Birmingham City v Preston North End

BLUES NEWS Birmingham City v Preston North End Saturday 25 September 2021 Kick-off 3pm ISSUE 07 | £3

Main Interview

Darren Carter

T

he name Darren Carter is synonymous with Blues fans and barely a week can pass without his promotion-winning penalty finding its way onto one of your social media news feeds.

But after several years in the academy and 49 senior appearances with Blues, a loan spell with Sunderland and a permanent switch across the Midlands to West Bromwich Albion, the midfielder enjoyed a fruitful five-year period with today’s opponents.

At Preston North End, he made over a century of appearances before turning out for a further five Clubs to date, including Forest Green Rovers and Solihull Moors.

BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

Now back in the Second City, working in the coaching and media arenas at present, Blues News thought who better to speak with ahead of this afternoon’s clash than a man who represented both clubs with distinction.

Telephone: 0121 772 0101

Thanks for catching up with us Carts what are your earliest Blues memories?

My first game as a fan was in the 1988/89 season. I went into the academy as a 12-year-old, came back at 14 and stayed until I left at 21 - that was my football upbringing. Blues was all I knew as a fan and a player. I had so many great moments playing for the club and representing my team, I have got such fond memories from my time there. The support I got was absolutely fantastic.

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

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

IN THE DUGOUT

Frankie McAvoy

Technical Director: Craig Gardner Head Coach: Lee Bowyer Assistant Head Coach: Mark Kennedy

The former Royal Mail postal cadet is now delivering on the touchline for North End, having been appointed permanently to the position last May. Academy Coach at Dunfermline before becoming Alex Neil’s long-term sidekick at Hamilton, Norwich City and then Preston, the Lankarkshire-born boss was content with his career reinvention as a number two following nearly two decades in the postal service.

ONE TO WATCH

Ali McCann MIDFIELDER DOB: 4 December 1994 Regardless of speculation that both Rangers and Celtic were keeping tabs on the effervescent midfielder, Preston pulled off one of the coups of the summer in luring McCann to PR1.

The 21-year-old already has five caps at international level for Northern Ireland, was a double domestic cup winner with St Johnstone last season and played in the Europa League this August before his deadline-day switch south of the border.

A graduate from the McDiarmid Park Academy, the Edinburgh-born player debuted in 2018 and made more than a century of appearances for Saints, including 43 last season as they clinched a surprise Scottish Cup and League Cup double.

FRANKIE GOES TO DEEPDALE

P

reston fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst after the final whistle had been blown on the opening day of the new season.

A thumping 4-1 defeat on home soil to Championship newcomers Hull City, was not how Head Coach Frankie McAvoy would have envisaged his first game in

McAvoy was certainly a long-term admirer of the high-octane tyro and was thrilled to get the pedigree performer through the door last month, believing Preston’s style of playing will extenuate the youngster’s strengths.

Head of Physical Performance: Sean Rush

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

Having ended the previous campaign with four successive wins to climb into mid-table, a miserable loss to the Tigers was as unexpected as it was “bitterly, bitterly disappointing”, as McAvoy reflected to BBC Radio Lancashire post-match.

The defeat was compounded by away-day losses at both Reading and Huddersfield Town before North End’s early-season jitters abated. A paternalistic approach and astute man-management from McAvoy, who accumulated 17 points from eight matches during interim charge last season after replacing Alex Neil, has galvanised the side once again.

A goalless draw with Bristol City and a rescued point at Sheffield United, courtesy of Jakobsen’s sixth goal

10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

of the campaign deep into injury time, highlighted the resolve and determined characters Preston have through the nucleus of their squad this season.

Further examples of such substance were on display last week. North End held promotion-favourites West Bromwich Albion to a draw, after Ben Whiteman had broken the deadlock, before the Lilywhites extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games with a convincing 4-1 cup success against Cheltenham Town in a first-ever meeting.

Last season the Lancashire outfit were boom or bust on their travels, with 11 wins and 10 defeats, and developed a reputation as a soft touch at Deepdale with the fourth worst home record in the division.

There is no longer any sign of that soft underbelly this time around, as McAvoy has made his workaholic side well-drilled in a 3-4-1-2 system.

However, the 54-year-old was thrust into the limelight last March upon Neil’s dismissal and won five of his eight matches in interim charge to steer the club away from any immediate danger and underline his credentials going solo.

Preston’s top-brass were suitably impressed to ignore 70 other applicants to make the internal promotion and McAvoy has since put his background in organisation, teamwork and man-management to good use.

Preston are on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, as well as into the Fourth Round of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2016/17, and McAvoy is optimistic about what the future may bring next.

He told The Guardian in July: “This season is a great unknown. You can not see your future. Everybody would love to write a book but there are some pages of that book that you’ll never know what is there. It is intriguing.”

These may be nascent days in the 54-year-old’s era, but he was particularly satisfied with his side’s display against the Baggies, writing in the club’s official matchday publication ‘The One And Only’ in

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 11

but with a goal that was insufficient to secure both points (Two for a win then) as Alan Suddick scored for the home side.

The following Tuesday night 28,095 assembled at St. Andrew’s for the visit of second bottom Watford who had succumbed 3-0 at QPR as Blues were in action at Blackpool. The Hornets were not in a happy place. They had lost all four away games so far, conceding 10 times without scoring themselves.

The match went with the form book, City securing a big win although visiting fans heading back to Vicarage Road had at least one prayer answered as they did manage to score through Larry McGettigan. It was a night of goals. Blues scored four while elsewhere in the division, of the other five fixtures Bristol City beat Blackpool 4-0, Burnley thrashed Orient 6-1 and Charlton had a long trip back from Carlisle where Bob Hatton was amongst the scorers as the Addicks lost 5-2. If that was a long trip, the Icelanders of IBK Keflavik returned from Spurs where they lost a UEFA Cup tie 9-0 on the night and 15-1 on aggregate.

There were over 4,000 more fans at Birmingham than Tottenham and they were well entertained. 2-1 up at half-time, Blues bossed the second half with Francis getting his second goal of the week and Big Bob Latchford scoring a hat-trick against goalkeeper and future Everton and Norwich manager Mike Walker.

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BLACKPOOL 1: Ramsbottom, Hatton, Bentley (Ainscow), Booth, Alcock, Suddaby, Burns, Green, James, Suddick, Hutchison.

