Birmingham City F.C.
| Badge of Birmingham City | |||
| Full name | Birmingham City Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | The Blues | ||
| Founded | 1875 | ||
| Ground | St Andrews Stadium, Birmingham | ||
| Capacity | 30,016 | ||
| Chairman |  David Gold | ||
| Manager | Steve Bruce | ||
| League | FA Premier League | ||
| 2004-05 | Premier League, 12th | ||
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Birmingham City (BCFC) are a football club from England who play in the FA Premier League . Originally known as Small Heath Alliance, followed by Small Heath in 1888, they became Birmingham F.C. in 1905 and Birmingham City F.C. in 1945.
Birmingham City in the last 20 years
Birmingham City suffered relegation from the top division at the end of the 1985-86 season. Their two following seasons in the Second Division were unsuccessful and they were finally relegated to the Third Division for the first time ever at the end of the 1988-89 season. They won promotion as Third Division runners-up three years later, at the end of the 1991-92 season, so they would find themselves members of the new Division One for the 1992-93 season. However, they were relegated from Division One at the end of the 1993-94 season (losing on goal difference to neighbours West Bromwich Albion) despite a managerial change halfway through the season in which Terry Cooper was replaced with Barry Fry.
Fry guided Birmingham to the Division Two championship and victory in the Autoglass Windscreens Trophy in 1994-95, but was sacked one year later after a promising 1995-96 campaign had faded away to a 15th place finish in Division One. His successor Trevor Francis remained in charge at Birmingham until October 2001, during which time Birmingham qualified for the playoffs in three consecutive seasons and were on the losing side to Liverpool in the League Cup final. Francis's successor, Steve Bruce, helped Birmingham qualify for the 2001-02 Division One promotion playoffs where they defeated Norwich City (thanks to a winning penalty by Darren Carter) to win promotion to the Premier League for the first time in two decades.
After a 13th place finish in 2002-03, Birmingham City got off to a strong start in the 2003-04 season, staying in the top four for the first month and after six weeks had statistically the best defence in the division. Good form lasted until the last fourteen or so games, when the Blues stumbled and ended the season on a run of seven games without a win to finish 10th.
In the close season between the end of the 2003-04 season and the beginning of the 2004-05 season they signed Muzzy Izzet, Jesper Grønkjær, Mario Melchiot, Emile Heskey, Darren Anderton, Julian Gray, and finally signed Dwight Yorke on the final day of the summer transfer window. Mikael Forssell also agreed to rejoin Birmingham on a year-long loan deal from Chelsea.
Unfortunately, key striker Forssell broke his leg in the early part of the 2004-05 season, and this left the Blues struggling for in-form strikers. Walter Pandiani was brought in during the January transfer window in the hope of keeping the Blues away from relegation after quite a disappointing season. The Blues ended up finishing in 12th place.
Birmingham City entered the 2005-06 season with high expectations after finally sealing permanent deals for Mikael Forssell, Jermaine Pennant, Mehdi Nafti and Walter Pandiani. Nicky Butt also joined on a year-long loan deal from Newcastle United. However expectations have not been met as the find themselves in the bottom three entereing February. Forssell has struggled, Nafti was lost to injury for the remainder of the season, and Pandiani after struggling to find the form of last season returned to Spain after being sold to RCD Espanyol. Birmingham's place in the Premiership and Steve Bruce's job as manager are both under more serious threat than ever before as of February 2006.
Honours
- FA Cup
- League Cup
- Division Two
- Football League Trophy
- Birmingham Senior Cup
- Winners 1905 1907 1915 1920 1921 1922 1983 1996 1999 2000 2003
History Timeline
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1875
The club was formed in September as Small Heath Alliance by a group of young cricketers from Holy Trinity CC based in Bordesley Green in order to maintain sporting activities all year round. They played their first game in November, a 1-1 draw against Holte Wanderers of Aston at waste ground on Arthur Street - their first ground.
1876
The Heathens, as they were then known, moved to their first enclosed ground in Ladypool Road, Sparkbrook (capacity 3,000) due to a need to gain revenue.
1877
As the club quickly outgrew their new home they moved to the Muntz Street ground in Small Heath on the 11th of September which was rented from the Gressey family for £5 a season (this figure increased substantially over the next few years). The ground could then hold 10,000 spectators.
1879
The first ever match against Aston Villa was played which Small Heath won by 'one goal, and a disputed goal to nil' at Muntz Street.
1881
Their first FA Cup tie was played although it was then known as The English Cup.
