Birmingham City v Queens Park Rangers

BLUES NEWS

Birmingham City v Queens Park Rangers Sunday 2 January 2022 Kick-off 2pm ISSUE 13 | £3

Main Interview

Marc Roberts

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inding a home away from home is something footballers must accept when they make their way into the game. But for one Yorkshireman, setting up base in Birmingham has been an effortless transition.

But it might not have been that way, had Marc Roberts not taken to the Second City quite as he has.

In January 2017, the Barnsleyborn defender was made captain of his hometown club - and you will struggle to find anyone more passionate about the town than ‘Robbo’.

BIRMINGHAM CITY FC

But when Blues and Harry Redknapp came knocking in July 2017, Roberts could not say no. Five years and almost 140 appearances later, the 31-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal, with a further year’s option.

Telephone: 0121 772 0101 Ticket Office: 0121 772 0101 (ext 2)

Speaking to Blues News, Roberts explained why the West Midlands quickly became not just a home away from home, but a little more than that.

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Web: www.bcfc.com

6 | BLUES NEWS

Honorary Vice President: Mike Wiseman

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

ew Year’s Day 1972 saw Bluenoses head to Ashton Gate to face an out of form Bristol City. The Robins hadn’t scored in their previous four games and were without a win in nine. Despite that rotten run 11th placed Bristol City were still the division’s second top home scorers at this point with 24 goals from 12 games, one fewer than second top Millwall.

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

Birmingham in contrast, despite being fifth were one of only two teams without an away win – the other being bottom of the pile Watford who had mustered a solitary point from 11 road trips: oddly enough at league leaders Norwich. That’s football and perhaps it was one of those quirks of the game that saw Bristol’s poor run come to an end at Birmingham’s expense.

Former Wolves man John Galley got the only goal of the game in the first half of a tight encounter watched by a crowd more than 25% up on Bristol’s Boxing Day visit of Burnley as Bluesnoses boosted the gate. The game marked the final appearance of the season for Phil Summerhill. He had been a regular in the early weeks of the season but hadn’t played since October before coming into the side for Gordon Taylor. Perhaps more importantly goalkeeper Dave Latchford broke a finger in the game and would miss seven games including a couple of cup-ties.

Technical Director: Craig Gardner

Assistant Head Coach: Mark Kennedy First Team Development Coach: Paul Harsley

The result enabled Bristol City to climb into the top 10 as the highest placed of a quartet of clubs on 24 points but after a fifth away loss of the campaign Blues dropped to sixth – like the Robins being the highest placed of four teams. With just two teams to go up, no play-offs and still two points for a win, Freddie Goodwin’s Blues were 10 points behind top of the table Norwich and six adrift of second placed Millwall whose next game was scheduled to be against third placed QPR.

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There was an awful lot of hard work ahead. It may not have seemed like it at the time as fans travelled home from Bristol, but the first half of 1972 was to prove such a golden period that there would be just one more defeat – and that would come in the semi-final of the FA Cup! 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.

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BLUES 0: Latchford D., Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Harland, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Hatton, Summerhill.

Attendance: 17,457

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL New Year’s Day saw Arsenal’s double winning captain Frank McLintock awarded the MBE. In 1971 the Gunners had become only the second team in the twentieth century to win the league and the FA Cup in the same season.

by ROB MASON

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

18 | BLUES NEWS

BRISTOL CITY 1: Gibson, Wimshurst, Drysdale, Wilson, Bruton, Merrick, Tainton, Spiring, Galley, Sweeney, Gow.

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

30 seconds into the football fixtures of 1972 Blackpool’s Dave Lennard scored the calendar year’s first goal, struggling Watford being the team on the receiving end. The second and third days of the year saw a group of English managers put forward the idea of a Great Britain side while Europe’s first all-weather pitch being opened in Islington.

CLASS OF 71/72 TREVOR FRANCIS British football’s first £1m player earned that price tag through his performances in the blue of Birmingham. He didn’t turn 18 until near the end of the 197172 season but scored 12 goals in the promotion campaign plus another goal at the start of the FA Cup run.

Francis stayed with Birmingham until 1979 scoring 133 goals in 329 games before his big money move to Nottingham Forest where he swiftly started repaying his fee with the only goal of the 1979 European Cup final.

There were also 52 England caps and 12 international goals. In total Trevor scored 282 goals in 783 games in a career that took in Detroit Express, Manchester City, Sampdoria, Atalanta, Rangers, QPR, Wollongong City and Sheffield Wednesday. He returned to St Andrews as manager between 1996 and 2001 and also took charge of QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace.

One of the quickest players ever to play the game, Trevor Francis played more games and scored more goals for Birmingham than any of his other teams.

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Played for B th

BLUES NEWS | 19

Supporters

MESSAGES

BLUES NEWS TAKES A LOOK AT THREE PLAYERS WHO HAVE TURNED OUT FOR BOTH BIRMINGHAM CITY AND QUEENS PARK RANGERS DOWN THE YEARS.

DAVID SEAMAN

Goalkeeping Coach: Andy Marshall Head of Physical Performance: Sean Rush

One of England’s most recognisable goalkeepers, David Seaman would become the country’s second-most capped ‘keeper ever behind the great Peter Shilton.

After playing his youth career at Leeds United, Seaman spent two years with Peterborough United before moving to St. Andrew’s in 1984.

After enduring relegation from the first division in his first season, the stopper would be part of the group that saw Blues promoted back at the first attempt. He made 75 appearances for Blues before transferring to Queens Park Rangers in 1986.

He enjoyed four years in West London, turning out on the infamous plastic pitch as the Hoops became the first team to install an artificial playing surface at their Loftus Road home.

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

Rest In Peace, Jason Beale.

Thank you for everything, your nephew Ada x

Happy 18th birthday to my beautiful daughter Lauren, always a blue KRO. Lots of love Mom and Dad xx

Happy Birthday Hugh!

Love from family and friends.

Keep Right On.

The rest, as they say, is history. Seaman would transfer to Arsenal, where he recorded over 400 appearances, winning two league titles, four FA Cups and one European Cup Winners Cup.

DJ CAMPBELL Born in London, DJ Campbell climbed the football ladder in a slightly different way to many of his fellow professionals. After failing to agree to a professional contract, the Hammersmith-born frontman moved into the non-league arena at 19-years-old.

