Birmingham City FC - 2022 - The Pershing Era

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May 15th 2023​

Chairman’s Statement – Neils De Vos​

Birmingham City Football Club
2022–23 Season Review

“As we bring the 2022–23 season to a close, I want to extend my thanks to our supporters, players, and staff for their commitment throughout what has been a year of consolidation and progress for Birmingham City under the ownership of Pershing Square Management.

On the pitch, we achieved a 15th-place finish in the EFL Championship, providing a stable platform from which we can continue to build. While there remains work to be done to push higher up the table, we saw encouraging performances from a number of players, with Brandon Thomas-Asante finishing as the club’s top goalscorer with 10 goals across all competitions. Although cup results did not meet our ambitions—exiting in the third round of the FA Cup and the first round of the EFL Cup—the experience gained by the squad will be invaluable as we look ahead.

Off the pitch, however, is where the most meaningful strides have been made. This season we delivered significant increases in revenue, driven by improved commercial partnerships, stronger retail performance, and the continued expansion of our matchday operations. We also saw notable growth in ticket sales, supported by the unwavering passion of our fans. St Andrew’s welcomed its largest crowd of the season—28,005 against West Bromwich Albion in October—a reminder of the incredible potential and energy that surrounds this football club.

These encouraging financial and attendance figures place us in a stronger position than at any point in recent years. They also provide the foundation for what I believe will be a transformative period for Birmingham City.

As we look ahead to the Summer of 2023, there is a genuine sense of optimism throughout the club. We are preparing for an important transfer window, continued investment in football operations, and exciting developments across our wider long-term strategy. Our ambition is clear: to build a sustainable, competitive Birmingham City that our supporters can be proud of.

On behalf of everyone at the club, thank you for your continued belief and loyalty. We move forward together—with purpose, pride, and ambition.”

— Neils De Vos
Chairman, Birmingham City Football Club

 

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SETTING THE SCENE - 8
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By the Summer of 2023, Manson was starting the initial outline of the New World Pro-Wrestling business plan. Spending most weeks in discussion in New York with Pershing and putting together the first drafts of what he believed the new Pro-Wrestling organisation could look like. He still had an eye on Birmingham City and was involved in weekly Board Meetings but the ownership in NYC were happy with the first season in charge. Although a 15th placed finish didnt sound too great, the senior management knew the first year would be tough and staying in the League was the most important thing.

The first year was one of consolidating the league position, while expanding revenue streams so that income would raise considerably by 2023. The revenue of the club when Pershing took over was around £19.5M. The club projected that by May 2023 that revenue would rise to around £30M. This was due mainly to the two main kit deals with Adidas and Undefeated. As well as those deals, the increase in ST Sales from 12,000 to around 22,500 helped massively.

The confirmation of the land aquirement of Wheels Park in Bordesley Green was a big plus point for the ownership as it was one of the main reasons why Pershing pushed forward for the takeover in the first place. Communication was well under way with the local council as well as the government to obtain compulsary purchase orders on other businesses on the site as well as look at government investment in new public transport options.

The Summer of 2023 would see the end of lot of the old guard who had stayed at the club for many years but needed to leave so the club could freshen up and truly take it's self into a new era.

Work on the B and C teams had been a slow burn in 2022/2023 with Mike Rigg spending time to check over what the club had at it's disposal as well as start the process of expanding the new academy scouting network. The club would see the first signings into both the B and C teams in the Summer of 2023.

 

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SUMMER 2023 OUTGOINGS

Most of the old guard had now been released as there contracts had expired. The only other sale was Jobe Bellingham to Sunderland. Although the club would have wanted to keep Bellingham, they knew he wanted to leave to be reunited with Kristaan Speakman. The £4M offer was accepted with a 20% Sell on fee.

The saving of wages, the new income and revenue streams and the £4M from the sale of Bellingham meant Birmingham City could compete with other top end Championship clubs for signings for the first time in a decade.

DATE	PLAYER	CLUB	FEE
1st July 2023	Zach Jeacock	RELEASED	FREE
1st July 2023	Maxime Colin	RELEASED	FREE
1st July 2023	George Friend	RELEASED	FREE
1st July 2023	Marc Roberts	RELEASED	FREE
1st July 2023	Harlee Dean	RELEASED	FREE
1st July 2023	Jordan Graham	RELEASED	FREE
1st July 2023	Troy Deeney	RELEASED	FREE
1st July 2023	Lukas Jutkiewicz	RELEASED	FREE
15th July 2023	Jobe Bellingham	SUNDERLAND	£4M
16th July 2023	Alfie Chang	WALSALL	FREE
20th July 2023	Scott Hogan	MK DONS	FREE