1882
Due to the poor condition of the pitch at Muntz Street, Wednesbury Old Athletic made an offer of £5 to switch their Walsall Senior Cup tie to Wednesbury. The Heathens accepted the offer and went on to win the match 4-1 and eventually the trophy itself - their first honour.
1885
Because the players could not afford to take time off work to play and train, professionalism was adopted in August - the first club to make this step. It was agreed to pay the players one half of the net gate money and they received 1s 11½d each on their first pay day.
1886
Small Heath reached their very first FA Cup semi-final, losing 4-0 to WBA.
1888
The club became a limited liability company on the 24th of July (the first in the country to do so) with a share capital of £650 in 10 shilling shares. They also became Small Heath Football Club Limited after the Alliance part of the name was dropped. Another first this year was the introduction of a Board of Directors.
1889
Small Heath were elected to become founder members of The Football Alliance. After their first year in business Chairman Walter Hart announced a considerable profit which enabled a 5% dividend to be paid to the club's shareholders.
1890
Due to an unregistered player being used, Small Heath were disqualified from the FA Cup although they had won two matches by the time that it was noticed.
1891
A public meeting was held to drum up enthusiasm in the club. The meeting was a success as 207 extra shares were issued.
1892
Small Heath became founder members of Division 2 of the Football League as the Alliance was added to it's structure.
1893
They were champions in the inaugural season (scoring 90 goals in 22 matches) but failed to beat Newton Heath after a replay in a Test Match (the equivalent of today's play-offs) and therefore failed to gain promotion.
1894
Small Heath finally achieved promotion, beating Darwen in a Test Match. In recognition of this achievement 1,000 fans were waiting at New Street Station to greet the team's train which had the club's colours of blue and white draped around the funnel. The first Division 1 game was a 1-2 defeat by Aston Villa.
1895
Small Heath paid £275 to William Gessey for the lease to Muntz Street. The lease had 11 years left before expiry.
1896
After only two seasons Small Heath were relegated to Division 2 despite having beaten Manchester City 8-0 in a Test Match which were now played on a league rather than challenge basis.
1897
A new stand, which was bought off Aston Villa for £90, was erected at the Muntz Street end of the ground.
1898
Over four consecutive games in league and cup Small Heath score 35 goals.
1899
After a period of financial uncertainty a profit of £755 18s 1d was announced.
1900
The money problems returned as the loss this year was more than £800.
1901
Small Heath return to Division 1 as Division 2 runners-up, but the stay was a brief one.
1902
Relegated to Division 2.
1903
Blues quickly returned back to Division 1. 27 new turnstiles were added to the ground.
1904
The club was offered the lease to Muntz Street for a further 10 years which had by then been increased in capacity to 30,000.
1905
The club's most successful season yet as they won three local competitions; the Birmingham Senior Cup, The Lord Mayor Of Birmingham's Charity Cup and the Staffordshire Senior Cup as well as finishing 7th in Division 1. This was Small Heath's last season under that name as a move to change the club's name to Birmingham FC was carried unanimously at an Extraordinary General Meeting in March, although the initial proposal to name the club Birmingham City was rejected. Also this year was the first indication in the club records that a change of ground was possible as the club was outgrowing Muntz Street. Director Harry Morris reported to his colleagues the possibility of renting the St. Andrew's site, a piece of wasteland off Garrison Lane, Bordesley Green. Unusually, plans for the new ground were prepared by a carpenter called Harry Pumfrey, the brother of former Blues full-back Bernard Pumfrey. The decision was then made to proceed with the lease of the new site. The club's Articles of Association were then changed to enable an issue of debentures to finance the purchase and construction of the new ground. It was also this year that Blues beat Aston Villa for the first time in a league match, the result was a 2-0 home win.
1906
Blues signed a 21 year lease on the new site and work began on the development. A grandstand was built on the Garrison Lane side and the two ends were open to the elements. Impressed by Liverpool's Spion Kop the directors decide to go one better and build an equivalent, but on the side rather than the end. The bank is built up by allowing locals to tip their rubbish on the site - approximately 100,000 loads of rubbish were dumped, bringing in £800 in income to the club. The completed ground, known as St Andrew's had a capacity of 75,000 and had cost £10,000. There are no contemporary reports of gypsies being ousted from the site - this seems to arise at a later date. Work progressed at such a rate that an official opening date of Boxing Day was announced. A heavy snowfall on Christmas Day threatened to postpone the opening, but volunteers helped in clearing the pitch in time for the game. Sir John Holder kicked off the Division1 fixture against Middlesbrough, but the first game finished goal less in front of a crowd of 32,000. The first goal at St. Andrew's was scored three days later by Benny Green who was rewarded with a piano for his efforts.