There, he would have prolific spells at Isthmian League clubs Chesham United and Yeading.

For the latter, Campbell scored a staggering 68 goals in 92 appearances across just two seasons of football.

Freddie age 11 and Ronnie age 6 Blues fanatics season ticket holders in the upper main stand. Big thanks to Neal Etheridge for the photo. Up the Blues. Keep Right On

He caught the eye of the wider footballing world when Yeading drew Newcastle United in the FA Cup and would quickly progress up the ladder again, signing for Brentford in the summer of 2005.

Happy Birthday Dwayne!

Enjoy your 18th birthday!

From Will and Mackenzie!

Merry Christmas to the best Grandad anyone could ask for, love from Oliver x

But the following winter, DJ Campbell would end up in the Midlands - transferring to Blues in January 2006.

Linking up with Steve Bruce and his staff, the former Brentford forward fired his team back to the Premier League in the 2006/07 season, scoring 12 goals in 39 outings.

After spells with Leicester City and Blackpool, Campbell would make the switch to West London and Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2011. It was the club he had supported as a boy, but the spell was short-lived. Injuries plagued his two years at Loftus Road and he left having made just 14 appearances for the Hoops.

Happy 1st Christmas to our lovely Grandson, Finley. Born a Bluenose.

Lots of love Grandad and Nana

PAUL FURLONG

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

What did those days playing at Buxton and Halifax Town teach you?

Mainly how to graft! I appreciate what I have got a little more. I am grounded; a northern lad and I don’t come from much. I appreciate what

Birmingham City have done for me and I will pay that back.

Do you hold any ambitions for the next couple of years?

We have been better this season and long-term, under the foundation the gaffer, Craig [Gardner] and the rest of the team are laying, I am confident I can play my part in driving this club forwards.

www.bcfc.com

IN THIS ISSUE N

Head Coach: Lee Bowyer

Perhaps not five years ago but now you are very much one of the senior lads in that dressing room, does it feel like that?

I am still 18 in my head [laughing]!

But honestly, I still feel young, I feel fit, and I came into the professional game late really – owing to my time spent in non-league. I have a lot of mileage in the tank!

The city has made quite the impression on you, why do you think that is?

Honestly, the place really feels like home to me. Apart from the accent [laughing], I think my Yorkshire dialect is too strong to ever go Brummie [laughing]! My family is happy here, I am settled, I love the

Store: www.blues.clubstore.co.uk

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

Your stay could reach eight years after you signed the new deal – that is quite a long time for any modern player to stay in one place?

I guess you don’t really see it that often these days do you. For me, I am happy the Club has shown that faith in me and I am confident I can pay that back with performances on the pitch.

Robbo, great to be catching up. A new deal recently signed, were you happy to get that done and dusted?

I was really happy to get it over the line. It has been in the pipeline for a bit now. I must admit when I came here it was a little up and down but since the Gaffer came in it has been great. I can only thank him and his team for what they have done, and I am happy to be staying in Birmingham.

Club Superstore / Mail Order: 0121 772 0101 (ext 4)

BCFC BOARD

club and since Lee [Bowyer] and his team came in, I have seen big improvements.

Happy 19th Birthday to Beth Marshall!

Love Mom and family x

To Bobby, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, love Harry. KRO!

Another London-born player who had a fine spell in the Midlands, Paul Furlong spent six years with Blues between 1996 and 2002.

It was where the veteran forward would enjoy the second-longest spell of his career, notching up 131 appearances in Royal Blue and dispatching an impressive 50 goals.

After leaving Blues in the summer of 2002, Furlong signed a contract with Queens Park Rangers, where he had played in the youth team several years before.

He impressed further at Loftus Road, helping the Hoops to the Division Two title in the 2003/04 season. At the end of his spell, he had played 162 league games and found the net 54 times.

Furlong would turn out until he reached 40-years-old, representing Luton Town, Southend United, Barnet, Kettering Town and St Albans City in the final years of his playing days.

24 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Happy 6th Birthday to our little Bluenose, Oliver Cope. Have a lovely day, lots of love Mommy & Daddy, Nanny & Grandad xxxx

www.bcfc.com

Rest In Peace, Des Ponsonby who passed away on December 1, aged 69. A lifelong Bluenose, he was first taken to St Andrews in the early 60’s and was immediately hooked. A Blues fanatic, with an encyclopaedic knowledge, his heroes were Trevor Francis, Geoff Horsfield and Bob Latchford. He leaves behind a family of Blues supporters and it was all down to him!

BLUES NEWS | 25

BLUES NEWS | 7

05 LEE BOWYER 06 marc roberts 09 The Opposition: queens park rangers 15 panini football stickers 18 72@50 22 community 23 player sponsorship 24 played for both 25 supporters messages 26 action replay 29 Stats 30 fixtures and results

Lee

BOWYER F

irstly, I would like to start by wishing all our supporters a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The past few years have been difficult for everyone and I hope you all managed to get around your loved ones and spend some time together.

Christmas is often a hectic period in the football calendar and although the busy schedule divides opinion, it remains a special time for players and supporters alike. Sadly, this year, it has been disrupted at all levels of the game.

We have suffered our fair share of injuries and suspensions already this season and that was before last week’s postponements with Fulham and Peterborough United.

The rise in COVID-19 cases has added another complication into the mix and as a Club, we have adhered to the guidelines and tried to limit the risk inside Wast Hills Training Ground and here at the stadium.

Unfortunately, it was not enough to prevent a number of players from testing positive and we were not in a position to fulfil the Boxing Day fixture with the players available to us. The turnaround time for players to recover was not big enough and so we were then forced to postpone our game with Peterborough United three days later.

Whilst it is not an ideal situation for anybody, it is a reflection of where we are as a country at the moment. As is the case with all these things, the health and welfare of the players has to be our utmost priority. It is one of the

4 | BLUES NEWS

reasons we have tried to stress to the players that everyone in the squad has to be ready.

As supporters, I know you will have had to go through some additional screening to be here today, so I thank you for your support once again. Hopefully, you all follow the guidance as best as you can and protect yourselves against the Omicron variant which seems to have spread rapidly over these past few weeks.

