Sullivan casts doubts on Birmingham's new owner

The multi-millionaire has confirmed for the first time that he will leave the club he has dragged from the third tier of English football to the Premier League if Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung completes his £50million takeover.

Sullivan, who co-owns the club along with the Gold brothers, has been the driving force behind the club's resurgence during his 15-year period at the helm.

But he says he cannot work with the incoming consortium and he says he is perplexed at their inability to offer manager Steve Bruce a new contract.

And he insists he has serious doubts about whether the takeover will go - ahead, maintaining that there will be no extensions after the December 23 deadline he has set for the sale to be completed.

However, he also reveals he has given Yeung his word and will not pull out of the agreement after shaking hands on the deal. He said: "Carson Yeung approached us with his dream and vision to take the club on to the next stage. A deal was struck with the promise to move swiftly to a full takeover.

"We did not expect an extended takeover period preventing us from offering contracts to staff — particularly Steve Bruce, who deserves a new deal. This is a difficult and unusual position for the board.

"Despite Carson's assurances that he would maintain staff, I have to say I've been shocked and disappointed that he will not let the current board finalise a contract with the club's longest- serving and most successful manager. It's a credit to Steve and the players that they are giving their all.

"Despite sending repeated emails to his No 2, explaining the position and the damage something like this could do to the team, I am still waiting for a reply — some three weeks later.

"I cannot believe that Carson and his group do not realise how damaging their actions are for the club.

"Most members of the board would love to stay on and finish the job I started 14-and-a-half years ago. Sadly, I won't be one of the them. Personally, I cannot work with Carson and his consortium. You cannot do business with people you cannot communicate with.

"In my absence it will be vital he keeps on as many members of the existing board as possible — and listens to them. I'm far from convinced he will. If he doesn't things may take a very bad turn. That's the last thing I want after giving 15 years of my life to it."

There has always been grudging respect from the fans towards Sullivan. They have remained in his debt after he undoubtedly saved the club from administration in 1992. Perhaps now, when the future is so uncertain, they may make a concerted effort to show their appreciation.

Birmingham remain one of the few Premier League clubs that are free of debt. But Sullivan is refusing to pull the plug on the deal with Yeung, just yet.

He said: "Some supporters have asked, 'Why don't you pull out of the deal to sell to Carson Yeung?'.

"Legally, we can. But I've given him my word. I will honour my agreement to give them until Christmas to complete the deal but, in the event they do not, I'll have plenty more to say.

"At that point we'll take complete control of things again and push the club up to the next level ourselves.

"I was tremendously impressed with the City of Manchester Stadium and if we are still in control of our club in January we will put new momentum into achieving a new 55,000 allseat stadium. With the help of Birmingham City Council, of course.

"They will not be given a single day's extension and things will not be allowed to drag on. Supporters have my guarantee that this will not continue after Christmas."