Birmingham City v Cardiff City

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Main Interview

Neil Etheridge

L

ast weekend’s game on the road at Millwall may not live long in the memory given the outcome, but for one Blues player it meant a return to First Team league action after a testing six months.

Neil Etheridge was hospitalised with COVID-19 in the summer and his journey since has been one long road of recovery, requiring patience and hard work building up to last weekend.

This wait was extended courtesy of Matija Sarkic’s fine form in the last line of defence. But when injury forced the Wolverhampton Wanderer’s loanee out of the trip to The Den, Etheridge returned between the sticks.

BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Now preparing for the visit of his former club, Cardiff City, with whom he won promotion from the Sky Bet Championship in 2018, the ‘keeper caught up with Blues News.

You were back in the team for your first league appearance of the season on Saturday – how did it feel to be back out there?

You have to take your opportunity when it comes and it’s impossible to ignore how well Matty [Sarkic] has done since he has come in over the summer. Ten clean sheets speak for themselves but for me Saturday came as an opportunity to show what I can do again, and I hope I did that.

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It was not the result we wanted but certainly chances for you to show what you can do – did you feel that you put in a solid shift?

Of course, it was not the result we wanted. Millwall is always a tough place to go, and we covered the result post-match. But for me personally, I think I made some good saves and had work to do. To be honest, it was just huge to be back, and I enjoyed it.

You have had to be patient this season – how has that been?

It is one of the first times in my senior career that I have had to be patient like this. It has taught me to be as such, to work hard and improve my game. You can’t replicate match fitness but off the pitch I have been busy in the gym and focusing on parts of my game I wouldn’t normally get the chance to assess. It’s not been easy at times but certainly part and parcel of being a footballer and a goalkeeper.

It was a challenging summer period given your fight against COVID-19 – do you feel fully over that now?

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I can’t sugar coat how much of a scare it was in the summer. I have moved past it now and it is not something that is holding me back anymore. I won’t use it as an excuse for anything, but I am thankful for all the support shown to me at the time. But for me now, moving forwards, I want to work hard, keep improving and show people once again the goalkeeper that I am.

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Up against a former employer in Cardiff today – how do you find those occasions?

Web: www.bcfc.com

No one can take away the success and the good times I had at Cardiff – people might say it has changed a lot there in 18 months though. But now, I am a Birmingham City player, and I am very happy to be here. My career is at St. Andrew’s and I am always looking to move forwards.

Store: www.blues.clubstore.co.uk 6 | BLUES NEWS

BCFC BOARD Directors: Wenqing Zhao, Chun Kong Yiu, Gannan Zheng, Yao Wang, Honorary Vice President: Mike Wiseman

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

Steve Morison

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

Head Coach: Lee Bowyer Assistant Head Coach: Mark Kennedy

DOB: 18 October 1978 Appointed: October 2021 Cardiff’s top brass took a new approach with the internal promotion of rookie coach Morison in October.

The Bluebirds had opted for experience in the dug-out with Neil Warnock, Neil Harris and Mick McCarthy in charge over the previous five years.

This time around though the interim appointment of the club’s Under-23s coach was unexpected but applauded by a host of club greats. Former Cardiff captain Jason Perry called it a “sensible appointment” and Joe Ledley praised “the different style of play”.

ONE TO WATCH

Rubin Colwill ATTACKING MIDFIELDER DOB: 27 April 2002 Every cloud has a silver lining, and the emergence of the teenage forward into the club’s senior set-up has been a much-needed ray of light in a troubled campaign.

The Academy prospect only featured a handful of times during 2020/21 before earning a spot in Wales Head Coach Robert Page’s squad at the Euro 2021 finals. This season the 19-year-old has continued to excel and has quickly developed into one of the club’s most influential players.

A fearless approach and the ability to orchestrate attacks has seen the Wales international score four times this season, all on the road. Morison certainly believes his midfield architect is destined for a bright career, but hopes he remains with his boyhood club beyond the expiration of his contract in June 2024.

MORISON HAS BLUEBIRDS ON SONG

“This is the best place for him,” Morison told BBC Sport. “He is playing in front of his family and his friends for the team he has supported his whole life.

he Bluebirds were on a nose dive they were struggling to pull up from during the worst autumn on record for Cardiff City.

A club record eight consecutive defeats, starting with a 1-0 loss at Coventry City in mid-September and ending with a 0-2 home defeat to Middlesbrough the following month, spelled the end of Mick McCarthy’s 10-month reign as manager. Included in the depressing downturn was a 5-1 loss at Blackburn Rovers, a 0-4 home thumping to West Bromwich Albion and a humiliating 3-0 reverse to South Wales rivals Swansea City.

Having finished last season with plenty of promise on a six-game unbeaten run and beginning this term by taking eight points from the opening four games, a capitulation of such proportion seemed incongruous.

“Where is the best place to grow? It is here. I am not going to sit here and say no one is going to be interested in a 19-year-old who is arguably our star man most weeks though, because that will mean you will not take what I am saying as the truth.”

Restoring confidence and getting chins off chests has fallen to former Wales striker Steve Morison and Tom Ramasut, the duo stepping up

10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

Head of Performance Analysis: Carl Blakemore

into interim charge from coaching roles with the club’s Under-23s, while former captain Mark Hudson returned in a coaching capacity.

They masterminded an astonishing comeback at Stoke City in their first dug-out appointment at senior level, coming from 3-0 down to draw at bet365 Stadium, and have since continued to help the club turn a corner with three wins in their last five games.

Morison is convinced he can get the Bluebirds soaring once again, telling Wales Online: “It is about getting the players and staff all moving in the right direction and can we be better as staff and better as players to get this football club away from trouble.

Once we have done that then we can enjoy our work every single day because that is ultimately what it is all about.

An Academy coach at previous employers Northampton Town and Millwall, the 38 -year-old has the nurturing skills to get the best out of a youthful crop he knows well and the determination to lift Cardiff up the table.

Club owner Vincent Tan has certainly been encouraged by Morison’s start and said: “The excellent work done by Steve and Tom at Under-23s level this season puts them in the very best position to help develop a talented crop of young players emerging at senior level.

“A healthy finish in the Championship this season is, of course, of paramount importance and a review of the side’s progress will be undertaken at the end of the campaign.”

“If we can make people better, if we can get the fans closer to the players then that is what we need to do. We are going to try and do anything we can to make that happen and there

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 11

Supporters

MESSAGES

Goalkeeping Coach: Andy Marshall

Chief Medical Officer: Roddy Macdonald

What the former Wales striker lacks in experience he has more than made up for in positivity and energy, something that was required to galvanise the Bluebirds from their malaise.

T

First Team Development Coach: Paul Harsley

Head of Physical Performance: Sean Rush

BLUES NEWS | 7

IN THIS ISSUE IN THE DUGOUT

Technical Director: Craig Gardner

www.bcfc.com

Match Report

B

Under 23s

lues Under-23s were narrowly beaten by Burnley in the Premier League 2 on Monday night at Nuneaton Borough’s Liberty Way.

At Bodymoor Heath, Steve Spooner’s side trailed by the break but even that deficit could have been avoided with a clinical edge at either end of the pitch during the first-half.

