Birmingham City v Reading

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v Birmingham City v Reading | Saturday 6 November 2021 | Kick-off 3pm ISSUE 10 | £3

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Main Interview

dion sanderson

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resh from signing a new fouryear deal with parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Dion Sanderson arrived at Wast Hills this summer looking for more First Team experience.

After loan stints at Cardiff City and Sunderland, a season-long spell in the Sky Bet Championship with Blues was considered the best move for the promising 21-year-old.

Fast forward a few weeks and the Wednesfield-born defender is attracting new admirers as quickly as he is getting game time.

BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Sanderson has started seven of Blues’ last eight league games; impressive performances have coincided with Blues’ recent upturn in form.

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With that in mind, Blues News caught up with the larger-than-life character to discuss the team’s start to the season and how he is enjoying life on the Blue side of the West Midlands.

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How are things going for you?

Things are going really well. I have settled in nicely now and getting on with the lads. I knew a couple of the boys already and being in the team playing week-in, week-out, I am enjoying it.

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Web: www.bcfc.com

6 | BLUES NEWS

Honorary Vice President: Mike Wiseman

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

Veljko Paunovic

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

Head Coach: Lee Bowyer Assistant Head Coach: Mark Kennedy

DOB: 21 August 1977 Appointed: August 2020 It took the Serbian just two months to earn his first Manager of the Month accolade in English football, having enjoyed a blistering opening to his tenure in Berkshire last season.

ONE TO WATCH

Despite having the Royals flirt with the play-offs, this time around it has not been as plain sailing for the bilingual 44-year-old. Hindered by a transfer embargo and a crippling injury list, his Royals slumped to 17th in the Championship table after a fourth consecutive defeat in midweek.

John Swift ATTACKING MIDFIELDER DOB: 23 June 1995 Having missed four months of the previous campaign through injury, Reading’s inventive No.10 has been true to his name in making up for lost time this season.

The former Chelsea youth was restricted to 14 appearances during 2020/21 because of hamstring problems, but has been integral for the Royals despite a challenging first third of the new campaign.

Swift scored Reading’s opening goal of the season at Stoke City and followed it up with five more before the end of September, including the first hat-trick of his career against QPR. Since then he has been on the scoresheet in successes over Peterborough United and Barnsley to take his tally to eight, in addition to providing six assists.

A RIGHT ROYALS DILEMMA

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Championship matches last season.

However, a November blip and failing to win any of their final six games ultimately left them short of the top six.

Manager Veljko Paunovic made an express start to life in Berkshire, winning seven of his opening eight

Naturally, this season the expectation to challenge in the Championship’s upper echelons once again has been tempered by a transfer embargo and being

eading had a campaign of improvement during 2020/21 and being disappointed at missing out on last season’s play-offs was testament to how far they had progressed.

It is the most productive form of the 26-year-old’s career, having only previous surpassed his current total in 2016/17 when the Berkshire club reached the Championship Play-off Final.

Head of Physical Performance: Sean Rush Chief Medical Officer: Roddy Macdonald Head of Performance Analysis: Carl Blakemore 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

trapped in regulations and red tape regarding the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

It meant the Royals could only recruit six new faces during the summer, three of which were free agents, and now a severe injury crisis is threatening to erode the noticeable advancements the club have made under the Serb’s guidance.

The Royals were far from the division’s pacesetters this August.

A home win over Preston North End punctuated four league defeats during the campaign’s opening month, which left the club 21st in the table and having conceded 16 goals.

Manager Paunovic has certainly been impressed with Swift’s contribution and is keen to tie his star asset down to a new contract, telling Berkshire Live: “As long as he is here, whether it is only this season or if we are capable of getting him to sign a longterm deal, we have to enjoy him and provide him with everything he needs so he can perform for us.”

Trusting in their methodologies and 4-2-3-1 system finally brought rewards. A 3-3 draw with Queens Park Rangers was followed by five wins in their next six matches, including a trio of 1-0 victories over Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Barnsley respectively. It was a 2-1

10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

First Team Development Coach: Paul Harsley Goalkeeping Coach: Andy Marshall

www.bcfc.com

IN THIS ISSUE IN THE DUGOUT

Technical Director: Craig Gardner

You seem to be enjoying it as well.

Are you happy to be playing your football here?

For sure! On and off the pitch I like to think I am a happy person that gets on with everyone. I like a laugh, but I know when it is time to switch on and work.

Did you know anyone before you arrived?

I knew Nico [Gordon] and both Jordan [Graham] and Matty [Sarkic] from being at Wolves so that helps the settling in process for sure. I spoke to Jordan before I moved and got an insight into the place and he had great things to say!

Store: www.blues.clubstore.co.uk

Directors: Wenqing Zhao, Chun Kong Yiu, Gannan Zheng, Yao Wang,

We are on a good run of form, what is that down to?

Hard work and what happens at training. Expectations of one another are high and we’re demanding the best game by game. We have a real togetherness that has grown over time. From the defence through to the attack, everyone is playing a huge role and you can see it happening for us on the pitch.

Looking ahead, what are your goals?

I have come here to play games and that is happening. I want to help the squad as much as possible and work hard for my teammates. Things are going well, and I am grateful.

This is the third loan move of your career, how have you found settling at Blues?

It is down the road from where I grew up which is a bonus of sorts, but I would be happy to play anywhere if it meant improving. It is nice to be close to family though – I don’t take that for granted.

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BCFC BOARD

You have really kicked on since coming on for your league debut against Peterborough United, do you feel like you are playing well?

I feel great! I have solid players around me and their experience counts for a lot. That is important for me because it allows me to really show what I am capable of – which I think I have been doing.

success at high-flying Fulham which had the Royals looking back to their vintage best once again and had Paunovic waxing lyrical about the connection between the “lions on the field and the lions in the stands”.

