player, 28, away from St Andrews and he turned down a switch. "I can't believe that something like this has cost us a really, really good player," said Bruce. "I'm devastated to be honest. I was really excited about the prospect of Lee coming here after Mikael Forssell." Bruce was keen to end Bowyer's miserable spell on Tyneside and believes most Birmingham fans wanted him to join the club. "I believe the majority of our fans were looking forward to Lee arriving," he said. "We've tried to tell him that he's misjudging the mood and that he's just the kind of player that Birmingham fans take to - but he has some concerns. "I'm not afraid to say that I rate Lee Bowyer very, very highly as a player. You can talk all you want about his reputation and everything else. "That simply doesn't interest me. He's a damned good footballer who would be a major asset to our team." Co-owner David Sullivan added: "Lee has phoned us to say he won't be coming because he's seen all this stuff on the internet and basically he doesn't need any more grief in his life. "Those Birmingham fans out there who do want him should let us know. Maybe they could help persuade him that he would be welcome."

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