Latest news with #BirminghamCity
Daily Mail
7 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Birmingham's bin strike misery could go on until CHRISTMAS as union workers vote to continue industrial action
Birmingham bin workers have voted to continue industrial action in a dispute over pay and jobs, which means strikes could last until December, Unite have announced. It comes after Union bosses accused Government-appointed commissioners of 'sabotaging' peace talks and claim Keir Starmer 's Labour-led Government is complicit in blocking a deal. The all-out strike by members of Unite has dragged on for more than two months now, leaving piles of rubbish rotting in the streets of Britain's second largest city and prompting fury from long-suffering residents. And now the union is pointing the finger squarely at Whitehall officials parachuted in after the council's effective bankruptcy last year. Rotting rubbish is still piling up in Birmingham despite council claims last month that collections are back to normal. Pictures show huge mounds of bin bags spilling out over pavements in England's second city. Birmingham City Council says it has cleared 100 per cent of the large piles of waste in hot-spot areas and 85 per cent of rubbish from the rest of the city. But grim images show overflowing bins, split rubbish bags and rotting food strewn across residential streets. Photographs taken in Bordesley Green last week show old boxes and waste dumped on the pavements and roads. Another shot shows a red wheelie bin crammed with trash next to bulging bin bags piled up on the path. Graham Marlow, 45, who lives in the area, said: 'How the council can keep a straight face and say they have everything under control is mad. 'They only need to come down from their ivory towers and have a look at the streets to know the city is still waist deep in rubbish. 'My family are sick of it. I'm sick of it. I can't wait to leave this city. It's little wonder people now call Birmingham Scummy Brum.' More pictures show fly-tipping is still plaguing the city, with old beds, mattresses, shop mannequins and even an industrial-sized freezer being dumped on the streets. Other images show how residents have struggled to even park their cars as the mountains of rubbish swamps residential areas. The bin strike has attracted worldwide attention with shocking pictures of giant 'cat-sized' rats chasing council workers. Disabled people reliant on wheelchairs have also been trapped in their homes by piles of rubbish dumped on pavements and in alleyways. Opposition politicians have accused the Labour-led council of failing to end the dispute. Birmingham's Conservative leader councillor Robert Alden said: 'What we've seen sadly over the last two weeks, since national support from the army has been withdrawn, [is that] bin lorries have not been going out again. 'Indeed by the end of the week, barely any bin lorries were going out and that's leading to more rubbish starting to build up on the streets.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Birmingham aim to reach Premier League next year
Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner says the club are targeting successive promotions and reaching the Premier League next year "is certainly the goal". The League One champions broke the EFL record for most points in a season in 2024-25, and the American businessman told BBC Sport he wants the club to return to the top flight "as quickly as we can". Advertisement With plans for a new stadium handed a major boost on Tuesday, after the government confirmed investment in local transport links, Wagner believes the Blues will be "highly competitive" in the Championship. And he says that is because the club's commercial revenues will be "very close to, if not in line with" those of rivals in receipt of parachute payments. Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town will each benefit from almost £50m next season, having been relegated from the Premier League. Birmingham spent £25m after dropping down from the Championship last year, and Wagner vowed to be "very active in the transfer market" this summer in a bid to build on the progress under "exceptional" manager Chris Davies. Advertisement He added he is open to the idea of clubs playing some cup matches overseas as a means of growing an international fanbase. 'Unique opportunity' A "thrilled" Wagner was speaking after his hopes for a new 62,000-seat stadium to replace St Andrews took a significant step forward, with government funding for a new tramline to a planned £3bn 'Sports Quarter' in the east of the city. The club's owners, US investment firm Knighthead Capital - which Wagner founded - wants to build a 125-acre sports and leisure complex on abandoned land in Bordesley Green, and have been trying to persuade ministers to grant the West Midlands billions of pounds to fund new transport links for the regeneration project. Advertisement Now that has been achieved, he says the aim is for the "transformative" Sports Quarter - which will also include a 20,000-seat arena, hotel and training complex for the club's men's, women's and academy teams - to be open by 2030. "We needed the transport links to ensure the site was viable," said Wagner. "This will be an entertainment venue unlike many others in the world." "We have a unique opportunity. If you look across western Europe you'd be hard pressed to find another city with that much land available... where a project of this magnitude could be created. Advertisement "This will be a venue that is used 365 days a year, we'll create 8,500 jobs... the goal would be to host a whole range of international events, not solely football but American football, rugby." Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is a minority owner of Birmingham City. When asked if there was a risk that the new stadium would result in higher ticket prices for supporters, Wagner said: "If you price out the fans that are here you have different people sitting in the stands, you lose the singing, you lose the passion and then you've lost your product. "We have to remember this is a club of the people and that means the solution for growing commercial revenue is not solved through ticket prices, it's solved through making a better product." Advertisement Last year, Birmingham City's former chief executive Garry Cook said it would be "a great idea" if they played a league match against fellow US-owned club Wrexham on American soil. "I don't think that it makes sense to do it necessarily with regular-season matches," said Wagner. When asked what he thought about potentially playing some domestic cup matches in the US, he said: "It's something that has to be thought of. "When you think about the top-tier clubs in the Premier League, they're competing globally, which means that they have to have global fans and global-scale revenue, and if that means playing some matches overseas to create more following and revenue for the club I think that's a good thing. Advertisement "You have to find a way to do it that doesn't take away from your local community, so it's very much a balancing act. There's a very fine line that needs to be walked there, but I think for the top clubs it's something that has to be seriously considered. "Perhaps there's a different tournament, or something that happens that allows for that, maybe at a different point in time in the season. There's a whole series of ways that could be pursued beyond simply the pre-season tours." When asked what assurances he could give to fans concerned about the number of English clubs now controlled by US investors, Wagner said: "The reason Americans are drawn to investing here is because it's English football. "If we 'Americanise' it, then it's lost everything that drew people here in the first place."