The end of October though began to see the club’s injury crisis deepen, with no less than 10 senior figures side-lined including experienced Canadian Junior Hoilett, former long-serving Birmingham defender Michael Morrison, last season’s 22goal leading scorer Lucas Joao and fellow frontman Yakou Meite, who has scored in his last four meetings against Blues.

Such personnel shortages have left the club relying on unproven Under23s players to make up the bench and understandably results have taken a downward turn. Blackpool came from 2-0 behind with 21 minutes remaining to earn a first win at The Select Car Leasing Stadium since 1980, Blackburn Rovers inflicted back-to-back defeats with a 2-0 win before AFC Bournemouth maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign at Reading’s expense by the same scoreline. A fourth successive defeat, and a third game

Currently isolating after testing positive with Covid-19 earlier in the week, with assistant manager Marko Mitrovic in the away dug-out today, it is the most challenging period of the former Atletico Madrid forward’s time in management.

Yet the former Serbia Under-20s boss, who also took charge of MLS side Chicago Fire for four seasons, can draw comfort from club owner Dai Yongge’s words upon his appointment back in August 2020.

He said: “With vast experience of topflight football as a player and a coach across Europe and in the United States, and with a proven pedigree of successfully working with young up-and-coming footballers on the domestic and international scene, I am confident Vejko can help take this club forward.”

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 11

match verdict wrote, “The Midlands club moved with such mobility and accuracy that the Canaries in comparison often looked a shade sluggish.”

In the opening paragraph of its match report the Norwich paper wrote, “Birmingham, full of skill and talent, dominated the early stages to lead 2-1 at half time.” However Blues had to come from behind to lead at the interval. In for injured home skipper Duncan Forbes, Steve Govier opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when he slammed home from the edge of the box after a Graham Paddon corner was only half-cleared. Seven minutes later Govier went from hero to zero with the home fans as he brought down Rob Page for a penalty which Alan Campbell converted. Six minutes from half time Blues went ahead. From Gordon Taylor’s inviting left wing cross Bob Latchford scored with a diving header from near the penalty spot to maintain his record of scoring in six successive matches.

The second half saw the league leaders come back into the game and though they equalised through Peter Silvester from a 63rd minute corner Blues remained well worth their point. Just as importantly they left Carrow Road having established their own promotion credentials.

TEAMS BLUES 2: Kelly; Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Burns, Campbell, Francis, Latchford, Hatton, Taylor.

ORIENT 0: Goddard, Allen, Rofe, Dyson, Bennett, Hoadley, Lazarus, Brisley, Bullock, Mancini Bowyer

7250

ATTENDANCE: 27,349 NORWICH CITY 2: Keelan; Payne, Butler, Stringer, Govier (Howard), Anderson, Livermore, Paddon, Cross, Silvester, Foggo.r.

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.

BLUES 2: Kelly; Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Burns, Campbell, Francis, Latchford, Hatton, Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 24,262

by ROB MASON

ob Hatton wasted no time in getting the fans onside. 50 years ago today Blues new record signing marked his home debut with the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Orient. The Londoners had lost their last away game 5-3 after leading 3-1 and could find no way back at St. Andrew’s where Bob Latchford maintained his scoring streak to wrap up a long awaited first win since Latchford’s hat-trick against Watford in September.

The two points lifted Blues to seventh, a point behind three teams, three behind third placed Middlesbrough, five behind

Millwall and seven behind leaders Norwich City. A trip to the Canaries was next in line for Freddie Goodwin’s side.

Still looking for an away win Blues travelled to Carrow Road where Norwich were unbeaten but had already conceded a goal to Hatton who had scored there for Carlisle. The second highest gate of the season so far squeezed in to see a fixture between the two teams who in the final analysis would be promoted to the top flight. While Norwich were well ahead of Blues at the time Freddie Goodwin’s team left Carrow Road having shown the leaders that they meant business. The local Eastern Football News (Pink’Un) in its

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

18 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

ALAN CAMPBELL Alan Campbell was one of three ever presents in the league in 1971-72. Three of his four goals came from the penalty spot, including one away to league leaders Norwich in one of the fixtures featured here. A skilful midfielder with good close control and able to see and deliver a pass, the Scotland Under 23 international was also not one to shirk a tackle.

Born in Arbroath in 1948 he joined Charlton Athletic as a 15-year old. Only allowed to join the Addicks as an amateur Charlton apparently created a job for him at a sports store and paid him a nominal wage as well as providing him with a place to live. He debuted against Bolton on the first day of the 1965-66 season in the first of over 200 games for his first club before coming to St. Andrew’s in 1970. He also topped 200 games for Blues, scoring 14 goals in 209 appearances, the first in a 5-2 defeat at QPR in October 1970.

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CLASS OF 71/72

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL In a story still remembered by many people now Asa Hartford’s proposed transfer from WBA to Leeds was called off when a medical spotted a suspected hole in the heart. Thankfully it didn’t stop Hartford going on to enjoy a top class career.

At Wembley on 10 November England were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland, Mike Summerbee being England’s scorer on a night when Rodney Marsh came off the bench to make his international debut – making him the first player to debut for England as a sub in a competitive match, this being a qualification game for the European Championships. www.bcfc.com

He stayed at St. Andrew’s until 1976 before continuing his record of playing a lot of games when he moved to Cardiff where he made 167 league appearances.

His league career then turned full circle when he finished his time in senior football with Carlisle where he played for Bob Stokoe who had given Alan his league debut at Charlton. Campbell then wound down his career in non-league football including as a manager where he stayed in the game until 1993 as manager of Stratford Town.

BLUES NEWS | 19

BLUES NEWS | 7

05 LEE BOWYER 06 dion sanderson 09 The Opposition: reading 15 Harlee Dean 18 72@50 22 community 23 player sponsorship 24 jordan james interview 25 under-23s match report 26 action replay 29 Stats 30 supporters’ messages

Across today’s matchday, the whole of Birmingham City Football Club will be honouring and remembering the service men and women who have fought for our country.