We head into today’s game off the back of two tough away days, so it is good to be back on home soil. We have to look to start the New Year as we mean to go on.

The number of clean sheets we kept in the first half of the season was a big positive and despite the defeat to Blackburn, we have generally been solid as a team. At the other end, we know we can create opportunities and score goals, so it is up to us to put those pieces together and turn in complete performances.

However, in Queens Park Rangers we face a very good side who have already beaten us this season and we know how dangerous they can be. We have hopefully learned some lessons from that defeat back in September and here at St. Andrew’s, I like to think we are a match for anyone.

So, here’s to a successful 2022 and a positive result to get us going!

Keep Right On, Lee Bowyer

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 5

6 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Main Interview

Marc Roberts

F

inding a home away from home is something footballers must accept when they make their way into the game. But for one Yorkshireman, setting up base in Birmingham has been an effortless transition.

But it might not have been that way, had Marc Roberts not taken to the Second City quite as he has.

In January 2017, the Barnsleyborn defender was made captain of his hometown club - and you will struggle to find anyone more passionate about the town than ‘Robbo’.

But when Blues and Harry Redknapp came knocking in July 2017, Roberts could not say no. Five years and almost 140 appearances later, the 31-year-old has put pen to paper on a new two-year deal, with a further year’s option.

Speaking to Blues News, Roberts explained why the West Midlands quickly became not just a home away from home, but a little more than that.

club and since Lee [Bowyer] and his team came in, I have seen big improvements.

Your stay could reach eight years after you signed the new deal – that is quite a long time for any modern player to stay in one place?

I guess you don’t really see it that often these days do you. For me, I am happy the Club has shown that faith in me and I am confident I can pay that back with performances on the pitch.

Perhaps not five years ago but now you are very much one of the senior lads in that dressing room, does it feel like that?

I am still 18 in my head [laughing]!

But honestly, I still feel young, I feel fit, and I came into the professional game late really – owing to my time spent in non-league. I have a lot of mileage in the tank!

What did those days playing at Buxton and Halifax Town teach you?

Mainly how to graft! I appreciate what I have got a little more. I am grounded; a northern lad and I don’t come from much. I appreciate what

Birmingham City have done for me and I will pay that back.

Do you hold any ambitions for the next couple of years?

We have been better this season and long-term, under the foundation the gaffer, Craig [Gardner] and the rest of the team are laying, I am confident I can play my part in driving this club forwards.

Robbo, great to be catching up. A new deal recently signed, were you happy to get that done and dusted?

I was really happy to get it over the line. It has been in the pipeline for a bit now. I must admit when I came here it was a little up and down but since the Gaffer came in it has been great. I can only thank him and his team for what they have done, and I am happy to be staying in Birmingham.

The city has made quite the impression on you, why do you think that is?

Honestly, the place really feels like home to me. Apart from the accent [laughing], I think my Yorkshire dialect is too strong to ever go Brummie [laughing]! My family is happy here, I am settled, I love the www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 7

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Fact file Nickname: R’s

Formed: 1882 Stadium: Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium Stadium Capacity: 18,193 Manager: Mark Warburton Last season finish: 9th in Championship

The Opposition

queens park rangers

ONE TO WATCH

Lyndon Dykes STRIKER DOB: 7 October 1995 The workaholic forward from the Gold Coast has certainly had a golden touch for both club and country this season.

Leading scorer for the R’s last campaign with a dozen goals, the Aussie-born Scotland hero was also part of Steve Clarke’s squad that went to the European Championships. He has continued his productive form this term, already into double figures including scoring in four consecutive World Cup Qualifying games for his nation in their race to reach Qatar 2022.

Although the 26-year-old has not found the target since October, having missed nearly two months with an ankle injury, his authoritative qualities in leading the line make him one of the Championship’s most respected.

WARBURTON’S R’s ON THE RISE

Warburton is certainly an admirer of the former Livingston striker, saying in October: “Lyndon’s assists and goals this season have been terrific. He is maturing nicely as a striker. He has adapted to the fierce demands of the Championship and he has also learned from working with strikers like Charlie Austin and Andre Gray. Things like the timing of his movement and how to impact on opposing defences.

“He has scored goals and everything he does is supported by a fantastic work ethic, you know he is going to run his socks off for you.”

10 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

IN THE DUGOUT

Mark Warburton DOB: 6 September 1962 Appointed: May 2019 As a former city trader, Warburton acknowledges only too well the importance of stability to any business.

It is a valued commodity and something the 59-year-old has provided to QPR since arriving in 2019.

Although it has not all been plain sailing in W12, the Hoops’ hierarchy kept patience during some troubled times and now he has the West London outfit among the promotion pack at the season’s halfway stage.

T

welve months ago Queens Park Rangers brought the curtain down on 2020 perched 19th in the Championship, nervously looking over their shoulders with just five points separating them from a relegation scrap.

the new year. He told Sky Sports: “Go back a year and I was probably a game away from being in real trouble. We were sitting in 19th, playing well but not getting the results. But here we are a year later and we are sitting around the play-offs with people talking about promotion.

The landscape for the R’s in 2022 is very different. The Hoops sit within striking distance of the play-offs with games in hand on those above them and keeping faith with manager Mark Warburton has proven the catalyst to metronomic progress.

“I have been given the luxury of time and with the quality of staff we have here we have been able to build an environment which is conducive to players coming in, developing and learning.”

Having ended 2020/21 with six wins from their final 10 games, QPR were quickly out of the traps and among the division’s pacesetters this time around with a six-game unbeaten streak.

Although a blip in September and October knocked them off course, four wins from five games in November saw Warburton crowned the Sky Bet Championship Manager of the Month.

Despite the accolade, the second-tier’s fourth longest-serving manager insists more hard work is on the agenda in www.bcfc.com

November’s upward trajectory was curtailed by a COVID-19 outbreak that has seen the West London side play just twice during December, prior to the scheduled visit to Bristol City on Thursday. Back-to-back defeats at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium 22 days apart, to Stoke City and AFC Bournemouth last Monday, have disrupted momentum but Warburton was still satisfied with the progress made during the first-half of the campaign.

The ambitious Warburton explained to Sky Sports: “In my first year we came 13th, and last year we came ninth, so it would be foolish to say we do not have to keep pushing for a play-off place, because anything less and the supporters would say we lack ambition and desire. The reality is our budget is probably 13th or 14th in the league, so from a financial perspective mid-table is where we should be, but we know we want more than that.”

