Birmingham International Holdings (BIH), which own the Barclays Premier League club, are seeking leave to appeal against a court order which demands that they pay Seymour Pierce a £2.2million "success fee" for laying the groundwork for Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung's takeover of the club.

The money had been due to be received by Seymour Pierce on Monday but with that deadline now passed, the bank can now gain a charge of the shares held by BIH.

However, a statement issued by the club insisted there was no chance of control of the club being ceded to Seymour Pierce and that if the disputed payment does eventually have to be made, it will not have "any material adverse affect" on BIH or the club.

The statement read: "Birmingham International Holdings Limited acknowledges that it has been in litigation with Seymour Pierce disputing the payment of fees and that summary judgment had been obtained by Seymour Pierce in relation thereto.

"Birmingham International Holdings Limited is currently seeking leave to appeal the decision.

"Birmingham International Holdings Limited stresses that the amount in dispute is immaterial to it and if payment is required to be made, will not have any material adverse effect on its financial condition or business.

"It is stressed that Birmingham International Holdings Limited has not and will not lose control of Birmingham City Football Club as a result of this litigation."

Seymour Pierce had advised Yeung prior to the takeover of Birmingham, but Yeung then appointed a different company to complete the deal.

However, Seymour Pierce successfully argued its contract remained valid and it was owed the money.

Seymour Pierce spokesman Neil Bennett told Sky Sports News earlier today: "Seymour Pierce can take a charge over the shares of Birmingham City and do what they need to do with them to recover the money it is owed, so that means they could potentially sell them to another owner.

"They haven't paid so in effect they are in contempt of court and Seymour Pierce has taken the necessary steps to effectively take control of Birmingham City to recover the debt.

"It is very regrettable, very regrettable indeed, that Seymour Pierce has had to go to these lengths to get the fee but a contract is a contract and Seymour Pierce needs to be paid for its work.''

Birmingham's season has been a largely positive one on the field with the club long ago warding off the threat of an instant return to the Coca-Cola Championship with some impressive performances in the Premier League.

Blues boss Alex McLeish is adamant it will continue to be "business as usual" and does not expect the players will be concerned by - or possibly even aware of - the off-field dispute.

He said: "I think the players only read about themselves and do not start looking at the business section of newspapers.

"I don't think they are going to rush out and buy the Financial Times."