The hosts drew first blood in a topsyturvy encounter, with winger Tristan Abldeen-Goodridge converting Caleb Chukwuemeka’s square ball into an empty net after his teammate had poached possession inside the penalty area in the 14th minute.

But not to be undone, Blues fought back and levelled within the first half an hour of action in freezing conditions. Having almost assisted Kieran Wakefield just moments earlier, George Hall went one better

and equalised when Jobe Bellingham and Oriol Soldevila combined with finesse to provide him with a giftwrapped close-range finish.

This leveller was well merited on the balance of play, although did not have the desired effect as the home side retook the lead just five minutes later.

Chukwuemeka located Keenan Davis inside the box who turned neatly and progressed towards goal where he went over under a challenge from goalkeeper Archie Matthews, with Trezeguet finding the corner from the resulting penalty.

Chukwuemeka and Davis combined again just seven minutes after the break to similar effect and the latter bounded clear of visiting defenders to finish well from 12 yards out.

Such a setback may have sunk weaker ships, but the one steered by Spooner and Paul Williams went against the tide and picked up a head of steam to produce a memorable comeback in North Warwickshire.

Aston Villa: Marschall, Alcock, Barber (Pierre 41), Lindley, Munroe, Iroegbunam, Trezeguet (Frith 60), Thorndike, Davis, Chukwuemeka (Young) 78, Abledeen-Goodridge Substitutes not used: Wright, Young Booking: None.

Ronald Bird. Dad, Grandad, Uncle, Legend!

Blue & White since 1929.

May you rest in eternal peace.

Sunrise 21/07/29 - Sunset 05/11/21

Happy 22nd Birthday Tom! Hope you have an amazing day!

Lots of love, Meg

Substitutes not used: Basey, Hurst, Simmonds, ThompsonSommers, Sullivan Booking: None. turn of pace to intercept a rogue back-pass before flicking past Filip Marschall.

Happy 50th Birthday Scott White. Over 45 years of being a season ticket holder at your beloved Blues. Love from Ellen, Ben, Millie and all your family KRO xxx

from Happy 2nd Birthday Orlo! Lots of love Nina Mom, Dad, Uncle Adam, Louis, Auntie John, & Chloe. Grandparents Kathy, Steve xxx Henryk & John and extended family

To Chloe, have a great 9th birthday today and enjoy being a mascot for the game!

Keep Right On! Lots of love from Mummy, Daddy, Jack, Ava and Amelie xx

John Connolly (Scarrett). 30.09.1946 20.11.2021.

Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather.

Lifelong Birmingham City fan who will KRO in his families hearts and those of his friends.

Bry Happy Heavenly 10th Birthday Tommy Mom, Plant. All our love forever and always. xxxx Dad, George, Harry & Ben. Forever 6

This set up a grandstand finish and Blues had the last laugh to claim a full-deserved point. After going close on a number of occasions beforehand, Soldevila was initially denied only for second-half substitute Kyle Hurst to pounce upon the rebound.

Soldevila was switched into a central area of the attack and started to cause havoc, the upshot being his positioning and anticipation to pull one back just three minutes after the hosts had extended their lead.

The Spaniard showed an impressive 24 | BLUES NEWS

Lots Happy 10th Birthday to Edi Ledbrook!

Rhoda, of love from Mom, Dad, Seb, Samuel, xx Nanny and Grandad and all the family

Blues: Matthews, Williams, Idehen, Boyd-Munce, Fogarty, Roberts captain, Hall, Walker, Wakefield (Simmonds 68), Bellingham (Hurst 78), Soldevila

Happy Birthday Robyn who is 1 on x Wednesday, Love Mommy and Daddy

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 25

05 LEE BOWYER 06 Neil etheridge 09 The Opposition: cardiff city 15 Harlee Dean 18 72@50 22 community 23 player sponsorship 24 under-23s match report 25 supporters messages 26 action replay 29 Stats 30 fixtures and results

First Team Analyst: Dan Millard Under-23s Head Coach: Steve Spooner Academy Director: Paul Williams Head Physiotherapist: Pete Shaw First Team Physiotherapists: Dave Hunt & Dave Singleton Club Secretary: Zoe Jones www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 3

Remembering Arthur Labinjo-Hughes The Club was shocked and saddened to hear of the death of 6-year-old Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

Arthur was subject to a campaign of cruelty and abuse, something no child should have to suffer at the hands of the very people who were supposed to be protecting him.

The lasting image of Arthur, shared across social media and used by a number of news outlets in recent weeks, depicts a smiling, happy boy wearing a Blues shirt.

This is how we want to remember Arthur.

The Club, along with the support from Friday’s, yesterday renamed the Family Zone at St. Andrew’s to Arthur’s Area. This will be a fun-filled space for young supporters to enjoy prior to kick-off. Planned activities will be arranged on a match-by-match basis with information points installed by local children’s charities to help tackle child abuse.

In addition, plans are in place to create a memorial garden at St. Andrew’s where supporters can take a quiet moment to remember Arthur, and their loved ones who have passed.

A flag of remembrance has been installed in the lower Kop with a minute’s applause to be held in the sixth minute of the game, accompanied by a message displayed on the big screen.

Two memorial bricks will also be cemented into the stadium, symbolising a lasting tribute to Arthur who becomes part of the very fabric of the Football Club.

Finally, £1 from every sale of today’s matchday programme will be donated to a children’s charity.

The Club will be exploring further ways to remember Arthur in the weeks and months ahead.

Arthur Labinjo-Hughes, you are loved.

4 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

Lee

F

BOWYER

irstly, I would like to welcome Steve Morison, his staff, players and supporters from Cardiff City, to St. Andrew’s for today’s game, which is also our designated Rainbow Laces fixture.

Football is for everyone and the club are delighted to support Stonewall in their campaign for better inclusion in the game we all love.

I think we all have a part to play in creating meaningful change and I would encourage you to speak out against all forms of discrimination.

Turning our attentions to the match itself, whenever you play a Cardiff side you know you are in for a tough game and in the short time he has been in charge, Steve has certainly improved them.

They have a core of seasoned Sky Bet Championship players in their squad who know what it takes to compete at this level and I would expect them to continue to climb the table as the weeks progress.

So it may turn out to be another gruelling battle today and I am pleased we came out on top against Blackpool in a similar encounter.

We are at that stage of the season where it is important to grind out results and find a way to win those games which could go either way. www.bcfc.com

We were too loose in possession in the first-half and needed to use the ball a lot better but if you can remain defensively solid, especially when the game is not free flowing, then you are always in with a shout of nicking it.

I was really pleased with the goal for a few reasons. It is important we deliver quality from wide areas and have players breaking beyond the strikers and attacking the box. Young JJ [Jordan James] did just that to get on the end of the cross and I was pleased that Lukas [Jutkiewicz] got his goal. He has had to wait for his opportunity and everyone knows he is a top professional around the Club.

We know he is a big threat in the box so I am glad he got his reward.

We then travelled to Millwall last weekend knowing exactly what to expect. The Den is a place where you have to stand up and be counted. The manner of the goals we conceded was not like us because we are usually very strong at dealing with defensive set plays.

To their credit, the players responded after half-time. We played with more intensity, we were braver on the ball and scored a fantastically worked goal to get us back in the game.