On your way into St. Andrew’s for our Remembrance Day fixture, you may have noticed the drummers from Warwickshire & West Midlands Army Cadet Force welcoming you, as well as volunteers from both Help For Heroes and the British Legion in the stands. If you are able to donate to these two amazing causes, the Club would be very grateful.

We are also welcoming a number of special guests today, as players from both sides will form a guard of honour for 12 serving guardsmen. The players and guards will walk out to a unique version of Keep Right On, recorded by 100-year-old Charlie Pallet in aid of Help For Heroes.

Meanwhile, BoyleSports has donated its Kop box to invited Blues fans who have fought in conflict across their lives.

Prior to kick-off, a big screen tribute will be paid to former Blues players who tragically lost their lives in the two World Wars, and a moving rendition of The Last Post will be played by Lance Lieutenant Corporal Robert Baker.

To donate to Charlie Pallet’s Keep Right On campaign for Help For Heroes, scan the below QR Code; and to donate to the Royal British Legion, please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk.

Coldstream Guards receiving GoH Rank Name LCpl

Robert “Bobby” Baker

Drummer (Bugler)

Gdsm

Drew Frame

Guard Order

Gdsm

Damien Dippolitto

Guard Order

Gdsm

Alfie Buchanan

Guard Order

Gdsm

Eugene Buma

Guard Order

Gdsm

Michael Ljakpa

Guard Order

Gdsm

Daniel Baker

Guard Order

Gdsm

Lewis Atkins

Combats

Gdsm

Jacob Smith

Combats

Gdsm

Aiden Grimsley

Combats

Gdsm

Alfie Frank Henrey Boswell

Combats

Lee

T

BOWYER

oday is the Club’s designated Remembrance Day fixture and I would like to begin by paying my own personal tribute to the men and women who we have lost whilst serving our country and to those who remain active in the service.

We will be forever indebted to their sacrifice and I am proud of our armed services for defending the freedoms, both here and overseas, which we all enjoy.

We will remember them.

Onto footballing matters and I would like to welcome the staff, players and everyone connected with Reading Football Club to St. Andrew’s for today’s game.

It has been a good few weeks at the Club. Three straight wins has given everyone a real boost but the challenge now is to keep this run going.

We have already seen for ourselves how quickly things can turn in this league so we cannot take anything for granted and have to continue to work hard to earn every point.

I try to stay as balanced as I can, whether we win or lose. I knew if we kept performing as we were during that tough run, doing the right things every day, creating chances and getting into good positions, that the goals would come. Seven in the last three games suggest we are now starting to take those chances and have shown a ruthless streak when the opportunities arise.

It is great when your forwards are amongst the goals but we’ve also seen Marc Roberts, Gary Gardner and Riley McGree chip-in over recent games as well. It is important we carry a goal threat right across the pitch and players contribute to the tally as often as possible.

It was also pleasing to be in a position to give Jordan

www.bcfc.com

James his senior debut. He has come through the Academy system here and deserved his chance. He passed the ball with a purpose, competed well and looked like he enjoyed himself.

We are a big, powerful side and I felt we were hungrier than Bristol City on Tuesday night. What pleased me most though, was another clean sheet.

If we remain solid at the back, I believe we will always have a chance to win games. We have now prevented the opposition from scoring in half of our games this season and it is something I am keen to extend further.

Today, we face a Reading side who, despite their recent run of results, have quality in their squad.

They have enjoyed good spells in games, even if they have not got the results to go with them and they remain a dangerous opposition. Whilst we are aware of their threats, we have to look to impose ourselves on the game because I tell the players all the time, when we are at it, we are a very good side.

Finally, a word on Tahith Chong who has returned to Manchester United for treatment having had surgery on his injury. He has been fantastic for us and will undoubtedly be a big loss over the coming months.

I know our supporters love him, the players all enjoy playing with him and whilst I am hopeful we will see him in a Blue shirt again, I just want to wish him a speedy recovery.

Let’s hope we can give you all something to cheer about heading into the international break.

Keep Right On, Lee Bowyer

BLUES NEWS | 5

6 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

Main Interview

dion sanderson

F

resh from signing a new fouryear deal with parent club Wolverhampton Wanderers, Dion Sanderson arrived at Wast Hills this summer looking for more First Team experience.

After loan stints at Cardiff City and Sunderland, a season-long spell in the Sky Bet Championship with Blues was considered the best move for the promising 21-year-old.

Fast forward a few weeks and the Wednesfield-born defender is attracting new admirers as quickly as he is getting game time.

Sanderson has started seven of Blues’ last eight league games; impressive performances have coincided with Blues’ recent upturn in form.

With that in mind, Blues News caught up with the larger-than-life character to discuss the team’s start to the season and how he is enjoying life on the Blue side of the West Midlands.

How are things going for you?

Things are going really well. I have settled in nicely now and getting on with the lads. I knew a couple of the boys already and being in the team playing week-in, week-out, I am enjoying it.

You have really kicked on since coming on for your league debut against Peterborough United, do you feel like you are playing well?

I feel great! I have solid players around me and their experience counts for a lot. That is important for me because it allows me to really show what I am capable of – which I think I have been doing.

We are on a good run of form, what is that down to?

Hard work and what happens at training. Expectations of one another are high and we’re demanding the best game by game. We have a real togetherness that has grown over time. From the defence through to the attack, everyone is playing a huge role and you can see it happening for us on the pitch.

Looking ahead, what are your goals?

I have come here to play games and that is happening. I want to help the squad as much as possible and work hard for my teammates. Things are going well, and I am grateful.

You seem to be enjoying it as well.

Are you happy to be playing your football here?

For sure! On and off the pitch I like to think I am a happy person that gets on with everyone. I like a laugh, but I know when it is time to switch on and work.

