Birmingham City plunged into crisis after being left 'with no option' but to go into receivership

Birmingham City face an uncertain future after the club's owners said they were left "with no option" but to go into receivership.

The Blues welcome Boro to St Andrew's tomorrow night in the Championship but the focus is firmly on matters off the pitch ahead of the league clash after this morning's announcement.

The club have reassured fans that no winding up petition has been filed and that they are not in liquidation.

But owners Birmingham International Holdings Ltd (BIHL) called in receivers from Ernst and Young to deal with what the club describes as "fractious and inharmonious relations within the management."

The receivers will now manage the day-to-day activities of BIHL and take control of the club's finances.

A statement on Birmingham City's website reads: "BCFC naturally recognises the impact which this announcement may have on itself and how it may be interpreted by its supporters, staff, media, and the wider domain.

"The Club therefore wishes to explain why the majority directors on the Board of BIHL had deemed it necessary to take this voluntary but unusual course of action.

Dark clouds over St Andrews after today's announcment

"First and foremost, however the Club wishes to reassure its supporters and staff most emphatically that no winding up petition has been filed against the Company (BIHL) and that it is therefore not in liquidation.

"With no apparent resolution to the fractious and inharmonious relations within the management, the majority on the BIHL Board decided that it had no other option but to openly and voluntarily request reputable receivers to take over the management of BIHL on its behalf."

After surviving relegation on the final day of last season, Birmingham suffered a shaky start to the current campaign but have been revitalised since the appointment of Gary Rowett.

However, after climbing into the top half, Birmingham are now without a win in six ahead of the game against promotion chasing Boro.

Rowett managed to hold on to star asset Demurai Gray in January despite a reported £5m bid from Boro's rivals Bournemouth.