But for whatever reason, we did not kick on when we should have been

the ones in the ascendancy and with all the momentum. It was a disappointing defeat because there were no surprises and I just felt we gifted Millwall a two-goal head start.

However, some things are bigger than football and despite the defeat I was heartened to see both sets of supporters, players and staff unite to mark the passing of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

The nation was shocked and saddened by his passing. He was one of our own and I know his story brought out a lot of different emotions in all of us. It was heartwarming to see so many clubs, at all levels of the game, mark the sixth minute with an applause.

It may only seem like a small gesture but it showed just how powerful football can be when we all come together.

We will be doing the same again this afternoon and I know the Club are looking into ways to honour Arthur beyond today’s game.

Hopefully we can get a positive result and dedicate this one to him.

Keep Right On, Lee Bowyer

BLUES NEWS | 5

Main Interview

Neil Etheridge

L

ast weekend’s game on the road at Millwall may not live long in the memory given the outcome, but for one Blues player it meant a return to First Team league action after a testing six months.

Neil Etheridge was hospitalised with COVID-19 in the summer and his journey since has been one long road of recovery, requiring patience and hard work building up to last weekend.

This wait was extended courtesy of Matija Sarkic’s fine form in the last line of defence. But when injury forced the Wolverhampton Wanderer’s loanee out of the trip to The Den, Etheridge returned between the sticks.

Now preparing for the visit of his former club, Cardiff City, with whom he won promotion from the Sky Bet Championship in 2018, the ‘keeper caught up with Blues News.

You were back in the team for your first league appearance of the season on Saturday – how did it feel to be back out there?

You have to take your opportunity when it comes and it’s impossible to ignore how well Matty [Sarkic] has done since he has come in over the summer. Ten clean sheets speak for themselves but for me Saturday came as an opportunity to show what I can do again, and I hope I did that.

It was not the result we wanted but certainly chances for you to show what you can do – did you feel that you put in a solid shift?

Of course, it was not the result we wanted. Millwall is always a tough place to go, and we covered the result post-match. But for me personally, I think I made some good saves and had work to do. To be honest, it was just huge to be back, and I enjoyed it.

You have had to be patient this season – how has that been?

It is one of the first times in my senior career that I have had to be patient like this. It has taught me to be as such, to work hard and improve my game. You can’t replicate match fitness but off the pitch I have been busy in the gym and focusing on parts of my game I wouldn’t normally get the chance to assess. It’s not been easy at times but certainly part and parcel of being a footballer and a goalkeeper.

It was a challenging summer period given your fight against COVID-19 – do you feel fully over that now?

I can’t sugar coat how much of a scare it was in the summer. I have moved past it now and it is not something that is holding me back anymore. I won’t use it as an excuse for anything, but I am thankful for all the support shown to me at the time. But for me now, moving forwards, I want to work hard, keep improving and show people once again the goalkeeper that I am.

Up against a former employer in Cardiff today – how do you find those occasions?

No one can take away the success and the good times I had at Cardiff – people might say it has changed a lot there in 18 months though. But now, I am a Birmingham City player, and I am very happy to be here. My career is at St. Andrew’s and I am always looking to move forwards.

6 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

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BLUES NEWS | 7

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Fact file Nickname: The Bluebirds Formed: 1899 Stadium: Cardiff City Stadium Stadium Capacity: 33,280 Head Coach: Steve Morison Last season finish: 8th in Championship

The Opposition

cardiff city

ONE TO WATCH

Rubin Colwill ATTACKING MIDFIELDER DOB: 27 April 2002 Every cloud has a silver lining, and the emergence of the teenage forward into the club’s senior set-up has been a much-needed ray of light in a troubled campaign.

The Academy prospect only featured a handful of times during 2020/21 before earning a spot in Wales Head Coach Robert Page’s squad at the Euro 2021 finals. This season the 19-year-old has continued to excel and has quickly developed into one of the club’s most influential players.

A fearless approach and the ability to orchestrate attacks has seen the Wales international score four times this season, all on the road. Morison certainly believes his midfield architect is destined for a bright career, but hopes he remains with his boyhood club beyond the expiration of his contract in June 2024.

MORISON HAS BLUEBIRDS ON SONG

“This is the best place for him,” Morison told BBC Sport. “He is playing in front of his family and his friends for the team he has supported his whole life.

“Where is the best place to grow? It is here. I am not going to sit here and say no one is going to be interested in a 19-year-old who is arguably our star man most weeks though, because that will mean you will not take what I am saying as the truth.”

10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

IN THE DUGOUT

Steve Morison DOB: 18 October 1978 Appointed: October 2021 Cardiff’s top brass took a new approach with the internal promotion of rookie coach Morison in October.

The Bluebirds had opted for experience in the dug-out with Neil Warnock, Neil Harris and Mick McCarthy in charge over the previous five years.

This time around though the interim appointment of the club’s Under-23s coach was unexpected but applauded by a host of club greats. Former Cardiff captain Jason Perry called it a “sensible appointment” and Joe Ledley praised “the different style of play”.

T

he Bluebirds were on a nose dive they were struggling to pull up from during the worst autumn on record for Cardiff City.

A club record eight consecutive defeats, starting with a 1-0 loss at Coventry City in mid-September and ending with a 0-2 home defeat to Middlesbrough the following month, spelled the end of Mick McCarthy’s 10-month reign as manager. Included in the depressing downturn was a 5-1 loss at Blackburn Rovers, a 0-4 home thumping to West Bromwich Albion and a humiliating 3-0 reverse to South Wales rivals Swansea City.

Having finished last season with plenty of promise on a six-game unbeaten run and beginning this term by taking eight points from the opening four games, a capitulation of such proportion seemed incongruous.

Restoring confidence and getting chins off chests has fallen to former Wales striker Steve Morison and Tom Ramasut, the duo stepping up

www.bcfc.com

What the former Wales striker lacks in experience he has more than made up for in positivity and energy, something that was required to galvanise the Bluebirds from their malaise. into interim charge from coaching roles with the club’s Under-23s, while former captain Mark Hudson returned in a coaching capacity.

They masterminded an astonishing comeback at Stoke City in their first dug-out appointment at senior level, coming from 3-0 down to draw at bet365 Stadium, and have since continued to help the club turn a corner with three wins in their last five games.

Morison is convinced he can get the Bluebirds soaring once again, telling Wales Online: “It is about getting the players and staff all moving in the right direction and can we be better as staff and better as players to get this football club away from trouble.

Once we have done that then we can enjoy our work every single day because that is ultimately what it is all about.

An Academy coach at previous employers Northampton Town and Millwall, the 38 -year-old has the nurturing skills to get the best out of a youthful crop he knows well and the determination to lift Cardiff up the table.

Club owner Vincent Tan has certainly been encouraged by Morison’s start and said: “The excellent work done by Steve and Tom at Under-23s level this season puts them in the very best position to help develop a talented crop of young players emerging at senior level.

“A healthy finish in the Championship this season is, of course, of paramount importance and a review of the side’s progress will be undertaken at the end of the campaign.”

“If we can make people better, if we can get the fans closer to the players then that is what we need to do. We are going to try and do anything we can to make that happen and there BLUES NEWS | 11

We’re handing over our matchday advertising to local businesses like Booghe around the UK. Birmingham-based toys, games and gifts business Booghe started their journey in 2012.

