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18:46 GMT, Sunday, 11 May 2008 19:46 UK

Abuse may force out Blues chief

Birmingham chairman David Gold is considering resigning after the club's fans blamed the board for relegation.

The Blues beat Blackburn on the final day of the season but still went down and the fans turned on him and co-owner David Sullivan at the end of the game.

An emotional Gold said: "Never in my time at the club have I seen that sort of abuse from fans.

"For a moment we also felt that David Sullivan's two sons were in danger and we had to get them out of the way."

Wins for Reading and Fulham ensured that Birmingham's 4-1 victory at home was not enough to keep them up.

The club are heading back to the Championship after just one top flight season and the fans put the blame firmly at the feet of their owners as their relegation was confirmed.

"The players have punched above their weight many times this season"
Alex McLeish

Their season was disrupted by a failed takeover by Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung which led to the exit of manager Steve Bruce to Wigan in mid-season.

Gold said he had no plans to abandon the club, but may step down from his role as chairman after being taken back by the fans' reaction.

"You could see the hate in the eyes of the people sat in front of us. It was a venomous verbal attack," added the 70-year-old.

"I'm a bit stressed by the reaction of the fans. I can understand the disappointment of relegation. We have been there on a number of occasions, going back to relegation from the old third division.

"You could see the hate in the eyes of the people sat in front of us. It was a venomous verbal attack.

"It was as unpleasant as it has been during my 15 years with the club.

"I'm very disappointed. What I have to ask is, is it hundreds of fans, thousands of fans or the majority?

"If it is the majority I will be left with no alternative but to resign as chairman.

606: DEBATE
"Please, please, please don't go"
fizzylulu

"I feel absolutely dreadful but myself and the board will be fully committed to Birmingham City until any possible change comes about."

Manager Alex McLeish preferred to compliment his players for the way they finished the campaign.

He said: "They produced an outstanding performance. All they could do was win but results did not go for us elsewhere.

"We have missed out by one point. The players have punched above their weight many times this season, and they did it again.

"We've only lost one of 13 home games since I've been here but we haven't won enough of them and that has cost us.

"Also there have been teams like Wigan and Bolton, who were underachieving, but new managers, Steve Bruce and Gary Megson, have got them going.

"People ask if I could have kept us up had I been here for the whole season? But that is just conjecture.

"I now aim to bring in some more players. I've now got the chance to put my own stamp on the club."




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Related to this story:

Birmingham 4-1 Blackburn (11 May 08 |  Premier League )
Premier League finale as it happened (11 May 08 |  Premier League )
Premier League photos (11 May 08 |  Football )
Birmingham Player Rater (18 Jan 07 |  Live Text )

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