1907
The first FA Cup match was played at St. Andrew's, a semi-final between Woolwich Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday which Wednesday won 3-1. Despite the cost of work on the new ground the club made a respectable profit of £1,032 17s 3d.
1908
Blues' first FA Cup match at St. Andrew's, a 1-2 defeat by WBA. After complaints by visiting teams the crown on the pitch was reduced during the close season. Blues are relegated to Division 2. The first Secretary/Manager of Blues, Alec Watson, was appointed.
1910
Blues' finished bottom of Division 2 but topped the re-election poll. Blues appointed their first team manager with responsibilty for team selection, former player Bob McRoberts. Prior to this the team was selected by a committee comprising of the captain, secretary and various other club officials.
1913
Blues' participate in their first overseas tour which was a boat trip to Denmark. The first roof was erected to cover the Spion Kop. Club captain Frank Womack was offered a bribe of 55 guineas to fix the home match against Grimsby but he reported the matter to club officials who in turn informed the police.
1914
War broke out but league and cup football continued as normal for this season only.
1915
Frank Richards was appointed secretary-manager.
1920
Secretary Frank Richards forgot to submit the club's FA Cup application form so for the first and only time since entering the competition they were not included in the draw.
1921
Blues bought the freehold of St Andrew's for less than £7,000. Blues were champions of Division 2 and therefore gained promotion to Division 1.
1923
Former player Billy Beer was placed in charge of team affairs.
1925
The first foreign opponents play in a friendly at St. Andrew's. Real Madrid of Spain were the guests and were beaten 3-0.
1927
Ex-player Bill Harvey was appointed manager.
1928
Leslie Knighton was appointed manager.
1931
Blues reached the FA Cup Final for the first time as well as making their first Wembley appearance but they lost the game 2-1 to West Bromwich Albion. Joe Bradford scored in every round that Blues took part in.
1933
Another former player, George Liddell was appointed manager and Harry Morris became chairman.
1938
The first roofs were erected above the Railway End and the Tilton Road stand.
1939
The record attendance at St. Andrew's was achieved as 67,341 spectators were admitted for the FA Cup tie against Everton. After 18 seasons in the top division Blues were relegated to Division 2. War commenced halting the League programme after 3 games and St Andrews was closed by Birmingham's Chief Constable, who believed that matches would constitute a safety risk. Bill Camkin was appointed Honorary Managing Director, he held this position for most of the war years during which time he ran not only the team but the whole club.
1940
The closure was rescinded after an appeal by the City Council. Harry Hibbs was honoured at the end of an outstanding career with a Benefit Match against Aston Villa. This was the first ever wartime benefit game.
1941
The England v Wales wartime International was played at St. Andrew's. England win 2-1 with Blues player Don Dearson missing a penalty for Wales.
1942
The Main Stand was destroyed by an unfortunate accident. A member of the Auxiliary Fire Service in an attempt to douse a fire with a brazier of water found that it contained petrol with tragic consequences. In a separate incident the Railway End burnt down, taking with it the scoreboard (the largest in the League at the time) and the clock. Blues temporarily played their home games at Villa Park.
1943
Blues moved back to St. Andrew's but the players had to change in a nearby factory.
1944
It was this year on the 1st of July that the club was renamed Birmingham City. Ted Goodier was appointed caretaker manager.
1945
Harry Storer succeeds Ted Goodier as manager.
1946
Blues won the Football League South and reached the FA Cup semi-finals. The Spion Kop was re-roofed and a temporary stand was built on the Garrison Lane side of the ground.
1948
Promoted to Division 1 as champions of Division 2 conceding only 24 goals (including only 11 away) all season.
1949
Bob Brocklebank became manager.
1950
Relegated to Division 2.
1951
Blues were losing FA Cup semi-finalists again.
1954
A new main stand was built and former player Arthur Turner was appointed manager.
1955
Blues were promoted to Division 1 as champions of Division 2. They were accepted as Birmingham's (a European Fair city) representatives in the inaugural Inter-Cities Fairs Cup.
