View source for Birmingham City F.C.

{{Short description|Association football club in England}}
{{About|the men's football club|the women's football club|Birmingham City W.F.C.}}
{{redirect|Birmingham City|the city itself|Birmingham}}
{{Good article}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2017}}
{{Infobox football club
| clubname = Birmingham City
| image = Birmingham City FC logo.svg
| upright = 0.65
| alt = Badge of Birmingham City: a line-drawn globe above a football, with ribbon carrying the club name and year of foundation
| fullname = Birmingham City Football Club
| nickname = Blues<!-- not "The Blues" -->{{sfnp|Rollin|Rollin|2010|p=70}}<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uefa.com/printoutfiles/competitions/uefacup/2012/e/e_2007315_pk.pdf |title=UEFA Europa League 2011/12 Season: Match press kit: NK Maribor Birmingham City FC |publisher=UEFA |page=5 |date=27 September 2011 |access-date=30 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731094705/http://www.uefa.com/printoutfiles/competitions/uefacup/2012/e/e_2007315_pk.pdf |archive-date=31 July 2018}}</ref><!-- please don't add Brum as a nickname, that applies to the city as a whole, not to the football club -->
| short name = 
| founded = {{start date and age|1875|df=y}} {{nowrap|as Small Heath Alliance}}
| dissolved = 
| ground = [[St Andrew's (stadium)|St Andrew's]]
| capacity = 29,409<ref name="capacity" />
| owner = {{ublist|Shelby Companies Ltd. 96.64%<ref name="Oct 23 Board" />}}
| chairman = [[Tom Wagner (financier)|Tom Wagner]]<ref name="Oct 23 Board" />
| manager = [[Chris Davies (football coach)|Chris Davies]]<ref name="Chris Davies in" />
| mgrtitle = Manager
| league = {{English football updater|BirmingC}}
| season = {{English football updater|BirmingC2}}
| position = {{English football updater|BirmingC3}}
| website = {{official URL}}
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| current = 2025–26 Birmingham City F.C. season
}}
'''Birmingham City Football Club''' is a professional [[association football|football]] club based in [[Birmingham]], England. Formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, it was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943.<ref name="clubname">{{harvp|Matthews|2000|p=55|ps=. "City was added to Birmingham (to make Birmingham City Football Club) in the summer of 1943 (and not 1945 as previously thought). The official Blues home programmes for the 1943–44 season clearly show Birmingham City Football Club on the front cover."}}</ref> The team competes in the [[EFL Championship]], the second level of the [[English football league system]].

As Small Heath, they played in the [[Football Alliance]] before becoming founder members and first champions of the [[Football League Second Division]]. The most successful period in their history was in the 1950s and early 1960s. They achieved their highest finishing position of sixth in the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] in the [[1955–56 Football League|1955–56 season]] and reached the [[1956 FA Cup final]]. Birmingham played in two [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] finals, in [[1960 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup Final|1960]], as the first English club side to reach a major European final, and again the [[1961 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final|following year]]. They won the [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] in [[1963 Football League Cup final|1963]] and again in [[2011 Football League Cup final|2011]]. Birmingham have played in the top tier of English football for around half of their history:<ref name="footballsite">{{cite web |url=http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/ClubbyClub/ClubHistories/Birmingham.htm |title=Birmingham City |access-date=5 February 2017 |publisher=Football Facts and Figures |archive-date=7 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080107023446/http://www.footballsite.co.uk/Statistics/ClubbyClub/ClubHistories/Birmingham.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> the longest period spent outside the top division, between 1986 and 2002, included two brief spells in the third tier of English football, during which time they won the [[EFL Trophy|Football League Trophy]] twice.

[[St Andrew's (stadium)|St Andrew's]], renamed St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park in 2024 for sponsorship reasons, has been their home ground since 1906. They have a long-standing and fierce rivalry with [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], their nearest neighbours, with whom they play the [[Second City derby]]. The club's nickname is Blues, after the colour of their [[kit (association football)|kit]], and the fans are known as Bluenoses.

== History ==
{{Further|History of Birmingham City F.C.}}

===The early years (1875–1943)===
[[Image:SmallHeath1893.jpg|thumb|right|Small Heath F.C., champions of the inaugural [[Football League Second Division]] in [[1892–93 in English football|1892–93]]]]
Birmingham City were founded as Small Heath Alliance in 1875, and from 1877 played their home games at [[Muntz Street]]. The club turned professional in 1885,<ref name=BCFCHistory/> and three years later became the first football club to become a [[private company limited by shares|limited company]] with a board of directors,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.furd.org/resources/fs10.pdf |title=Fact Sheet 10: The 'New' Football Economics |last1=Williams |first1=John |last2=Neatrour |first2=Sam |publisher=Sir Norman Chester Centre for Football Research, University of Leicester |date=March 2002 |access-date=23 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150128132102/http://www.furd.org/resources/fs10.pdf |archive-date=28 January 2015}}</ref> under the name of Small Heath F.C. Ltd.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|p=8}} From the [[1889–90 in English football|1889–90 season]] they played in the [[Football Alliance]], which ran alongside the [[English Football League|Football League]]. In 1892, Small Heath, along with the other Alliance teams, were invited to join the newly formed [[Football League Second Division]]. They finished as champions, but failed to win [[promotion and relegation|promotion]] via the [[Football League test matches|test match]] system; the following season promotion to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]] was secured after a second-place finish and test match victory over [[Darwen F.C. (1870)|Darwen]].<ref name=FCHDSH>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/SMALLHEA.HTM |title=Small Heath |website=Football Club History Database (FCHD) |publisher=Richard Rundle |access-date=7 June 2012 |archive-date=27 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527165830/http://www.fchd.info/SMALLHEA.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref> The club adopted the name Birmingham Football Club in 1905, and moved into their new home, [[St Andrew's (stadium)|St Andrew's Ground]], the following year.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=12–13}} Matters on the field failed to live up to their surroundings. Birmingham were relegated in 1908, obliged to apply for [[re-election (Football League)|re-election]] two years later, and remained in the Second Division until after the First World War.<ref name=FCHDSH/>

[[Frank Womack]]'s [[captain (association football)|captaincy]] and the creativity of [[Scotland national football team|Scottish international]] [[playmaker]] [[Johnny Crosbie]] contributed much to Birmingham winning their second Division Two title in [[1920–21 Football League|1920–21]].{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|p=14}} Womack went on to make 515 appearances, a club record for an [[outfield]]er, over a twenty-year career.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=135–136}} 1920 also saw the debut of the 19-year-old [[Joe Bradford]], who went on to score a club record 267 goals in 445 games, and won 12 [[cap (sport)|caps]] for [[England national football team|England]].{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|p=74}} In 1931, manager [[Leslie Knighton]] led the club to their first [[1931 FA Cup final|FA Cup final]], which they lost 2–1 to Second Division club [[West Bromwich Albion]]. Though Birmingham remained in the top flight for 18 seasons, they struggled in the league, with much reliance placed on England goalkeeper [[Harry Hibbs (footballer)|Harry Hibbs]] to make up for the lack of goals, Bradford excepted, at the other end.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=15–17}} They were finally relegated in 1939, the last full season before the Football League was abandoned for the duration of the Second World War.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/BIRMINGH.HTM |title=Birmingham |website=FCHD |publisher=Richard Rundle |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=24 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230924225520/https://www.fchd.info/BIRMINGH.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Birmingham City: Post-war success (1943–1965)===
The name Birmingham City F.C. was adopted in 1943.<ref name="clubname"/> Under [[Harry Storer Jr.|Harry Storer]], appointed manager in 1945, the club won the [[Football League North and South|Football League South]] wartime league and reached the semi-final of the first post-war [[FA Cup]]. Two years later they won their third Second Division title, conceding only 24 goals in the 42-game season.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=22–23}} Storer's successor, [[Bob Brocklebank]], though unable to stave off relegation in 1950, brought in players who made a major contribution to the club's successes of the next decade.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|p=61}} When [[Arthur Turner (footballer, born 1909)|Arthur Turner]] took over as manager in November 1954, he made them play closer to their potential, and a 5–1 win on the last day of the 1954–55 season confirmed them as champions.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=27–29}} In their first season back in the First Division, Birmingham achieved their highest league finish of sixth place. They also reached the [[1956 FA Cup final|FA Cup final]], losing 3–1 to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] in the game notable for City's goalkeeper [[Bert Trautmann]] playing the last 20 minutes with a broken bone in his neck. The following season the club lost in the FA Cup semi-final for the third time since the war, this time beaten 2–0 by [[Manchester United]]'s "[[Busby Babes]]".{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=27–29}}

Birmingham became the first English club side to take part in European competition when they played their first group game in the inaugural [[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]] competition on 15 May 1956;{{sfnp|Radnedge|1998|p=200|ps=. "In April [1955], 12 representatives from European trade fair cities from 10 countries met in Basle to lay down the rules. They decided each city should be represented by a club or a city select team, or both – as long as no more than two teams competed simultaneously from any one city."}}{{sfnp|Goodyear|Matthews|1988|ps=. "At this time there seemed a general lack of ambition at Villa Park. The club were slow to install floodlights, they turned down the chance of combining with Blues to field a 'Birmingham' team for the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup..."}}<ref name="RSSSFeuro">{{cite web |url=https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ecomp.html |title=European Cups Archive |first=James M. |last=Ross |publisher=RSSSF |date=8 September 2016 |access-date=10 May 2017 |archive-date=14 July 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714050536/http://rsssf.com/ec/ecomp.html |url-status=live }}</ref> they went on to reach the semi-final, in which they drew 4–4 on aggregate with [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]] but lost the replay 2–1. They were also the first English club side to reach a European final, losing 4–1 [[two-legged match|on aggregate]] to Barcelona in the 1960 Fairs Cup final and 4–2 to [[A.S. Roma]] the following year.<ref name="RSSSFeuro"/> In the 1961 semi-final they beat [[Inter Milan|Internazionale]] home and away;<ref name="RSSSFeuro"/> no other English club won a competitive game in the [[San Siro]] until [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] managed it in 2003.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/25/sports/soccer/arsenal-routs-inter-milan.html |title=Arsenal routs Inter Milan |newspaper=The New York Times |agency=Reuters |date=25 November 2003 |access-date=16 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191216184848/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/25/sports/soccer/arsenal-routs-inter-milan.html |archive-date=16 December 2019}}</ref> [[Gil Merrick]]'s side saved their best form for cup competitions. Though opponents in the [[1963 Football League Cup final|1963 League Cup final]], local rivals [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], were pre-match favourites, Birmingham raised their game and won 3–1 on aggregate to lift their first major trophy.{{sfnp|Jawad|2005|pp=27–28|ps=. "It is a mystery how Birmingham won but they did produce perhaps their most impressive display of the season to win the first leg 3–1 ... Birmingham served up a treat of attacking football&nbsp;... controlling the game with such assurance that their supporters must have wondered why the team had performed so badly in the First Division."}} In 1965, after ten years in the top flight, they returned to the Second Division.<ref name=FCHDB>{{cite web |url=https://www.fchd.info/BIRMINGC.HTM |title=Birmingham City |website=FCHD |publisher=Richard Rundle |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=5 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070905171637/http://www.fchd.info/BIRMINGC.HTM |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Investment, promotion and decline (1965–1993)===
Businessman Clifford Coombs took over as chairman in 1965, luring [[Stan Cullis]] out of retirement to manage the club.{{sfnp|Holden|2000|p=161|ps=. "He had been out of the game for less than a year when Clifford Coombs, the chairman of Birmingham City, began to make a serious approach to secure the Iron Manager. The pair were friends and St Andrew's was close enough to Wolverhampton that Cullis would not necessarily have to move house or area to take up the position."}} Cullis's team played attractive football which took them to the semi-finals of the League Cup in 1967 and of the FA Cup in 1968, but league football needed a different approach.<ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=GOAL magazine |title='Taffy' Coombs... The man who rebuilt the Blues |page=27 |date=19 August 1972}}</ref> Successor [[Freddie Goodwin]] produced a team playing skilful, aggressive football that won promotion as well as reaching an FA Cup semi-final.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=37–38, 63}} Two years later, the club raised money by selling [[Bob Latchford]] to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] for a British record fee of £350,000, but without his goals the team struggled.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/mar/05/features.sport12 |title=Bob Latchford |last=Corbett |first=James |work=Observer Sport Monthly |location=London |date=5 March 2006 |access-date=6 September 2009 |archive-date=16 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190816054631/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2006/mar/05/features.sport12 |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=38–39, 209–15}} Sir [[Alf Ramsey]] briefly managed the club before [[Jim Smith (footballer, born 1940)|Jim Smith]] took over in 1978. With relegation a certainty, the club sold [[Trevor Francis]] to [[Nottingham Forest]], making him the first player transferred for a fee of £1&nbsp;million;<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/History/0,,10308~491646,00.html |title=The European Cup Team 1979 |publisher=Nottingham Forest F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807023141/http://www.nottinghamforest.co.uk/page/History/0%2C%2C10308~491646%2C00.html |archive-date=7 August 2012}}</ref> Francis had scored 133 goals in 329 appearances over his nine years at Birmingham.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|p=88}}

