It was a remarkable season for Birmingham City as they fought their way through League One. During Chris Davies’ first managerial stint, Blues found solid form at St Andrew’s, delivering late goals and strong home performances that rekindled hope among the supporters. We spoke to Charlie Haffenden of BirminghamWorld to reflect on the defining moments of a season built on grit and to explore what lies ahead for the club as they step up to the Championship next term.
00:00It was a remarkable season for Birmingham City as they fought their way through League One.
00:08During Chris Davies' first managerial stint, Blues found solid form at St Andrews, delivering late goals and strong home performances that rekindled hope among the supporters.
00:21The club managed to build winning streaks that generated belief and momentum.
00:26Young talents emerged, blending with a core of experienced players who stood firm in tight battles, proving a foundation of stability as the club prepares for its return to the championship.
00:39Looking ahead, the key question is whether Birmingham can translate this fighting spirit and cohesion into a competitive edge in the championship.
00:49With the squad's mix of energy and experience, there is cautious optimism that the Blues can hold their own and avoid an immediate relegation fight, potentially pushing further than mid-table and gradually building towards more ambitious goals.
01:05We spoke to Charlie Haffenden of Birmingham World to reflect on the defining moments of a season built on grit and to explore what lies ahead for the club as they step up to the second tier next term.
01:19Let's look ahead to the championship season. They're going to be competing in the second tier again, but this time so much has changed.
01:27You've got the Premier League teams coming down with some top quality players, but Blues are going to be competing financially with the likes of those as well.
01:36And, you know, it just seems like it all sort of is set for them to follow Ipswich Town and go back to back and end up with a Premier League outfit.
01:45You know, you could add another Premier League club to the ones you cover with Birmingham World.
01:50So, you know, just look ahead to Birmingham City. How do you feel they're going to get on?
01:53How important is having a good start and continuing this morale that they have around the entire club?
01:58It's so important. I can see them definitely carrying on the momentum because how could you not, really?
02:04The group of players are so tight-knit. Chris Davies has created such a great atmosphere.
02:09And when you've got so much success, success, I think, breeds success.
02:12I can see them being playoff contenders immediately.
02:15Maybe that's a bit too much pressure, but I think they'll be right up there.
02:19They'll be spending more this summer. They'll be addressing some areas in the squad.
02:23I think a lot of it is already good enough to compete at that level.
02:26And, yeah, we could see an Ipswich Town. We absolutely could.
02:29But I think it's a story of Birmingham, not of Ipswich. It's their own story.
02:32As well, the developments under the new ownership with Tom Wagner, Tom Brady getting involved as well.
02:38There's a worldwide appeal coming to Birmingham.
02:40And when they've got the plans of a new stadium in the next 10 years or so, the new sports quarter in Birmingham, it's the whole project.
02:47It's not just the footballing side of it. I think it's very exciting for them.
02:50Now, I mean, only positives really surrounding them this season.
02:55An incredible, record-breaking League One campaign.
02:57And also, you know, you feel four promoted outfits.
03:00You look at the likes of Leeds who have just gone up to the Premier League.
03:03Wrexham, who are joining Birmingham City in the Championship.
03:06The home form is so important.
03:09You know, you can go on the road and maybe afford to lose some games if your home form's so good.
03:13Zero league losses for Blues at St Andrews.
03:16That must be an incredible feather in Chris Davies' side's cap to go into the Championship and really try and continue that.
03:24So, in terms of your viewing experience of Blues this season, very different to the last season or so.
03:30You know, so many positives surrounding the club at the moment, both on and off the pitch.
03:34Oh, absolutely.
03:35111 points is a world record for a 46-game season, a professional league anyway.
03:41That's incredible in itself.
03:42And I can't ever see that record being beaten, to be honest with you.
03:45I know they spent a ridiculous amount of money in the summer transfer window.
03:49Utterly unprecedented.
03:51Splashing £13 million on one player in Jay Stansfield was about four or five times the amount of the previous League One record transfer fee.
03:58That's outrageous, I know.
04:00But they still had so many new players.
04:02I think it was 20 new signings in total that had to gel.
04:05So many departures.
04:06The football club, the morale around it was just on the floor.
04:09So, it was a lot of challenges and Chris Davies had never managed properly before.
04:13He'd been an assistant, the likes of Tottenham and Celtic, and he'd been in the Celtic set-up as well, Leicester.
04:19And he'd had experience winning an FA Cup in that run with Leicester, but he hadn't managed himself.
04:24So, all of those factors, the record points total, being unbeaten at home in the league as well, so important.
04:31That's something you can boast heading into next season.
04:33And also, just when you're presenting the project to players, trying to sign new ones this summer to be at the championship level.
04:40I think that's definitely quite alluring factors, to say the least.