Warburton was Brentford’s Sporting Director before masterminding the Bees to League One promotion in 2013/14, then guided the club to its highest placing in 80 years the following campaign. The Londoner lifted the Scottish Championship and Scottish Challenge Cup during Rangers’ rejuvenation, before a difficult nine months at Nottingham Forest came to a head in 2017.

He reflected to West London News: “We are in a good position - I would be BLUES NEWS | 11

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

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

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

eBay Booghe

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

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

AROUND THE GROUNDS Bristol City will start the New Year having announced a pre-tax loss of £38.4million for the 2020-21 financial year.

It was a report that City chief executive officer Richard Gould described as “extremely serious” and Nigel Pearson’s side will hope home comforts can provide a platform of optimism into 2022. They welcome a Millwall side this afternoon that have laboured on their travels but who have not lost at Ashton Gate since 2012.

foolish to say otherwise. But games in hand are dangerous and we have to meet the challenges ahead. We can still be better, more ruthless, but we are making progress.

“We are only halfway through the season and we are going to face a tough run of games in the second-half of the campaign, especially with the rearranged games, but there is no doubt how special and intimidating our home crowd can be.”

Blues are well aware of QPR’s vociferous support in W12, having lost 2-0 to the R’s in September due to an Ilias Chair double. However, today’s visitors are likely to be without their creative string puller after the Moroccan international had to be replaced at half-time against the Cherries due to injury.

Warburton also has a defensive trio sidelined. Hull City promotion winner Moses Odubajo, Norwich City loanee Sam McCallum and Dutchman Jordy de Wijs remain absent, while after today he will have to cope without firstchoice goalkeeper Seny Dieng and Osman Kakay. The pair depart to the African Cup of Nations with Senegal and Sierra Leone respectively.

While some January reinforcements may be on the horizon, Warburton was able to welcome an experienced duo back to first team duties this week.

Left-back Lee Wallace, twice Player of the Year at Scottish club Rangers, and former Aston Villa winger Albert www.bcfc.com

Adomah had been sidelined since late November.

Keeping influential league everpresents Yoann Barbet and Rob Dickie in the back three will be integral, the pair have recently played alongside Irishman Jimmy Dunne who has three Premier League outings for Burnley on his CV. Sam Field made a loan move from West Bromwich Albion permanent this season and started alongside Norway international Stefan Johnsen in central midfield last time out.

Alternatives include Luke Amos, who scored November’s winner against Huddersfield Town, former Coventry City Player of the Year George Thomas and the highly-admired Andre Dozzell.

Only the Championship’s top three have scored more this season than QPR and Warburton has a plethora of attacking options at his disposal. Apart from leading assister Chair, one-time Arsenal prodigy Chris Willock has scored four of his five goals this term away from home and can operate behind a solitary targetman. Scotland international Lyndon Dykes has been that outlet more often than not this season, although two-time Hoops Player of the Year Charlie Austin and Watford loanee Andre Gray offer more than 270 league goals of experience between them.

Although the R’s were not promotion favourites, stability on and off the field has them looking at the New Year with optimism of mounting a first promotion push since 2014.

Derby County are another side wary of what the new year will bring as new owners remain top of their wish list. Yet despite being docked 12 points in September for going into administration, and a further nine points in November for accounting breaches, Wayne Rooney’s side have not given up the fight for survival. The Rams beat both Blackpool and West Bromwich Albion 1-0 during December and success tomorrow at Reading, who have not played since 11th December, would really cause a stir.

Fellow strugglers Peterborough United have winning games as their new year’s resolution, having last taken maximum spoils in October. They head to league leaders AFC Bournemouth tomorrow, a destination they have not been victorious in since 2005.

Elsewhere, two of the Championship’s most off-colour sides in Swansea City and Fulham meet on Monday. The Swans have lost their previous three outings, conceding eight times, and face the Cottagers who have not won since November’s defeat of Barnsley as their own promotion aspirations take a jolt.

Today’s Other Championship Fixtures Bristol City v Millwall Blackburn Rovers v Huddersfield Town West Bromwich Albion v Cardiff City Nottingham Forest v Barnsley (Mon) Reading v Derby County (Mon) Stoke City v Preston North End (Mon) Swansea City v Fulham (Mon) AFC Bournemouth v Peterborough United (Mon) 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

a nostalgic journey

panini football stickers

F

or Birmingham fans of a certain vintage, a doublepage spread in a Panini sticker album was a given as part of their season cheering on Blues.

All of the quartet also popped up in a blue shirt in ‘Football 79’ but the last named moved to Nottingham Forest soon after Shoot! had given away the album plus free packets of stickers to get collectors off and running.

The Italian collectables business made their mainstream entry into the UK during the late 1970s, at which stage City was an established member of the top-flight.

While Francis went on to score the winner in that season’s European Cup Final, it was a less auspicious end to the season for Birmingham, who dropped into Division Two. Blues returned to Division One at the first attempt, however, starting another four-year tenure as a two-page Panini sticker album component. Archie Gemmill, Frank Worthington, Colin Todd and Mick Harford were among the biggest names to crop up in a Blues shirt during this time.

Panini’s first album covering the British domestic game featured an unlikely presence in the Birmingham manager’s position – Alf Ramsey. The former England boss may have only been in the hotseat for a few months but it coincided with the January 1978 release of ‘Football 78’.

Among the playing squad were several who enjoyed far longer careers at St Andrews such as Gary Pendrey, Joe Gallagher, Malcolm Page and Trevor Francis.

www.bcfc.com

An anomaly occurred in ‘Football 84’ when midfielder Martin Kuhl was purported to have made his first appearance on a Panini sticker – except the image was actually of fellow youngster Wayne Mumford.

Following relegation that season and another swift – albeit fleeting - return to Division One, Kuhl finally got his rightful sticker in ‘Football 86’. Also taking his Panini bow in that album was goalkeeper David Seaman, in what would turn out to be his only outing in a Birmingham shirt but by no means his last in sticker form.

If Blues need a further incentive to get back to the promised land, the acquisition of the Premier League collectables licence by Panini from the 2019-20 season means it could be just like old times for long-standing fans and a new experience of ‘got got need’ for younger followers.