Smith took Birmingham straight back to the First Division, but a poor start to the 1981–82 season saw him replaced by [[Ron Saunders]], who had just resigned from league champions Aston Villa. Saunders' team struggled to score goals and were relegated in 1984.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=42, 219}} They bounced back up, but the last home game of the 1984–85 promotion season, against [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]], was marred by rioting, culminating in the death of a boy when a wall collapsed on him. This was on the same day as the [[Bradford City stadium fire]], and the events at St Andrew's formed part of the remit of [[Oliver Popplewell|Mr Justice Popplewell]]'s inquiry into safety at sports grounds.<ref name="Leedsriot">{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:LTIB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0F90A00AC9DAFD79&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated4&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Ban on visiting fans urged in judge's football safety report |last=Webster |first=Philip |newspaper=The Times |date=25 July 1985 |access-date=18 May 2024}}</ref> The club lacked stability both on and off the field. Saunders quit after FA Cup defeat to [[non-League]] team [[Altrincham F.C.|Altrincham]], staff were laid off, the training ground was sold, and by 1989 Birmingham were in the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] for the first time in their history.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=44–46}}

In April 1989 the Kumar brothers, owners of a clothing chain, bought the club.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=44–46}} A rapid turnover of managers, the absence of promised investment, and a threatened mass refusal of players to renew contracts was relieved only by a victorious trip to [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] in the [[1991 Associate Members' Cup final|Associate Members' Cup]].{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp= 48–49}} [[Terry Cooper (footballer, born 1944)|Terry Cooper]] delivered promotion, but the collapse of the [[Bank of Credit and Commerce International]] (BCCI) put the Kumars' businesses into [[receivership]]; in November 1992 BCCI's [[liquidator (law)|liquidator]] put up for sale their 84% holding in the football club.<ref name="BCCI sell">{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0500591172/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=5e1d2d41 |title=Receivers put football club up for sale |first=John |last=Goodbody |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=7 November 1992 |page=3 |via=Gale Primary Sources |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104318/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CIF0500591172&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=5e1d2d41 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Sale and reconstruction (1992–2007)===
[[File:Steve Bruce pre-season Germany 2004.jpg|thumb|upright|Manager [[Steve Bruce]] led Birmingham City to promotion to the Premier League in 2002 and 2007]]
The club continued in [[administration (British football)|administration]] for four months, until [[Sport Newspapers]]' proprietor [[David Sullivan (businessman)|David Sullivan]] bought it for £700,000,<ref name="Sullivan buys">{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0501966935/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=0d9f256e |title=Sullivan takes control |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=6 March 1993 |page=40 |via=Gale Primary Sources |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104300/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CIF0501966935&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=0d9f256e |url-status=live }}</ref> installed the then 23-year-old [[Karren Brady]] as managing director and allowed Cooper money for signings. On the last day of the season, the team avoided relegation back to the third tier,{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=48–52}} but after a poor start to the 1993–94 season Cooper was replaced by [[Barry Fry]]. The change did not prevent relegation, but Fry's first full season brought promotion back to the second tier as champions, and victory over [[Carlisle United]] in the [[Football League Trophy]] via [[Paul Tait (footballer, born 1971)|Paul Tait]]'s [[golden goal]] completed the "[[Double (association football)#Doubles in lower divisions|lower-league Double]]".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/cumbria |title=The highs and lows of Carlisle United |website=BBC Cumbria |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041022091516/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/sport/clubs/carlisle/carlisle.shtml |archive-date=22 October 2004}}</ref> After one more year, Fry was dismissed to make way for the return of Trevor Francis.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/francis-fancied-as-fry-is-sacked-1346265.html |title=Francis fancied as Fry is sacked |first=Phil |last=Shaw |newspaper=The Independent |date=8 May 1996 |access-date=25 June 2010 |location=London |archive-date=4 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104083507/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/francis-fancied-as-fry-is-sacked-1346265.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Reinforced by players with top-level experience, including Manchester United captain [[Steve Bruce]], Francis's team narrowly missed out on a [[EFL Championship play-offs|play-off]] position in 1998, and three years of play-off semi-final defeats followed.<ref name=BCFCHistory>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/bcfc-club-history-453059.aspx |title=BCFC club history |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |access-date=5 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529124219/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/bcfc-club-history-453059.aspx |archive-date=29 May 2016}}</ref> They reached the [[2001 Football League Cup final|2001 League Cup final]] against [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] at [[Cardiff]]'s [[Millennium Stadium]]. Birmingham equalised in the last minute of normal time, but the match went to a [[penalty shoot-out (association football)|penalty shoot-out]] which Liverpool won.<ref name="FLC 2001">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/worthington_cup/1189087.stm |title=Worthington Cup final Clockwatch |work=BBC Sport |date=25 February 2001 |access-date=25 June 2010 |archive-date=13 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113002037/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/worthington_cup/1189087.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> By October 2001, lack of progress had made Francis's position untenable; after a 6–0 League Cup defeat to Manchester City, he left by mutual consent.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1586321.stm |title=Francis leaves Blues |work=BBC Sport |date=15 October 2001 |access-date=12 October 2007 |archive-date=27 February 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040227163047/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1586321.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Bruce's return as manager shook up a stale team; he took them from mid-table to the play-offs, and beat [[Norwich City F.C.|Norwich City]] on penalties in [[2002 Football League First Division play-off final|the final]] to secure promotion to the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1704971.stm |title=Birmingham unveil Bruce |work=BBC Sport |date=12 December 2001 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104316/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/1704971.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Promotion 2002">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/1983554.stm |title=Cool Carter in blue heaven |first=John |last=May |work=BBC Sport |date=12 May 2002 |access-date=12 October 2007 |archive-date=6 May 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040506182812/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/1983554.stm |url-status=live }}</ref>

Motivated by the inspirational [[Christophe Dugarry]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400390/Slow-starter-Dugarry-makes-up-for-lost-time.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220111/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2400390/Slow-starter-Dugarry-makes-up-for-lost-time.html |archive-date=11 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Slow-starter Dugarry makes up for lost time |last=Haylett |first=Trevor |newspaper=The Sunday Telegraph |location=London |date=27 April 2003 |access-date=6 September 2009 |quote=Those who rubbish the notion that one player can transform a team and inspire 10 others to exciting deeds should consider the case of Christophe Dugarry. It is difficult to imagine Birmingham easing their way to safety quite so comfortably without him.}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Birmingham's first top-flight season for 16 years finished in mid-table. Loan signing [[Mikael Forssell]]'s 17 league goals helped Birmingham to a top-half finish in 2003–04, but when he was injured, the 2004–05 team struggled for goals. In July 2005, chairman [[David Gold (businessman)|David Gold]] said it was time to "start talking about being as good as anyone outside the top three or four" with "the best squad of players for 25 years".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/golden-time-talk-up-blues-3993652 |title=Golden time to talk up Blues |last=Scott |first=Ged |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=7 July 2005 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030023009/http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/golden-time-talk-up-blues-3993652 |url-status=live }}</ref> Injuries, loss of form, and lack of transfer window investment saw them relegated in a season whose lowlight was a 7–0 FA Cup defeat to Liverpool.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/birmingham-city-0-newcastle-united-0-shattered-bruce-to-consider-future-at-birmingham-6102212.html |title=Birmingham City 0 Newcastle United 0: 'Shattered' Bruce to consider future at Birmingham |last=Shaw |first=Phil |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=1 May 2006 |access-date=20 June 2019 |archive-date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620124451/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/birmingham-city-0-newcastle-united-0-shattered-bruce-to-consider-future-at-birmingham-6102212.html |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Jermaine Pennant]] and [[Emile Heskey]] left for record fees,<ref name="BCFCrecords">{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/Records/0,,10412,00.html |title=Birmingham City Football Club Records |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722090845/http://www.bcfc.com/page/Records/0%2C%2C10412%2C00.html |archive-date=22 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5158376.stm |title=Wigan seal £5.5m move for Heskey |work=BBC Sport |date=7 July 2006 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104259/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/5158376.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> many others were released,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4754683.stm |title=Birmingham release seven players |work=BBC Sport |date=9 May 2006 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104335/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/4754683.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> but Bruce's amended recruitment strategy, combining free-transfer experience with young "hungry" players and shrewd exploitation of the loan market, brought automatic promotion at the end of a season which had included calls for his head.<ref name="Promotion 2007">{{cite news |url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:BPOC1&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=118E9A7282E001F8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0D0CB57AB53DF815 |title=Never say die |last=Jawad |first=Hyder |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=2 May 2007 |access-date=27 October 2013 |via=NewsBank |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104803/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/118E9A7282E001F8&f=basic |url-status=live }}</ref>