This is the third loan move of your career, how have you found settling at Blues?

It is down the road from where I grew up which is a bonus of sorts, but I would be happy to play anywhere if it meant improving. It is nice to be close to family though – I don’t take that for granted.

Did you know anyone before you arrived?

I knew Nico [Gordon] and both Jordan [Graham] and Matty [Sarkic] from being at Wolves so that helps the settling in process for sure. I spoke to Jordan before I moved and got an insight into the place and he had great things to say! www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 7

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Fact file

Nickname: Royals Formed: 1871

Stadium: The Select Car Leasing Stadium Stadium Capacity: 24,162 Manager: Veljko Paunovic Last season finish: 7th in the Championship

The Opposition

READING

ONE TO WATCH

John Swift ATTACKING MIDFIELDER DOB: 23 June 1995 Having missed four months of the previous campaign through injury, Reading’s inventive No.10 has been true to his name in making up for lost time this season.

The former Chelsea youth was restricted to 14 appearances during 2020/21 because of hamstring problems, but has been integral for the Royals despite a challenging first third of the new campaign.

Swift scored Reading’s opening goal of the season at Stoke City and followed it up with five more before the end of September, including the first hat-trick of his career against QPR. Since then he has been on the scoresheet in successes over Peterborough United and Barnsley to take his tally to eight, in addition to providing six assists.

A RIGHT ROYALS DI

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Championship matches last season.

However, a November blip and failing to win any of their final six games ultimately left them short of the top six.

Manager Veljko Paunovic made an express start to life in Berkshire, winning seven of his opening eight

Naturally, this season the expectation to challenge in the Championship’s upper echelons once again has been tempered by a transfer embargo and being

eading had a campaign of improvement during 2020/21 and being disappointed at missing out on last season’s play-offs was testament to how far they had progressed.

It is the most productive form of the 26-year-old’s career, having only previous surpassed his current total in 2016/17 when the Berkshire club reached the Championship Play-off Final.

Manager Paunovic has certainly been impressed with Swift’s contribution and is keen to tie his star asset down to a new contract, telling Berkshire Live: “As long as he is here, whether it is only this season or if we are capable of getting him to sign a longterm deal, we have to enjoy him and provide him with everything he needs so he can perform for us.”

10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

IN THE DUGOUT

Veljko Paunovic DOB: 21 August 1977 Appointed: August 2020 It took the Serbian just two months to earn his first Manager of the Month accolade in English football, having enjoyed a blistering opening to his tenure in Berkshire last season.

Despite having the Royals flirt with the play-offs, this time around it has not been as plain sailing for the bilingual 44-year-old. Hindered by a transfer embargo and a crippling injury list, his Royals slumped to 17th in the Championship table after a fourth consecutive defeat in midweek.

ILEMMA

trapped in regulations and red tape regarding the EFL’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

It meant the Royals could only recruit six new faces during the summer, three of which were free agents, and now a severe injury crisis is threatening to erode the noticeable advancements the club have made under the Serb’s guidance.

The Royals were far from the division’s pacesetters this August.

A home win over Preston North End punctuated four league defeats during the campaign’s opening month, which left the club 21st in the table and having conceded 16 goals.

Trusting in their methodologies and 4-2-3-1 system finally brought rewards. A 3-3 draw with Queens Park Rangers was followed by five wins in their next six matches, including a trio of 1-0 victories over Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Barnsley respectively. It was a 2-1

www.bcfc.com

success at high-flying Fulham which had the Royals looking back to their vintage best once again and had Paunovic waxing lyrical about the connection between the “lions on the field and the lions in the stands”.

The end of October though began to see the club’s injury crisis deepen, with no less than 10 senior figures sidelined including experienced Canadian Junior Hoilett, former long-serving Birmingham City defender Michael Morrison, last season’s 22-goal leading scorer Lucas Joao and fellow frontman Yakou Meite, who has scored in his last four meetings against Blues.

Such personnel shortages have left the club relying on unproven Under23s players to make up the bench and understandably results have taken a downward turn. Blackpool came from 2-0 behind with 21 minutes remaining to earn a first win at The Select Car Leasing Stadium since 1980, Blackburn Rovers inflicted back-to-back defeats with a 2-0 win before AFC Bournemouth maintained their unbeaten start to the campaign at Reading’s expense by the same scoreline. A fourth successive defeat, and a third game

Currently isolating after testing positive with Covid-19 earlier in the week, with assistant manager Marko Mitrovic in the away dugout today, it is the most challenging period of the former Atletico Madrid forward’s time in management.

Yet the former Serbia Under-20s boss, who also took charge of MLS side Chicago Fire for four seasons, can draw comfort from club owner Dai Yongge’s words upon his appointment back in August 2020.

He said: “With vast experience of topflight football as a player and a coach across Europe and in the United States, and with a proven pedigree of successfully working with young up-and-coming footballers on the domestic and international scene, I am confident Vejko can help take this club forward.”

BLUES NEWS | 11

Giving Football Back to Small Business At eBay, we know small business and football clubs used to be like chips and gravy, two peas in a pod – a match made in community heaven.

Ironmongers, ship workers, spring makers and cobblers, all formed clubs which decades later are still prospering.

But nowadays, you’d think it was all eyewatering transfers, Super Leagues and mega sponsors, detached from the humble origins of our historic clubs.

That’s why eBay are proud to support 300,000 small businesses who help power EFL clubs nationwide. We’ll be donating our advertising space to a lot of these businesses – on match day hoardings, around grounds and beyond – throughout the coming season, to ensure they can continue to thrive in our local communities. So, join us in giving your support to Small Business Power, because today, they need us more than ever.

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

AROUND THE GROUNDS Record-breaking boss Neil Warnock saw his Middlesbrough side concede three times in the space of five minutes on Tuesday night, as Luton Town spoiled his landmark 1,602nd game in management.