ATTENDANCE: 22,610 TEAMS BLUES 4: Kelly, Martin, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Robinson, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Phillips, Taylor.

ATTENDANCE: 28,095

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL

by ROB MASON

t was a bit early for travelling fans to be singing, ‘All We Are Saying Is Give Us A Goal’ – the John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band single that refrain derives from was just over two months away from its first release (In the U.S.). However as Blues went to Blackpool there hadn’t been a goal scored on the road for 433 minutes in all competitions since Keith Bowker’s early goal at Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

22,610 – home fans were hoping for a return to form. After winning their first three home games the Seasiders had lost back to back fixtures, including their most recent home match to Norwich. In contrast Blues had won two and drawn one of their last three league games. The sides were neck and neck in the table, Bob Stokoe’s Tangerines ahead of Freddie Goodwin’s Blues only on goal average.

As the game at Bloomfield Road kicked off in front of what would be Blackpool’s biggest gate of the season -

That would remain the case at full time with honours ending even, Trevor Francis ending the away goal drought

Trevor Francis 18 | BLUES NEWS

BLUES 1: Kelly, Martin, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Robinson, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Phillips, Taylor (Smith).

WATFORD 1: KWalker, Butler, Williams, Welbourne, Lees (Lugg), Walley, McGettigan, Eddy, Wigg, Franks, Woods.

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Latchford’s threesome was the 100th hat trick in Blues history. More importantly the result lifted the club to fifth place, one off the second and last promotion place and just two behind leaders Norwich.

TEAMS

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.

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

Head of Performance Analysis: Carl Blakemore

permanent charge of the club playing out.

German defender Patrick Bauer headed in Preston’s first points of 2021/22 during a hard-fought victory over Peterborough United, before Danish forward Emil Riis Jakobsen inspired Carabao Cup success at Morecambe and a 3-1 win over Swansea City four days later.

He said: “We’ve seen him play for a while. We watched him closely and he was a player we always had in our thoughts. Thankfully we have managed to get the deal over the line, although it was very close to the deadline, but it’s a brilliant signing for Preston North End. He’s one of the best young players in Scotland.”

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

Did you strike any comparisons with the supporters of both Preston and Blues?

Living in the north and especially Preston as a place and a community, like at Blues and in Birmingham, the people expect hard work and humility. Anyone who came through the doors at Deepdale and was perhaps too flashy or didn’t have the right attitude was quickly told about it. The same as Blues - you know to give your best - both sets of supporters would really appreciate that, whatever happened on the pitch.

www.bcfc.com

IN THIS ISSUE DOB: 9 July 1967 Appointed: May 2021

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

20 years on from the Play-Off final, how do you recall the shootout?

I remember the day more clearly than the actual penalty! Every Blues fan was there early and you could just feel something good was going to happen that day. As soon as we equalised in extra time I had a real feeling of positivity that we were going to win it. After scoring the penalty it is all a bit of a blur. It was madness, chaos almost, but absolutely fantastic.

You moved to Preston in the summer of 2007 - did you enjoy your time there?

I loved it! There were certainly highs and lows, as a team, we had play-off runs and battles with relegation but I made a lot of friends. It was the first time I’d relocated from Birmingham too - I lived in Lytham St Annes and, again, there were lovely people there. It is a special club with lots of history and you feel that when you play for them.

And just finally, you’re part of a new project at one of your former clubs at the moment - what is keeping you busy?

I am currently with West Brom’s Women’s team, where I’m doing some work as a First Team coach. It has been great to be out on the grass developing and learning as I do my A license course - it lines up really nicely with that. I see coaching as the next stage of my career and life.

I am loving it and am excited by the opportunity.

Web: www.bcfc.com

BCFC BOARD

Do you remember your first senior goal for Blues?

I remember it well! It was against Crewe Alexandra back in April 2002.

I scored with my right foot which is why I recall it so vividly! We won 3-1 and I ran straight towards my family and friends in the Main Stand to celebrate when I put it past the keeper - I’ll never forget that moment.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

Today’s visitors Preston North End were enjoying themselves having just been promoted from Division Three but 50 years ago today they lost a thriller at Sunderland by 4-3 when 16-year old Jim Hamilton came off the bench to head the winner and become the home club’s youngest ever scorer, a record he still holds. North End would consolidate, finishing three places and three points above the drop zone.

Elsewhere on this day half a century ago Liverpool and Manchester United drew 2-2 at Anfield, Derek Dougan scored a hat-trick as Wolves beat Nottingham Forest 4-2 at Molineux while Sheffield United’s home win over Chelsea kept the Blades top of the topflight. In contrast their local rivals Wednesday propped up the second division in which Blues were ninth with nine points from eight games., four behind leaders Norwich who won 1-0 at Bristol City. www.bcfc.com

CLASS OF 71/72 RAY MARTIN Right-back Ray Martin played in both of the games featured today, as he had in all games so far in this 1971-72 season. In total the Wolverhampton born defender made 374 appearances for Blues before seeing out his career in the USA with Portland Timbers and Minnesota Kicks.

A model of consistency he had been Blues Player of the Year in back to back seasons leading into this promotion campaign. Known for his prowess with the slide tackle – something virtually out-lawed these days – Ray had come into the side back in January 1964 when he had been thrown into the deep end against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

He was up against George Best in one of El-Beatle’s earliest games for United but it was Ray who was on the winning side, triumphing 2-1. Martin looked like being a mainstay of the defence in this 1971-72 season but just a month after the Blackpool and Watford matches featured today injury brought his season crashing to an end.

After playing against Preston on 23 October he would make just one further appearance that season as a sub against Swindon at the end of January.

BLUES NEWS | 19

BLUES NEWS | 7

04 LEE BOWYER 06 darren carter 09 The Opposition: preston north end 15 Harlee Dean 18 72@50 22 community 23 player sponsorship 24 under-18s match report 25 under-23s match report 26 action replay 27 vicky newbold Club Nutritionist

Lee

F

BOWYER irstly, I would like to welcome everyone connected to Preston North End to St. Andrew’s for tonight’s fixture.

As with all our opponents, we will pay them a great deal of respect. They are unbeaten in their last seven games in all competitions and have played some tough Championship sides during that run too.