===The Chinese years (2007–2023)===
In July 2007, Hong Kong-based businessman [[Carson Yeung]] bought 29.9% of shares in the club, making him the biggest single shareholder, with a view to taking full control in the future.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6900404.stm |title=Yeung takes stake in Birmingham |work=BBC Sport |date=16 July 2007 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104809/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/6900404.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Uncertain as to his future under possible new owners, Bruce left in mid-season.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7100525.stm |title=Bruce leaves Birmingham for Wigan |work=BBC Sport |access-date=19 November 2007 |date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104806/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7100525.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> His successor, Scotland national team manager [[Alex McLeish]], was unable to stave off relegation, but achieved promotion back to the Premier League at the first attempt.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7115728.stm |title=Birmingham unveil McLeish as boss |work=BBC Sport |date=28 November 2007 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008182648/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7115728.stm |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/7381773.stm |title=Birmingham 4–1 Blackburn |work=BBC Sport |date=11 May 2008 |access-date=31 May 2008 |first=Andrew |last=McKenzie |archive-date=13 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113002043/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7381773.stm |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015130.stm |title=Birmingham clinch top-flight spot |first=Paul |last=Fletcher |date=3 May 2009 |access-date=6 May 2009 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=13 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113002043/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/8015130.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> Yeung's company completed the takeover in 2009,<ref name=SkyYeung>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/5688466/yeung-takeover-rubber-stamped |title=Yeung takeover rubber-stamped |publisher=Sky Sports |date=11 November 2009 |access-date=20 June 2019 |archive-date=20 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620125716/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/5688466/yeung-takeover-rubber-stamped |url-status=live }}</ref> and the team finished in ninth place, their highest for 51 years.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_prem/8656538.stm |title=Bolton 2–1 Birmingham |first=Les |last=Roopanarine |date=9 May 2010 |access-date=1 June 2010 |work=BBC Sport |archive-date=10 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100510234720/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8656538.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2011, they combined [[2011 Football League Cup final|a second League Cup]], defeating favourites Arsenal 2–1 with goals from [[Nikola Žigić]] and [[Obafemi Martins]] and securing qualification for the [[Europa League]],<ref name="FLC 2011">{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9407612.stm |title=Carling Cup final: McLeish hails 'greatest achievement' |work=BBC Sport |date=27 February 2011 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=8 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221008182645/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/9407612.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> with relegation back to the second tier, after which McLeish resigned to join Aston Villa.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13770519 |title=Aston Villa appoint Alex McLeish as manager |work=BBC Sport |date=17 June 2011 |access-date=6 June 2012 |archive-date=6 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606141133/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/13770519 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Birmingham narrowly failed to reach the knockout rounds of the Europa League and the play-off final. With the club in financial turmoil and under a transfer embargo, manager [[Chris Hughton]] left.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18356657 |title=Chris Hughton appointed as new Norwich City manager |work=BBC Sport |date=7 June 2012 |access-date=7 June 2012 |archive-date=21 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021174151/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18356657 |url-status=live }}</ref> Under [[Lee Clark (footballer)|Lee Clark]], Birmingham twice retained their divisional status, albeit through [[Paul Caddis]]'s 93rd-minute goal in the last match of 2013–14 to avoid relegation on [[goal difference]],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bolton-2-birmingham-2-match-report-paul-caddis-scores-dramatic-stoppage-time-header-to-haul-9320216.html |title=Bolton 2 Birmingham 2 match report: Paul Caddis gets Birmingham out of jail |first=Simon |last=Hart |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=3 May 2014 |access-date=19 November 2017 |archive-date=3 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151003222531/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/bolton-2-birmingham-2-match-report-paul-caddis-scores-dramatic-stoppage-time-header-to-haul-9320216.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but continued poor form saw him dismissed in October 2014.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29781713 |title=Gary Rowett: Birmingham City appoint Burton boss as manager |work=BBC Sport |date=27 October 2014 |access-date=28 October 2014 |archive-date=18 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118042011/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29781713 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Gary Rowett]] stabilised the team and led them to two tenth-place finishes before being controversially dismissed by new owners Trillion Trophy Asia in favour of the "pedigree" of [[Gianfranco Zola]], who would aid the club's "strategic, long-term view" to take the club in a new direction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/gary-rowett-sacked-birmingham-city-championship-seventh-next-manager-odds-a7474256.html |title=Birmingham City: Gianfranco Zola confirmed as manager just hours after Gary Rowett is sacked |first=Jack |last=de Menezes |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=14 December 2016 |access-date=8 May 2017 |archive-date=20 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170620151243/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/football-league/gary-rowett-sacked-birmingham-city-championship-seventh-next-manager-odds-a7474256.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Two wins from 24 matches under Zola left Birmingham needing two wins from the last three games to stay up, which they achieved under the managership of [[Harry Redknapp]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/06/nottingham-forest-birmingham-blackburn-league-one-relegation |title=Fallen giants: how Nottingham Forest, Birmingham and Blackburn fell so far |first=Stuart |last=James |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=6 May 2017 |access-date=8 May 2017 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104805/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/06/nottingham-forest-birmingham-blackburn-league-one-relegation |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/07/bristol-city-birmingham-championship-match-report |title=Redknapp completes Birmingham's great escape with win at Bristol City |first=Stuart |last=James |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 May 2017 |access-date=8 May 2017 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104805/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/may/07/bristol-city-birmingham-championship-match-report |url-status=live }}</ref> Redknapp lasted another month,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41296238 |title=Harry Redknapp: Birmingham City sack manager after poor run |work=BBC Sport |date=16 September 2017 |access-date=16 September 2017 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112042436/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41296238 |url-status=live }}</ref> his former assistant [[Steve Cotterill]] five months, leaving successor [[Garry Monk]] another{{snd}}ultimately successful{{snd}}relegation battle.<ref name=CotterillDong>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41441179 |title=Steve Cotterill: Birmingham City appoint former Bristol City boss as new manager |work=BBC Sport |date=29 September 2017 |access-date=7 October 2017 |archive-date=13 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171113142557/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41441179 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/03/steve-cotterill-birmingham-city-garry-monk |title=Birmingham City appoint Garry Monk as manager after Steve Cotterill departs |newspaper=The Observer |location=London |date=4 March 2018 |access-date=18 April 2018 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104806/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/mar/03/steve-cotterill-birmingham-city-garry-monk |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43938848 |title=Birmingham City 3–1 Fulham |work=BBC Sport |date=6 May 2018 |access-date=22 May 2018 |archive-date=22 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180622183204/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43938848 |url-status=live }}</ref> Despite budgetary restrictions and a nine-point deduction for breaches of the League's Profitability and Sustainability (P&S) rules, the team finished 17th in 2018–19; however, Monk was sacked in June after conflict with the board.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48627024 |title=Garry Monk: Birmingham City manager remains at Blues following exit rumours |first=Simon |last=Stone |website=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2019 |access-date=19 June 2019 |archive-date=18 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618145945/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48627024 |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2019/club-statement-garry-monk/ |title=Club statement: Garry Monk |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=18 June 2019 |access-date=18 June 2019 |postscript=, |archive-date=20 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200920025717/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2019/club-statement-garry-monk/ |url-status=dead }} quoted in full at {{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-damning-final-message-16449385 |title=This was Birmingham City's damning final message to Garry Monk after sacking |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=18 June 2019 |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815093526/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-damning-final-message-16449385 |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A589814968/STND?u=wikipedia&sid=bookmark-STND&xid=8fc7272c |title=Monk 'sacked over agent row' |first=Matt |last=Hughes |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=20 June 2019 |page=72 |access-date=27 January 2022 |via=Gale OneFile: News |url-access=subscription |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104807/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=STND&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CA589814968&v=2.1&it=r&sid=bookmark-STND&asid=8fc7272c |url-status=live }}</ref> He was succeeded by his assistant, [[Pep Clotet]], initially as caretaker.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50657446 |title=Pep Clotet: Birmingham City appoint caretaker as new head coach |website=BBC Sport |date=4 December 2019 |access-date=4 December 2019 |archive-date=4 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191204100044/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/50657446 |url-status=live }}</ref> In the [[2019–20 Birmingham City F.C. season|2019–20 season]], the club once again avoided relegation despite a 14-match winless run at the end of the season and the threat of a further points deduction.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52834579 |title=Championship season set to restart on 20 June as coronavirus lockdown eases |website=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=1 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200601015113/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/52834579 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/12005015/birmingham-city-efl-wins-appeal-but-blues-avoid-punishment |title=Birmingham City: EFL wins appeal but Blues avoid punishment |first=James |last=Dale |website=Sky Sports |date=11 June 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=17 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817081920/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/12005015/birmingham-city-efl-wins-appeal-but-blues-avoid-punishment |url-status=live }}</ref> Academy product [[Jude Bellingham]] was sold to [[Borussia Dortmund]] in the summer for a club-record deal reported to be worth up to £30&nbsp;million,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53412699 |title=Birmingham City 1–3 Derby County |first=Brent |last=Pilnick |website=BBC Sport |date=22 July 2020 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=22 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200722223329/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/53412699 |url-status=live }}</ref> after which [[Aitor Karanka]] lasted eight months as head coach before being replaced by former Birmingham player [[Lee Bowyer]].<ref name=BowyerIn>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56416978 |title=Lee Bowyer: Birmingham City appoint new head coach after Aitor Karanka steps down |website=BBC Sport |date=16 March 2021 |access-date=16 March 2021 |archive-date=16 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211016162144/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56416978 |url-status=live }}</ref> After 16 months and yet another relegation struggle, amid rumours of an imminent takeover, Bowyer was replaced by [[John Eustace]].<ref name=BowyerOut>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61144145 |title=Lee Bowyer: Birmingham City head coach sacked by Championship club |website=BBC Sport |date=2 July 2022 |access-date=2 July 2022 |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702142605/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61144145 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61788318 |title=Laurence Bassini: Former Watford owner hopes to complete Birmingham City takeover |first=Simon |last=Stone |website=BBC Sport |date=13 June 2022 |access-date=2 July 2022 |archive-date=2 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702145344/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61788318 |url-status=live }}</ref>

===American control (2023–present)===
After two takeover attempts fell through,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2069985-blues-sale-collapses-as-owners-end-discussions-with-maxco |title=Blues sale collapses as owners end discussions with MaxCo |first=Sam |last=Metcalf |website=The Business Desk West Midlands |date=8 December 2022 |access-date=31 July 2023 |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731175450/https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidlands/news/2069985-blues-sale-collapses-as-owners-end-discussions-with-maxco |url-status=live }}</ref> Shelby Companies Ltd, a subsidiary of US-based Knighthead Capital Management and fronted by that company's co-founder [[Tom Wagner (financier)|Tom Wagner]], purchased a controlling stake in the club and full ownership of the stadium on 13 July 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66192434 |title=Birmingham City: Shelby Companies Limited completes takeover |website=BBC Sport |date=13 July 2023 |access-date=31 July 2023 |archive-date=31 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731211521/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/66192434 |url-status=live }}</ref> Former Manchester City CEO [[Garry Cook (executive)|Garry Cook]] was appointed to the corresponding role at Birmingham, and the club gained considerable publicity from the arrival of [[American football]] player [[Tom Brady]] as minority owner.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38125429/tom-brady-becomes-minority-owner-birmingham-city |title=Tom Brady becomes minority owner at Birmingham City |first=Tom |last=Hamilton |website=ESPN |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=9 August 2023 |archive-date=10 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230810225130/https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/38125429/tom-brady-becomes-minority-owner-birmingham-city |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/07/tom-brady-birmingham-city-investment |title=Obsessive drive and bioceramic PJs: what Tom Brady brings to Birmingham City |first=Hunter |last=Felt |newspaper=The Guardian |location=London |date=7 August 2023 |access-date=9 August 2023 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717104807/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/07/tom-brady-birmingham-city-investment |url-status=live }}</ref>