1956
This was probably Blues' most memorable season ever. They reached their second, and last, FA Cup final (without playing a home tie), this time the opposition was Manchester City but Blues lost 3-1. They also achieved their highest ever league position - 6th in Division 1 which still stands as a club record. Floodlights were installed and the occasion was commemorated with a friendly game against Borussia Dortmund, a 3-3 draw. It was also this year that that the fans adopted the song 'Keep Right On To The End Of The Road' as their anthem which they still sing to this day.
1957
Blues once again reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
1958
Blues were innovators once more as Pat Beasley was appointed joint manager alongside Arthur Turner. Turner, unhappy with the situation quit later that year leaving Beasley to take sole responsibility.
1959
The Jeff Hall Memorial Scoreboard was installed in the corner of the ground between the Railway End and the Kop.
1960
Another former player, Gil Merrick took over as manager. Blues reached the final of the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup against Barcelona. The first leg ended in a 0-0 draw but Blues lost the second leg 4-1 to finish runners-up.
1961
Blues reached their second successive Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final, this time against Roma. The first leg ended 2-2 but again Blues lost the second leg 2-0 to again finish runners-up.
1963
Blues won the League Cup by beating Aston Villa 3-1 in the first leg and drawing the second leg 0-0. The City Stand was built at the Railway End of the ground.
1964
Gil Merrick was replaced by Joe Mallett as manager.
1965
Cliff Coombes became Chairman of the club and former Wolves manager Stan Cullis was appointed manager. Relegated to Division 2.
1967
Blues were League Cup semi-finalists. The youth team were beaten over two legs in the final of the FA Youth Cup.
1968
Blues reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup.
1970
A large clock was built in the corner of the ground between the Kop and the City Stand. Freddie Goodwin took over as manager and gave Trevor Francis his debut as a 16 year old.
1972
Blues were promoted to Division 1 and were FA Cup semi-finalists. The current club badge (the globe and ball) was introduced replacing the city's coat of arms. It was the winning entry of a competition organised in the Sports Argus newspaper and was designed by a local supporter.
1975
Blues narrowly failed to make it to Wembley for the FA Cup Final, losing to a Fulham goal in the last minute of extra time in the semi-final replay. Keith Coombes succeeded his father as chairman. Freddie Goodwin was sacked and his assistant Willie Bell took over as caretaker manager. After a successful spell in temporary charge he was handed the position permanently.
1976
Executive boxes were added to the Main Stand.
1977
Willie Bell was sacked and director and former England manager Sir Alf Ramsey took over.
1978
Ramsey retired due to ill health allowing Jim Smith to become manager.
1979
Blues were relegated to Division 2. Trevor Francis was sold to Nottingham Forest for £975,000 - an English record fee. Life long Blues supporter and comedian Jasper Carrott joined the board.
1980
Promoted back to Division 1.
1982
Jim Smith was sacked and was replaced by former Aston Villa manager Ron Saunders which provoked Jasper Carrott into resigning from the board.
1984
Relegated to Division 2.
1985
Promoted back to Division I as Division 2 runners-up.
1986
Blues were once more relegated to Division 2. John Bond replaced Ron Saunders as manager and Keith Coombes resigned as Chairman being replaced by former Walsall Chairman Ken Wheldon. Wheldon announced that the club was deeply in debt and as a consequence several staff left.
1987
Former player Garry Pendrey replaced John Bond as manager.
1988
The club's Elmdon training ground was sold for £350,000 plus 30% of the development profits in an attempt to keep the club afloat.
1989
Relegated to Division 3 for the first time in the club's history. Chairman Ken Wheldon announced that he was selling his controlling interest in the club which was subsequently bought by the Kumar brothers for £1.6m. Dave Mackay was appointed manager after a disappointing period under Garry Pendrey.
1991
Blue won the Leyland DAF Trophy at Wembley. Blues had three different managers in a year, Lou Macari took over from Dave Mackay but left four months later to manage Stoke City. Terry Cooper was then appointed manager after Bill Coldwell had been in charge temporarily during the summer.
1992
Blues were promoted from Division 3 to Division 1 as the Divisions were renumbered due to the formation of the FA Premier League. The club was placed in the hands of the receiver as the Kumar brothers' textile business collapsed. Jack Wiseman became chairman.
1993
Millionaire publisher David Sullivan and his partners David and Ralph Gold bought the club for £1.7m immediately appointing Karren Brady as football's first female Managing Director. Later that year t hey appointed Barry Fry as manager after Terry Cooper had resigned.