The septuagenarian will hope for less drama this afternoon when taking his side to a West Bromwich Albion outfit side still undefeated at The Hawthorns this season. The Hatters, meanwhile, climbed into the division’s top six and will be aiming to remain there come the final whistle today after hosting an out-of-sorts Stoke City.

without finding the target, occurred in midweek in Tuesday’s 1-0 loss at Millwall.

While concerned by the potential threat of a points deduction hanging over them, Paunovic admitted he was not giving the prospect of remaining under an embargo at the start of 2022 much thought, preferring to focus on performances.

“I’m just expecting that we win points. Moving forward, whatever happens, it is out of our control,” the 44-year-old told Berkshire Live.

“Hopefully nothing happens so that it is going to contribute to what we are trying to achieve this season which is, first of all, consolidating our form and getting to the top-six level, and then competing there. For now, we have to stick with what we have and as we did in the past.

“Against Bournemouth the team tried until the end but we lacked the freshness we needed and the precision in the final third. I’m proud of every single one of our players.

This sort of performance is the kind of performance we want to have going forward; we had our identity, we had intensity, we were very good on the ball, we were sharp, we created www.bcfc.com

opportunities - and all against a team who are top of the table.

“They gave their souls out there for the team, so we have to look at the hard work we are all putting in out there, appreciate that and help them.”

Despite such depleted numbers the Royals are still blessed with a stellar cast. Homegrown gloveman Luke Southwood, who has four cleansheets this term, was protected at The Den by long-serving, talismanic captain Liam Moore and 34-year-old stager Scott Dann.

Last season’s Player of the Year Josh Laurent partnered debutant Tyrell Ashcroft in centre midfield on Tuesday evening, with £35million Chelsea loanee Danny Drinkwater absent.

The Royals have only managed to score six times on the road this season in nine outings, but have an attacking armoury to trouble any second-tier backline. Winger Tom Dele-Bashiru has scored three times in his breakthrough campaign on loan from Watford, the effervescent Ovie Ejaria was a £3.5million acquisition from Liverpool, John Swift is in the most productive form of his career and Romanian international George Puscas acts as the attacking spearhead.

Elsewhere, the second-tier’s most ruthless attack travel to the Championship’s most permeable defence. Fulham’s Aleksandar Mitrovic & co. had scored ten more than leaders AFC Bournemouth before Wednesday night and will expect more of the same against a Peterborough United side that conceded their 31st goal of the campaign in a 1-1 draw with Huddersfield Town four days ago.

Coventry City have been a formidable proposition on home soil but surrendered their unbeaten record in midweek with a 2-1 loss to in-form Swansea City. Sky Blues boss Mark Robins will be expecting a response today though as they welcome a Bristol City side winless in CV6 since 2014.

Another intriguing contest sees Championship strugglers Barnsley and Hull City slog it out in an early ‘six pointer’. The Tykes departed with head coach Markus Schopp last week after a run of seven straight defeats and will be hoping to prolong the Tigers’ own torrid run as they travel to Oakwell.

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 Bluenoses and welcome back to St. Andrew’s for this afternoon’s home fixture against Reading

We come into today’s game with real confidence and, after the performance in midweek, it is clear to see why.

I think the result against Bristol City was a long time in the making. For a couple of weeks now, we have started to find our feet again and a convincing scoreline has not been that far away.

I, like the entire squad, am delighted to see Scott Hogan back amongst the goals. His attitude is exemplary, and he deserves his recent success. He gives the team a real goalscoring threat and it was only a matter of time before he found the back of the net again.

The 3-0 win also marked an eighth clean sheet in our 16th league match of the season. Those are impressive numbers, and we know as a team that if we are hard to breach, then we will be hard to beat and that is down to everyone.

It is all heading in the right direction but as always when we hit a good run of form, it is about staying switched on and focused and we are determined to do just that.

I was saddened to hear of Tahith Chong’s injury setback

www.bcfc.com

in the week. Chongy is one of several new lads that came in this summer and he really hit the ground running. I wish him all the best in his rehabilitation, and I hope we will see him again soon. He has the right attitude when it comes to his football and if he applies that to his recovery, he will be back in no time at all.

Today is important in many aspects, but none more so than because it is our annual Remembrance Day fixture.

Remembrance to us all is about reflecting on the sacrifice of many people who gave their lives in the defence of freedom and as such, I want to extend mine and the teams welcome to the many veterans and their families who are here today to enjoy the game versus Reading.

The Royals are a team we have enjoyed playing in recent seasons but they will come here looking to get three points to end a run of defeats. No game is a given and we look forward to what I am sure will be another competitive match.

As always, enjoy the game and thanks for coming to support the team.

Keep Right On! Harlee Dean

BLUES NEWS | 15

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7250

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.

@

B

by ROB MASON

ob Hatton wasted no time in getting the fans onside. 50 years ago today, Blues new record signing marked his home debut with the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Orient. The Londoners had lost their last away game 5-3 after leading 3-1 and could find no way back at St. Andrew’s where Bob Latchford maintained his scoring streak to wrap up a long awaited first win since his hat-trick against Watford in September.

The two points lifted Blues to seventh, a point behind a trio of teams, three behind third placed Middlesbrough, five

behind Millwall and seven behind leaders Norwich City. A trip to the Canaries was next in line for Freddie Goodwin’s side.

Still looking for an away win Blues travelled to Carrow Road where Norwich were unbeaten but had already conceded a goal to Hatton who had scored there for Carlisle. The second highest gate of the season so far squeezed in to see a fixture between the two teams who in the final analysis would be promoted to the top flight. While Norwich were well ahead of Blues at the time Freddie Goodwin’s team left Carrow Road having shown the leaders that they meant business. The local Eastern Football News (Pink’Un) in its

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

18 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

match verdict wrote, “The Midlands club moved with such mobility and accuracy that the Canaries in comparison often looked a shade sluggish.”