BBC News
a day ago
- Business
- BBC News
Birmingham aim to reach Premier League next year
Birmingham City chairman Tom Wagner says the club are targeting successive promotions and reaching the Premier League next year "is certainly the goal".The League One champions broke the EFL record for most points in a season in 2024-25, and the American businessman told BBC Sport he wants the club to return to the top flight "as quickly as we can".With plans for a new stadium handed a major boost on Tuesday, after the government confirmed investment in local transport links, Wagner believes the Blues will be "highly competitive" in the he says that is because the club's commercial revenues will be "very close to, if not in line with" those of rivals in receipt of parachute payments. Leicester City, Southampton and Ipswich Town will each benefit from almost £50m next season, having been relegated from the Premier spent £25m after dropping down from the Championship last year, and Wagner vowed to be "very active in the transfer market" this summer in a bid to build on the progress under "exceptional" manager Chris added he is open to the idea of clubs playing some cup matches overseas as a means of growing an international fanbase. 'Unique opportunity' A "thrilled" Wagner was speaking after his hopes for a new 62,000-seat stadium to replace St Andrews took a significant step forward, with government funding for a new tramline to a planned £3bn 'Sports Quarter' in the east of the club's owners, US investment firm Knighthead Capital - which Wagner founded - wants to build a 125-acre sports and leisure complex on abandoned land in Bordesley Green, and have been trying to persuade ministers to grant the West Midlands billions of pounds to fund new transport links for the regeneration that has been achieved, he says the aim is for the "transformative" Sports Quarter - which will also include a 20,000-seat arena, hotel and training complex for the club's men's, women's and academy teams - to be open by 2030."We needed the transport links to ensure the site was viable," said Wagner."This will be an entertainment venue unlike many others in the world.""We have a unique opportunity. If you look across western Europe you'd be hard pressed to find another city with that much land available... where a project of this magnitude could be created."This will be a venue that is used 365 days a year, we'll create 8,500 jobs... the goal would be to host a whole range of international events, not solely football but American football, rugby."Seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady is a minority owner of Birmingham asked if there was a risk that the new stadium would result in higher ticket prices for supporters, Wagner said: "If you price out the fans that are here you have different people sitting in the stands, you lose the singing, you lose the passion and then you've lost your product."We have to remember this is a club of the people and that means the solution for growing commercial revenue is not solved through ticket prices, it's solved through making a better product."Last year, Birmingham City's former chief executive Garry Cook said it would be "a great idea" if they played a league match against fellow US-owned club Wrexham on American soil."I don't think that it makes sense to do it necessarily with regular-season matches," said asked what he thought about potentially playing some domestic cup matches in the US, he said: "It's something that has to be thought of."When you think about the top-tier clubs in the Premier League, they're competing globally, which means that they have to have global fans and global-scale revenue, and if that means playing some matches overseas to create more following and revenue for the club I think that's a good thing."You have to find a way to do it that doesn't take away from your local community, so it's very much a balancing act. There's a very fine line that needs to be walked there, but I think for the top clubs it's something that has to be seriously considered."Perhaps there's a different tournament, or something that happens that allows for that, maybe at a different point in time in the season. There's a whole series of ways that could be pursued beyond simply the pre-season tours."When asked what assurances he could give to fans concerned about the number of English clubs now controlled by US investors, Wagner said: "The reason Americans are drawn to investing here is because it's English football."If we 'Americanise' it, then it's lost everything that drew people here in the first place."
