New Tom Wagner, Birmingham City claim is a warning to...

Tom Wagner, the owner of Birmingham City, has sent a warning to the Championship as the Blues return to the

second division with goals beyond merely filling the stats.

After being relegated to League One, Birmingham spent a lot of money last summer, including breaking their club

record to sign Jay Stansfield from Fulham on the penultimate day of the transfer window.

City easily won League One and has the potential to surpass Reading’s record of 106 EFL points, which was set when

they won the 2005–06 Championship.

Co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner said in an interview with The Times that the second city team still has money

to spend and that the spending will continue now that they are back in the second tier. This is consistent with their

continued expansion and growing aspirations.

“We will be the highest revenue-generating club in the Championship ever not receiving parachute payments – and

we will be on par with those receiving parachute payments – if our revenue progresses as we expect into next season,

which is essentially a given.”

The rest of the second division will be greatly impacted by Wagner’s remarks as they attempt to make their Premier

League debut following their relegation in the 2010–11 season.

Co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner said in an interview with The Times that the second city team still has money

to spend and that the spending will continue now that they are back in the second tier. This is consistent with their

continued expansion and growing aspirations.

“We will be the highest revenue-generating club in the Championship ever not receiving parachute payments – and

we will be on par with those receiving parachute payments – if our revenue progresses as we expect into next season,

which is essentially a given.”

The rest of the second division will take note of Wagner’s comments as they attempt to make their first appearance in

the Premier League since their demotion in the 2010–11 campaign.

Given Davies’ leadership, the core group of players already in place, and Wagner’s desire to push Birmingham even

farther, the rest of the Championship will be concerned about what might transpire in the second city the following

season.

Sportupdates