When you consider the fact that they lost their first three games of the season, it is a testament to the job that Frankie McAvoy is doing. He knows the Club very well and has steadied the ship over the past month.

But as always, we must concentrate on what we can do and as a group and we will need to get back to the standards we demand of ourselves if we are to take anything away from the game.

Last weekend was the first time since I joined the Club that I thought the players looked off the pace of the game. Not just one or two, but across the pitch. And whilst we cannot afford to turn in too many of those performances, I know that last Saturday was an exception to the rule.

The players have been fantastic for me. They have worked tremendously hard for each other, and it is important we do not get away from the progress they gave made over the past six months.

The Peterborough United game came at the end of a tough three game week, so it was important we gave the players a few days to recharge their batteries and come back to training ready to kick on again.

4 | BLUES NEWS

There is, of course, a determination to put that result right and with no midweek game, I am expecting us to be a lot fresher and energised this evening.

Although we suffered a defeat to Fulham the last time we were here, it had a very different feel to the weekend. Fulham are a side littered with Premier League quality and on the night, they were simply more clinical than we were.

In terms of a contest, I believe, and if you were here, you would have witnessed it for yourself, that we were firmly in the game.

The players believed they could get back into the game and were a credit for how persistent they were, right until the very end.

Tonight, we will need to show those levels of tenacity and effort whilst bringing our quality to the fore.

Finally, I must mention our supporters. For sticking with us and clapping the players off against Fulham and the four thousand who travelled to Peterborough and backed us all the way through.

You are a credit to this Football Club, and I want to thank you all for your continued support.

There will be bumps in the road this year, but I can guarantee you that the players will always give one hundred percent with you behind us.

Keep Right On, Lee Bowyer

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 5

6 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

Main Interview

Darren Carter

T

he name Darren Carter is synonymous with Blues fans and barely a week can pass without his promotion-winning penalty finding its way onto one of your social media news feeds.

But after several years in the academy and 49 senior appearances with Blues, a loan spell with Sunderland and a permanent switch across the Midlands to West Bromwich Albion, the midfielder enjoyed a fruitful five-year period with today’s opponents.

At Preston North End, he made over a century of appearances before turning out for a further five Clubs to date, including Forest Green Rovers and Solihull Moors.

Now back in the Second City, working in the coaching and media arenas at present, Blues News thought who better to speak with ahead of this afternoon’s clash than a man who represented both clubs with distinction.

Thanks for catching up with us Carts what are your earliest Blues memories?

My first game as a fan was in the 1988/89 season. I went into the academy as a 12-year-old, came back at 14 and stayed until I left at 21 - that was my football upbringing. Blues was all I knew as a fan and a player. I had so many great moments playing for the club and representing my team, I have got such fond memories from my time there. The support I got was absolutely fantastic.

Do you remember your first senior goal for Blues?

I remember it well! It was against Crewe Alexandra back in April 2002.

I scored with my right foot which is why I recall it so vividly! We won 3-1 and I ran straight towards my family and friends in the Main Stand to celebrate when I put it past the keeper - I’ll never forget that moment.

20 years on from the Play-Off final, how do you recall the shootout?

I remember the day more clearly than the actual penalty! Every Blues fan was there early and you could just feel something good was going to happen that day. As soon as we equalised in extra time I had a real feeling of positivity that we were going to win it. After scoring the penalty it is all a bit of a blur. It was madness, chaos almost, but absolutely fantastic.

You moved to Preston in the summer of 2007 - did you enjoy your time there?

I loved it! There were certainly highs and lows, as a team, we had play-off runs and battles with relegation but I made a lot of friends. It was the first time I’d relocated from Birmingham too - I lived in Lytham St Annes and, again, there were lovely people there. It is a special club with lots of history and you feel that when you play for them.

Did you strike any comparisons with the supporters of both Preston and Blues?

Living in the north and especially Preston as a place and a community, like at Blues and in Birmingham, the people expect hard work and humility. Anyone who came through the doors at Deepdale and was perhaps too flashy or didn’t have the right attitude was quickly told about it. The same as Blues - you know to give your best - both sets of supporters would really appreciate that, whatever happened on the pitch.

And just finally, you’re part of a new project at one of your former clubs at the moment - what is keeping you busy?

I am currently with West Brom’s Women’s team, where I’m doing some work as a First Team coach. It has been great to be out on the grass developing and learning as I do my A license course - it lines up really nicely with that. I see coaching as the next stage of my career and life.

I am loving it and am excited by the opportunity.

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 7

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Fact file

Nickname: The Lilywhites Formed: 1880 Stadium: Deepdale Stadium Capacity: 23,404 Chairman: Craig Hemmings Manager: Frankie McAvoy Last season finish: 13th in the Championship

The Opposition

PRESTON North end

ONE TO WATCH

Ali McCann MIDFIELDER DOB: 4 December 1994 Regardless of speculation that both Rangers and Celtic were keeping tabs on the effervescent midfielder, Preston pulled off one of the coups of the summer in luring McCann to PR1.

The 21-year-old already has five caps at international level for Northern Ireland, was a double domestic cup winner with St Johnstone last season and played in the Europa League this August before his deadline-day switch south of the border.

A graduate from the McDiarmid Park Academy, the Edinburgh-born player debuted in 2018 and made more than a century of appearances for Saints, including 43 last season as they clinched a surprise Scottish Cup and League Cup double.

FRANKIE GOES TO DEEPDALE

P

reston fans could have been forgiven for fearing the worst after the final whistle had been blown on the opening day of the new season.

A thumping 4-1 defeat on home soil to Championship newcomers Hull City, was not how Head Coach Frankie McAvoy would have envisaged his first game in

McAvoy was certainly a long-term admirer of the high-octane tyro and was thrilled to get the pedigree performer through the door last month, believing Preston’s style of playing will extenuate the youngster’s strengths.

He said: “We’ve seen him play for a while. We watched him closely and he was a player we always had in our thoughts. Thankfully we have managed to get the deal over the line, although it was very close to the deadline, but it’s a brilliant signing for Preston North End. He’s one of the best young players in Scotland.”

