Birmingham co-owner David Sullivan has hit back at claims the board of directors have not spent enough money in recent seasons.Sullivan and chairman David Gold have been rounded on by Blues fans following the club's relegation, with sections of the media also critical of the board.

Sullivan told the Birmingham Post: "Since Steve Bruce was appointed and Alex McLeish took over we have spent £56million net on players (this figure does not include wages, National Insurance contributions, sign-on fees or image rights).

"We have spent five of the last six seasons in the Premier League. I like Steve and I do not want to disrespect him. But there were financial disaster buys.

"Clinton Morrison arrived for £3.75million, with Andy Johnson going in the opposite direction for free. AJ was then sold on by Crystal Palace to Everton for £8million. We got just £1.4million for Clinton when we sold him back to Palace.

"Millions of pounds of financial losses were made on the sales of David Dunn, Rowan Vine, Luciano Figueroa, Jesper Gronkjaer, Walter Pandiani and Robbie Blake."

More Football News from TEAMtalk