In early October, with the team in the play-off places, Eustace was sacked. In a move that echoed Rowett's replacement by Zola seven years prior, the board stressed the need for "a winning mentality and a culture of ambition" across the club,<ref name="BMail Eustace Sacked">{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-wagner-cook-eustace-27870372 |title=Tom Wagner and Garry Cook must answer big questions after Birmingham City sack John Eustace |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=9 October 2023 |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010015929/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-wagner-cook-eustace-27870372 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a new appointment with "[responsibility] for creating an identity and clear 'no fear' playing style".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/club-statement-john-eustace |title=Club statement: John Eustace |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=9 October 2023 |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009105101/https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/club-statement-john-eustace |url-status=live }}</ref> After former England international [[Wayne Rooney]]'s two wins from 15 matches left Birmingham in 20th place,<ref name="Rooney sacked">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67858866 |title=Wayne Rooney: Birmingham City sack manager after just 15 games in charge |first=Ged |last=Scott |website=BBC Sport |date=2 January 2024 |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=2 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240102104529/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67858866 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Tony Mowbray]] was appointed manager.<ref name="Mowbray in">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67899139 |title=Tony Mowbray: Birmingham City name ex-Sunderland boss as manager |website=BBC Sport |date=8 January 2024 |access-date=8 January 2024 |archive-date=8 January 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108104827/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/67899139 |url-status=live }}</ref> His need for medical leave brought the interim appointment of Gary Rowett,<ref name="Rowett returns">{{cite web |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13097972/gary-rowett-returns-to-birmingham-on-interim-basis-as-tony-mowbray-takes-medical-leave-of-absence |title=Gary Rowett returns to Birmingham on interim basis as Tony Mowbray takes medical leave of absence |website=Sky Sports |date=19 March 2024 |access-date=20 March 2024 |archive-date=19 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319221217/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13097972/gary-rowett-returns-to-birmingham-on-interim-basis-as-tony-mowbray-takes-medical-leave-of-absence |url-status=live }}</ref> whose 11 points from the last eight games were not enough to prevent relegation to League One after 29 years at a higher level.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gary-rowett-outlines-position-birmingham-29114622 |title=Gary Rowett outlines his position on Birmingham City future after relegation confirmed |first=Alex |last=Dicken |website=Birmingham Live |date=4 May 2024 |access-date=9 May 2024 |archive-date=9 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240509121108/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/gary-rowett-outlines-position-birmingham-29114622 |url-status=live }}</ref> In June 2024, Birmingham named [[Chris Davies (football coach)|Chris Davies]] as manager, signing him to a four-year contract.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Sessions |first=George |date=6 June 2024 |title=Birmingham appoint Chris Davies as new manager on four-year deal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/birmingham-chris-davies-chris-tom-brady-ange-postecoglou-b2558162.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250711160245/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/birmingham-chris-davies-chris-tom-brady-ange-postecoglou-b2558162.html |archive-date=11 July 2025 |access-date=1 August 2025 |work=[[The Independent]] |language=en-GB |url-status=live }}</ref> Under Davies, they returned to the Championship at the first attempt, winning the League One title.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cj3xr53g0z5o |title=Birmingham win League One title after Wrexham draw |website=12 April 2025 |access-date=14 April 2025}}</ref> They also reached the [[2025 EFL Trophy final]] but lost 2–0 to [[Peterborough United F.C.|Peterborough United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cnv55yzg039t |title=Birmingham City 0–2 Peterborough United |first=Glenn |last=Speller |website=BBC Sport |date=13 April 2025 |access-date=14 April 2025}}</ref> In November 2025, Knighthead completed takeover of the club, buying the 51% still owned by ZO Future Group (formally Birmingham Sports Holdings Limited).<ref name=KnightheadAcquisition>{{Cite web |date=7 November 2025 |title=Knighthead completes Birmingham City Football Club acquisition |url=https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/knighthead-completes-birmingham-city-football-club-acquisition |access-date=10 November 2025 |publisher=Birmingham City F.C.}}</ref>

== Colours and badge ==

{{Football kit box
|align      = right
|pattern_la =
|pattern_b  = _whiteleftsash
|pattern_ra =
|leftarm    = 000066
|body       = 000066
|rightarm   = 000066
|shorts     = FFFFFF
|socks      = 000066
|title      = Small Heath Alliance original kit
}}
The Small Heath Alliance members decided among themselves that their colours would be blue; in the early days, they wore whatever blue shirt they had.{{sfnp|Lewis|2000|p=25}} The first [[kit (association football)|uniform kit]] was a dark blue shirt with a sash over the right shoulder<ref>{{cite book |last1=Edwards |first1=Norman |title=The Blues 1875–1956 |date=1957 |publisher=Evening Despatch |location=Birmingham |page=2}}</ref> variously described as white,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2015-2016/championship.html |title=Sky Bet Championship 2015–2016 |publisher=Dave Moor |work=Historical Football Kits |access-date=15 May 2016 |archive-date=25 February 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240225215031/http://historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2015-2016/championship.html |url-status=live}}</ref> yellow,<ref>{{cite journal |title=Birth of the Blues was not a glamour story |journal=Evening Mail |date=20 March 1956 |page=9}}</ref> or red.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Small Heath Alliance v Great Marlow |journal=Bucks Free Press |date=15 February 1884 |page=3}}</ref>  Several variations on a blue theme were tried; the one that stuck was the royal blue shirt with a white "V", adopted during the First World War and retained until the late 1920s. Though the design changed, the royal blue remained. In 1971 they adopted the "penguin" strip{{snd}}royal blue with a broad white central front panel{{snd}}which lasted five years.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Articles/Classics.htm |title=Influential and Classic Football Kits |work=Historical Football Kits |publisher=Dave Moor |access-date=23 November 2008 |archive-date=3 November 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081103001325/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Articles/Classics.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Since then they have generally worn plain, nominally royal blue shirts, though the actual shade used has varied. Shorts have been either blue or white, and socks usually blue, white or a combination. White, yellow, red and black, on their own or in combination, have been the most frequently used colours for the away kit.{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|pp=56–57}}<ref name="kitclass">{{cite web |url=http://www.kitclassics.co.uk/kits/birm_c.png |format=PNG |title=Birmingham City |work=Classic Kits |access-date=22 June 2010 |archive-date=7 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101007135328/http://kitclassics.co.uk/kits/birm_c.png |url-status=live }}</ref>

There were aberrations: the 1992 kit, sponsored by Triton Showers, was made of a blue material covered with multicoloured splashes which resembled a shower curtain.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Articles/Room_101.html |title=Room 101 The Worst Kits Ever |work=Historical Football Kits |publisher=Dave Moor |access-date=23 March 2012 |archive-date=15 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315170908/http://historicalkits.co.uk/Articles/Room_101.html |url-status=live }}</ref>{{sfnp|Lewis|2000|p=31}} The home shirt has only once featured stripes: in 1999, the blue shirt had a front central panel in narrow blue and white stripes, a design similar to the [[Tesco]] supermarket carrier bag of the time.<ref name="kitclass"/><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.joysandsorrows.co.uk/2012/01/darren-purse-speaks-to-joys-and-sorrows/ |title=Darren Purse speaks to Joys and Sorrows |first=Kev |last=Ball |website=Joys and Sorrows |date=24 January 2012 |access-date=30 October 2018}}</ref>

When the club changed its name from Small Heath to Birmingham in 1905 it adopted the [[Coat of arms of Birmingham|city's coat of arms]] as its [[Crest (sports)|badge]], although this was not always worn on the shirts. The 1970s "penguin" shirt carried the letters "BCFC" intertwined at the centre of the chest. The ''[[Sports Argus]]'' newspaper ran a competition in 1972 to design a new badge for the club. The winning entry, a line-drawn globe and ball, with a ribbon carrying the club's name and date of foundation, in plain blue and white,{{sfnp|Lewis|2000|pp=27–29}} was adopted by the club but not worn on playing shirts until 1976,<ref name=HFKits>{{cite web |url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Birmingham_City/Birmingham_City.htm |title=Birmingham City |website=Historical Football Kits |publisher=Dave Moor |access-date=3 July 2024 |archive-date=9 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909212544/http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Birmingham_City/Birmingham_City.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> after the design was granted by the [[College of Arms]] in 1975.<ref>The design recorded at the college did not include the ribbon and was [[blazon]]ed as "A football ensigned by a terrestrial globe proper". This was granted as an [[heraldic badge]] to the [[English Football League]] and was licensed to Birmingham City. {{cite journal |last=Phillips |first=David Llewelyn |date=Spring 2015 |title=Badges and 'Crests': The Twentieth-Century Relationship Between Football and Heraldry |url=https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CoA-229-Phillips-paper.pdf |journal=The Coat of Arms |volume=XI Part I |issue=229 |pages=40, 41, 44 |access-date=31 January 2022 |archive-date=24 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211224161126/https://www.theheraldrysociety.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/CoA-229-Phillips-paper.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> An experiment made in the early 1990s with colouring in the globe and ball was soon abandoned.<ref name=HFKits/>

The club rarely spends more than three seasons with the same kit supplier.<ref name=HFKits/> The first sponsor to have its name on the shirt was Birmingham-based brewery [[Ansells]] in 1983.<ref name=HFKits/> They withdrew in mid-1985,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS386371834/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=c0f7c819 |title=Death sentence passed on innocent |first=Stuart |last=Jones |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=6 July 1985 |page=23 |via=Gale Primary Sources |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717105324/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CCS386371834&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=c0f7c819 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the shirts went unsponsored until January 1987, when [[Associated Co-operative Creameries|Co-op Milk]] paid a "five-figure sum" to have its name displayed until the end of the season. That was a relief to the club not only financially: the vice-chairman claimed that as a "big club&nbsp;... people expect us to have a shirt sponsor and we have been lagging behind".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-evening-mail-co-op-milk-spons/130043980/ |title=Lotta bottle Blues! |first=Martin |last=Swain |newspaper=Birmingham Evening Mail |date=8 January 1987 |page=68 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815093501/https://www.newspapers.com/article/birmingham-evening-mail-co-op-milk-spons/130043980/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later sponsors included car retailer PJ Evans/Evans Halshaw (1988–1989), [[MK One|Mark One]] (1989–1992), Triton Showers (1992–1995), [[Auto Windscreens]] (1995–2001), [[Phones 4u]] (2001–2003), [[Flybe (1979-2020)|Flybe]] (2003–2007), [[F&C Asset Management|F&C Investments]] (2007–2011), foreign exchange company RationalFX (2011–2012), "lifestyle and leisure" business EZE Group (2012–2013 and 2015–2016), [[e-cigarette]] company Nicolites (2013–2014), [[mobile payment]] enabler Zapaygo (2014–2015), [[888sport]] (2016–2019) and [[BoyleSports]] (2019–2023).<ref name=HFKits/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/birmingham-city-announce-shirt-sponsorship-158844 |title=Birmingham City announce shirt sponsorship deal with RationalFX |first=Catherine |last=Lillington |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=3 August 2011 |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023010739/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/birmingham-city-announce-shirt-sponsorship-158844 |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2015/birmingham-city-fc-announce-major-shirt-sponsorship-deal-with-eze-group/ |title=Birmingham City FC announce major shirt sponsorship deal with EZE Group |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=15 June 2015 |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200415145458/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2015/birmingham-city-fc-announce-major-shirt-sponsorship-deal-with-eze-group/ |archive-date=15 April 2020 }}<br>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-unveil-new-away-5266322 |title=Blues reveal new away kit |first=Colin |last=Tattum |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=23 July 2013 |access-date=24 January 2020 }}<br>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140609-official-birmingham-city-announce-zapaygo-as-new-principal-partner-1627113.aspx |title=Official: Birmingham City announce Zapaygo as new principal partner |first=Andy |last=Walker |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=9 June 2014 |access-date=24 January 2020 |archive-date=13 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613130142/https://www.bcfc.com/news/article/20140609-official-birmingham-city-announce-zapaygo-as-new-principal-partner-1627113.aspx }}</ref>