10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

IN THE DUGOUT

Frankie McAvoy DOB: 9 July 1967 Appointed: May 2021 The former Royal Mail postal cadet is now delivering on the touchline for North End, having been appointed permanently to the position last May. Academy Coach at Dunfermline before becoming Alex Neil’s long-term sidekick at Hamilton Academical, Norwich City and then Preston, the Lankarkshire-born boss was content with his career reinvention as a number two following nearly two decades in the postal service.

permanent charge of the club playing out.

Having ended the previous campaign with four successive wins to climb into mid-table, a miserable loss to the Tigers was as unexpected as it was “bitterly, bitterly disappointing”, as McAvoy reflected to BBC Radio Lancashire post-match.

The defeat was compounded by away-day losses at both Reading and Huddersfield Town before North End’s early-season jitters abated. A paternalistic approach and astute man-management from McAvoy, who accumulated 17 points from eight matches during interim charge last season after replacing Alex Neil, has galvanised the side once again.

German defender Patrick Bauer headed in Preston’s first points of 2021/22 during a hard-fought victory over Peterborough United, before Danish forward Emil Riis Jakobsen inspired Carabao Cup success at Morecambe and a 3-1 win over Swansea City four days later.

A goalless draw with Bristol City and a rescued point at Sheffield United, courtesy of Jakobsen’s sixth goal www.bcfc.com

of the campaign deep into injury time, highlighted the resolve and determined characters Preston have through the nucleus of their squad this season.

Further examples of such substance were on display last week. North End held promotion-favourites West Bromwich Albion to a draw, after Ben Whiteman had broken the deadlock, before the Lilywhites extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games with a convincing 4-1 cup success against Cheltenham Town in a first-ever meeting.

Last season the Lancashire outfit were boom or bust on their travels, with 11 wins and 10 defeats, and developed a reputation as a soft touch at Deepdale with the fourth worst home record in the division.

There is no longer any sign of that soft underbelly this time around, as McAvoy has made his workaholic side well-drilled in a 3-4-1-2 system.

However, the 54-year-old was thrust into the limelight last March upon Neil’s dismissal and won five of his eight matches in interim charge to steer the club away from any immediate danger and underline his credentials going solo.

Preston’s top-brass were suitably impressed to ignore 70 other applicants to make the internal promotion and McAvoy has since put his background in organisation, teamwork and man-management to good use.

Preston are on a seven-match unbeaten run in all competitions, as well as into the Fourth Round of the Carabao Cup for the first time since 2016/17, and McAvoy is optimistic about what the future may bring next.

He told The Guardian in July: “This season is a great unknown. You can not see your future. Everybody would love to write a book but there are some pages of that book that you’ll never know what is there. It is intriguing.”

These may be nascent days in the 54-year-old’s era, but he was particularly satisfied with his side’s display against the Baggies, writing in the club’s official matchday publication ‘The One And Only’ in BLUES NEWS | 11

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

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

AROUND THE GROUNDS Four sides all starting with the letter B enjoy home comforts this afternoon in the Championship, but Blues will be demanding an A* showing from themselves in the club’s 100th meeting with Preston North End. League leaders AFC Bournemouth, who went top last week after Philip Billing’s winner at Cardiff City, will want to preserve their unbeaten home record against visiting draw specialists Luton Town, after fellow high-fliers Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion were both on home soil last night.

midweek: “On Saturday we took a good point. Before the game I knew we needed to stand up and be counted and the type of challenge we’d be facing and we worked really, really hard and we stood up to everything that they put at us.

has allowed Jamaican international Daniel Johnson to operate behind a front two. Such creative freedom for the twice recipient of the club’s Golden Boot was perfectly illustrated with his 50th goal for the club at Bramall Lane earlier this month.

“The group of players that we’ve got, I know they give everything. I don’t think anybody can question their integrity, their commitment, their energy and their enthusiasm.

Everything they do for the team is great and I was delighted with them again.

A lack of cutting edge was a major criticism levelled at them last season, with top scorer Scott Sinclair only registering nine goals and nothing from February. In addition to the former Birmingham City loanee, McAvoy now has a myriad of forward options in his armoury. Republic of Ireland international Sean Maguire started alongside Jackobsen last time out in the league but former Premier League scorer Connor Wickham started in midweek before hobbling off. Other impressive alternatives include Ched Evans, speed merchant Josh Murphy borrowed from Cardiff City and the longserving Tom Barkhuizen.

“West Brom are a formidable team; they are big and strong; they have got some good players as well but we managed to stand up to the challenge and maintained our unbeaten run.”

In front of Leicester City loanee Daniel Iversen in goal, a back three including league ever-presents Jordan Storey and Andrew Hughes has looked more resilient each week, with wing-backs Josh Earl and Liverpool’s Sepp van der Berg offering industriousness down either flank.

Last season’s Player of the Year Ryan Ledson has struck up an innate central midfield understanding with the irrepressible Whiteman, which www.bcfc.com

With experienced heads of left-back Greg Cunningham, captain Alan Browne and Brad Potts to fit into the side, as well as Northern Ireland cap Alistair McCann, McAvoy will see no reason why his side can not break the 70-point barrier this season, a feat they have achieved only once since returning to the Championship six years ago.

At the other end of the table former Swansea City boss Steve Cooper became Nottingham Forest’s 14th manager in the last decade on Tuesday, after Chris Hughton was dismissed with the Reds bottom of the division.

Cooper takes charge at the City Ground for the first time this afternoon in welcoming Gary Rowett’s Millwall.

Bristol City will want to compound Fulham’s frustrating week with a first win at Ashton Gate since January, with the Cottagers still smarting from a dramatic penalty shoot-out defeat to Leeds United in the Carabao Cup. Sheffield United were also vanquished via the spot in midweek despite holding Southampton to a 2-2 draw, yet will believe they can continue their resurgence and overcome administration-bound Derby County today.

Elsewhere, QPR and Stoke City are in buoyant mood after taking cup scalps. A Charlie Austin double helped the R’s eliminate Everton and reach the competition’s last 16 for the first time since 2008, while after knocking out Watford 3-1 Michael O’Neil’s Potters will look to extend Hull City’s eight-game winless run in Staffordshire.

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.

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Captain

Harlee dean G

ood afternoon and welcome back to St Andrew’s for this afternoon’s game against Preston North End.