With eBay seller Krishna at the helm, they supply games, toys and gifts from a huge selection of brands.

With over 4,000+ items for sale at any one time, their eBay store is brimming with goodies for the kids. The perfect products are just a click away.

eBay Booghe

Whether it’s crayons, cuddly toys, books, board games, stationery or beyond, Booghe has got something for everyone.

Throughout the season, eBay are shining a light on local businesses by handing over advertising space in stadiums up and down the country so they can once again have their voice at the heart of football.

AROUND THE GROUNDS The Sky Bet Championship’s title race is proving compelling viewing as the season approaches its halfway point, with the chasing pack narrowing the gap on the leaders in recent weeks.

will be no stone left unturned in our journey over this period to bring real change around the place and to make the football club as one again.”

While results have improved markedly thanks to a hat-trick of 2-1 successes over Huddersfield Town, Preston North End and Luton Town, re-establishing that connectivity with the fanbase has been less forthcoming.

November defeats to Hull City and Sheffield United provoked disgruntled grumblings at the Cardiff City Stadium and left Morison reiterating that “if we are going to get out of this, it is going to take absolutely everybody”.

Arresting some worrying home form, which has seen Cardiff score just nine times in 11 games in CF11 this season, is high on Morison’s ‘to do’ list. As is the necessity to sure up a porous backline that has conceded 37 times in 21 Championship outings.

Yet Morison has the personnel at his disposal to make City more resolute.

Current incumbent between the posts Alex Smithies has more than 300 appearances at Championship level and in the commanding Michael Morrison, who has been with the club since 2014, and Aden Flint they possess two towering enforcers.

League regular Curtis Nelson once captained Oxford United and former Arsenal youth Mark McGuiness are other valued options in a preferred back three.

City have been underpinned by a www.bcfc.com

direct football identity in recent years, something Morison is determined to move away from to pursue top-six ambitions. In the long-serving Joe Ralls City have a serial assister who often operates alongside the ubiquitous Marlon Pack. Wolverhampton Wanderers loanee Ryan Giles has been a mainstay down the left wing, while former Crewe Alexandra’s Perry Ng patrols the opposite flank.

Effervescent homegrown talents such as Sam Bowen and Tom Sang have stepped up this season, yet it has been Wales international Rubin Colwill who has grabbed the headlines with four goals in his breakthrough campaign.

Further forward Wales cap Mark Harris was on target against Sheffield United recently, former Luton Town hot-shot James Collins scored 14 times last season and youngster Issac Davies has earned his first senior minutes since November.

Last season’s 20-goal leading scorer Keiffer Moore provides the focal point to a Cardiff attack that has drawn blanks in 10 games this term.

The 29-year-old Wales international, a £2million signing from Wigan Athletic in 2020, is rediscovering his mojo with three goals since Morison took charge.

The Bluebirds have had two failed attempts at returning to the Premier League since relegation in 2018/19 but will hope this transitional period can lay the groundwork to a sustained assault next time around.

It was no surprise that the firstvs-second clash of Fulham and AFC Bournemouth cancelled each other out in a 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage last week. Marco Silva’s free-scoring hosts, with 49 goals in 20 games, came up against one of the division’s meanest defences and the consequence was a third successive stalemate for both.

The division’s form side in Blackburn Rovers head to Dorset today in a tantalising encounter. Tony Mowbray’s side are up to fourth after a 1-0 win over Lancashire rivals Preston North End and will not be daunted while 17-goal Chile international Ben Brereton Diaz remains in red-hot form.

Luton Town are also confident of upsetting the odds this weekend with a trip to Fulham, after manager Nathan Jones lauded his side’s 0-1 win at free-falling Blackpool as “outstanding”.

Third-place West Bromwich Albion returned to winning ways with a 2-1 success at Coventry City and will want to remain the only team in the division unbeaten at home when they welcome a Reading side in fluctuating form.

Nottingham Forest head coach Steve Cooper returns to his former employers Swansea City for the first time today. The Reds have been rejuvenated since his arrival at the City Ground in September and are now in mid-table after handing Peterborough United a tenth away defeat of the campaign last weekend.

Elsewhere, troubled Barnsley travel to Deepdale in search of a first away win and there is an all-City affair on Humberside as Hull City look to extend their unbeaten run to six games against Bristol City.

BLUES NEWS | 13

Football is a game of many opinions, but there is one that we must all share. There is no place for discrimination in our game. If you do not agree, then you are not welcome.

If you see or hear discrimination in this stadium, please report it to the nearest steward or via the Kick it Out App. Because we are all #TogetherAgainstDiscrimination Download the Kick it Out app for free from your app store.

EFL.com

Captain

Harlee dean G

ood afternoon and welcome everyone to today’s game against Cardiff City, I hope it is one to enjoy!

Our final home fixture before Christmas coincides with our annual commitment to Rainbow Laces. There is no room for discrimination anywhere in the game, especially not at St. Andrew’s, which should be a safe space for everyone to come and take in a game of football.

I am pleased to see the return of ‘Kids for a Quid’ for the Cardiff game. The support shown throughout the season has been exemplary and it would be wonderful to pack out St. Andrew’s one final time before we head back there for Peterborough United after the big day itself.

The squad have been working hard this week as we look to bounce back from the Millwall result last Saturday. The Den is a notoriously tricky place to go, and we were reminded very quickly that you cannot give a side like Millwall two goals from set-pieces.

Credit the lads, we got back in it with a welltaken goal of our own before the game got away from us towards the end. There were lessons to

www.bcfc.com

be learned and we have taken those into training throughout the week building up to this match.

Seven days between fixtures is a good amount of time to reset, reflect and look at where we can improve. It has been a healthy week of training, with plenty of competition as we head into our final home fixture before Christmas.

The Championship table is as tight as ever and we know just a couple of results can turn things back in our favour. Finding a bit of consistency heading into the New Year is important and I look forward to seeing how we navigate the next run of fixtures, which as always, we are confident we can take points from.

I wish to sign off this week’s column in memory of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes.

I know there are ongoing conversations at Birmingham City as to how we can remember Arthur in the most appropriate way possible. The support from the footballing community has been unanimous. He will be in our hearts forever.

Keep Right On, Harlee Dean

BLUES NEWS | 15

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Half a century on from the glorious 1971/72 season when Freddie Goodwin’s Blues dramatically clinched promotion to the top flight having also reached the FA Cup semi-finals, we turn the Blues News spotlight on recalling one of the finest seasons in Blues’ post-war history.

@

T

by ROB MASON

he visit of Sheffield Wednesday marked the half-way point of the season. Blues were yet to impact on the promotion race but had given glimpses of what they were capable of. There had been a couple of 4-1 wins and an outstanding display when drawing away to leaders Norwich City.

However, there had been too many draws. Five of the previous eight games had finished all square and the

same outcome would be the case in the two matches featured today.

Going into the game with the Owls Blues were unchanged from the previous week’s goalless draw at Middlesbrough.

The same team provided the same outcome, another 0-0, with City’s fire-power it was disappointing. Bob Latchford had found the back of the net just once in the past four

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

18 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

games (including the Wednesday match) after scoring in the previous six fixtures. Trevor Francis had not scored for seven matches while still new signing Bob Hatton was missing as he had been at Boro.

