Football Gifts
History of Birmingham City FC
Birmingham City FC’s life was started by a group of cricketers from Holy Church in Bordesley Green in 1875 with the name of Small Heath Alliance
The club had its first ground at, Muntz Street, in 1877, which was rented from a family called Gressey. The club turned professional in 1885 and agreed with the players that they should receive half of the gate money. The club swept aside its name of Small Heath Alliance in 1905, to the name of Birmingham FC and also moved to the current St. Andrew's site in 1906 and the first match at St. Andrew's was played against Middlesbrough in December of the same year in front of a crowd of more than 32,000. Sir John Holder kicked off the match and the first game ended 0-0. During World War 1 the Blues were asked to help out by offering the use of St. Andrew's ground as a rifle range to train the soldiers. During the 1920-21 season the Blues did not enter the F.A. Cup competition - it is said that Secretary Sam Richards forgot to send in the paper work. In 1925 the Blues had their first visit of foreign opposition at St. Andrew's - Real Madrid lost 3-0 in a friendly.
In 1931 they went to Wembley playing against West Brom in the FA. Cup Final.This was Birmingham’s first ever appearance and after a good game, they lost 2-1. The following year saw the club have it’s highest ever attendance at St. Andrew's with over 67,000 people turning out to watch and F.A. Cup tie against Everton. On 15th May 1956, they became the first English league club to play in Europe against Internazionale which ended 1-1. In 1970 Trevor Francis made his first appearance for the Blues. It wasn’t long before he became a Blues legend, scoring 133 goals in 328 appearances. Nine years later he was the first million pound signing in English footballer, moving to Nottingham Forest in 1979.
Times were getting even harder when the Blues and for the first time in their history got relegated to division 3 in 1989. When David Sullivan and the Gold brothers took over in March 1993 it brought with it financial stability and, under Terry Cooper, and a much needed cash boost the club survived relegation.
Birmingham City FC have had their ups and downs even recently when in the 2007/2008 season they were relegated by a single point but then they have their ups and in this case had it fast as they were promoted back to the premiership the season after. Watch this space...
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