Birmingham City FC are back in the spotlight after a pretty average few seasons.
Founded in the Small Heath area of the city in 1875, Birmingham City Football Club have languished in the EFL Championship since 2011, otherwise known as the second devision of English football.
The 1950s and 60s saw Birmingham experience their most successful period to date, finishing 6th in the first division and having the novelty of being the first English football club to reach a major European final.
The Blues won the League Cup in 1963, and also 2011 but really, the second city team have always been the underdogs of English football, with long suffering fans and a string of bad owners.
David Sullivan acquiring the club was a low point in the 1990s and the spectre of Karren Brady managing director lingered far too long. This was followed by a Chinese businessman Carson Yeung who further held the club back with various financial issues.
In spite of this, Birmingham had some brilliant managers who were loved by the team and players such as Barry Fry, Steve Bruce, Chris Hughton and Gary Rowett, the team even produced one of the finest footballers of recent times in Jude Bellingham, a local Stourbridge lad who rose to fame in the last World Cup, sadly sold to Borussia Dortmund in July 2020.
However, in 2023, Shelby Companies Ltd, a subsidiary of US-based Knighthead Capital Management bought a controlling share in BCFC and took on outright ownership of the Blues stadium.
To compliment this, former Manchester City CEO Garry Cook was appointed CEO and, seven-time Super Bowl-winner Tom Brady owning a minority share and becoming chairman of its advisory board has created great publicity. It is rumoured that Stephen Knight of The Peaky Blinders fame is involved in the new look Blues too!
So, how have they started the 2023/24 championship?
After a slow start drawing with Swansea on the 5th August, the team has since beaten Cheltenham Town in the EFL Cup first round, beaten Leeds United in the Championship, and also Bristol City on the 19th August, to leave them 4th in league.
Whilst it’s early days, there is such a buz around the blues, anything could happen this season. One to watch and for anyone wanting to place a bet on the team’s performance or final position in the league, an online betting site such as GGBET sports is well worth considering.
Comon’ you blues!