On the plus side, back-to-back clean sheets were welcome as the rearguard remained resolute against a Wednesday side who had won both of their last two outings The last game before Christmas took place at the Valley where a 1-1 outcome with Charlton Athletic was Blues’ eighth draw from a dozen away games but frustratingly Freddie Goodwin’s side still could not achieve an away win. It was a third successive draw but unlike the previous two goalless games this time there were goals with Hatton on the mark on his return to the side. It was not enough to overcome the Addicks whose goal came from Keith Peacock, incidentally the first player to ever appear in the Football League as a substitute.

The result left Blues in seventh place, the second of a quartet of clubs on 24 points. Effectively this was three wins behind second placed Millwall and four behind leaders Norwich. Like the top two – and third placed QPR – Blues remained unbeaten at home but while the top three had 10 away wins between them Birmingham still had not broken their duck on the road.

As Blues were drawing with Sheffield Wednesday, Port Vale were beating Darlington 1-0 in the FA Cup second round – the Quakers goalkeeper being Jeff Wealands who would later give great service to Birmingham City. The draw for the third round of the cup paired Port Vale with Freddie Goodwin’s side in a tie to be staged at St. Andrew’s. It would not be just the league that would provide thrills and spills in the second-half of the season.

TEAMS BLUES 0: Kelly, Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Harland, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Burns, Bowker.

WEDNESDAY 0: Grummit, Rodrigues, Clements, Prophet, Holsgrove, Pugh, Sinclair, Craig, Joicey, Prendergast, Sissons.

ATTENDANCE: 29,272 CHARLTON ATHLETIC 1: Dunn, Bruck, Warman, Bond, Went, Shipperley, Davies, Treacy, Hunt, Curtis, Peacock.

BLUES 1: Latchford, Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Harland, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Hatton, Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 8,289

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL As the Owls were forcing a goalless draw at St. Andrew’s, Jack Whitham was notching a hat-trick for Liverpool as Derby were beaten 3-2 at Anfield. Of more interest to Blues fans was news that top of the division Norwich had been held at home by bottom of the table Watford whose new signing Pat Morrisey equalised in the last minute – it was the only goal the Hornets scored in a sequence of 10 league games. The FA Cup second round saw non-league Boston United and Blyth Spartans progress having beaten league sides Hartlepool United and Stockport County.

In between Birmingham’s matches with Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton, the legendary Gordon Banks made perhaps his second most famous save. It came from a penalty by his World Cup winning teammate Geoff Hurst late in a League Cup semi-final between Stoke City and West Ham. www.bcfc.com

CLASS OF 71/72 STAN HARLAND Central-defender Stan Harland made his home debut against Sheffield Wednesday having made his bow for Blues at Boro. He went on to made 19 league appearances in the second-half of the season as Birmingham surged to promotion. The chequebook had been opened again to bring in the former Swindon Town captain for £15,000.

Two years earlier, Stan had sensationally skippered Swindon to success in the League Cup final when the third division outfit defeated Arsenal at Wembley, but he had lost his place at Swindon to Dave Mackay when Mackay took over as player/manager. Previously with Carlisle United where he had won the Third Division Championship in 1965 as well as the League Cup, Harland also won promotion and two Anglo-Italian tournaments with Swindon before adding another promotion at St. Andrew’s.

BLUES NEWS | 19

HERE’S A ST AT I BET YOU DIDN’T KN W 20 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

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ALL GOOD BOOKMAKERS HAVE DEPOSIT LIMITS. SO WHOEVER YOU BET WITH, SET AN APPROPRIATE ONE FOR YOU AND THEN ENJOY THE SPORT. DEPOSIT LIMITS

THAT’S BETTING BETTER.

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 21

Fit Fans – Jordan Graham Player Appearance On Thursday 25 November, the Blues Fit Fans were treated to a special player appearance from First Team player Jordan Graham. Jordan came and spoke about how he keeps himself healthy and the importance of nutrition and an active lifestyle before then handing out workbooks and Blues home shirts as prizes for completing the 12 week programme. The Community Trust are currently looking for the next cohort of Fit Fans, if you are interested please send an email to health@bcfc.com.

Football Education Programme Recruitment Evening and Football Assessment If your child is aged 16 and currently considering their education options for next year, they are more than welcome to attend the Birmingham City FC Community Trust Football Education Programme recruitment evening at St. Andrew’s Stadium on Monday 13 December starting at 6:30pm. There are also football trials taking place on Tuesday 21 December between 10-12 that are being held at Avery Fields, 79 Sandon Road, Birmingham, B17 8DT. For more information and to register your place for either session please email footballeducation@ bcfc.com or scan the QR code.

22 | BLUES NEWS

for2022/2023

Programme Open Evening MON 11 OCT MON 13 DEC MON 7 FEB MON 4 APR 6.30PM-8PM 6.30PM-8PM 6.30PM-8PM 6.30PM-8PM V E N U E : S T. A N D R E W ’ S S TA D I U M , B 9 4 R L

Football assessment TUE 26 OCT 10AM-12PM

TUE 21 DEC 10AM-12PM

TUE 22 FEB 10AM-12PM

TUE 12 APR 10AM-12PM

V E N U E : AV E R Y F I E L D S , B 1 7 8 D T in partnership with

endorsed by

BCFC ACADEMY

CEO Sleepout – Monday 6 December On a cold Monday night at St. Andrew’s, there were 35 brave participants who slept rough underneath the Gil Merrick all there raising money for various charities and good causes.

The Community Trust are aiming to launch the Blues for Life project where they will be working with 12 homeless people who are looking to change their lives and put them on a 12 week traineeship programme which they will deliver themselves.

During this process, Changes UK – a specialised charity in alcohol and drug addiction recovery – will assist with safe and secure accommodation and rehabilitative services for these people.

Following the traineeship, those who have fully completed the programme will be guaranteed a job interview with Vital Rail – a leading employer on the railways – and then hopefully employment opportunities.

The Community Trust have been fundraising for this amazing cause, if you can possibly donate please visit @BCFC_Community on Twitter and click on the golden giving page on there.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

52

available

Anna-Leigh Brooks

www.bcfc.com

available

50

23

24

available

NICO GORDON

TROY DEENEY

JORDAN GRAHAM

JUAN CASTILLO

DION SANDERSON

GARY GARDNER

12

13

15

18

17

10

11

RILEY McGREE

09

07

06

IVAN SANCHEZ

CHUKS ANEKE

MATIJA SARKIC

HARLEE DEAN

JEREMIE BELA

LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ

SCOTT HOGAN

TAHITH CHONG

RYAN WOODS

01

02

MAXIME COLIN

NEIL ETHERIDGE

04

05

GEORGE FRIEND

MARC ROBERTS

03 KRISTIAN PEDERSEN

Simon & Rosemarie Nash

CRAIG GARDNER

available

36

available

LEE BOWYER

21

Simone Ingram available

GEORGE HALL

20

JORDAN JAMES

available

35

IVAN SUNJIC

19 available

34

CONNAL TRUEMAN Oliver Collinson Simone Ingram

54 KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS

TATE CAMPBELL

27 Simone Ingram

53

MARCEL OAKLEY

BIRMINGHAM CITY SHIRT SPONSORSHIP 2021/22 For more information regarding player shirt sponsorship please contact us on 0121 772 0101 option 3 or email Commercial@bcfc.com

available

Spotswood Facilities Management

available

available

Simone Ingram

BLUES NEWS | 23

Match Report

B

Under 23s

lues Under-23s produced a stirring second-half display to wipe out a two-goal advantage away from home in the Second City Derby.