Greg Lansdowne is the author of ‘Panini Football Stickers – The Official Celebration’, published by Bloomsbury and now available to purchase online and in major bookstores.

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.

@

by ROB MASON

IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE BIRMINGHAM CITY FORMER PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

18 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

N

ew Year’s Day 1972 saw Bluenoses head to Ashton Gate to face an out of form Bristol City. The Robins had not scored in their previous four games and were without a win in nine. Despite that rotten run 11th placed Bristol City were still the division’s second top home scorers at this point, with 24 goals from 12 games, one fewer than second top Millwall.

Birmingham in contrast, despite being fifth were one of only two teams without an away win – the other being bottom of the pile Watford who had mustered a solitary point from 11 road trips: oddly enough at league leaders Norwich. This is football sometimes and perhaps it was one of those quirks of the game that saw Bristol’s poor run come to an end at Birmingham’s expense.

Former Wolves man John Galley got the only goal of the game in the first-half of a tight encounter watched by a crowd more than 25% up on Bristol’s Boxing Day visit of Burnley as Bluesnoses boosted the gate. The game marked the final appearance of the season for Phil Summerhill. He had been a regular in the early weeks of the season but had not played since October before coming into the side for Gordon Taylor. Perhaps more importantly goalkeeper Dave Latchford broke a finger in the game and would miss seven games including a couple of cup ties.

The result enabled Bristol City to climb into the top 10 as the highest placed of a quartet of clubs on 24 points but after a fifth away loss of the campaign Blues dropped to sixth – like the Robins being the highest placed of four teams. With just two teams to go up, no playoffs and still two points for a win, Freddie Goodwin’s Blues were 10 points behind top of the table Norwich City and six adrift of second placed Millwall whose next game was scheduled to be against third placed Queens Park Rangers.

There was an awful lot of hard work ahead. It may not have seemed like it at the time as fans travelled home from Bristol, but the first half of 1972 was to prove such a golden period that there would be just one more defeat – and that would come in the semi-final of the FA Cup!

TEAMS BRISTOL CITY 1: Gibson, Wimshurst, Drysdale, Wilson, Bruton, Merrick, Tainton, Spiring, Galley, Sweeney, Gow. BLUES 0: Latchford D., Carroll, Pendrey, Page, Hynd, Harland, Campbell, Francis, Latchford B., Hatton, Summerhill.

Attendance: 17,457

ELSEWHERE IN FOOTBALL New Year’s Day saw Arsenal’s double winning captain Frank McLintock awarded the MBE. In 1971, the Gunners had become only the second team in the twentieth century to win the league and the FA Cup in the same season.

30 seconds into the football fixtures of 1972, Blackpool’s Dave Lennard scored the calendar year’s first goal - struggling Watford being the team on the receiving end. The second and third days of the year saw a group of English managers put forward the idea of a Great Britain side while Europe’s first all-weather pitch was being opened in Islington. www.bcfc.com

CLASS OF 71/72 TREVOR FRANCIS British football’s first £1 million player earned that price tag through his performances in the blue of Birmingham.

He did not turn 18 until near the end of the 1971-72 season but scored 12 goals in the promotion campaign plus another goal at the start of the FA Cup run.

Francis stayed with Birmingham until 1979, scoring 133 goals in 329 games before his big money move to Nottingham Forest where he swiftly started repaying his fee with the only goal of the 1979 European Cup final.

There were also 52 England caps and 12 international goals. In total, Francis scored 282 goals in 783 games in a career that took in Detroit Express, Manchester City, Sampdoria, Atalanta, Rangers, QPR, Wollongong City and Sheffield Wednesday. He returned to St. Andrew’s as manager between 1996 and 2001 and also took charge of QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and Crystal Palace.

One of the quickest players ever to play the game, Francis played more games and scored more goals for Birmingham than any of his other clubs.

BLUES NEWS | 19

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

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

OVER HALF A MILLION SKY BET CUSTOMERS USE DEPOSIT LIMITS TO MANAGE THEIR BETTING BUDGET. THAT’S ENOUGH TO FILL: 6 WEMBLEYS. 201 ALLY PALLYS. OR 8 CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP DAYS. (THAT’S A LOT OF TWEED)

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

THAT’S BETTING BETTER.

www.bcfc.com

BLUES NEWS | 21

Attain Travel

Christmas Camps 2021 It was a busy week leading up to Christmas over at the Community Trust, with 165 children attending Christmas camps at St. Andrew’s as well as Bishop Wilson Primary School in Chelmsley Wood. The children were provided with free school meals across the four days and took part in a variety of arts and crafts, laser tag within the Gil Merrick concourse and multi-sports activities. For the camp at the stadium, the children were surprised by the Blues mascots Beau and Belle who delivered selection boxes to all of those who attended.

The Community Trust would like to say a massive thank you to Attain Travel who are the Trust’s main ambassadors this year and provide transport for their full-time education programme taking the students to training every week. Attain Travel has developed an extremely positive relationship with the Trust, and they are very grateful for the high-quality service provided. Throughout what has been a challenging year with the pandemic, Attain Travel have ensured that students are transported safely across Birmingham to all venues. The Trust is looking forward to continuing this relationship moving into 2022 and beyond. For any travel enquiries, please contact enquiries@attaintravel.com.

Development Centres for 2022

Blues Fit Fans 2022

Following the re-launch of Development Centres in 2021, the Community Trust are actively looking for boys and girls aged between eight and 14 who are interested in playing football at a Development Centre starting up again in 2022. For those who are interested or require more information, please email footballdevelopment@bcfc.com.

Blues Fit Fans will be restarting with a brand-new cohort of male and female participants in 2022. Fit Fans is a 12-week lifestyle change programme which is funded by the EFL Trust. The goals of the programme are aimed around losing weight and leading a more active lifestyle. The programme is free to sign up for and the eligibility requirements are that you must be aged between 35 and 65. If participants attend all 12 weeks then they are rewarded with a free Birmingham City home shirt. The female sessions are on Monday evenings and start on January 17, and the male sessions are on Thursday nights starting on January 20. These are based at St. Andrew’s in the Ultimo GG Bar from 6–7:30pm. If you are interested in becoming a Blues Fit Fan, please email health@bcfc.com and one of the Community Trust team will be in contact with you.