In June 2020, the club announced a four-year partnership with [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] as supplier of kits,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2020/blues-partner-with-nike/ |title=Blues partner with Nike |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=25 June 2020 |access-date=13 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200702211729/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2020/blues-partner-with-nike/ |archive-date=2 July 2020}}</ref> upgraded during the 2023–24 season to include bespoke rather than off-the-shelf product. The 2024–25 home kit consists of a royal blue shirt with white trim and{{snd}}with echoes of the Co-op Milk shirt of the 1980s{{snd}}a white strip across the front carrying the logo of the club's principal partner, [[streetwear]] company Undefeated, white shorts and royal blue socks.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/2024-25-home-shirt-now-on-sale-online |title=2024/25 Home Shirt now on sale online |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=20 June 2024 |access-date=3 July 2024 |archive-date=3 July 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240703153732/https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/2024-25-home-shirt-now-on-sale-online |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-new-home-kit-29345460 |title=Birmingham City unveil 2024/25 home kit after Nike deal upgrade |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 June 2024 |access-date=3 July 2024 |archive-date=3 July 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240703154713/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-new-home-kit-29345460 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Stadiums ==
{{Main|Muntz Street|St Andrew's (stadium)|City of Birmingham Stadium|l2=St Andrew's|New Birmingham City Stadium}}

Small Heath Alliance played their first home games on waste ground off Arthur Street, [[Bordesley Green]]. As interest grew, they moved to a fenced-off field in Ladypool Road, [[Sparkbrook]], where admission could be charged. A year later, they moved again, to a field adjoining Muntz Street, [[Small Heath, Birmingham|Small Heath]], near the [[A45 road|main Coventry Road]], with a capacity of about 10,000. The Muntz Street ground was adequate for 1880s friendly matches, and the capacity was gradually raised to around 30,000, but when several thousand spectators scaled walls and broke down turnstiles to get into a First Division match against Aston Villa, it became clear that it could no longer cope with the demand.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=57–59}}

Director [[Harry Morris (footballer, born 1866)|Harry Morris]] identified a site for a new ground in Bordesley Green, some three-quarters of a mile&nbsp;(1&nbsp;km) from Muntz Street towards the city centre. The site was where a [[brickworks]] once operated; the land sloped steeply down to stagnant pools, yet the stadium was constructed in under twelve months from land clearance to opening ceremony on [[Boxing Day]] 1906. Heavy snow nearly prevented the opening; volunteers had to clear pitch and terraces before the match, a goalless draw against [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]], could go ahead.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=57–59}} The ground is reputed to have been cursed by [[gypsies]] evicted from the site;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2352837/Birmingham-hope-curse-has-run-course.html |title=Birmingham hope curse has run course |last=Smith |first=Martin |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=26 December 2006 |access-date=3 July 2024 |archive-date=11 September 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120911161121/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/2352837/Birmingham-hope-curse-has-run-course.html |url-status=live}}</ref> although gypsies are known to have camped nearby,<ref>{{cite book |last=Marsden |first=Bob |title=A.B.C. of Small Heath and Bordesley Green Past and Present |publisher=Small Heath Local History Society |date=March 1987 |page=44 |quote=St. Andrew's [Church] was erected in 1846, the fifth and last to be built by the Church Building Society. It was an unsuitable site, and for many years after its building, the only dwellings nearby were huts where brickworkers lived, a few cottages, and an occasional gipsy camp.}}</ref> there is no contemporary evidence for their eviction by the club.

[[File:St Andrew's Stadium League Attendances.png|thumb|left|Average and peak league attendances at St Andrew's]]
The original capacity of St Andrew's was reported as 75,000, with 4,000 seats in the Main Stand and space for 22,000 under cover.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=57–59}} By 1938 the official capacity was 68,000, and February 1939 saw the attendance record set at the fifth round FA Cup tie against Everton, variously recorded as 66,844 or 67,341.{{efn-ua|name=attendance|Some sources give the record attendance as 66,844: these include the records page of Birmingham City F.C.'s website<ref name=BCFCrecords/> and Rothmans Football Yearbook.{{sfnp|Rollin|1990|p=81}} Others, including the history page of Birmingham City F.C.'s website,<ref name=BCFCHistory/> Matthews' ''Encyclopedia'',{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|pp=20–21}} and ''[[The Times]]'' newspaper from the Monday following the match,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS84096077/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=1a33c001 |title=Fifth round official figures |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=13 February 1939 |page=5 |via=Gale Primary Sources |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717105312/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CCS84096077&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=1a33c001 |url-status=live }}</ref> say 67,341.}} On the outbreak of the Second World War, the [[Chief Constable]] ordered the ground's closure because of the danger from air raids; it was the only ground to be thus closed, and was only re-opened after the matter was raised in Parliament. It was badly damaged during the [[Birmingham Blitz]]: the Railway End and the Kop as a result of bombing, while the Main Stand burnt down when a fireman mistook petrol for water.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=57–59}}

[[Image:St Andrews Birmingham City Main Stand.JPG|thumb|Main Stand, St Andrew's, 2005]]
The replacement Main Stand used a propped [[cantilever]] roof design, which meant fewer pillars to block spectators' view of the pitch. [[Floodlights (sport)|Floodlights]] were installed in 1956, and officially switched on for a friendly match against [[Borussia Dortmund]] in 1957.{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|pp=193–196}} By the early 1960s a stand had been built at the Railway End to the same design as the Main Stand, roofs had been put on the Kop and Tilton Road End, and the ground capacity was down to about 55,000.{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|pp=193–196}}

Resulting from the 1986 Popplewell Report into the safety of sports grounds and the later [[Taylor Report]], the capacity of St Andrew's was set at 28,235 for safety reasons,<ref name="Leedsriot"/>{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|pp=193–196}} but it was accepted that the stadium had to be brought up to modern all-seated standards. After the last home game of the 1993–94 season, the Kop and Tilton Road terraces were demolished{{snd}}fans took home a significant proportion as souvenirs{{snd}}to be replaced at the start of the new season by a 7,000-seat Tilton Road Stand, continuing round the corner into the 9,500-seat Kop which opened two months later.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=57–59}} The 8,000-seat Railway Stand followed in 1999;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6132921.WANDERERS__Wanderers_middle_men_hailed_as_the_best/ |title=Wanderers middle men hailed as the best |last=Sharrock |first=Gordon |newspaper=Bolton Evening News |date=22 February 1999 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=11 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711071919/http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/news/6132921.WANDERERS__Wanderers_middle_men_hailed_as_the_best/ |url-status=live }}</ref> ten years later, this was renamed the Gil Merrick Stand, in honour of the club's appearance record-holder and former manager,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/railway-end-to-be-named-after-blues-91503 |title=Railway End to be named after Blues legend Gil Merrick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |first=Colin |last=Tattum |date=27 April 2009 |access-date=5 February 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029193244/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/railway-end-to-be-named-after-blues-91503 |url-status=live }}</ref> but the Main Stand has still to be modernised. In 2021, the club website listed the stadium capacity as 29,409.<ref name=capacity>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/more/fans/new-to-the-ground |title=New to St. Andrew's? |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |access-date=25 August 2023 |archive-date=30 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230330203334/https://www.bcfc.com/more/fans/new-to-the-ground |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2004 a proposal was put forward to build a "sports village" comprising a 55,000-capacity [[City of Birmingham Stadium]], other sports and leisure facilities, and a [[regional casino|super casino]], to be jointly financed by [[Birmingham City Council]], Birmingham City F.C. (via the proceeds of the sale of St Andrew's) and the casino group [[Las Vegas Sands]]. The feasibility of the plan depended on the government issuing a licence for a super casino, and Birmingham being chosen as the venue,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/blues-unveil-stadium-plan-3990763 |title=Blues unveil stadium plan |last=Connor |first=Neil |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=26 October 2005 |access-date=6 September 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030024525/http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/blues-unveil-stadium-plan-3990763 |archive-date=30 October 2013}}</ref> but this did not happen. The club have [[planning permission]] to redevelop the Main Stand,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blues-still-hoping-for-new-stadium-29768 |title=Blues still hoping for new stadium |last=Tattum |first=Colin |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=24 December 2006 |access-date=5 February 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185841/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blues-still-hoping-for-new-stadium-29768 |url-status=live }}</ref> but club and council continued to seek alternative sources of funding for the City of Birmingham Stadium project.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blues-revive-bid-for-new-stadium-38418 |title=Blues revive bid for new stadium |last=Tattum |first=Colin |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=9 March 2007 |access-date=5 February 2013 |archive-date=29 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029185853/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/blues-revive-bid-for-new-stadium-38418 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2013, the Birmingham City Supporters' Trust's application for listing St Andrew's as an [[Asset of Community Value]] (ACV){{snd}}a building or other land whose main use "furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community" and where it is realistic to believe it could do so in the future.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/20/section/88/enacted |title=Localism Act 2011 Chapter 20 Section 88 |work=UK Parliament |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20131104181941/http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2011/20/section/88/enacted |url-status=live }}</ref>{{snd}}under the [[Localism Act 2011]] was approved by Birmingham City Council.<ref name=ACV/> This requires any proposed sale to be notified to the council, and provides for a six-month moratorium on that sale to allow the Trust and other community groups to submit their own bid.<ref name=ACV>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-st-andrews-awarded-6265836 |title=Birmingham City fans succeed in getting St Andrew's awarded Asset of Community Value status |first=Stacey |last=Barnfield |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=2 November 2013 |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=4 November 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104024122/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-st-andrews-awarded-6265836 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2018, the club's owners agreed a three-year sponsorship deal under which the name became St Andrew's Trillion Trophy Stadium.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/commercial-property/birmingham-city-sign-st-andrews-14785692 |title=Birmingham City sign St Andrew's naming rights deal |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=14 June 2018 |access-date=28 June 2018 |archive-date=28 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180628233443/https://www.birminghampost.co.uk/business/commercial-property/birmingham-city-sign-st-andrews-14785692 |url-status=live }}</ref>

The lower tiers of the Tilton and Kop stands were closed for [[asbestos]]-related repairs for approaching three years, reopening fully in November 2023.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-issue-st-andrews-28110342 |title=Birmingham City issue St Andrew's stadium update as grand opening edges closer |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=15 November 2023 |accessdate=20 March 2024 |archive-date=20 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320115133/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-issue-st-andrews-28110342 |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2024, the stadium was renamed St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park for sponsorship reasons, as "step one in [the owners'] plan to create a world-renowned 'Sports Quarter' in Birmingham."<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/birmingham-city-announces-naming-rights-partnership-with-knighthead |title=Birmingham City announces naming rights partnership with Knighthead |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=26 January 2024 |access-date=2 February 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240202220301/https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/birmingham-city-announces-naming-rights-partnership-with-knighthead |archive-date=2 February 2024 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Supporters ==
Birmingham fans consider their main rivals to be Aston Villa, their nearest neighbours geographically, with whom they contest the [[Second City derby]]. Lesser rivalries include fellow [[West Midlands (county)|West Midlands]] clubs [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] and West Bromwich Albion. According to a 2003 Football Fans Census survey, Aston Villa fans thought of Birmingham City as their main rivals, though this was not always the case.<ref name="FFC">{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120729120649/http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |url=http://www.footballfanscensus.com/issueresults/Club_Rivalries_Uncovered_Results.pdf |title=Rivalry Uncovered! |publisher=The Football Fans Census |page=3 |date=December 2003 |archive-date=29 July 2012}}</ref>