At Bodymoor Heath, Steve Spooner’s side trailed by the break but even that deficit could have been avoided with a clinical edge at either end of the pitch during the first-half.

The hosts drew first blood in a topsyturvy encounter, with winger Tristan Abldeen-Goodridge converting Caleb Chukwuemeka’s square ball into an empty net after his teammate had poached possession inside the penalty area in the 14th minute.

But not to be undone, Blues fought back and levelled within the first half an hour of action in freezing conditions. Having almost assisted Kieran Wakefield just moments earlier, George Hall went one better

and equalised when Jobe Bellingham and Oriol Soldevila combined with finesse to provide him with a giftwrapped close-range finish.

This leveller was well merited on the balance of play, although did not have the desired effect as the home side retook the lead just five minutes later.

Chukwuemeka located Keenan Davis inside the box who turned neatly and progressed towards goal where he went over under a challenge from goalkeeper Archie Matthews, with Trezeguet finding the corner from the resulting penalty.

Chukwuemeka and Davis linked again just seven minutes after the break to similar effect and the latter bounded clear of visiting defenders to finish well from 12 yards out.

Such a setback may have sunk weaker ships, but the one steered by Spooner and Paul Williams went against the tide and picked up a head of steam to produce a memorable comeback in North Warwickshire.

Aston Villa: Marschall, Alcock, Barber (Pierre 41), Lindley, Munroe, Iroegbunam, Trezeguet (Frith 60), Thorndike, Davis, Chukwuemeka (Young) 78, Abledeen-Goodridge Substitutes not used: Wright, Young Booking: None.

Blues: Matthews, Williams, Idehen, Boyd-Munce, Fogarty, Roberts captain, Hall, Walker, Wakefield (Simmonds 68), Bellingham (Hurst 78), Soldevila Substitutes not used: Basey, Hurst, Simmonds, ThompsonSommers, Sullivan Booking: None. turn of pace to intercept a rogue back-pass before flicking past Filip Marschall.

This set up a grandstand finish and Blues had the last laugh to claim a fully deserved point. After going close on a number of occasions beforehand, Soldevila was initially denied only for second-half substitute Kyle Hurst to pounce upon the rebound.

Soldevila was switched into a central area of the attack and started to cause havoc, the upshot being his positioning and anticipation to pull one back just three minutes after the hosts had extended their lead.

The Spaniard showed an impressive 24 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

Supporters

MESSAGES Lots Happy 10th Birthday to Edi Ledbrook!

Rhoda, of love from Mom, Dad, Seb, Samuel, xx Nanny and Grandad and all the family

Happy 50th Birthday Scott White. Over 45 years of being a season ticket holde r at your beloved Blues. Love from Ellen, Ben, Millie and all your family KRO xxx

Happy Birthday Robyn who is 1 on x Wednesday, Love Mommy and Daddy

www.bcfc.com

Ronald Bird. Dad, Grandad, Uncle, Legen d!

Blue & White since 1929.

May you rest in eternal peace.

Sunrise 21/07/29 - Sunset 05/11/21

Happy 22nd Birthday Tom! Hope you have an amazing day!

Lots of love, Meg

from Happy 2nd Birthday Orlo! Lots of love e Nina Mom, Dad, Uncle Adam, Louis, Aunti John, & Chloe. Grandparents Kathy, Steve xxx Henryk & John and extended family

To Chloe, have a great 9th birthday today and enjoy being a mascot for the game!

Keep Right On! Lots of love from Mummy, Daddy, Jack, Ava and Amelie xx

John Connolly (Scarrett). 30.09.1946 20.11.2021.

Father, Grandfather and Great Grandfather .

Lifelong Birmingham City fan who will KRO in his families hearts and those of his friend s.

y Bry Happy Heavenly 10th Birthday Tomm s. Mom, Plant. All our love forever and alway xxxx Dad, George, Harry & Ben. Forever 6

BLUES NEWS | 25

Millwall 3 1 Blues SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP | SATURDAY 4 DECEMBER

I

t was a game of two halves in the capital as Blues delivered a muchimproved second-half performance but were unable to claim anything at Millwall last Saturday.

Lee Bowyer’s men were up against it in the opening 45 at the Den, conceding at either end of the first-half as Murray Wallace and Tom Bradshaw converted from set-pieces.

However, within ten minutes of the second period, a reconfigured Blues had pulled a goal back and caused the Lions a mountain of problems. Lukas Jutkiewicz was introduced at the break as the visitors switched to a 4-3-3 and it was a fellow striker in Troy Deeney who notched.

Jordan James’ patient dribbling started the move before Deeney completed an intricate one-two with Scott Hogan and finished emphatically in front of the 2,000-plus travelling Bluenoses.

This gave Blues serious momentum and it only seemed a matter of time until an equaliser would arrive. Instead, there proved to be a cruel twist as the hosts and, specifically George Evans, struck in the 73rd minute to secure the points.

Blues (3-5-2): Neil Etheridge, Dion Sanderson, Marc Roberts, Kristian Pedersen, Jordan Graham, Jordan James, Ivan Sunjic, Riley McGree, Jeremie Bela (Lukas Jutkiewicz 46), Scott Hogan (Chuks Aneke 80), Troy Deeney (captain).

Substitutes not used: Connal Trueman, George Friend, Harlee Dean, Juan Castillo, George Hall.

Booking: Pedersen 20, Roberts 50.

Referee: Andy Woolmer Attendance: 14,324 (Away 2,152)

We love you, Arthur Football united across the weekend in memory of Arthur Labinjo-Hughes. Games up and down the country, including Blues’ meeting with Millwall, paused in the sixth minute for a period of applause.

26 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

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ROLL CALL & LEAGUE TABLE PLAYER

LEAGUE APPS GLS

FA CUP APPS GLS

LEAGUE CUP APPS GLS

CHUKS ANEKE (F)

0 (15) 1

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

POS.