22 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

53

available

www.bcfc.com

MARCEL OAKLEY

27

24

15

17

19

JORDAN GRAHAM

CONNAL TRUEMAN

JUAN CASTILLO

13

10

11

JORDAN JAMES

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

available

05

GEORGE FRIEND

MARC ROBERTS

03 KRISTIAN PEDERSEN

Simon & Rosemarie Nash

52

23 available

NICO GORDON

TROY DEENEY

DION SANDERSON

12

available

50

available

CRAIG GARDNER

available

36

21

GARY GARDNER

available

LEE BOWYER

20 Simone Ingram Simone Ingram

GEORGE HALL

IVAN SUNJIC Oliver Collinson

35

34 Simone Ingram

54 KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS

TATE CAMPBELL

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

Anna-Leigh Brooks

Simone Ingram

BLUES NEWS | 23

Played for B th BLUES NEWS TAKES A LOOK AT THREE PLAYERS WHO HAVE TURNED OUT FOR BOTH BIRMINGHAM CITY AND QUEENS PARK RANGERS DOWN THE YEARS.

DAVID SEAMAN One of England’s most recognisable goalkeepers, David Seaman would become the country’s second-most capped ‘keeper ever behind the great Peter Shilton.

After playing his youth career at Leeds United, Seaman spent two years with Peterborough United before moving to St. Andrew’s in 1984.

After enduring relegation from the first division in his first season, the stopper would be part of the group that saw Blues promoted back at the first attempt. He made 75 appearances for Blues before transferring to Queens Park Rangers in 1986.

He enjoyed four years in West London, turning out on the infamous plastic pitch as the Hoops became the first team to install an artificial playing surface at their Loftus Road home.

The rest, as they say, is history. Seaman would transfer to Arsenal, where he recorded over 400 appearances, winning two league titles, four FA Cups and one European Cup Winners Cup.

DJ CAMPBELL Born in London, DJ Campbell climbed the football ladder in a slightly different way to many of his fellow professionals. After failing to agree to a professional contract, the Hammersmith-born frontman moved into the non-league arena at 19-years-old.

There, he would have prolific spells at Isthmian League clubs Chesham United and Yeading.

For the latter, Campbell scored a staggering 68 goals in 92 appearances across just two seasons of football.

He caught the eye of the wider footballing world when Yeading drew Newcastle United in the FA Cup and would quickly progress up the ladder again, signing for Brentford in the summer of 2005.

But the following winter, DJ Campbell would end up in the Midlands - transferring to Blues in January 2006.

Linking up with Steve Bruce and his staff, the former Brentford forward fired his team back to the Premier League in the 2006/07 season, scoring 12 goals in 39 outings.

After spells with Leicester City and Blackpool, Campbell would make the switch to West London and Queens Park Rangers in the summer of 2011. It was the club he had supported as a boy, but the spell was short-lived. Injuries plagued his two years at Loftus Road and he left having made just 14 appearances for the Hoops.

PAUL FURLONG Another London-born player who had a fine spell in the Midlands, Paul Furlong spent six years with Blues between 1996 and 2002.

It was where the veteran forward would enjoy the second-longest spell of his career, notching up 131 appearances in Royal Blue and dispatching an impressive 50 goals.

After leaving Blues in the summer of 2002, Furlong signed a contract with Queens Park Rangers, where he had played in the youth team several years before.

He impressed further at Loftus Road, helping the Hoops to the Division Two title in the 2003/04 season. At the end of his spell, he had played 162 league games and found the net 54 times.

Furlong would turn out until he reached 40-years-old, representing Luton Town, Southend United, Barnet, Kettering Town and St Albans City in the final years of his playing days.

24 | BLUES NEWS

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

Supporters

MESSAGES

Rest In Peace, Jason Beale.

Thank you for everything, your nephew Ada x

Freddie age 11 and Ronnie age 6 Blues fanatics season ticket holders in the upper main stand. Big thanks to Neal Ether idge for the photo. Up the Blues. Keep Right On

Happy 1st Christmas to our lovely Grandson, Finley. Born a Bluenose.

Lots of love Grandad and Nana

Happy 6th Birthday to our little Bluen ose, Oliver Cope. Have a lovely day, lots of love Mommy & Daddy, Nanny & Grandad xxxx

www.bcfc.com

Happy 18th birthday to my beautiful daughter Lauren, always a blue KRO. Lots of love Mom and Dad xx

Happy Birthday Dwayne!

Enjoy your 18th birthday!

From Will and Mackenzie!

Happy 19th Birthday to Beth Marshall!

Love Mom and family x

Happy Birthday Hugh!

Love from family and friends.

Keep Right On.

Merry Christmas to the best Grandad anyone could ask for, love from Oliver x

To Bobby, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, love Harry. KRO!

Rest In Peace, Des Ponsonby who passed away on December 1, aged 69. A lifelong Bluenose, he was first taken to St Andrews in the early 60’s and was immediately hooked. A Blues fanatic, with an encyclopaedic knowledge, his heroes were Trevor Francis, Geoff Horsfield and Bob Latchford. He leaves behind a family of Blues supporters and it was all down to him!

BLUES NEWS | 25

BLACKBURN ROVERS 4 0 Blues SKY BET CHAMPIONSHIP | SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER

B

lues came unstuck away to Blackburn Rovers in their final game before Christmas and, as events transpired, their last outing of 2021, with festive fixtures against Fulham and Peterborough United postponed as the Men’s First Team group met the EFL threshold criteria for the non-fulfilment of such matches.

On the road at Ewood Park, Lee Bowyer’s team found themselves up

against the Sky Bet Championship’s in-form side and conceded after just six minutes when John Buckley reacted quickest to a half-cleared cross to strike into an unguarded net.

However, from this early setback, the visitors responded well, and Blues went close on two occasions to finding a leveller before the half was out. Making his first league start, Chuks Aneke rattled the crossbar from 25-yards and was only inches from knocking in a Troy Deeney flick-on shortly after.

This set up the prospect of a continued assault on Rovers’ goal, but by the time Jordan James hit the post late on, Blues had conceded a further three times to put the encounter beyond reach. Reda Khadra made it two just seven minutes into the second period and Ben Brereton Diaz completed the scoring by chipping in with a brace.