We come into today’s fixture looking to bounce back after a disappointing defeat to Peterborough United last weekend. When you go a goal down so early on, it is always going to be tough. We need to make it more difficult for our opponents to score past us, as we have done in large parts of the campaign.

I know we have a good squad that has real depth to it. If someone comes out, we are all confident that whoever comes in to replace them will be ready from the off.

As the season grows older, injuries and suspensions will naturally begin to play their part but we will make sure we are ready for those instances.

The entire First Team and coaches have come into training this week ready to graft and put things right. The sessions have been enjoyable and focused on hard work, whilst continuing to drive those early season standards we set for ourselves. The entire squad is adamant our season will not be defined in the space of a week.

There are going to be highs and lows in any www.bcfc.com

season, and you cannot get too carried away when results are going one way or another. When things are going well – like after Luton Town, it is about staying grounded whilst after Peterborough, it is about regrouping and pulling together – like we have done this week.

I want to say a big thank you to our supporters – who have been fantastic all season long. Whether we have been at St. Andrew’s or on the road, you have cheered us on, backed us and sung until the 90th minute. Seeing 4,000 fans pack out the away end at the Weston Homes Stadium was fantastic and you stayed with us until the end, and we are exceptionally grateful for your continued support.

After winning midweek and drawing their last three league games, Preston will come to the Midlands in a confident mood. But today is about us, in front of our home supporters fighting to get back to where we were not too long ago. The team has not changed, nor has our belief.

Let’s get this place rocking today.

Enjoy the game and 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.

@

I

by ROB MASON

t was a bit early for travelling fans to be singing, ‘All We Are Saying Is Give Us A Goal’ – the John Lennon / Plastic Ono Band single that refrain derives from was just over two months away from its first release (In the U.S.). However, as Blues went to Blackpool there had not been a goal scored on the road for 433 minutes in all competitions since Keith Bowker’s early goal at Sunderland on the opening day of the season.

22,610 – home fans were hoping for a return to form. After winning their first three home games the Seasiders had lost back-to-back fixtures, including their most recent home match to Norwich City. In contrast Blues had won two and drawn one of their last three league games.

The sides were neck and neck in the table, Bob Stokoe’s Tangerines ahead of Freddie Goodwin’s Blues only on goal average.

As the game at Bloomfield Road kicked off in front of what would be Blackpool’s biggest gate of the season -

That would remain the case at full-time with honours ending even, Trevor Francis ending the away goal drought

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

Trevor Francis 18 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

but with a goal that was insufficient to secure both points (two for a win) as Alan Suddick scored for the home side.

The following Tuesday night 28,095 assembled at St. Andrew’s for the visit of second bottom Watford who had succumbed 3-0 at QPR as Blues were in action at Blackpool. The Hornets were not in a happy place. They had lost all four away games so far, conceding 10 times without scoring themselves.

The match went with the form book, City securing a big win although visiting fans heading back to Vicarage Road had at least one prayer answered as they did manage to score through Larry McGettigan. It was a night of goals. Blues scored four while elsewhere in the division, of the other five fixtures Bristol City beat Blackpool 4-0, Burnley thrashed Orient 6-1 and Charlton had a long trip back from Carlisle where Bob Hatton was amongst the scorers as the Addicks lost 5-2. If that was a long trip, the Icelanders of IBK Keflavik returned from Spurs where they lost a UEFA Cup tie 9-0 on the night and 15-1 on aggregate.

There were over 4,000 more fans at Birmingham than Tottenham Hotspur and they were well entertained. 2-1 up at half-time, Blues bossed the second-half with Francis getting his second goal of the week and Big Bob Latchford scoring a hat-trick against goalkeeper and future Everton and Norwich manager Mike Walker.

Latchford’s threesome was the 100th hat trick in Blues history. More importantly the result lifted the club to fifth place, one off the second and last promotion place and just two behind leaders Norwich.

TEAMS BLACKPOOL 1: Ramsbottom, Hatton, Bentley (Ainscow), Booth, Alcock, Suddaby, Burns, Green, James, Suddick, Hutchison.

BLUES 1: Kelly, Martin, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Robinson, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Phillips, Taylor (Smith).

ATTENDANCE: 22,610 TEAMS BLUES 4: Kelly, Martin, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Robinson, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Phillips, Taylor.

WATFORD 1: KWalker, Butler, Williams, Welbourne, Lees (Lugg), Walley, McGettigan, Eddy, Wigg, Franks, Woods.

ATTENDANCE: 28,095

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL Today’s visitors Preston North End were enjoying themselves having just been promoted from Division Three but 50 years ago today they lost a thriller at Sunderland by 4-3 when 16-year old Jim Hamilton came off the bench to head the winner and become the home club’s youngest ever scorer, a record he still holds. North End would consolidate, finishing three places and three points above the drop zone.

Elsewhere on this day half a century ago Liverpool and Manchester United drew 2-2 at Anfield, Derek Dougan scored a hat-trick as Wolves beat Nottingham Forest 4-2 at Molineux while Sheffield United’s home win over Chelsea kept the Blades top of the topflight. In contrast their local rivals Wednesday propped up the second division in which Blues were ninth with nine points from eight games, four behind leaders Norwich who won 1-0 at Bristol City. www.bcfc.com

CLASS OF 71/72 RAY MARTIN Right-back Ray Martin played in both of the games featured today, as he had in all games so far in this 1971-72 season. In total the Wolverhampton born defender made 374 appearances for Blues before seeing out his career in the USA with Portland Timbers and Minnesota Kicks.

A model of consistency he had been Blues Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons leading into this promotion campaign. Known for his prowess with the slide tackle – Ray had come into the side back in January 1964 when he had been thrown into the deep end against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

He was up against George Best in one of El-Beatle’s earliest games for United but it was Ray who was on the winning side, triumphing 2-1. Martin looked like being a mainstay of the defence in this 1971/72 season but just a month after the Blackpool and Watford matches featured today injury brought his season crashing to an end.

After playing against Preston on 23 October he would make just one further appearance that season as a sub against Swindon at the end of January.