P

JEREMIE BELA (F)

17 (2) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 FULHAM

21 13 5 3 33 44

JOBE BELLINGHAM (F)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 BOURNEMOUTH

21 12 7 2 20 43

TATE CAMPBELL (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

3

21

ALFIE CHANG (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

TAHITH CHONG (M)

13 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

MAXIME COLIN (D)

12 (0) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

HARLEE DEAN (D)

14 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

TROY DEENEY (F)

11 (4) 3

0 (0) 0

NEIL ETHERIDGE (G)

1 (0) 0

GEORGE FRIEND (D)

6 (0) 0

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

W

10

D

7

L

4

GD PTS

12

37

4 BLACKBURN ROVERS

21 10 6 5 8 36

5

20

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

10

5

5

8

35

6 COVENTRY CITY

21 9 6 6 3 33

0 (0) 0

7 STOKE CITY

20 9 4 7 3 31

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

8 MILLWALL

21 7 9 5 1 30

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

9 MIDDLESBROUGH

21 8 5 8 1 29

10 SHEFFIELD UNITED

21 8 5 8 0 29

11 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

21 8 5 8 0 29

12 LUTON TOWN

21 7 7 7 4 28

13 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

21 7 7 7 3 28

14 SWANSEA CITY

21 7 6 8 -2 27

GARY GARDNER (M)

11 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

NICO GORDON (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN GRAHAM (M)

6 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

GEORGE HALL (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

SCOTT HOGAN (F)

18 (1) 6

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

IVAN SANCHEZ (M)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN JAMES (M)

2 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

15 BLACKPOOL

21 7 6 8 -5 27

JUAN CASTILLO (D)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

16 BIRMINGHAM CITY

21 7 5 9 -4 26

LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ (F)

11 (9) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

17 BRISTOL CITY

21 7 5 9 -8 26

CHARLIE LAKIN (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

18

21

JONATHAN LEKO (F)

1 (3) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

RILEY MCGREE (M)

8 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

MARCEL OAKLEY (D)

2 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 1

KRISTIAN PEDERSEN (D) 15 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

MITCHELL ROBERTS (D)

1 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

MARC ROBERTS (D)

20 (0) 2

0 (0) 0

PRESTON NORTH END

6

7

8

-5

25

19 HULL CITY

21 6 4 11 -7 22

20 READING

21 8 3 10 -6 21

21 CARDIFF CITY

21 6 3 12 -14 21

22 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

21 4 4 13 -23 16

0 (0) 0

23 BARNSLEY

21 2 7 12 -18 13

24 DERBY COUNTY

21 4 10 7 -4 1

DION SANDERSON (D)

11 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

MATIJA SARKIC (G)

20 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS (F) 0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

IVAN SUNJIC (M)

18 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

CONNAL TRUEMAN (G)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

REMI WALKER (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

RYAN WOODS (M)

13 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

Fixtures & RESULTS 2021/22 DATE

KO

OPPONENT

RES

COMP

POS

ATT

STARTING XI

AUGUST Sat 07

8.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

A

1-0

LEAGUE

5

29,043

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN 1 ■

TUE 10

7.45PM

COLCHESTER UNITED

H

1-0

EFL CUP

-

6,199

TRUEMAN

OAKLEY 1

GORDON

FRIEND

CASTILLO

SUNJIC

Sat 14

3.00pm

STOKE CITY

H

0-0

LEAGUE

10

10,189

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

WED 18

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

H

0-2

LEAGUE

11

9,922

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN

CHONG

SAT 21

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

A

5-0

LEAGUE

8

10,014

SARKIC

ROBERTS 1 ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

TUE 24

7.45PM

FULHAM

H

0-2

EFL CUP

-

4,783

ETHERIDGE

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

FRIEND

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

Sat 28

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

A

1-1

LEAGUE

8

13,950

SARKIC

COLIN

DEAN

PEDERSEN

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

FRI 10

8.00pm

DERBY COUNTY

H

2-0

LEAGUE

7

14,912

SARKIC

ROBERTS ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC ■

WED 15

7.45pm

FULHAM

H

1-4

LEAGUE

10

14,562

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

SAT 18

3.00pm

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

A

0-3

LEAGUE

11

12,199

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

DEENEY

Sat 25

3.00pm

PRESTON NORTH END

H

0-0

LEAGUE

12

14,925

SARKIC

SANDERSON

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

TUE 28

7.45pm

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

A

0-2

LEAGUE

13

12,257

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

SANDERSON

COLIN

SUNJIC ■

Sat 02

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

H

0-3

LEAGUE

16

15,148

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

Sat 16

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

A

0-1

LEAGUE

16

24,870

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

Wed 20

7.45pm

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

A

0-0

LEAGUE

19

15,618

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 23

3.00pm

SWANSEA CITY

H

2-1

LEAGUE

17

16,132

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 30

3.00pm

MIDDLESBROUGH

A

2-0

LEAGUE

15

21,582

SARKIC

ROBERTS 1

SANDERSON ■

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Tue 02

7.45pm

BRISTOL CITY

H

3-0

LEAGUE

13

16,143

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

BELA

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 06

3.00pm

READING

H

1-2

LEAGUE

15

17,535

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN ■

BELA ■

ROBERTS

SUNJIC

Sat 20

3.00pm

HULL CITY

A

0-2

LEAGUE

15

12,409

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

BELA

DEAN

SUNJIC

Tue 23

7.45pm

COVENTRY CITY

A

0-0

LEAGUE

17

22,676

SARKIC

ROBERTS ■

SANDERSON ■

BELA

DEAN

SUNJIC ■

Sat 27

3.00pm

BLACKPOOL

H

1-0

LEAGUE

13

17,686

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN ■

BELA

SUNJIC

SAT 04

3.00pm

MILLWALL

A

1-3

LEAGUE

16

14,324

ETHERIDGE

ROBERTS ■

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN ■

BELA

SUNJIC

Sat 11

3.00pm

CARDIFF CITY

H

GARDNER ■

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER LEAGUE

Sat 18

3.00pm

BLACKBURN ROVERS

A

LEAGUE

Sat 26

3.00pm

FULHAM

A

LEAGUE

Tue 29

7.45pm

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

H

LEAGUE

Sat 01

3.00pm

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

H

LEAGUE

Sat 15

3.00pm

PRESTON NORTH END

A

LEAGUE

Sat 22

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

H

LEAGUE

Sat 29

3.00pm

DERBY COUNTY

A

LEAGUE

JANUARY

FEBRUARY SAT 05

3.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

H

LEAGUE

WED 09

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

A

LEAGUE

SAT 12

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

H

LEAGUE

SAT 19

3.00pm

STOKE CITY

A

LEAGUE

TUE 22

8.00pm

READING

A

LEAGUE

Sat 26

3.00pm

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

H

LEAGUE

MARCH Sat 05

3.00pm

BRISTOL CITY

A

LEAGUE

Sat 12

3.00pm

HULL CITY

H

LEAGUE

TUE 15

7.45pm

MIDDLESBROUGH

H

LEAGUE

Sat 19

3.00pm

SWANSEA CITY

A

LEAGUE

APRIL sat 02

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

H

LEAGUE

sat 09

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

A

LEAGUE

fri 15

3.00pm

COVENTRY CITY

H

LEAGUE

mon 18

3.00pm

BLACKPOOL

A

LEAGUE

sat 23

3.00pm

MILLWALL

H

LEAGUE

Sat 30

3.00pm

CARDIFF CITY

A

LEAGUE

12.30pm

BLACKBURN ROVERS

H

LEAGUE

MAY Sat 01

30 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs CARDIFF CITY

SUB 1

SUB 2

SUB 3 CASTILLO (78) ■

UNUSED SUBS

WOODS ■

CHONG

BELA

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ

LEKO (68) ■

SUNJIC (74)

SANCHEZ

LAKIN

GRAHAM

LEKO

ANEKE

CAMPBELL (73)

McGREE (74)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, ANEKE, SANCHEZ

GARDNER

WOODS

BELA

HOGAN ■

JUTKIEWICZ

ANEKE (66)

LEKO (71)

GARDNER

WOODS

BELA

LEKO

JUTKIEWICZ

ANEKE (70)

HOGAN (79)