More Games for James Despite the defeat in Lancashire, Bowyer identified James as worthy of praise following another tireless shift in midfield from the 17-year-old.

His desire to get Blues moving forward and drive when in possession was notable and left the Boss explaining post-match how the Welsh youth international is becoming hard to ignore when it comes to picking his team.

26 | BLUES NEWS

Rovers (3-4-1-2): Thomas Kaminski, Darragh Lenihan (captain), Jan Paul Van Hecke, Scott Wharton, Ryan Nyambe, Lewis Travis, Joe Rothwell (Bradley Johnson 75), Harry Pickering, John Buckley (Sam Gallagher 63), Reda Khadra (Dan Butterworth 70), Ben Brereton Diaz.

Substitutes not used: Aynsley Pears, Daniel Ayala, Jacob Davenport, Leighton Clarkson.

Booking: John Buckley 41.

Blues (3-5-2): Matija Sarkic, Dion Sanderson, Marc Roberts (Jeremie Bela 37), George Friend, Jordan Graham (Maxime Colin 46), Jordan James, Ivan Sunjic, Riley McGree, Kristian Pedersen, Chuks Aneke (Lukas Jutkiewicz 68), Troy Deeney (captain).

Substitutes not used: Neil Etheridge, Juan Castillo, George Hall, Scott Hogan.

Booking: Ivan Sunjic 43.

Referee: Geoff Eltringham.

Attendance: 12,147 (away 1,630).

BIRMINGHAM CITY vs QUEENS PARK RANGERS

GET ACCESS TO OVER 12 GYMS FROM ONLY £12.98 PER MONTH!

HELLO BIRMINGHAM!

ROLL CALL & LEAGUE TABLE PLAYER

LEAGUE APPS GLS

FA CUP APPS GLS

LEAGUE CUP APPS GLS

CHUKS ANEKE (F)

1 (16) 1

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

POS.

P

JEREMIE BELA (F)

17 (3) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 AFC BOURNEMOUTH

24 13 7 4 18 46

JOBE BELLINGHAM (F)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 FULHAM

23 13 6 4 32 45

TATE CAMPBELL (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

3 BLACKBURN ROVERS

23 12 6 5 14 42

ALFIE CHANG (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

TAHITH CHONG (M)

13 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

4

24

MAXIME COLIN (D)

12 (1) 1

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

HARLEE DEAN (D)

14 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

TROY DEENEY (F)

13 (4) 4

0 (0) 0

NEIL ETHERIDGE (G)

1 (0) 0

GEORGE FRIEND (D)

8 (0) 0

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

W

11

D

8

L

5

GD PTS

12

41

5 MIDDLESBROUGH

24 10 6 8 4 36

6 HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

24 10 6 8 2 36

0 (0) 0

7

22

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

8 STOKE CITY

22 10 5 7 5 35

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

9 NOTTINGHAM FOREST

24 9 7 8 5 34

10 COVENTRY CITY

22 9 7 6 3 34

11 SHEFFIELD UNITED

22 9 5 8 1 32

12 MILLWALL

22 7 9 6 0 30

13 BLACKPOOL

24 8 6 10 -5 30

14 LUTON TOWN

22 7 8 7 4 29 22

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

10

5

7

5

35

GARY GARDNER (M)

11 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

NICO GORDON (D)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN GRAHAM (M)

8 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

GEORGE HALL (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

SCOTT HOGAN (F)

19 (1) 6

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

IVAN SANCHEZ (M)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

JORDAN JAMES (M)

4 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

15

JUAN CASTILLO (D)

0 (2) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

16 SWANSEA CITY

22 7 6 9 -5 27

11 (11) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

17 BIRMINGHAM CITY

23 7 6 10 -8 27

CHARLIE LAKIN (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

18 BRISTOL CITY

23 7 6 10 -9 27

JONATHAN LEKO (F)

1 (3) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

19 HULL CITY

23 6 5 12 -8 23

RILEY MCGREE (M)

10 (3) 2

0 (0) 0

1 (1) 0

MARCEL OAKLEY (D)

2 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 1

20 CARDIFF CITY

22 6 4 12 -14 22

KRISTIAN PEDERSEN (D) 17 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

21 READING

22 8 3 11 -7 21

MITCHELL ROBERTS (D)

1 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

22 PETERBOROUGH UNITED

23 5 4 14 -24 19

MARC ROBERTS (D)

22 (0) 2

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

23 BARNSLEY

23 2 8 13 -19 14

24 DERBY COUNTY

23 6 10 7 -2 7

LUKAS JUTKIEWICZ (F)

DION SANDERSON (D)

13 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

MATIJA SARKIC (G)

22 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS (F) 0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (1) 0

IVAN SUNJIC (M)

20 (2) 1

0 (0) 0

2 (0) 0

CONNAL TRUEMAN (G)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

1 (0) 0

REMI WALKER (M)

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

RYAN WOODS (M)

