Sully reveals 'admiration' for Yeung

05 November 2010 09:21
David Sullivan has given his backing to current Birmingham owner Carson Yeung as he prepares to return to St Andrew's with West Ham.[LNB] Sullivan and co-owner David Gold sold the West Midlands club to Hong Kong businessman Yeung for £81.5million after 16 years in charge. A bitter war of words and a High Court battle followed.[LNB]But Sullivan is adamant that is all in the past and believes Yeung and his right-hand man, Peter Pannu, have done a good job at City.[LNB]Sullivan told the Birmingham Mail: "I hate confrontation and things have now run their course and there are no problems.[LNB]"Peter Pannu was doing his best for Carson Yeung and I respect him for that. In fact, I have huge respect for Carson and Peter.[LNB]"It was business, one professional against another. Nothing really bad was said and, from the bottom of my heart, I have admiration for them.[LNB]"Peter has done a marvellous job. You have to say 'well done to them'."[LNB]Sullivan added: "When we sold Birmingham, we sold to someone we felt had the club's best interests at heart.[LNB]"What Carson Yeung has done so far, he deserves credit for that.[LNB]"The team had an exceptional season, he invested money on players and has not put Birmingham City at risk.[LNB]"The spine of a good team was there and Carson has spent money on it and improved it yet again.[LNB]"He seems to have a long-term plan and, to those people who are wary because he's Chinese and there's still some mystery, I would say when we took over, we were outsiders and no one knew us."[LNB]Sullivan admitted: "I am looking forward to coming back to Birmingham and meeting the Chinese and, when they visit us, we will roll out the red carpet.[LNB]"We all knew that it needed a change. The supporters wanted it. Our time was up. We had outstayed our welcome.[LNB]"But I'd like to think, when they look back in the years to come, they will accept we didn't do a bad job. It could have been better but it still wasn't bad.[LNB]"I don't know what reception we will get tomorrow and I suppose there are always one or two lunatics who will give you grief.[LNB]"I'm nervous but looking forward to returning as well."

Source: Team_Talk