BLUES NEWS | 19

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Community Trust Matchday Today’s game vs Preston North End is the BCFC Community Trust Match Day. The Trust are looking to launch a Local Youth Club for young people aged 11-16 at St. Andrew’s every Monday evening. The idea behind this hub is to engage with local young

people and provide opportunities, activities and refreshments to young people on our doorstep who might not ordinarily have a place to gather. To support the launch, we need to fundraise and engage with local businesses at the heart of our

Community. If you or your business feel they can support the Trust help get our Youth Club up and running, there will be bucket collectors around the ground and staff from the Trust who can answer your questions.

Adult PAN Disability Team – Meet and Greet with Lee Bowyer September saw Birmingham City FC Community Trust Adult PAN Disability Team visit the BCFC training ground and experience a site tour as well as a training session using the brilliant facilities over at Wast Hills Training Ground. Once training had commenced, the players had the opportunity to have a meet and greet with Blues manager Lee Bowyer where he presented them with their club trophies for showing outstanding effort and commitment for the 2020/2021 season. As you can see by the smiles on their faces, it was a fantastic day for them all which they will cherish for years to come.

BCFC Fit Fans

National Citizen Service – Internal Wave

The FREE lifestyle change programme is designed for people aged 35-65 who want to lose weight and lead a healthier and more active life. The 12-week programme is delivered by the BCFC Community Trust coaching staff based at St. Andrew’s and we are looking for participants to join now!

The male cohort runs every Monday from 6pm – 7:30pm and the females every Thursday from 6pm – 7:30pm and if anyone is interested please email Health@bcfc.com and see how beneficial this programme can be.

August saw the Community Trust welcome 30 of its new Football Education Programme students onto the NCS programme. The new intake set about conquering fears and learning to work as part of a team through participating in bushcraft, canoeing, and ziplining, whilst testing their metal on a 30ft-high ‘leapof-faith’ at Laches Wood Outdoor Education Centre. The group then engaged in a raft of debate, politics, entrepreneurial and presentation-based challenges.

For their social action project, Team 1 orchestrated a sponsored walk of St. Andrew’s Stadium, raising £280 in the process for St Basil’s. The funds were used to purchase much-needed items to help homeless and vulnerable young people in the local community. Team 2 also developed and led on a range of sporting activities for local primary school children in attendance on the summer Playscheme.

22 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

52

20

Anna-Leigh Brooks

www.bcfc.com

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

available

Spotswood Facilities Management

available

available

available

Simone Ingram

BLUES NEWS | 23

Match Report

B

Under 18s

lues Under-18s were beaten

by Manchester United in the Premier League Cup at Wast Hills Training Ground on Saturday.

within two and Callum Sullivan nearly made things very interesting when he was denied by Eric Hanbury in the visitor’s net.

The hosts were twice on the scoresheet but they were ultimately outgunned in the West Midlands by an impressive Red Devils outfit, with both Alejandro Garnacho and Mani Norkett hitting hat-tricks.

Instead, United responded emphatically and went on to match their first-half goal haul. Garnacho hit a quickfire double in minutes 73 and 75 to complete his treble. Malachi Sharpe then made it seven ahead of Norkett signing off the scoring with his own hat-trick effort late on.

Sam Mather’s 13th-minute opener was swiftly cancelled out by a tidy Kieran Wakefield finish in what was a fast start from both teams, as Jobe Bellingham also went close for Blues early on.

However, three further strikes from the visitors saw them hold an advantage at the interval, as Norkett found the net twice in as many minutes midway through the half before Garnacho opened his account for the game.

Speaking after the cup encounter, Martyn Olrenshaw was keen to emphasise the lessons that his players will learn from the defeat.

He told BCFC.com: “We made too many errors in my opinion which led to their goals. One thing that we didn’t do well is defend against the strength of their counter attack.

Five of their eight goals came about this way and we weren’t able to execute our game plan.

Having already claimed an assist for Wakefield’s goal, Harry Manton got himself on the scoresheet soon after the break to bring the deficit

“It was a big drop off in performance levels, we felt the week’s build-up had been good but we just didn’t quite reach the same levels as we

24 | BLUES NEWS

did against Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

“If we are not in a position to win a game anymore then we need to learn how to manage those situations.”

Blues are back in action this Saturday, with the team travelling to Arsenal as they return to league action.

Blues: Brooks, Sullivan (Oni 75, Barratt (Ogore 46), Nguepissi, Browne, Manton, Patterson, Khela (Oduka 70), Hall, Wakefield, Bellingham.

Substitutes not used: Rushton.

Goalscorers: Wakefield 15 and Manton 50.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

Match Report

B

Under 23s

lues Under-23s fell to a 5-0 defeat at the hands of Nottingham Forest in their most recent Premier League 2 outing.

Steve Spooner’s side felt the full force of the Reds’ attacking prowess as they found themselves with little but pride to play for in the secondhalf after a chastening opening 45 during which they conceded four times.

A quartet of goals in a period just shy of half an hour damaged Blues’ hopes of taking anything significant from their visit to the East Midlands, with Ateef Konate striking first after 14 minutes and Will Swan getting his first of the evening midway through the half.

And the tough going was made no easier when Ollie Hammond and Julian Larsson also found their shooting boots to put the game beyond the visitors by the interval.

Swan rounded off the scoring by completing his brace with an hour played, but in spite of the deficit, Blues kept battling and created

the game’s last goalscoring chance of note. However, on a night when nothing was falling for the away side, Remi Walker’s on-target header was pushed over well by the Forest ‘keeper.

Blues sit 13th in the table after five matches, with one win to date. They lie a single place above Southampton who they face in their next PL2 fixture on Monday 27

September at Wast Hills Training Ground. This game is followed by an away trip seven days later to take on Reading.

Nottingham Forest: Nicky Hogarth, Fin Back (Rezart Rama 70, Aaron Donnelly, Tyrese Fornah ©, Baba Fernandes, Sam Sanders, Billy Fewster (Josh Barnes 61), Ollie Hammond, Will Swan (Lewis Salmon 66), Julian Larsson, Ateef Konate.

Substitutes not used: Aaron Bott, Joe Gardner.

Booking: Sanders 31, Salmon 85, Hammond 90.

Blues: Neil Etheridge, Marcel Oakley, Tommy Fogarty, Mitchell Roberts ©, Juan Castillo, Alfie Chang, Remi Walker, Josh Williams (Caolan Boyd-Munce 63), Jordan James (Kyle Hurst 63), Jordan Graham, Leo Dos Reis (Yohane Zohore 81).

