Birmingham City extend hand of friendship to West Ham United

Feb 9 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

Birmingham City insist there will be no bad blood in the West Ham United boardroom tomorrow when the old and new come face to face for the first time since Carson Yeung’s takeover.

Hammers owners David Sullivan and David Gold will receive Yeung and his Blues directors, who are still pursuing monies they claim the club are owed and possible criminal or civil action.

But Peter Pannu, Blues’ acting chairman and executive and finance chief, predicted the atmosphere would be cordial and friendly, at least on Blues’ part.

Pannu revealed he had held a conference call with Sullivan in an attempt to iron out the differences between the camps but to no avail.

“The other party has taken over at West Ham and we wish them all the best,” said Pannu.

“In fact, I did congratulate them myself. We are, after all, football people, but work is work and we have to delineate on that very clearly.

“I will shake hands in the boardroom, I have got no problem with that.

“I have had a chance to have a conference with David Sullivan and David Gold.

“We had a very candid chat. David Sullivan appears to be a very straightforward man. He speaks his mind, just like me.

“I think people must understand we are all professionals. So we know how to differentiate between right and wrong, work and personal.

“At least I see it from that angle, being from the legal profession myself.

“I respect David Sullivan. He has got his stance, we have got ours – we agree to disagree.”

Karren Brady has gone to work for West Ham, paid for by Sullivan, as vice-chairman.