[[Image:BeauBrummie.jpg|thumb|upright|Birmingham City mascot Beau Brummie]]
Birmingham's supporters are generally referred to as "Bluenoses" in the media and by the fans themselves; the name is also used in a derogatory manner by fans of other clubs.<ref name="FFC"/><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/mat-kendrick-craig-gardner-boyhood-3934198 |title=So was Craig Gardner a boyhood Villan or a Bluenose? |first=Mat |last=Kendrick |newspaper=Birmingham Post |date=8 February 2010 |access-date=27 October 2013 |archive-date=30 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131030033045/http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/mat-kendrick-craig-gardner-boyhood-3934198 |url-status=live }}</ref> A piece of public sculpture in the form of a ten-times-life-size head lying on a mound near the St Andrew's ground, Ondré Nowakowski's ''Sleeping Iron Giant'', has been repeatedly defaced with blue paint on its nose.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pmsa.org.uk/pmsa-database/6045/ |title=Sleeping Iron Giant |website=National Recording Project |publisher=Public Monuments and Sculpture Association |access-date=10 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220151834/http://www.pmsa.org.uk/pmsa-database/6045/ |archive-date=20 December 2016}}</ref> Between 1994 and 1997, the club [[mascot]] took the form of a blue nose,{{sfnp|Lewis|2000|pp=167–168}} though it is now a dog named ''Beau Brummie'', a play on the name [[Beau Brummell]] and [[Brummie dialect|Brummie]], the slang word for a person from Birmingham, and his girlfriend '''Belle'''.  Beau Brummie was originally introduced in October 1966, with name suggested by Blues staff member Dennis Gilbert and design created by John Barnett, who had recently devised [[World Cup Willie]].  Blues' mascot for 25 years - "Kipper" (Len Arnold), a gentleman dressed in blue and white [[Tailcoat|coat and tails]] - had had to retire 18 months before.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Woodward |first1=Eric |title=Blues say "Let's Go With Beau" |journal=Evening Mail |date=27 October 1966 |page=16}}</ref>

A number of supporters' clubs are affiliated to the football club, both in England and abroad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/club-and-fans/fans/supporters-clubs/ |title=Official Blues supporters' clubs |publisher=Birmingham City F.C |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-date=9 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171109204805/https://www.bcfc.com/club-and-fans/fans/supporters-clubs/ |url-status=live }}</ref> An action group was formed in 1991 to protest against chairman Samesh Kumar,{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=48–49}} the club blamed an internet petition for the collapse of the purchase of player [[Lee Bowyer]] in 2005,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-bowyer-and-birmingham-given-notice-that-fans-loyalty-to-the-shirt-is-not-blind-494460.html |title=Bowyer and Birmingham given notice that fans' loyalty to the shirt is not blind |last=Lawton |first=James |newspaper=The Independent |location=London |date=18 June 2005 |access-date=6 September 2009 |archive-date=13 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113002329/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/james-lawton-bowyer-and-birmingham-given-notice-that-fans-loyalty-to-the-shirt-is-not-blind-494460.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and antipathy towards the board provoked hostile chanting and a pitch invasion after the last match of the [[2007–08 Premier League|2007–08 season]],<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/thanks-for-the-noise-alex-mcleish-tells-63235 |title=Thanks for the noise, Alex McLeish tells Birmingham City fans |last=Tattum |first=Colin |date=12 May 2008 |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |access-date=5 February 2013 |archive-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110141439/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/thanks-for-the-noise-alex-mcleish-tells-63235 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/david-gold-hurt-by-birmingham-city-63237 |title=David Gold 'hurt' by Birmingham City fans attacks |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=12 May 2008 |access-date=5 February 2013 |archive-date=10 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110141000/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/david-gold-hurt-by-birmingham-city-63237 |url-status=live }}</ref> but when the club was in financial difficulties, supporters contributed to schemes which funded the purchase of players [[Brian Roberts (English footballer)|Brian Roberts]] in 1984{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|p=120}} and [[Paul Peschisolido]] in 1992.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=48–49}} A [[supporters' trust]] was formed under the auspices of [[Supporters Direct]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bluestrust.org/2012/05/welcome/ |title=Welcome |publisher=Blues Trust |date=27 May 2012 |access-date=4 November 2013 |archive-date=3 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403150636/http://www.bluestrust.org/2012/05/welcome/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

There have been several [[fanzine]]s published by supporters. ''Made in Brum'', first issued in 2000, was the only one regularly on sale in 2013.<ref>{{cite book |editor-last1=Thomas |editor-first1=Dave |date=13 May 2000 |title=Made in Brum |issue=1}}<br />{{cite web |url=http://madeinbrumfanzine.com/about-mib/ |title=About MIB |website=Made in Brum |access-date=4 November 2013 |date=11 February 2013 |archive-date=27 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131027201358/http://madeinbrumfanzine.com/about-mib/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The ''Zulu'' began some years earlier and ran for at least 16 seasons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.midlandsmemorabilia.com/birmingham_city_fanzines.html |title=Birmingham City Fanzines |publisher=Midlands Memorabilia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130225063931/http://www.midlandsmemorabilia.com/birmingham_city_fanzines.html |archive-date=25 February 2013}}</ref> The [[hooligan firm]] associated with the club, the [[Zulu Warriors (hooligan firm)|Zulu Warriors]], were unusual in that they had multi-racial membership at a time when many such firms had associations with racist or right-wing groups.{{sfnp|Gall|2006}}<ref>{{cite book |first=Bill |last=Murray |title=Football: A History of the World Game |publisher=Scolar Press |year=1994 |location=Aldershot |isbn=978-1-85928-091-1 |page=184}}, cited in {{cite journal |last1=Greenfield |first1=Steve |last2=Osborn |first2=Guy |year=1996 |title=After the Act? The (re)construction and regulation of football fandom |journal=Journal of Civil Liberties |volume=1 |issn=1362-3451 |url=http://www.urban75.org/football/after3.html |via=urban75.org |access-date=22 January 2009 |archive-date=26 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126041130/http://www.urban75.org/football/after3.html |url-status=live }}</ref>[[File:Birmingham City Away (2011).JPG|thumb|Visiting Birmingham fans during the club's first away appearance in group stage of the UEFA Europa League in 2011]]

The fans' anthem,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www2.svenskafans.com/birmingham/sta_songs.asp |title=Keep Right On |publisher=Birmingham City Swedish Supporters Club |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080106113728/http://www2.svenskafans.com/birmingham/sta_songs.asp |archive-date=6 January 2008}}</ref> an adaptation of [[Harry Lauder]]'s "[[Keep Right On To The End of the Road]]",<ref>{{cite web |title=The End of the Road |work=A Celebration of Sir Harry Lauder "Laird of the Music Hall" |first1=William |last1=Dillon |first2=Harry |last2=Lauder |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080425230336/http://www.sirharrylauder.com/lyrics/endroad.html |url=http://www.sirharrylauder.com/lyrics/endroad.html |archive-date=25 April 2008}}</ref> was adopted during the 1956 FA Cup campaign. ''[[The Times]]''{{'s}} football correspondent described in his Cup final preview how{{blockquote|the Birmingham clans swept their side along to Wembley – the first side ever to reach a final without once playing at home – on the wings of the song "Keep right on to the end of the road".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CS67720869/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=886974a6 |title=Every prospect of a good final |newspaper=The Times |location=London |page=4 |date=5 May 1956 |via=Gale Primary Sources |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717105312/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CCS67720869&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=886974a6 |url-status=live }}</ref>}} Player [[Alex Govan]] is credited with popularising the song, by singing it on the coach on the way to the quarter-final<ref>{{cite news |url=https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/IF0501577631/TTDA?u=wikipedia&sid=TTDA&xid=07314bb3 |title=Ross finds ways to turn airwaves blue |last=Boyden |first=Malcolm |newspaper=The Times |location=London |date=6 March 1993 |page=35 |via=Gale Primary Sources |quote=Govan was the man who first sang the Blues anthem Keep Right on to the End of the Road on the way to Birmingham's 1956 FA Cup quarter-final against Arsenal. The song spread quickly among the players—and then to the fans. |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717105315/https://go.gale.com/ps/i.do?p=TTDA&u=wikipedia&id=GALE%7CIF0501577631&v=2.1&it=r&sid=TTDA&asid=07314bb3 |url-status=live }}</ref> and when he revealed in an interview that it was his favourite.{{blockquote|In the build-up to the 1956 FA Cup semi-final with Sunderland I was interviewed by the press and happened to let slip that my favourite song was Harry Lauder's old music hall number "Keep Right on to the End of the Road". I thought no more about it, but when the third goal went in at Hillsborough the Blues fans all started singing it. It was the proudest moment of my life.{{sfnp|Lewis|2000|p=63}}}}

== Ownership ==
Small Heath F.C. became a limited company in 1888; its first share issue was to the value of £650.{{sfnp|Lewis|2000|p=11}} The board was made up of local businessmen and dignitaries until 1965, when the club was sold to Clifford Coombs.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|p=35}} By the mid-1980s the club was in financial trouble. Control passed from the Coombs family to former [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]] chairman Ken Wheldon, who cut costs, made redundancies, and sold off assets, including the club's training ground. Still unable to make the club pay, Wheldon sold it to the Kumar brothers, owners of a clothing chain.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=44–46}} Debt was still increasing when matters came to a head; the collapse of the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI) put the Kumars' businesses into receivership. The club continued in administration for four months until [[Sport Newspapers]]' proprietor David Sullivan bought the Kumars' 84% holding for £700,000 from BCCI's liquidator in March 1993.<ref name="BCCI sell"/><ref name="Sullivan buys"/> Birmingham City [[public limited company|plc]], of which the football club was a wholly owned subsidiary, was floated on the [[Alternative Investment Market]] (AIM) in 1997 with an issue of 15&nbsp;million new shares,<ref name="prospectus">{{cite book |title=Birmingham City plc (company flotation prospectus) |publisher=Shore Capital for Birmingham City plc |date=February 1993 |page=1}}</ref> raising £7.5&nbsp;million of new investment.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/karren-brady-birmingham-city-football-club.html |title=Karren Brady (Birmingham City Football Club) |access-date=6 September 2009 |date=March 2003 |journal=Growing Business |issue=17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720174100/http://www.growingbusiness.co.uk/karren-brady-birmingham-city-football-club.html |archive-date=20 July 2011}}</ref> It made a pre-tax profit of £4.3M in the year ending 31 August 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bcfc.aimcompliance.com/resources/12660/documents/38946/bcfc_ye310808_annual_report.pdf |title=Annual Report and Financial Statements 2008 |access-date=12 August 2009 |date=13 January 2009 |page=16 |publisher=Birmingham City plc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707094821/http://bcfc.aimcompliance.com/resources/12660/documents/38946/bcfc_ye310808_annual_report.pdf |archive-date=7 July 2011}}</ref>