1994
Blues suffered relegation to Division 2. At a cost of £7.4m St Andrews underwent re-development with the Spion Kop and Tilton Road stands being replaced, making the ground all-seater for the first time. The Spion Kop consisting of 9,500 seats and 24 executive boxes and the Tilton Road End 7,000 seats.
1995
Blues return to Division 1 as champions of Division 2 and were also winners of the Auto Windscreens Shield.
1996
Blues reach the semi-finals of the Coca-Cola Cup but lose 1-5 on aggregate to Leeds. Trevor Francis returned to the club as manager after Barry Fry was sacked.
1998
Blues narrowly missed out on the Division 1 play-offs on goals scored.
1999
The second stage of the stadium re-development programme was completed with the opening of the new Railway End stand. The stand cost £4.5m and accommodates 8,000 seats and 16 executive boxes. Blues made the Division 1 play-offs but failed in their semi-final against Watford on penalties.
2000
Blues again failed in the semi-finals of the play-offs, this time to Barnsley after losing 0-4 in the home leg. Blues signed Fulham's Geoff Horsfield for a club record £2.25m.
2001
Blues reached the final of the Worthington Cup but lost to Liverpool 4-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Blues fail yet again in a play-off semi-final, losing on penalties to Preston.
After an indifferent start to the 2001-2 season, Trevor Francis leaves the club 'by mutual consent'. He's replaced by former captain Steve Bruce.
2002
Blues finally gained promotion to the Premier League after beating Norwich on penalties in the play-off final. It has been 16 years since Blues were last in the top flight.
2003
Blues finish 13th in their first ever season in the Premier League and in doing so become the top Midlands side for the first time since 1906. Matthew Upson becomes Blues' first full England international since Trevor Francis in the 1970s.
Blues sign England International David Dunn from Blackburn for a club record £5.5m.
2004
Birmingham's transfer record fee is broken again with the purchase of Emile Heskey from Liverpool for £6.25m.
2006
Sign Chris Sutton from Celtic for nothing. A player who must be desperate to play but can create and score goals. Signed Dudley Campbell from Brentford, shortly after scoring a famous winner for the club over Sunderland AFC in the FA Cup.
Birmingham in the Premiership
Birmingham City had to wait until 2002 for their Premiership debut. It took them until their 5th match before their first win in the Premier League, a 2-1 victory over Leeds United FC. As predicted, they began the season battling against relegation but some astute mid-season signings by Steve Bruce helped them climb to a secure 13th place in the final table. They did even better in 2003-04, finished 10th, although their early season form built up hope that the Blues could qualify for Europe. A 12th place finish in 2004-05 was also a decent finish, but the Blues were struggling in the bottom three of the Premiership as 2005 drew to a close. A substantial improvement in league form is vital if relegation can be avoided, and Steve Bruce's job is reported to be on the line. They have had some victories over their major rivals Aston Villa, however they have never finished above them in the Premiership.
Performance in the top division
As of the 2004-05 season, Birmingham City have spent 53 seasons in the national top flight, finishing in these positions (followed by number of times):
- 6th: 1
- 7th: 2
- 8th: 1
- 9th: 3
- 10th: 2
- 11th: 5
- 12th: 4
- 13th: 5
- 14th: 2
- 15th: 2
- 16th: 1
- 17th: 7
- 18th: 2
- 19th: 6
- 20th: 5
- 21st: 3
- 22nd: 2
The Blues' «favourite» position in the table is No. 17 (7 seasons). Over the years, they have found themselves in every position in the top flight, except for the first five.
Current first-team squad
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Players out on loan
| 13 | GK |  EIR
|
Colin Doyle (on loan to Millwall) |
| 17 | MF |  ENG
|
Asa Hall (on loan to Boston United) |
| 34 | GK | ENG
|
James Dormand (on loan to Tamworth) |
| 37 | FW | ENG
|
Peter Till (on loan to Scunthorpe United) |
Grounds
Past Players
- Christophe Dugarry
- Jimmy Montgomery
- Trevor Francis
- Darren Anderton
- Bob Latchford
- Steve Bruce
- David Seaman
Current League Position
Premiership
18th
Points: 19
Played: 21
Won: 5
Drew: 4
Lost: 12
Goals Scored: 20
Goals Conceded: 29
External links
- - Vital Football's Blues site
- - Blues Kits of the past
- - Official Club site
- - 4thegame.com's Birmingham City page
- - Small Heath Alliance
- - The BCFC Archive
- - Keep Right On
- - Newsnow Blues
- - Joys & Sorrows
- - Birmingham City stadium location
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