SÁNCHEZ (87)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, CASTILLO, SUNJIC TRUEMAN, FRIEND, CASTILLO, LEKO

SARKIC, BELLINGHAM, WALKER, CHANG, ROBERTS TRUEMAN, FRIEND, SÁNCHEZ, McGREE, CASTILLO

CHONG

WOODS

BELA

HOGAN 2

JUTKIEWICZ

ANEKE 1 (61)

SÁNCHEZ (70)

GARDNER 1 (81)

McGREE

FAMILIA-CASTILLO

LEKO

ANEKE

GRAHAM

LAKIN (61)

SIMMONDS (62)

CHANG (73)

BELA

WOODS

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ 1

CHONG

ANEKE (76)

LEKO (89)

BELA 1

WOODS

HOGAN 1

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

DEENEY (67)

GARDNER (74)

BELA

WOODS

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG ■

DEENEY 1 (53)

GARDNER (60) ■

ANEKE (75) ANEKE (58) ■

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, HOGAN, McGREE

McGREE (71)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, GRAHAM, CHANG

BELA

WOODS ■

GARDEN ■

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

SANDERSON (45)

SUNJIC (45)

BELA ■

WOODS

DEENEY

HOGAN

CHONG

ANEKE (67)

JUTKIEWICZ (68)

BELA

WOODS

DEENEY

HOGAN

CHONG

JUTKIEWICZ (56)

ANEKE (71)

TRUEMAN, BELLINGHAM, WALKER TRUEMAN, FRIEND, SÁNCHEZ, McGREE, GARDNER TRUEMAN, FRIEND, ANEKE, McGREE, SANDERSON TRUEMAN, FRIEND, McGREE, SANDERSON TRUEMAN, McGREE, GRAHAM, CHANG, OAKLEY

BELA

WOODS

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ ■

CHONG

McGREE (58)

ANEKE (58)

DEENEY (70)

TRUEMAN, FRIEND, SANDERSON, GRAHAM

GARDNER

FRIEND

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

BELA (47)

ANEKE (78)

GRAHAM (83)

TRUEMAN, WOODS, DEAN, DEENEY

GARDNER

GRAHAM

McGREE ■

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

DEENEY (70)

GARDNER ■

GRAHAM

HOGAN

DEENEY 1

CHONG

McGREE 1 (63) ■

ANEKE (86)

TRUEMAN, WOODS, HOGAN, DEAN, ANEKE, SÁNCHEZ ETHERIDGE, WOODS, JUTKIEWICZ, DEAN, SÁNCHEZ

GARDNER ■

GRAHAM

HOGAN 1

DEENEY

McGREE ■

JUTKIEWICZ (67)

BELA (68)

ETHERIDGE, WOODS, ANEKE, DEAN, SÁNCHEZ

GARDNER 1

GRAHAM

McGREE 1

DEENEY

HOGAN 1

DEAN (45)

JUTKIEWICZ (73)

JAMES (84)

GARDNER

OAKLEY ■

McGREE ■

DEENEY

HOGAN 1

WOODS (69)

JUTKIEWICZ (85)

ANEKE (85)

ETHERIDGE, JAMES, FAMILIA-CASTILLO, WALKER

GARDNER ■

WOODS

McGREE

DEENEY

HOGAN ■

JAMES (45)

JUTKIEWICZ (61)

ANEKE (77)

ETHERIDGE, ROBERTS, OAKLEY, FAMILIA-CASTILLO

OAKLEY

WOODS ■

McGREE

DEENEY

HOGAN

FAMILIA-CASTILLO (65)

JUTKIEWICZ (86)

JAMES (86)

JAMES

GRAHAM

McGREE ■

DEENEY

HOGAN

ANEKE (66)

JUTKIEWICZ 1 (75)

JAMES

GRAHAM

McGREE

DEENEY

HOGAN

JUTKIEWICZ (45)

ANEKE (80)

www.bcfc.com

ETHERIDGE, WOODS, ANEKE, FAMILIA-CASTILLO

ETHERIDGE, ANEKE, BELLINGHAM, ROBERTS ETHERIDGE, DEAN, FAMILIA-CASTILLO, WALKER, OAKLEY TRUEMAN, HALL, FAMILIA-CASTILLO, DEAN, FRIEND

BLUES NEWS | 31

BIRMINGHAM CITY HEAD COACH: LEE BOWYER GK

NEIL ETHERIDGE 1 ■ ■

MAXIME COLIN 2 ■ ■ KRISTIAN PEDERSEN 3 ■ ■ MARC ROBERTS 4 ■ ■ GEORGE FRIEND 5 ■ ■ RYAN WOODS 6 ■ ■

TAHITH CHONG 7 ■ ■ SCOTT HOGAN 9 ■ ■ LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ 10 ■ ■

JEREMIE BELA 11 ■ ■

HARLEE DEAN 12 ■ ■ GK

MATIJA SARKIC 13 ■ ■ CHUKS ANEKE 15 ■ ■ IVAN SANCHEZ 17 ■ ■ RILEY McGREE 18 ■ ■ JORDAN JAMES 19 ■ ■

GARY GARDNER 20 ■ ■

DION SANDERSON 21 ■ ■

JUAN CASTILLO 23 ■ ■

JORDAN GRAHAM 24 ■ ■ GK

CONNAL TRUEMAN 27 ■ ■

IVAN SUNJIC 34 ■ ■

GEORGE HALL 35 ■ ■

TROY DEENEY 36 ■ ■

JOBE BELLINGHAM 39 ■ ■

ADAN GEORGE 40 ■ ■

REMI WALKER 41 ■ ■

ALFIE CHANG 42 ■ ■

MITCHELL ROBERTS 43 ■ ■ CAOLAN BOYD-MUNCE 44 ■ ■

NICO GORDON 50 ■ ■

KYLE HURST 51 ■ ■

MARCEL OAKLEY 52 ■ ■

TATE CAMPBELL 53 ■ ■

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS 54 ■ ■

NEXT UP AT ST. ANDREW’S PETERBOROUGH UNITED TUESDAY 29 DECEMBER 2021 KICK-OFF 7.45PM

CARDIFF CITY INTERIM MANAGER: STEVE MORISON

■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■

1 DILLON PHILLIPS GK 2 MARC McGUINNESS 3 JOEL BAGAN 4 SEAN MORRISON 5 ADEN FLINT 6 WILL VAULKS 7 LEANDRO BACUNA 8 JOE RALLS 10 KEIFFER MOORE 14 ISAAC VASSELL 16 CURTIS NELSON 19 JAMES COLLINS 21 MARLON PACK 25 ALEX SMITHIES GK 26 RYAN GILES 27 RUBIN COLWILL 28 TOM SANG 29 MARK HARRIS 30 CIARON BROWN 31 GEORGE RATCLIFFE GK 32 ELI KING 33 KEENAN PATTEN 35 CHANKA ZIMBA 36 KIERON EVANS 37 SAM BOWEN 38 PERRY NG 39 ISAAK DAVIES 40 THOMAS DAVIES 41 TAVIO KOUAKOU D’ALMEDIA 42 OLIVER DENHAM

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE JEREMY SIMPSON ASSISTANT REFEREE ROBERT HYDE ASSISTANT REFEREE NIK BARNARD 4TH OFFICIAL OLIVER LANGFORD