Exclusive: David Gold on how Birmingham City can make it big

Nov 7 2010 by Colin Tattum, Sunday Mercury

THE success of Carson Yeung’s Blues regime will hang on developing the Chinese market.

Former co-owner David Gold admits Yeung’s masterplan makes sense – as they have an obvious head start on other competitors seeking to crack the Far East.

“Whether Carson Yeung is good for Birmingham in the long term depends on how they can use and develop the brand in China,” Gold states.

“Outside of Manchester and Liverpool – with all due respect to the Boltons, Blackburns and Wigans – Birmingham City has something about it, a resonance.

“The club carries the name of the Second City. Birmingham is a place known the world over.

“The Premier League is also seen around the world, it is the most popular league there is.

“So you put those two things together, and you have a Chinese owner, then there is every opportunity for the club.

“Carson is well connected in Hong Kong and China, and it is a vast market.

“Not only that, but it will grow in the next 10 years even more, beyond our current comprehension. So it just depends on how they can exploit that and accelerate the brand in China in order to take Birmingham to the next level.”