Birmingham 4-1 Blackburn: Blues go down despite big win

David Gold last night compared Birmingham's relegation to "a near-death experience" as fellow City supremo David Sullivan vowed to quit after a vicious fan protest.

Birmingham chairman Gold admitted he was considering his position and Sullivan insisted he wants out as Blues were relegated for the second time in three seasons yesterday.

The under-fire joint-majority shareholders bore the brunt of supporters' frustrations as chants of "sack the board" rang around St Andrews during the 4-1 win over Blackburn.

Fans who invaded the pitch at the end blame them for going down after manager Steve Bruce's defection to Wigan last November following Carson Yeung's botched £50million take-over.

And Sullivan's two sons - David, eight, and Jack, six-started crying as the abuse directed at the board reached unprecedented levels.

"These people don't know anything about football or business," stormed Sullivan, who bought the club in 1993 with the Gold brothers.

"I've had enough and I don't want to be here next season. People out there who want to buy me out can do so."

Sullivan's latest rant leaves him with no way back - now Hong Kong tycoon Yeung, who owns 29.9 per cent of the club, is likely to rekindle his bid for control as Gold mulls over his future.

"At moments like this I feel down and very depressed - like a near-death experience," said Gold.

"Never in all my time at the club have I seen a large section of fans being abusive and I am very disappointed.

If it is the majority of the fans I will be left with no alternative other than to resign as chairman.

"You could see the hatred in their eyes towards the board and two young children - that is why it is so painful.

"The players and the board have made mistakes and I carry them on my shoulders now. The take-over bid should have been more positive and been done and dusted in a short period of time.

"But the board is fully committed to Birmingham City Football Club until such time as it changes when a substantial new investor comes along to purchase the club."

City had returned to the Premier League last summer with a vow to learn from the mistakes of their illfated 2005-06 campaign which saw them relegated.

But their victory over Blackburn yesterday left them with only one point more than the paltry 34 they amassed two seasons ago.

Sullivan had boldly declared the club had done good business in getting rid of former boss Bruce for £3million in compensation and recruiting Alex McLeish. But Blues fans will not share his view today as they face up to life back in the Championship after just five wins in 25 games under the former Scotland manager.

Birmingham should have feared the worst when striker James McFadden was ruled out with a knee injury sustained in the warm-up.

Mauro Zarate was promoted from the bench and Cameron Jerome, who had angrily left the ground earlier after not making the 16, had to be called back to sit in the dug-out.

But despite the commotion, City started brightly and got a huge slice of luck to take the lead in the 31st minute when full-back David Murphy sprinted upfield following a quick free-kick from Zarate and hit a hopeful 30-yard which squirmed past Brad Friedel.

Blackburn equalised in the 49th minute after Damien Johnson lost possession and the ball finally fell to Morten Gamst Pedersen to net with a low shot.

The hosts regained the lead in the 73rd minute through sub Jerome.

Jerome added a third for Brum in the 88th minute before Fabrice Muamba made it 4-1 in stoppage time, but there was no cause for celebration at St Andrews.