In July 2007, Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung, via the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] (SEHK)-listed company [[Grandtop International Holdings Limited]] (GIH), bought 29.9% of the plc from its directors. Although his intention to take full control of the club initially came to nothing,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1220/226047-birmingham/ |title=Birmingham takeover terminated |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann |date=20 December 2007 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116221630/https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2007/1220/226047-birmingham/ |url-status=live }}</ref> GIH completed the purchase in October 2009 at a total cost of £81.5M, re-registered the club as a private company, and renamed the holding company Birmingham International Holdings (BIH).<ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/8213407.stm |title=Hong Kong bid for Birmingham City |work=BBC News |date=21 August 2009 |access-date=31 May 2014 |archive-date=5 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305135804/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/8213407.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=SkyYeung/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/20100119/LTN20100119111.pdf |title=Change of company name, stock short name and exchange of share certificates |publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange |date=19 January 2010 |access-date=8 April 2011 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717105312/http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/20100119/LTN20100119111.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Trading in BIH shares was suspended in June 2011 after Yeung's arrest on charges of money-laundering.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14471482 |title=Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung denied UK trip |work=BBC News |date=11 August 2011 |access-date=2 March 2012}}</ref> Publication of financial results was repeatedly delayed,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2011/1228/LTN20111228316.pdf |title=Conditions for resumption of trading of the shares of the company  |publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange |date=28 December 2011 |access-date=2 March 2012 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305010855/http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2011/1228/LTN20111228316.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> which led the Football League to impose a transfer embargo,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17232625 |title=Birmingham City placed under transfer embargo |work=BBC Sport |date=2 March 2012 |access-date=2 March 2012 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302142326/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17232625 |url-status=live }}</ref> and offers for the club were entertained from 2012 onwards.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/peter-pannu-if-people-dont-336046 |title=Peter Pannu: 'If people don't have the money, they should just shut up' |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |first=Colin |last=Tattum |date=26 November 2012 |access-date=26 November 2012 |archive-date=29 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121129044618/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/peter-pannu-if-people-dont-336046 |url-status=live }}</ref> After Yeung resigned his positions with both club and company in early 2014, share trading resumed,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-26083175 |title=Birmingham City FC parent company resumes trading |work=BBC News |date=7 February 2014 |access-date=30 May 2014 |archive-date=5 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505062453/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-26083175 |url-status=live }}</ref> and following his conviction,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-birmingham-carson-yeung-idINDEEA2206020140303 |title=Birmingham City boss Carson Yeung found guilty of money-laundering |first=Grace |last=Li |website=Reuters |date=3 March 2014 |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=15 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230815093501/https://www.reuters.com/article/soccer-birmingham-carson-yeung-idINDEEA2206020140303 |url-status=live }}</ref> efforts intensified to dispose of the club, which had to be done piecemeal in order to retain BIH's share listing.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-blues-takeover-saga-7127817 |title=Birmingham City takeover saga drawing to a conclusion |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |first=Colin |last=Tattum |date=15 May 2014 |access-date=30 May 2014 |archive-date=3 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140603230805/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-blues-takeover-saga-7127817 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Going into 2015, the Football League made public their concerns over Yeung's attempts to impose his choice of directors on the BIHL board despite his conviction disqualifying him from exerting influence over a club.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/14/birmingham-quizzed-football-league-carson-yeung-influence |title=Birmingham quizzed by Football League over Carson Yeung's influence |newspaper=The Guardian |first=David |last=Conn |date=14 January 2015 |access-date=17 February 2015 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717105313/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/jan/14/birmingham-quizzed-football-league-carson-yeung-influence |url-status=live }}</ref> Relationships became increasingly factional, as illustrated by the failure of three directors, including the club's ''de facto'' chief executive Panos Pavlakis, to gain re-election, followed the next day by their reinstatement.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1678339/key-figures-birmingham-citys-hong-kong-parent-firm-are-sacked-then |title=Key figures in Birmingham City's Hong Kong parent firm are sacked then reinstated |newspaper=South China Morning Post |first=Bryan |last=Harris |date=11 January 2015 |access-date=17 February 2015 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217144942/http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1678339/key-figures-birmingham-citys-hong-kong-parent-firm-are-sacked-then |url-status=live }}</ref> On 17 February, the board voluntarily appointed receivers from accountants [[Ernst & Young]] to take over management of the company. Their statement stressed that no winding-up petition had been issued and the company was not in liquidation.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2015/0217/LTN20150217485.PDF |title=Announcement: Appointment of receivers |publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=17 February 2015 |archive-date=17 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150217145219/http://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2015/0217/LTN20150217485.PDF |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2015/birmingham-city-fc-statement/ |title=Birmingham City FC statement |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=17 February 2015 |access-date=26 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804170158/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2015/birmingham-city-fc-statement/ |archive-date=4 August 2018}}</ref>

In June 2015, the receivers struck deals with the previous major shareholders such that legal action against them would be dropped in return for their agreement not to obstruct any transfer of ownership to their preferred bidder, the [[British Virgin Islands]]-registered investment vehicle Trillion Trophy Asia (TTA), wholly owned by Chinese businessman Paul Suen Cho Hung, who in turn agreed that the company would not be sold on within two years. The process completed in October 2016, leaving TTA owning 50.64% of BIH's share capital, a level of ownership that required them to make an offer for the remainder.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33268019 |title=Birmingham City: Asian firm granted two-year exclusivity period |work=BBC Sport |date=25 June 2015 |access-date=25 June 2016 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717105313/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33268019 |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-international-holdings-receivers-clear-11313152 |title=Birmingham International Holdings receivers clear final major hurdle and near end to Carson Yeung era at Birmingham City |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=10 May 2016 |access-date=25 June 2016 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110319/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-international-holdings-receivers-clear-11313152 |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-takeover-analysis-who-11437219 |title=Birmingham City takeover analysis: Who is Paul Suen Cho Hung? What are his intentions for Blues? |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=7 June 2016 |access-date=25 June 2016 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110321/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-takeover-analysis-who-11437219 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/birmingham-international-holdings-limited-3366513.aspx |title=Birmingham International Holdings Limited (BIHL) has resumed trading |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=17 October 2016 |access-date=17 October 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017122557/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/2016-17/birmingham-international-holdings-limited-3366513.aspx |archive-date=17 October 2016 }}</ref>

To keep the company running, TTA arranged loans which it settled with discounted shares to the same value; the process of creating such shares diluted the percentage holding of all shareholders. Attempts to diversify the company's holdings to make it less reliant on the football club were similarly funded.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://almajir.net/2021/01/08/bcfc-ownership-a-spaghetti-junction-problem/ |title=BCFC Ownership: A Spaghetti Junction Problem |first=Daniel |last=Ivery |website=Almajir |date=8 January 2021 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413131010/https://almajir.net/2021/01/08/bcfc-ownership-a-spaghetti-junction-problem/ |url-status=live }}</ref> To reduce the club's losses in light of breaches of the EFL's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations, the stadium was sold for £22.8&nbsp;million to Birmingham City Stadium Ltd, a new company wholly owned by the football club's parent, and would be leased back to the club,<ref name=2019NewOwner>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51022017 |title=Birmingham City: St Andrew's sale helps reduce Blues losses for 2018–19 season |publisher=BBC Sport |date=7 January 2020 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=2 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230502064712/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51022017 |url-status=live }}</ref> In December 2020, 21.64% of the club and 25% of Birmingham City Stadium were sold to Vong Pech's Oriental Rainbow,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-birmingham-city-sold-vong-19543359 |title=Birmingham City confirm partial sale in major Hong Kong Stock Exchange update |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=31 December 2020 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413131013/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-birmingham-city-sold-vong-19543359 |url-status=live }}</ref> and in April 2021, the remaining 75% of the stadium was sold.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56601076 |title=Birmingham City: Blues face new 12-year stadium lease deal |publisher=BBC Sport |date=1 April 2021 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713185713/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56601076 |url-status=live }}</ref>

A June 2022 attempt to purchase the club by a group fronted by former [[Watford F.C.|Watford]] owner [[Laurence Bassini]], involving financier [[Keith R. Harris|Keith Harris]] and with money loaned by David Sullivan, came to nothing.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/06/13/birmingham-city-close-taken-former-watford-owner-laurence-bassini/ |title=Birmingham City close to takeover by former Watford owner Laurence Bassini |first=John |last=Percy |newspaper=Daily Telegraph |location=London |date=13 June 2020 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413131004/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2022/06/13/birmingham-city-close-taken-former-watford-owner-laurence-bassini/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61370562 |title=Birmingham City: EFL still awaits takeover activity at Championship club |first=Simon |last=Stone |publisher=BBC Sport |date=9 July 2020 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413132511/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61370562 |url-status=live }}</ref> A consortium led by fashion industry businessman Paul Richardson and Argentine former footballer [[Maxi López]] announced in July that they were close to completing the purchase of a stake in the club, and later confirmed that they were providing operating funds,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3434297/2022/07/20/birmingham-city-takeover-maxi-lopez-paul-richardson/ |title=Birmingham City takeover: the ex-Barcelona striker, British businessman and what happens now |first=Matt |last=Slater |website=The Athletic |date=20 July 2022 |access-date=13 April 2023 |url-access=subscription |archive-date=29 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220729081600/https://theathletic.com/3434297/2022/07/20/birmingham-city-takeover-maxi-lopez-paul-richardson/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63474868 |title=Birmingham City takeover: Proposed change of hands still under investigation by EFL |publisher=BBC Sport |date=3 November 2022 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=12 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412195953/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63474868 |url-status=live }}</ref> but pulled out in December citing a failure to agree revisions to the original terms of agreement;<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63838694 |title=Birmingham City: Maxi Lopez consortium pulls out of bid to buy Blues |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2 December 2022 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=9 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230509110214/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63838694 |url-status=live }}</ref> in April 2023, Richardson, López and their proposed chief executive, former [[Charlton Athletic]] chairman Matt Southall, were sanctioned by the EFL after admitting breaching regulations by taking effective control of the club without approval.<ref name="Relevant Persons">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64711621 |title=Birmingham City face EFL charge after takeover bid investigation |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 February 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=17 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230417080348/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64711621 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65256341 |title=Birmingham City: English Football League says failed takeover broke owners test rules |publisher=BBC Sport |date=12 April 2023 |access-date=13 April 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413132510/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65256341 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In April 2023, Birmingham Sports Holdings confirmed letters of intent had been signed to sell 24% of Birmingham City plc shares held by themselves and the 21.64% owned by Oriental Rainbow, as well as the whole of Birmingham City Stadium Ltd, to a then unnamed potential purchaser, definitive agreements to be reached within a two-month exclusivity period.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/club-statement-ownership |title=Club statement: Ownership |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=12 April 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701112530/https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/club-statement-ownership |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=OwnersJun22>{{cite web |url=https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/acb507ca-6cc5-4f03-a7e2-6c4a52cc0114.pdf |title=Birmingham City PLC Shareholder Breakdown |publisher=Birmingham City plc |date=23 June 2022 |access-date=14 July 2023 |via=InCrowd Sports |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501084308/https://media-cdn.incrowdsports.com/acb507ca-6cc5-4f03-a7e2-6c4a52cc0114.pdf |archive-date=1 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0412/2023041200557.pdf |title=Inside information: Letters of intent in relation to the potential transactions |publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange |date=12 April 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=13 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230413003613/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0412/2023041200557.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> The purchaser was named as Shelby Companies Ltd, a subsidiary of asset management company Knighthead Capital Management fronted by [[Tom Wagner (financier)|Tom Wagner]], Knighthead's co-founder and co-CEO.<ref name="KCM completes">{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/knighthead-completes-birmingham-city-football-club-acquisition |title=Knighthead completes Birmingham City Football Club acquisition |publisher=Knighthead Capital Management LLC |date=13 July 2023 |access-date=13 July 2023 |via=Birmingham City F.C. |archive-date=13 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230713134612/https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/knighthead-completes-birmingham-city-football-club-acquisition |url-status=live }}</ref> The agreements were subject to approval by the [[English Football League]] (EFL), which was forthcoming in early June, and by the [[Hong Kong Stock Exchange]] (HKSE),<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tom-wagner-strategy-can-end-27072046 |title=Tom Wagner strategy can end 12 years of misery after Birmingham City takeover |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=7 June 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701112554/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tom-wagner-strategy-can-end-27072046 |url-status=live }}</ref> and an [[extraordinary general meeting]] (EGM) on 13 July voted overwhelmingly to accept.<ref name="KCM completes" /> Although BSH retain 51% of the shares,<ref name="Oct 23 Board" /> Wagner confirmed that Shelby were "responsible for the operations of the club moving forward" and that "nothing about the way the transaction is structured will prevent us from obtaining the long-term goals we have for the club."<ref name="Wagner interview">{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tom-wagner-birmingham-city-gardner-27318162 |title=Every word Tom Wagner said on Gardner, Bellingham cash and 'transformational' kit deal |first=Alex |last=Dicken |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=14 July 2023 |access-date=14 July 2023 |archive-date=14 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230714100739/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/tom-wagner-birmingham-city-gardner-27318162 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0627/10785785/2023062700232.pdf |title=Share purchase agreement |publisher=Hong Kong Stock Exchange |date=27 June 2023 |access-date=1 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230701112609/https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2023/0627/10785785/2023062700232.pdf |archive-date=1 July 2023}}</ref> That 51% was sold to Shelby in November 2025.<ref name=KnightheadAcquisition />