Substitutes not used: Oliver Basey, Cianole Nguepissi.

Booking: None Referee: Adam Herczeg

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 25

Peterborough United 3 0 Blues SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP | SATURDAY 18 SEPTEMBER

B Peterborough United (4-2-3-1): David Cornell, Nathan Thompson (captain), Ronnie Edwards, Frankie Kent, Dan Butler, Jack Taylor (Conor Coventry 72), Oliver Norburn, Joe Ward, Jorge Grant (Sammie Szmodics 83), Siriki Dembele (Harrison Burrows 83, Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Substitutes not used: Will Blackmore, Josh Knight, Idris Kanu, Joe Tomlinson.

Booking: Kent 71, Butler 93.

Blues (3-5-2): Matija Sarkic, Marc Roberts (Dion Sanderson 46), Harlee Dean (Captain), Kristian Pedersen, Maxime Colin, Gary Gardner, Ryan Woods, Tahith Chong, Jeremie Bela (Ivan Sunjic 46), Lukas Jutkiewicz (Chuks Aneke 58), Troy Deeney.

Substitutes not used: Connal Trueman, George Friend, Riley McGree, Scott Hogan.

Booking: Woods 35, Gardner (sent off), 65, Aneke 74.

Referee: Jarred Gillett Attendance: 11,988 (away 3,985) 26 | BLUES NEWS

lues suffered their second defeat in the space of a few days as they rounded off a busy return from the season’s first men’s international break at Peterborough United. Lee Bowyer’s men failed to recover from a tricky start in Cambridgeshire, conceding inside 60 seconds as Captain Harlee Dean was helpless to turning a Siriki Dembele cross into his own net.

Although the visitors responded by creating chances of their own, including headed opportunities for both Lukas Jutkiewicz and Troy Deeney on his first start, they found themselves trailing by two come the interval.

Jorge Grant dribbled through the centre and was adjudged to have been brought down by Ryan Woods inside the area, with Jonson ClarkeHarris converting the resultant penalty after 35 minutes. And the

man who had won Posh the spotkick soon put the game to bed after the interval, taking a touch before finishing following a foray forward from Dembele.

Despite the scoreline, there was no let-up in Blues’ attempts to turn the game around as Ivan Sunjic and Chuks Aneke both went close.

Nonetheless, a red card shown to Gary Gardner summed up an afternoon when nothing went the way of Bowyer’s men.

Dion’s debut Introduced at the break for the injured Marc Roberts, Dion Sanderson’s maiden league appearance for Blues is not one that will be remembered too fondly in general.

However, the defender brought a reassuring presence to a side that was feeling the effects of a Wednesday to Saturday turnaround. His composure on the ball and ability to play from the back was a sight for sore eyes in an otherwise tough day at the office.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs PRESTON NORTH END

Vicky Newbold

joins as Club Nutritionist I n the highly competitive world of elite level sport, athletes and teams alike are constantly searching for different ways to gain an advantage over opponents.

Blues are no different and if there are gains to be made then it is surely worth exploring.

Vicky Newbold is a performance nutritionist and has been working with Lee Bowyer’s side for the past month.

Her ‘food first’ approach helps provide athletes with all the information they need on what to eat and when to eat it.

The nutritional demands for highperforming athletes have to be tailored accordingly and will differ greatly to those of us who are not training or competing every other day.

Speaking to Blues News, Newbold gave an insight into her work and how she is settling in at the Club.

“There is lots of conflicting information out there which can be confusing for all of us so these days clubs are supporting players to educate them in how food and nutrition can aid performance and general wellbeing.

“Arsène Wenger was one of the first managers who really brought the importance of food and nutrition to the table in terms of professional football.

“Players are in a unique position in that their careers are dictated by how well their body functions and just by being hydrated enough can affect performance by up to tenpercent. This is quite considerable and will make a large impact on their capabilities on a matchday or in training.

“Making sure they have a bassline of a good, healthy, balanced diet has to be there first of all.

“Then it’s about choosing specific foods at specific times. Periodisation is something I look closely at and that’s about matching the types of food and the quantities of food to the demands of training. We then layer all of that with supplements to finish.

“If food can become an essential part of the performance culture at the Club and the players feel like they have everything they need to perform to the best of their ability then we’ll have been successful in our job.

www.bcfc.com

Players have the option of checkingin with Vicky one day a week to discuss their nutritional intake and monitor their general health.

Her addition to the team forms part of Sean Rush’s holistic view of what a Club like Blues should be offering their players.

“The group have been fantastic and really friendly so I haven’t found a bad egg yet,” Vicky added. “I think the negative footballer stereotype is wrong, at least I haven’t found it to be the case at all.

“There’s a real buzz around the place at and I think every aspect is being looked at to see how we can improve and build on what’s already here.”

Alongside her work at Blues, Vicky has also partnered with AFC Wimbledon whilst assisting a number of private clients with their nutritional demands.

For more information on Vicky and her work visit www.newboldnutrition.com or head to her Instagram account @vickynutrition.

BLUES NEWS | 27

28 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs FULHAM

ROLL CALL & LEAGUE TABLE PLAYER

LEAGUE APPS GLS

FA CUP APPS GLS

LEAGUE CUP APPS GLS

CHUKS ANEKE (F)

0 (6) 1

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

POS.