In the opening paragraph of its match report the Norwich paper wrote, “Birmingham, full of skill and talent, dominated the early stages to lead 2-1 at half-time.” However, Blues had to come from behind to lead at the interval.

In for injured home skipper Duncan Forbes, Steve Govier opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when he slammed home from the edge of the box after a Graham Paddon corner was only half-cleared. Seven minutes later Govier went from hero to zero with the home fans as he brought down Rob Page for a penalty which Alan Campbell converted. Six minutes from half-time Blues went ahead. From Gordon Taylor’s inviting left wing cross Latchford scored with a diving header from near the penalty spot to maintain his record of scoring in six successive matches.

The second-half saw the league leaders come back into the game and though they equalised through Peter Silvester from a 63rd minute corner Blues remained well worth their point. Just as importantly they left Carrow Road having established their own promotion credentials.

TEAMS BLUES 2: Kelly; Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Burns, Campbell, Francis, Latchford, Hatton, Taylor.

ORIENT 0: Goddard, Allen, Rofe, Dyson, Bennett, Hoadley, Lazarus, Brisley, Bullock, Mancini Bowyer ATTENDANCE: 27,349 NORWICH CITY 2: Keelan; Payne, Butler, Stringer, Govier (Howard), Anderson, Livermore, Paddon, Cross, Silvester, Foggo.r.

BLUES 2: Kelly; Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Burns, Campbell, Francis, Latchford, Hatton, Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 24,262

CLASS OF 71/72 ALAN CAMPBELL Alan Campbell was one of three ever presents in the league in 1971/72. Three of his four goals came from the penalty spot, including one away to league leaders Norwich in one of the fixtures featured here. A skilful midfielder with good close control and able to see and deliver a pass, the Scotland Under-23s international was also not one to shirk a tackle.

Born in Arbroath in 1948 he joined Charlton Athletic as a 15-year old. Only allowed to join the Addicks as an amateur Charlton apparently created a job for him at a sports store and paid him a nominal wage as well as providing him with a place to live. He debuted against Bolton on the first day of the 1965/66 season in the first of over 200 games for his first club before coming to St. Andrew’s in 1970. He also topped 200 games for Blues, scoring 14 goals in 209 appearances, the first in a 5-2 defeat at QPR in October 1970.

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL In a story still remembered by many people now Asa Hartford’s proposed transfer from WBA to Leeds was called off when a medical spotted a suspected hole in the heart. Thankfully it didn’t stop Hartford going on to enjoy a top class career.

At Wembley on 10 November England were held to a 1-1 draw by Switzerland, Mike Summerbee being England’s scorer on a night when Rodney Marsh came off the bench to make his international debut – making him the first player to debut for England as a sub in a competitive match, this being a qualification game for the European Championships. www.bcfc.com

He stayed at St. Andrew’s until 1976 before continuing his record of playing a lot of games when he moved to Cardiff where he made 167 league appearances.

His league career then turned full circle when he finished his time in senior football with Carlisle where he played for Bob Stokoe who had given Alan his league debut at Charlton. Campbell then wound down his career in non-league football, including as a manager where he stayed in the game until 1993 as manager of Stratford Town.

BLUES NEWS | 19

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BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

52

20

Anna-Leigh Brooks

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23

ADAN GEORGE

50

available

CRAIG GARDNER

12

13

15

17

18

JORDAN GRAHAM

CONNAL TRUEMAN

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

27

available

NICO GORDON

available

LEE BOWYER

JUAN CASTILLO

DION SANDERSON

GARY GARDNER

available

24

available available

44 CAOLAN BOYD-MUNCE

21

TROY DEENEY

Simone Ingram available

40

36

IVAN SUNJIC Oliver Collinson Simone Ingram

54 KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS

TATE CAMPBELL

34 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

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BLUES NEWS | 23

Player Feature

W

jordan james

hether it was partaking in the recent Academy media training at Wast Hills Training Ground or making his First Team debut at St. Andrew’s on Tuesday night, Jordan James is taking everything in his stride.

Nothing is yet to the phase the bubbly 17-year-old midfielder, son of former pro Tony James, whose rapid rise has seen him play Under18s, Under-23s and senior football already this season – impressing on every stage.

Having been described by former coaches as capable of operating in both offensive and defensive areas, it comes as little surprise that the youngster is held in such high regard by the Football Club.

James has been at Blues since the pre-Academy and his commitment on the pitch has been matched by that of his and his family’s off it, travelling from Hereford to attend three training sessions a week in the West Midlands over a period of nine years.

24 | BLUES NEWS

Such dedication to the Club has been a two-way street, with Blues supporting his development.

Whilst many setups discard those whose natural physical development is deemed below the curve, Birmingham City prioritised James’ future beyond that of their own. They identified his talent and character befitting that of a professional footballer of tomorrow.

That tomorrow came during the midweek Sky Bet Championship

success over Bristol City, with James entering the B9 arena for Jordan Graham in the closing stages.

Despite Blues being in the ascendency at the time of his introduction, this was no handout or free hit for the Wales youth international whose performances in training would – according to George Friend – suggest he had played 100 First Team games.

Head Coach, Lee Bowyer, was equally glowing in his assessment of James’ contribution during training and versus Bristol City.

He told the media post-match: “Young JJ has come and trained with us a couple of times. He joined in yesterday as George Friend couldn’t train and didn’t look out of place today. He came on today, ran around, didn’t give the ball away, competed and when he passed, he passed it with a purpose.”

Congratulations on your debut, JJ! BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

Match Report

Under 23s The Clarets drew level shortly after the hour mark courtesy of a Ne Jai Tucker rocket from the edge of the penalty area that left Oliver Basey with no chance.

And Blues fell behind to what would prove to be the winner with 15 minutes left on the clock. Owen Dodgson found a pocket of space and set up Michael Mellon for a simple close-range finish to turn the game on its head.

