his resignation after five years at Maine Road.
The City board are reportedly divided into two factions, with Bird favouring a
big spending policy, while chairman David Bernstein believes the club should
be more cautious in the transfer market.
The board will hold an emergency meeting on Wednesday to discuss the
situation.'
The Evening News report:
'After five years of relative stability following the fractious Peter Swales and
Francis Lee eras, the Bird bombshell will now lead to a power battle between
the two factions.
In one corner is John Wardle, the deputy chairman and self-made millionaire
owner of Bury based JD Sports who, with his business partner David Makin,
owns a third of the club and has been an enthusiastic supporter of Keegan's
substantial transfer spending to boost City's European ambitions.
Bird, also a JD director, and ex-player Dennis Tueart have been pushing the
spend-spend policy while there has been a more prudent, safety-first
approach from chairman Bernstein and Alistair Mackintosh.
City last month posted a record £5.4m half-year loss and the chairman is
anxious the Blues move into the converted former Commonwealth Games
stadium in a stable financial position.'
King Kev spoke out yesterday to advocate a gamble on more spending: