Sullivan and Gold linked with City takeover as Blues sale nears completion

After the Peter Cullum saga came and went, two more intriguing names have popped up in a national newspaper today, linked with a possible Norwich City takeover.

David Sullivan and David Gold, the current co-owners of Birmingham City, are already on the lookout for a new project as Carson Yeung's buyout of the Blues nears completion.

And the Guardian heavily linked the pair with West Ham United, Cardiff City and the Canaries this morning.

Whether they would want to get their hands dirty at Upton Park, after the riots that accompanied Tuesday's Carling Cup clash with Millwall, is another matter.

The FA still haven't confirmed the Irons' punishment but there could be a hefty fine around the corner.

One suspects it's not a good time to take on that particular challenge, although they have both been linked with the Hammers in the past and Gold was once a youth player at the Boleyn Ground.

He also once owned 30% of the club with his business partner Sullivan during the 80's and more fuel to the speculation was added when Gold refused to rule out a takeover. “It's not surprising…you can understand how difficult it is for me, I'm sure, to talk about this”.

But the Guardian also reports that the pair, who have been in charge at St Andrews since 1993, have 'genuine concerns' about the start up costs involved in taking control of the East London outfit, with a figure of �150m mentioned.

The potential rewards, and cheaper purchase costs are said to be diverting their attentions to the Football League. And that is where the Canaries and Cardiff City come into play.

Cardiff seem to be an interesting proposition, with the Welsh club holding an emotional pull for Sullivan given that it's his hometown team.

He has often talked about investing in the Bluebirds and if the conditions are right, you suspect that they would be his number one choice.

And with or without his partner Gold, he is determined to get back into football as soon as the Yeung takeover is complete.

“I have always said if and when I leave Birmingham I will be at another club within 12 months because I love football,” said Sullivan. “It is part of my life and part of my kids' life.”

One thing is for sure, he feels the time is right for a fresh challenge after his relationship with the Blues faithful turned sour after their relegation from the Premier League in 2008.

“I think for the shareholders and supporters of Birmingham this [the Yeung takeover] is a very good deal,” added Sullivan.

Speaking after the club's relegation, he admitted then that the time was right to leave the club, citing numerous reasons for moving on.

“One is the geographical distance. I've said for years the journey to Birmingham is killing me. Two, I think deep down the public have had enough of us.

“They think we should have mortgaged our houses to buy more players to compete with Chelsea and Arsenal. The honeymoon is long over and we're at the divorce stage now, unfortunately.

“It's like a marriage that is gone wrong and needs a change. This is a deal that works for everybody.”

Whether any possible Canary deal would work for everybody is another matter. It is understood from sources inside Carrow Road that majority shareholders Delia Smith and Michael Wynn Jones do enjoy a good relationship with Gold.

The geography issue would also tip the scales in City's favour as both Sullivan and Gold are based in Essex and they would not have such a painful commute to the Midlands -something that both have admitted has been a major problem.

Whether Sullivan is a man the Smiths would be happy with as a City figurehead though is, again, up for debate.

The 60-year-old, who is worth around �450m according to the Sunday Times Rich List, has amassed much of his fortune in the adult entertainment business.

He has owned the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport since 1986 and in the mid-1970s Sullivan was in control of half of the adult magazine market.

With the Canaries' proud traditions as a family club, it would be interesting if the majority shareholders would let a man who has made his millions in pornography take control of the Norfolk club.

Also, in April 2008, Sullivan and Blues managing director Karren Brady were released on bail after being arrested and questioned on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and false accounting in connection with an ongoing investigation of alleged corruption in English football.

But at the end of the day, money talks and if he can provide the funds that see City climbing the footballing ladder, then I'm sure most supporters wouldn't give two hoots.

Tom Haylett