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
‘A huge step forward' – Championship club get update on new £3billion stadium as incredible concept video is released
WON FOR THE FUTURE 'A huge step forward' – Championship club get update on new £3billion stadium as incredible concept video is released FANS are hailing "monumental" progress in a Championship club's £3bililion scheme for a new 60,000-seat stadium and community hub. Birmingham City released a concept video of a massive complex - as NFL legend Tom Brady's majestic dreams leapt closer to reality. Advertisement 5 Supporters are even more excited after seeing the new images Credit: Youtube @BCFC 5 The club plan mega transport links Credit: Youtube @BCFC 5 A video gave an insight into the huge complex Credit: Youtube @BCFC 5 Birmingham City minority owner Tom Brady is one of the main people behind a revival on the pitch and spectacular plans off it Credit: Reuters Minority shareholder Brady and Blues' owners Knighthead plan to follow an incredible season on the pitch with jaw-dropping developments off it Birmingham romped back to the second-tier by amassing 111 points as big-spending League One champions. That was 19 points clear of Ryan Reynolds' Wrexham in second place. Now the club have released a clip with awesome transport links to a futuristic venue likened in the past to a "spaceship". Advertisement One side of a blue-walled, smoothly-curved stadium is shown, with sweeping views of tree-lined walkways and rail links. One viewer claimed on X: "People will be coming from all corners of the country to take in the view." Another veteran supporter posted: "After 70 years of suffering mainly heartache it's just my luck to be on the downward slope now that #BCFC are finally on the way to the top with the best owners in its 150 year history. "Today's funding confirmation has given me a purpose in life. Thanks TW." Advertisement 5 The sleek design impressed observers Credit: Youtube @BCFC BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Those initials are a reference to Knighthead's co-founder and Blues' chairman Tom Wagner, who has described the go-ahead for travel connections as a "huge step forward for the Sports Quarter". An estimated £2.4bn Government investment in local transport will be used to extend the area's Metro to the proposed new venue. Advertisement Tom Brady tells owner rival Rob Mcelhenney 'shame on you' after giving away his touching gift That's kickstarted the whole £3bn scheme, with the first phase set to be finished by 2029. The club also say "the extension of Birmingham City Centre to East Birmingham will help unlock the future of the development" - including creating around 10,000 jobs. Fans seem thrilled by the transport links. And after seeing the club's video, one supporter wrote: "Love the stadium design as well guys it's gonna look mint." Wagner said: 'The Chancellor's undertaking to upgrade transport links in East Birmingham is a huge step forward for the Sports Quarter. Advertisement "It gives us the springboard we need to advance this transformative project at pace, bringing huge benefits to the people of East Birmingham and the wider region in the shape of jobs and opportunities, as well as economic growth that will be felt across the whole of the UK.' Last month Wagner had also unveiled plans to provide outstanding training facilities for academy players "unlike any other that exists in European football". And Blues' interim CEO Jeremy Dale spoke of "creating jobs, building infrastructure for our local community, and creating a world-class sporting venue that will put Birmingham on the map". The planned stadium would double Birmingham's capacity of 29,409 at St. Andrew's.
The Sun
a day ago
- Business
- The Sun
‘A huge step forward' – Championship club get update on new £3billion stadium as incredible concept video is released
FANS are hailing "monumental" progress in a Championship club's £3bililion scheme for a new stadium and community hub. Birmingham City released a concept video of a massive complex - as NFL legend Tom Brady 's dreams in a different version of football moved a step closer to reality. 5 5 5 5 Minority shareholder Brady and Blues' owners Knighthead plan to follow an incredible season on the pitch with jaw-dropping developments off it Birmingham romped back to the second-tier by amassing 111 points as big-spending League One champions. That was 19 points clear of Ryan Reynolds ' Wrexham in second place. Now the club have released a clip with awesome transport links to a futuristic 62,000-seat stadium likened in the past to a "spaceship". One side of a blue-walled, smoothly-curved stadium is shown, with sweeping views of tree-lined walkways and rail links. One viewer claimed on X: "People will be coming from all corners of the country to take in the view." Another veteran supporter posted: "After 70 years of suffering mainly heartache it's just my luck to be on the downward slope now that #BCFC are finally on the way to the top with the best owners in its 150 year history. Today's funding confirmation has given me a purpose in life. Thanks TW." 5 Those initials are a reference to Knighthead's co-founder and Blues' chairman Tom Wagner, who has described the go-ahead for travel connections as a "huge step forward for the Sports Quarter". An estimated £2.4bn Government investment in local transport will be used to extend the area's Metro to the proposed new venue. Tom Brady tells owner rival Rob Mcelhenney 'shame on you' after giving away his touching gift That's kickstarted the whole £3bn scheme, with the first phase set to be finished by 2029. Meanwhile, the club say "the extension of Birmingham City Centre to East Birmingham will help unlock the future of the development" - including creating around 10,000 jobs. Fans seem thrilled by the transport links. And after seeing the club's video, one supporter wrote: "Love the stadium design as well guys it's gonna look mint." Wagner said: 'The Chancellor's undertaking to upgrade transport links in East Birmingham is a huge step forward for the Sports Quarter. "It gives us the springboard we need to advance this transformative project at pace, bringing huge benefits to the people of East Birmingham and the wider region in the shape of jobs and opportunities, as well as economic growth that will be felt across the whole of the UK.' Last month Wagner had also unveiled plans to provide outstanding training facilities for the club's academy players "unlike any other that exists in European football". And Blues' interim CEO Jeremy Dale spoke of "creating jobs, building infrastructure for our local community, and creating a world-class sporting venue that will put Birmingham on the map".