13 (1) 0

0 (0) 0

0 (0) 0

PRESTON NORTH END

7

7

8

-4

28

Fixtures & RESULTS 2021/22 DATE

KO

OPPONENT

RES

COMP

POS

ATT

STARTING XI

AUGUST Sat 07

8.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

A

1-0

LEAGUE

5

29,043

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN 1 ■

TUE 10

7.45PM

COLCHESTER UNITED

H

1-0

EFL CUP

-

6,199

TRUEMAN

OAKLEY 1

GORDON

FRIEND

CASTILLO

SUNJIC

Sat 14

3.00pm

STOKE CITY

H

0-0

LEAGUE

10

10,189

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

WED 18

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

H

0-2

LEAGUE

11

9,922

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN ■

COLIN

CHONG

SAT 21

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

A

5-0

LEAGUE

8

10,014

SARKIC

ROBERTS 1 ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

TUE 24

7.45PM

FULHAM

H

0-2

EFL CUP

-

4,783

ETHERIDGE

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

FRIEND

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

Sat 28

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

A

1-1

LEAGUE

8

13,950

SARKIC

COLIN

DEAN

PEDERSEN

OAKLEY

SUNJIC

FRI 10

8.00pm

DERBY COUNTY

H

2-0

LEAGUE

7

14,912

SARKIC

ROBERTS ■

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC ■

WED 15

7.45pm

FULHAM

H

1-4

LEAGUE

10

14,562

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

SAT 18

3.00pm

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

A

0-3

LEAGUE

11

12,199

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

DEENEY

Sat 25

3.00pm

PRESTON NORTH END

H

0-0

LEAGUE

12

14,925

SARKIC

SANDERSON

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

TUE 28

7.45pm

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

A

0-2

LEAGUE

13

12,257

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

SANDERSON

COLIN

SUNJIC ■

Sat 02

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

H

0-3

LEAGUE

16

15,148

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

Sat 16

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

A

0-1

LEAGUE

16

24,870

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

COLIN

SUNJIC

Wed 20

7.45pm

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

A

0-0

LEAGUE

19

15,618

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 23

3.00pm

SWANSEA CITY

H

2-1

LEAGUE

17

16,132

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 30

3.00pm

MIDDLESBROUGH

A

2-0

LEAGUE

15

21,582

SARKIC

ROBERTS 1

SANDERSON ■

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Tue 02

7.45pm

BRISTOL CITY

H

3-0

LEAGUE

13

16,143

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

BELA

FRIEND

SUNJIC

Sat 06

3.00pm

READING

H

1-2

LEAGUE

15

17,535

SARKIC

ROBERTS

DEAN ■

BELA ■

ROBERTS

SUNJIC

Sat 20

3.00pm

HULL CITY

A

0-2

LEAGUE

15

12,409

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

BELA

DEAN

SUNJIC

Tue 23

7.45pm

COVENTRY CITY

A

0-0

LEAGUE

17

22,676

SARKIC

ROBERTS ■

SANDERSON ■

BELA

DEAN

SUNJIC ■

Sat 27

3.00pm

BLACKPOOL

H

1-0

LEAGUE

13

17,686

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN ■

BELA

SUNJIC

SAT 04

3.00pm

MILLWALL

A

1-3

LEAGUE

16

14,324

ETHERIDGE

ROBERTS ■

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN ■

BELA

SUNJIC

Sat 11

3.00pm

CARDIFF CITY

H

2-2

LEAGUE

15

17,840

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND ■

SUNJIC 1 ■

Sat 18

3.00pm

0-4

LEAGUE

17

12,148

SARKIC

ROBERTS

SANDERSON

PEDERSEN

FRIEND

SUNJIC ■

GARDNER ■

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

BLACKBURN ROVERS

A

TBC

TBC

FULHAM

A

LEAGUE

TBC

TBC

PETERBOROUGH UNITED

H

LEAGUE

SUN 02

2.00pm

QUEENS PARK RANGERS

H

LEAGUE

Sat 08

5.30pm

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE

H

FAC R3

Sat 15

3.00pm

PRESTON NORTH END

A

LEAGUE

Sat 22

3.00pm

BARNSLEY

H

LEAGUE

SUN 30

1.30pm

DERBY COUNTY

A

LEAGUE

JANUARY

FEBRUARY SAT 05

3.00pm

SHEFFIELD UNITED

H

LEAGUE

WED 09

7.45pm

AFC BOURNEMOUTH

A

LEAGUE

SAT 12

3.00pm

LUTON TOWN

H

LEAGUE

SAT 19

3.00pm

STOKE CITY

A

LEAGUE

TUE 22

8.00pm

READING

A

LEAGUE

Sat 26

3.00pm

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN

H

LEAGUE

MARCH Sat 05

3.00pm

BRISTOL CITY

A

LEAGUE

Sat 12

3.00pm

HULL CITY

H

LEAGUE

TUE 15

7.45pm

MIDDLESBROUGH

H

LEAGUE

Sat 19

3.00pm

SWANSEA CITY

A

LEAGUE

sat 02

3.00pm

WEST BROMWICH ALBION

H

LEAGUE

sat 09

3.00pm

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

A

LEAGUE LEAGUE

APRIL

fri 15

3.00pm

COVENTRY CITY

H

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 QUEENS PARK RANGERS

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)

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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 ■ ■ JORDAN JAMES 19 ■ ■

GARY GARDNER 20 ■ ■

DION SANDERSON 21 ■ ■

JUAN CASTILLO 23 ■ ■

JORDAN GRAHAM 24 ■ ■ GK

CONNAL TRUEMAN 27 ■ ■

IVAN SUNJIC 34 ■ ■

GEORGE HALL 35 ■ ■

TROY DEENEY 36 ■ ■

JOBE BELLINGHAM 39 ■ ■

ADAN GEORGE 40 ■ ■

REMI WALKER 41 ■ ■

ALFIE CHANG 42 ■ ■

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

NICO GORDON 50 ■ ■

KYLE HURST 51 ■ ■

MARCEL OAKLEY 52 ■ ■

TATE CAMPBELL 53 ■ ■

KEYENDRAH SIMMONDS 54 ■ ■

NEXT UP AT ST. ANDREW’S PLYMOUTH ARGYLE SATURDAY 8 JANUARY 2022 KICK-OFF 5.30PM

QUEENS PARK RANGERS MANAGER: MARK WARBURTON

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

1 SENY DIENG GK 2 OSMAN KAKAY 3 LEE WALLACE 4 ROB DICKIE 5 JORDY DE WIJS 6 YOANN BARBET 7 STEFAN JOHANSEN 8 LUKE AMOS 9 LYNDON DYKES 10 ILIAS CHAIR 11 CHARLIE AUSTIN 12 DOMINIC BALL 13 JORDAN ARCHER GK 14 GEORGE THOMAS 15 SAM FIELD 16 SAM McCALLUM 17 ANDRE DOZZELL 19 ANDRE GRAY 20 JIMMY DUNNE 21 CHRIS WILLOCK 22 MOSES ODUBAJO 24 CHARLIE OWENS 32 JOE WALSH GK 33 DILLON BARNES GK 34 STEPHEN DUKE-MCKENNA 37 ALBERT ADOMAH 39 JOE GUBBINS 40 ODY ALFA 41 AARON DREWE

MATCH OFFICIALS REFEREE DAVID WEBB ASSISTANT REFEREE MATTHEW McGRATH ASSISTANT REFEREE GEOFFREY LIDDLE 4TH OFFICIAL STEPHEN MARTIN