Bruce, Gold & Sullivan Pledge

David Gold has promised that the funds from the sale of Jermaine Pennant will be ploughed back into the team.

He told the official site,

'We have got to dust ourselves down and get ready for a brand new challenge; to take Birmingham City back into the Premier League, stronger and more determined than ever before. I am sure you, like me, are disappointed by the news of Jermaine Pennant's departure this week but I have to say that we did everything possible to keep him.'

Adding that they did refuse several offers adding, 'Some of you would think that we should still have said no at the £6.7m offer potential rising to over £8m, but you have to take many different factors into account. When a player like Jermaine has the offer of playing for a club like Liverpool, who he supported as a youngster, it is very difficult to stop the player from being interested and you have to take into account what you would be left with when you have blocked a dream move for a player like that.'

Steve Bruce agrees, he says the price became to good to turn down.

'I have got to be honest. Once it got the level it did, we had to sell. We didn't want to sell but everybody has got their price in this game. Everton didn't want to get rid of Wayne Rooney, but they had no choice in the end. It was the same with Cameron Jerome and us. Cardiff City didn't want to let him go, but they did in the end. Neil Danns, too, Colchester United's best player. In Jermaine's case, ultimately, what would he have been worth next week had we refused Liverpool's bid?'

Adding 'We are sad to see him go, we do wish him all the best. He's a rare breed, one of those players who can dribble with the ball and take people on. But we have to move on and it's up to me to try and strengthen our squad as well as I can.'

Sullivan has also pledged 'The money that has come in from the sale of Emile Heskey and Jermaine Pennant, we are committed to putting back into the team to buy players. In particular with Pennant, we tried everything possible to retain his services.'

Despite having 13 offers rejected he says 'there will definitely be more quality additions to the squad before the start of the season. Finally I would like to assure you the fans that the welfare and success of our great football club is an absolute priority for us and that we are as totally committed today, as we were when we first took the reigns at St. Andrew's all those years ago.'

Asking for some trust and a return to St Andrews next season:

'The club is nothing without its supporters and we would urge you to trust us by backing us week in week out in the campaign ahead by purchasing a season ticket and helping us get back to the top flight where we deserve to be.'

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