Steve Spooner’s team are back in league action tomorrow as they make the trip north to take on Middlesbrough, kick-off 1pm. Boro sit just two places and as many points above Blues in the current standings.

B

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

Wakefield reacted quickest to a fierce Oriol Soldevila shot that Sam Walker could only parry in the visitor’s goal, firing home on the rebound after good anticipation.

Steve Spooner’s young side included two triallists, with the line being led by Under-18s striker Kieran Wakefield. But this prospect did not faze the forward whose 33rd-minute goal gave Blues a deserved lead in the West Midlands.

This strike was befitting of the attacking threat Blues had been offering, but when Burnley hit the bar through Ben Woods on the stroke of half-time, it proved to be an unwelcome sign of things to come.

Blues: Oli Basey, Callum Sullivan, Renedi Masampu, Caolan Boyd-Munce, Triallist, Mitch Roberts ©, Oriol Soldevila, Remi Walker, Kieran Wakefield (Yoane Zohore, 60), George Hall (Jobe Bellingham, 60), Kyle Hurst.

Substitutes not used: Alfie Brooks, Rico Browne, Rico Patterson.

Burnley: Sam Walker, Finn Armstrong, Anthony Glennon, Mark Helm, Bobby Thomas ©, Jacob Bedeau, Ne Jai Tucker (Dara Costolloe, 87), Ben Woods, Michael Mellon, Joe McGlynn (Max Thompson, 77), Owen Dodgson.

Substitutes not used: Harry Allen, Jake Rooney, William Hugill.

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 25

Blues 3 0 Bristol city SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP | TUESDAY 2 NOVEMEBER

Blues (3-5-2): Matija Sarkic, George Friend, Marc Roberts, Dion Sanderson (Harlee Dean 46), Jordan Graham (Jordan James 84), Ivan Sunjic, Gary Gardner, Riley McGree, Jeremie Bela, Scott Hogan, Troy Deeney (captain) (Lukas Jutkiewicz 73).

Substitutes not used: Neil Etheridge, Juan Castillo, Ryan Woods, Chuks Aneke.

Booking: None.

Bristol City (5-2-3): Daniel Bentley (captain), George Tanner, Zak Vyner, Tomas Kalas, Rob Atkinson, Jay Da Silva (Cameron Pring 82), Matty James (HanNoah Massengo 54), Tyreeq Bakinson, Andreas Weimann, Chris Martin, Nahki Wells (Alex Scott 82).

Substitutes not used: Max O’Leary, Callum O’Dowda, Sam Bell, Ayman Benarous.

Booking: Bakinson 81, Weimann 87.

Referee: Simon Cooper Attendance: 16,143 26 | BLUES NEWS

I

t was three goals and three points as Blues recorded their third win on the spin by proving too much for a visiting Bristol City side that are one of the Sky Bet Championship’s best travellers.

Lee Bowyer’s men were in control for most of the match at St. Andrew’s, recording their biggest home win of the season and keeping an eighth clean sheet of the campaign on a buoyant night in the Second City.

Birthday boy Riley McGree kickstarted the scoring after 15 minutes, with his long-range effort finding the net via a deflection as he scored in back-to-back home games. And this advantage was doubled in the 68th minute through Scott Hogan. Blues’

number nine peeled off his man, received Troy Deeney’s flick-on and rolled the ball under Daniel Bentley.

The seal was then put on a great result as Gary Gardner found space in the box to steer home Jordan Graham’s expert delivery with an accurate header, capping a fantastic night in B9.

Deeney at the double A goalless shift might have suggested a quiet night for Troy Deeney, but it was anything but from the frontman.

As well as providing two assists, he bullied the Robins’ backline, linked play through to the attack and proved the perfect foil to his strike partner Hogan.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

The pitch isn’t the only green you should be looking at Talk to us about transitioning to an electric fleet

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BLUES NEWS | 27

ROLL CALL & LEAGUE TABLE PLAYER

LEAGUE APPS GLS

FA CUP APPS GLS

LEAGUE CUP APPS GLS

CHUKS ANEKE (F)

0 (11) 1

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

POS.

P

JEREMIE BELA (F)

12 (2) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 BOURNEMOUTH

15 11 4 0 18 37

JOBE BELLINGHAM (F)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 FULHAM

15 10 2 3 22 32

TATE CAMPBELL (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

3

15

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)

11 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

TROY DEENEY (F)

6 (4) 2

0 (0) 0

NEIL ETHERIDGE (G)

0 (0) 0

GEORGE FRIEND (D)

6 (0) 0

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

W

8

D

4

L

3

GD PTS

11

28

4 COVENTRY CITY

16 8 3 5 3 27

5 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

16 7 4 5 2 25

6 LUTON TOWN

16 6 6 4 5 24

0 (0) 0

7 BLACKPOOL

15 7 3 5 0 24

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

8 MILLWALL

16 6 6 4 0 24

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

9 BLACKBURN ROVERS

15 6 5 4 7 23

10 SWANSEA CITY

16 6 5 5 2 23

11 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

15 6 4 5 3 22

12 STOKE CITY

15 6 4 5 1 22

13 BIRMINGHAM CITY

16 6 4 6 0 22

14 MIDDLESBROUGH

16 6 3 7 0 21

GARY GARDNER (M)

9 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

NICO GORDON (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN GRAHAM (M)

4 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

SCOTT HOGAN (F)

13 (1) 5

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

IVAN SANCHEZ (M)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JUAN CASTILLO (D)

0 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ (F)

11 (4) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

15 SHEFFIELD UNITED

16 5 4 7 -2 19

CHARLIE LAKIN (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

16 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

16 5 4 7 -2 19

JONATHAN LEKO (M)

1 (3) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

17 READING

16 6 1 9 -7 19

RILEY MCGREE (M)