P

JEREMIE BELA (F)

8 (0) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 BOURNEMOUTH

8 5 3 0 8 18

JOBE BELLINGHAM (F)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 FULHAM

8 5 1 2 11 16

TATE CAMPBELL (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

ALFIE CHANG (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

TAHITH CHONG (M)

7 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

MAXIME COLIN (D)

8 (0) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

HARLEE DEAN (D)

8 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

TROY DEENEY (F)

1 (2) 1

0 (0) 0

NEIL ETHERIDGE (G)

0 (0) 0

GEORGE FRIEND (D)

0 (0) 0

W

D

L

GD PTS

3 WEST BROMWICH ALBION 8 4 4 0 7 16 4 COVENTRY CITY

8 5 1 2 3 16

5 STOKE CITY

8 4 2 2 1 14

6 BLACKBURN ROVERS

8 3 4 1 3 13

0 (0) 0

7 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

8 4 1 3 2 13

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

8 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

8 3 3 2 4 12

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

9 BRISTOL CITY

8 3 3 2 1 12

10 CARDIFF CITY

8 3 2 3 2 11

11 BIRMINGHAM CITY

8 3 2 3 0 11

12 DERBY COUNTY

8 2 4 2 -1 10

13 LUTON TOWN

8 2 4 2 -2 10

14 READING

8 3 1 4 -3 10

GARY GARDNER (M)

4 (3) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

NICO GORDON (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN GRAHAM (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

SCOTT HOGAN (F)

6 (1) 3

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)

8 (0) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

15 SHEFFIELD UNITED

8 2 3 3 0 9

CHARLIE LAKIN (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

16 MIDDLESBROUGH

8 2 3 3 -1 9

JONATHAN LEKO (F)

1 (3) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

17 PRESTON NORTH END

8 2 3 3 -2 9

RILEY MCGREE (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

18 MILLWALL

8 1 5 2 -2 8

MARCEL OAKLEY (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 1

19 BARNSLEY

8 1 5 2 -3 8

KRISTIAN PEDERSEN (D)

8 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

MARC ROBERTS (D)

8 (0) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

20 BLACKPOOL

8 2 2 4 -5 8

MITCHELL ROBERTS (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

21 SWANSEA CITY

8 1 4 3 -4 7

DION SANDERSON (D)

0 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

22 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

8 2 1 5 -7 7

MATIJA SARKIC (G)

8 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

23 HULL CITY

8 1 2 5 -7 5

24 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

8 1 1 6 -5 4

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS (F) 0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

IVAN SUNJIC (M)

5 (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)

8 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 29

Fixtures & RESULTS 2021/22 DATE

KO

OPPONENT

RES

COMP

POS

ATT 29,043

STARTING XI

AUGUST SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN 1 ■

TRUEMAN

OAKLEY 1

GORDON

FRIEND

CASTILLO

SUNJIC

10,189

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

11

9,922

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN

CHONG

8

10,014

SARKIC

ROBERTS 1 ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

-

4,783

ETHERIDGE

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

FRIEND

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

8

13,950

SARKIC

COLIN

DEAN

PEDERSEN

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

14,912

SARKIC

ROBERTS ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC ■

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

DEENEY

Sat 07

8.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

A

1-0

LEAGUE

5

TUE 10

7.45PM

COLCHESTER UNITED

H

1-0

EFL CUP

-

Sat 14

3.00pm

STOKE CITY

H

0-0

LEAGUE

10

WED 18

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

H

0-2

LEAGUE

SAT 21

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

A

5-0

LEAGUE

TUE 24

7.45PM

FULHAM

H

0-2

EFL CUP

Sat 28

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

A

1-1

LEAGUE

FRI 10

8.00pm

DERBY COUNTY

H

2-0

LEAGUE

7

WED 15

7.45pm

FULHAM

H

1-4

LEAGUE

10

SAT 18

3.00pm

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

A

0-3

LEAGUE

11

GARDNER ■

SEPTEMBER

Sat 25

3.00pm

PRESTON NORTH END

H

LEAGUE

TUE 28

7.45pm

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

A

LEAGUE LEAGUE

12,199

OCTOBER Sat 02

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

H

Sat 16

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

A

LEAGUE

Wed 20

7.45pm

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

A

LEAGUE

Sat 23

3.00pm

SWANSEA CITY

H

LEAGUE

Sat 30

3.00pm

MIDDLESBROUGH

A

LEAGUE LEAGUE

NOVEMBER Tue 02

7.45pm

BRISTOL CITY

H

Sat 06

3.00pm

READING

H

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

FEBRUARY SAT 05

3.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

H

LEAGUE

WED 09

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

A

LEAGUE LEAGUE

SAT 12

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

H

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

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 PRESTON NORTH END

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)

BELA

WOODS ■

GARDEN ■

JUTKIEWICZ

CHONG

SANDERSON (45)

SUNJIC (45)

ANEKE (58) ■

TRUEMAN, BELLINGHAM, WALKER TRUEMAN, FRIEND, SÁNCHEZ, McGREE, GARDNER TRUEMAN, FRIEND, ANEKE, McGREE, SANDERSON TRUEMAN, FRIEND, McGREE, SANDERSON TRUEMAN, FRIEND, HOGAN, McGREE

Sup porter s

MESSAGES and by-Rose thday Ru ivvy! ir B th 10 ay L Happy RO! rd Birthd Happy 3 y and Mommy! K d d a D e v All our lo

www.bcfc.com

Happy 11th Birthday to Ethan Court.

Hope you enjoy your day.

Love Mom. X

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 NOTTINGHAM FOREST SATURDAY 2 OCTOBER 2021 KICK-OFF 3PM

PRESTON NORTH END HEAD COACH: FRANKIE McAVOY

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

1 DECLAN RUDD GK 2 SEPP VAN DEN BERG 3 GREG CUNNINGHAM 4 BEN WHITEMAN 5 PATRICK BAUER 6 LIAM LINDSAY 8 ALAN BROWNE 9 CHED EVANS 10 JOSH HARROP 11 DANIEL JOHNSON 12 DANIEL IVERSEN GK 13 ALISTAIR McCANN 14 JORDAN STOREY 15 JOE RAFFERTY 16 ANDREW HUGHES 17 LEWIS LEIGH 18 RYAN LEDSON 19 EMIL RIIS 20 IZZY BROWN 21 CONNOR WICKHAM 22 MATTHEW OLOSUNDE 23 PAUL HUNTINGTON 24 SEAN MAGUIRE 25 CONNOR RIPLEY GK 26 ADAM O’REILLY 28 MATTHEW HUDSON GK 29 TOM BARKHUIZEN 30 JACK BAXTER 31 SCOTT SINCLAIR 32 JOSH EARL 33 ETHAN WALKER 34 LEWIS COULTON 36 NOAH MAWENE 37 JOSH SEARY 38 JOE RODWELL-GRANT 40 JAMIE THOMAS 44 BRAD POTTS 45 JOSH MURPHY

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE MATTHEW DONOHUE ASSISTANT REFEREE GEORGE BYRNE ASSISTANT REFEREE ROBERT HYDE 4TH OFFICIAL ROBERT MADLEY