| Birmingham City Football Club was
formed in 1875 by a group of Holy Trinity Cricket Club players who wanted to "keep
together during the winter months." Over the years, the club have had four
names, originally called Small Heath Alliance, then Small Heath, Birmingham and finally
Birmingham City. Four different grounds have also been used: Arthur Street, Bordesley
Green; Ladybrook Road, Sparkbrook; Muntz Street, Small Heath and finally St Andrew's. The
siting of St Andrew's has legendary meaning to "Blues" supporters. The ground
was built on a former gypsy site, and is said to have been given a curse.... and that is
why the club has been fairly unsuccessful!!!!
The Blues do have their own special place in football.
Although, they have never won the old First Division title (or indeed graced the
Premiership) and still await that glorious moment when a Blues Captain lifts the FA Cup at
Wembley (although they have practised winning the Leyland DAF Trophy and the Auto Windscreen Shield both at
Wembley), Birmingham City are a much-loved club and despite all the disappointments of
recent years, they will remain so.
The Blues have also made their mark on the history of
football. In 1888 they became the first club to be formed into a limited company. In 1960
they were the first British club to reach a European Final, when they met Barcelona in the
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. There has been a host of great names, from Joe Bradford to Trevor
Francis, Harry Hibbs to Gil Merrick and other great servants like Frank Womack and Malcolm
Beard.
There have been good times, when Birmingham City fans
have had special reasons to hold their heads up high, and that great battle hymn 'Keep
Right on to the End of the Road' has reverberated around St Andrew's and elsewhere.
Now, the 'Prodigal Son' has returned Trevor Francis is
managing the side and together with David Sullivan, David and Ralph Gold and Karen Brady
the club has never been in better hands. Blues fans can now look into the not too distant
future when OUR team finally reaches the Promised Land that is the Premiership. |