Blues fans target PM in ground plea

Aug 10 2007 By Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

THOUSANDS of Birmingham City fans have called on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to back their club's bid for a new stadium.

A petition, launched on the Downing Street website two weeks ago, has already attracted more than 7,200 supporters who signed via e-mail.

It calls on Gordon Brown to put pressure on Birmingham City Council to move ahead with plans for a stadium and sports village on the Wheels site at Saltley.

The huge response means that Mr Brown must reply to the plea after the on-line petition closes on September 25.

Blues managing director Karren Brady said: "We are delighted with the response so far and encourage everyone in Birmingham to sign the petition, as it will bring jobs, tourism, houses, social and other economic benefits to everyone."

The stadium scheme is based on Birmingham City's plan for a sports village, stadium and super-casino which failed to win council backing last year.

The Blues boss added: "We all want to live in prosperous city, in a safe environment, jobs for our people and a place where our young adults can work, play and live together."

If given the go-ahead it would lead to the decontamination and regeneration of 55 acres of largely derelict former industrial land in one of the UK's most deprived inner city areas.

Ms Brady said she was looking forward to hearing from the Prime Minister.

"It is nice to get the PM to look at issues concerning the economic regeneration of our region, sadly so often overlooked in favour of Manchester and Newcastle in particular," she said.

"I hope he will do all he can to encourage the city council to support the project, work with the club and local businesses to turn it into a reality before the Olympic games, in order that Birmingham can help the Government fulfil the legacy of the games stretching beyond the London region."

The on-line petition follows a printed one to the council last year signed by 30,000 fans in support of the super-casino and stadium bid.

The late Coun Ken Hardeman as city regeneration boss had been working towards developing the stadium before his death last month. The petition is now available on the Downing Street website at http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/ BhamStadium

It states: "We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to encourage Birmingham City Council to help fund and build a new stadium and sports development for the city of Birmingham."