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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.
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