3 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

18 BRISTOL CITY

16 5 4 7 -7 19

MARCEL OAKLEY (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 1

19

15

KRISTIAN PEDERSEN (D) 13 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

MARC ROBERTS (D)

15 (0) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

MITCHELL ROBERTS (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

DION SANDERSON (D)

7 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

MATIJA SARKIC (G)

16 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

PRESTON NORTH END

4

6

5

-2

18

20 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

16 4 3 9 -14 15

21 CARDIFF CITY

15 3 3 9 -14 12

22 HULL CITY

15 2 3 10 -12 9

0 (0) 0

23 BARNSLEY

15 1 5 9 -12 8

24

15

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS (F) 0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

IVAN SUNJIC (M)

13 (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)

11 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

DERBY COUNTY

3

8

4

-2

5*

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

GARDNER ■

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER LEAGUE

Sat 20

3.00pm

HULL CITY

A

LEAGUE

Tue 23

7.45pm

COVENTRY CITY

A

LEAGUE

Sat 27

3.00pm

BLACKPOOL

H

LEAGUE

DECEMBER SAT 04

3.00pm

MILLWALL

A

LEAGUE

Sat 11

3.00pm

CARDIFF CITY

H

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

JANUARY

Sat 22

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

H

LEAGUE

Sat 29

3.00pm

DERBY COUNTY

A

LEAGUE

3.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

H

LEAGUE

FEBRUARY SAT 05 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 LEAGUE

APRIL sat 02

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

H

sat 09

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

A

LEAGUE

fri 15

3.00pm

COVENTRY CITY

H

LEAGUE LEAGUE

mon 18

3.00pm

BLACKPOOL

A

sat 23

3.00pm

MILLWALL

H

LEAGUE

Sat 30

3.00pm

CARDIFF CITY

A

LEAGUE

12.30pm

BLACKBURN ROVERS

H

LEAGUE

Su pporter s

MESSAGES RIP Jenny Allen We first met Jenny in 2011 at St. Anne’s church in Moseley and were delighted to discover that she, like us, was a lifelong Birmingham City Supporter. One day she took us by surprise by producing a newspaper cutting from 1954 of a Birmingham City Women’s Team and there she was in the photograph. She moved into a residential home a few years ago and although visiting was not allowed or limited during the pandemic her letters always spoke of the Blues. She passed away Sunday 24th October, aged 84yrs and I hope she heard the news of the men’s team win the day previously - she simply loved the club.

William and Caroline George.

MAY Sat 01

30 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs READING

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

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

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BELA ■

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DEENEY 1

CHONG

McGREE 1 (63) ■

ANEKE (86)

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DEAN (45)

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uld like Football Club wo mingham City , a very Everyone at Bir yer, Jackie Lane pla es Blu r me to wish for ht On Jackie! thday! Keep Rig Happy 90th Bir

Happy 30th Bir thday Ashley Bo nsor, we hope you enjoy your special day! We love you to the moon an d back, love fro m your wife Alanna and kid s Myla, Max an d Marcie xxx

www.bcfc.com

TRUEMAN, WOODS, HOGAN, DEAN, ANEKE, SÁNCHEZ

JAMES (84)

Happy 9th Birthd ay to Noah Sm ith! Hope you have an absolut ely brilliant day.

Keep Right On! Love you loa ds, Mum, Dad an d Leila xxx

rstar, Charlie, ay to our supe Happy 7th Birthd u have the best yo pe ho We er. x for 13 Novemb world, Mom xx love you all the day - KRO! We

ETHERIDGE, WOODS, ANEKE, FAMILIA-CASTILLO

a very Happy men in my life Wishing the 2 vin Archer h November. Ke 10t the for ay ins with a Birthd tw ay thd Bir . y” Pace and John “Budd ve Tara KRO x Lo of ts Lo . of 115 combined age

Happy 15th Bir thday Lucy, ce lebrating her Birthday at the match today wi th her friends.

Lots of love, Da d.

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 ■ ■

GARY GARDNER 20 ■ ■

DION SANDERSON 21 ■ ■

JUAN CASTILLO 23 ■ ■

JORDAN GRAHAM 24 ■ ■ GK

CONNAL TRUEMAN 27 ■ ■

IVAN SUNJIC 34 ■ ■

TROY DEENEY 36 ■ ■

ADAN GEORGE 40 ■ ■ 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 BLACKPOOL SATURDAY 27 NOVEMBER 2021 KICK-OFF 3PM

READING HEAD COACH: VELJKO PAUNOVIĆ

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

3 TOM HOLMES 4 MICHAEL MORRISON 5 TOM MCINTYRE 6 LIAM MOORE 7 ALEN HALILOVIC 8 ANDY RINOMHOTA 10 JOHN SWIFT 11 YAKOU MEITE 14 OVIE EJARIA 15 DANNY DRINKWATER 16 DEJAN TETEK 17 ANDY YIADOM 18 LUCAS JOAO 19 TOM DELE-BASHIRU 20 FELIPE ARARUNA 21 BABA RAHMAN 22 LUKE SOUTHWOOD GK 23 JUNIOR HOILETT 24 SCOTT DANN 28 JOSH LAURENT 30 FEMI AZEEZ 31 CONIAH BOYCE-CLARKE GK 32 MAMADI CAMARA 33 RAFAEL CABRAL GK 35 KELVIN EHIBHATIOMHAN 36 CLAUDIO OSORIO 37 KIAN LEAVY 38 MICHAEL STICKLAND 39 JAHMARI CLARKE 41 ETHAN BRISTOW 42 LYNFORD SACKEY 43 NELSON ABBEY 44 IMARI SAMUELS 47 GEORGE PUSCAS 48 TYRELL ASHCROFT 49 KELVIN ABREFA

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE THOMAS BRAMALL ASSISTANT REFEREE NICK GREENHALGH ASSISTANT REFEREE ANDREW DALLISON 4TH OFFICIAL BEN TONER