== Honours ==
[[File:Birmingham City trophy cabinet.jpg|thumb|right|Trophy cabinet with the Carling Cup trophy]]
Birmingham City's honours include the following:<ref name=honours>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc.com/page/ClubHonours/0,,10412,00.html |title=Birmingham City FC Club Honours |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707215807/http://www.bcfc.com/page/ClubHonours/0%2C%2C10412%2C00.html |archive-date=7 July 2011}}<br />{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/honours.htm |title=Honours |website=The Birmingham City FC Archive |publisher=Tony Jordan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050308115356/http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/honours.htm |archive-date=8 March 2005}}</ref>

'''League'''
*[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] / [[Football League First Division|First Division]] / [[EFL Championship|Championship]] ([[English football league system|level 2]])
**Champions: [[1892–93 Football League|1892–93]], [[1920–21 Football League|1920–21]], [[1947–48 Football League|1947–48]], [[1954–55 Football League|1954–55]]
**Runners-up: [[1893–94 Football League|1893–94]], [[1900–01 Football League|1900–01]], [[1902–03 Football League|1902–03]], [[1971–72 Football League|1971–72]], [[1984–85 Football League|1984–85]], [[2006–07 Football League|2006–07]], [[2008–09 Football League|2008–09]]
**[[Football League Championship play-offs|Play-off]] winners: [[2002 Football League First Division play-off final|2002]]
*[[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] / [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] / [[EFL League One|League One]] (level 3)
**Champions: [[1994–95 Football League|1994–95]], [[2024–25 EFL League One|2024–25]]
**Runners-up: [[1991–92 Football League|1991–92]]

'''Cup'''
*[[FA Cup]]
**Runners-up: [[1930–31 FA Cup|1930–31]], [[1955–56 FA Cup|1955–56]]
*[[Football League Cup]]
**Winners: [[1962–63 Football League Cup|1962–63]], [[2010–11 Football League Cup|2010–11]]
**Runners-up: [[2000–01 Football League Cup|2000–01]]
*[[Inter-Cities Fairs Cup]]
**Runners-up: [[1958–60 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|1958–60]], [[1960–61 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|1960–61]]
*[[Associate Members' Cup]] / [[Football League Trophy]] / [[EFL Trophy]]
**Winners: [[1990–91 Associate Members' Cup|1990–91]], [[1994–95 Football League Trophy|1994–95]]
**Runners-up: [[2024–25 EFL Trophy|2024–25]]
*[[Birmingham Senior Cup]]
**Winners: 1905<!-- , 1907, 1915, 1920, 1921, 1922, 1983, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2003, 2008 Commented out because after 1905 the competition allowed entry from reserve teams, and Birmingham generally did field a reserve side -->

Small Heath first entered the Birmingham Senior Cup in 1878–79{{snd}}ten years before the foundation of [[the Football League]]{{snd}}and won for the first time in 1905, defeating [[West Bromwich Albion F.C.|West Bromwich Albion]] 7–2 in the final. Its importance declined with the increase in League fixtures, and from the 1905–06 season onwards, Birmingham fielded teams containing reserve-team players.<ref>{{cite web |title=Birmingham Senior Cup |website=The Birmingham City FC Archive |publisher=Tony Jordan |url=http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/bhamsnrcup.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050514054937/http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/bhamsnrcup.htm |archive-date=14 May 2005}}</ref>{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|pp=30–31}}

* [[Football League South]] (wartime)
** Champions: [[1945–46 in English football|1945–46]]

Preparatory to the Football League resuming in 1946–47, the First and Second Division clubs from the [[1939–40 Football League|last pre-war season]] were divided geographically between the Leagues North and South for 1945–46. Going into the last day of the season, Aston Villa were top of League South but had finished their programme two points (one win) ahead of the chasers but with a worse [[goal average]]. [[Charlton Athletic]] were second, above Birmingham by 0.002 of a goal.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-mirror-1946-league-south/130044409/ |title=Last game to decide |newspaper=Daily Mirror |location=London |date=2 May 1946 |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110342/https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-mirror-1946-league-south/130044409/ |url-status=live }}</ref> While Charlton could only draw at home to [[Wolverhampton Wanderers]], Birmingham won away at [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]], so claimed the title by 0.3 of a goal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Brum just there |newspaper=Sunday Post |location=Glasgow |date=5 May 1946 |page=11}}</ref>{{sfnp|Rollin|2005|p=247}}
<!--
this section is for competitive honours, not pre-season tournaments or friendly matches
-->

== Records and statistics ==
{{Further|List of Birmingham City F.C. records and statistics}}
[[File:BirminghamCityFC League Performance.svg|right|thumb|300px|Chart of English Football League performance of Birmingham City F.C. since the 1892–93 season]]
Birmingham achieved their highest finishing position, of sixth in the top flight, in the [[1955–56 Football League First Division|1955–56 First Division]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/teamrecords.htm |title=Team records |website=The Birmingham City FC Archive |publisher=Tony Jordan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030713123853/http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/teamrecords.htm |archive-date=13 July 2003}}</ref><ref name=FCHDB/> Frank Womack holds the record for Birmingham league appearances, having played 491 matches between 1908 and 1928, closely followed by Gil Merrick with 485 between 1946 and 1959. If all senior competitions are included, Merrick has 551, less closely followed by Womack's 515 which is the record for an outfield player.{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|pp=12–15}} The player who won most international caps while at the club is [[Maik Taylor]] with 58 for [[Northern Ireland national football team|Northern Ireland]].<ref>Includes caps won while on loan from [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]. {{cite web |url=http://nifootball.blogspot.co.uk/2007/05/maik-taylor.html |title=Maik Taylor |website=NIFG |editor-first=Jonny |editor-last=Dewart |access-date=7 June 2012 |archive-date=13 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113002949/http://nifootball.blogspot.co.uk/2007/05/maik-taylor.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

The goalscoring record is held by Joe Bradford, with 249 league goals, 267 altogether, scored between 1920 and 1935; no other player comes close. [[Walter Abbott (footballer, born 1877)|Walter Abbott]] holds the records for the most goals scored in a season, in [[1898–99 in English football|1898–99]], with 34 league goals in the Second Division and 42 goals in total.<ref name="BCFCrecords"/>

The club's widest victory margin in the league was 12–0, a scoreline which they achieved once in the Football Alliance, against Nottingham Forest in 1899, and twice in the Second Division, against [[Walsall Town Swifts]] in 1892 and [[Doncaster Rovers F.C.|Doncaster Rovers]] in 1903. They have lost a league match by an eight-goal margin on eight occasions: twice in the Football Alliance and five times in the First Division, all away from home,<ref name=recordresults>{{cite web |url=http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/recordresults.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050311225137/http://www.bcfc-archive.freeserve.co.uk/recordresults.htm |archive-date=11 March 2005 |title=Record Results |work=The Birmingham City FC Archive |publisher=Tony Jordan}}</ref> and once at home, beaten 8–0 by [[AFC Bournemouth]] in the [[EFL Championship|Championship]] in 2014.<ref name=StattoRecords>{{cite web |url=http://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/records |title=Birmingham City: Records |website=Statto.com |access-date=26 October 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161209023422/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/records |archive-date=9 December 2016}}</ref> Their record FA Cup win was 10–0 against [[Druids F.C.|Druids]] in the fourth qualifying round of the 1899 competition;{{sfnp|Matthews|2000|p=240}} their record FA Cup defeat was 7–0 at home to Liverpool in the 2006 quarter-final.<ref name=StattoRecords/>

Birmingham's home attendance record was set at the fifth-round FA Cup tie against Everton on 11 February 1939. It is variously recorded as 66,844 or 67,341.{{efn-ua|name=attendance}} The highest transfer fee received for a Birmingham player is, according to the ''[[Sky Sports]]'' website, "a guaranteed £25&nbsp;million up front" received in July 2020 from [[Borussia Dortmund]] for [[Jude Bellingham]], which made him the most expensive 17-year-old in world football; the deal also included add-ons "worth 'several millions more'".<ref name=JudeFee>{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11899/12029767/jude-bellingham-signs-for-borussia-dortmund-from-birmingham |title=Jude Bellingham signs for Borussia Dortmund from Birmingham |website=Sky Sports |date=20 July 2020 |access-date=25 July 2020 |archive-date=20 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720121831/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11899/12029767/jude-bellingham-signs-for-borussia-dortmund-from-birmingham |url-status=live }}</ref> The highest fee paid, for English forward [[Jay Stansfield]], who joined from [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in August 2024 after a successful loan spell at Birmingham the previous season, is variously reported as an initial £10&nbsp;m, £12&nbsp;m or £15&nbsp;m, plus bonuses and a sell-on clause.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4gejxkv2g1o |title=Birmingham break League One record to buy Stansfield |work=BBC Sport |date=30 August 2024 |access-date=5 October 2024 |archive-date=31 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240831174428/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c4gejxkv2g1o |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/huge-jay-stansfield-clause-revealed-29847387 |title=Huge Jay Stansfield clause revealed after record Birmingham City transfer |first=James |last=Pallatt |website=Birmingham Live |date=1 September 2024 |access-date=5 October 2024 |archive-date=5 October 2024 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241005122357/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/huge-jay-stansfield-clause-revealed-29847387 |url-status=live }}<br />{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13206331/jay-stansfield-birmingham-city-complete-league-one-record-deal-to-sign-striker-from-fulham |title=Jay Stansfield: Birmingham City complete League One record deal to sign striker from Fulham |first=Rob |last=Dorsett |website=Sky Sports |date=1 September 2024 |access-date=5 October 2024 |archive-date=1 September 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240901000318/https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13206331/jay-stansfield-birmingham-city-complete-league-one-record-deal-to-sign-striker-from-fulham |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Players ==
{{Main|List of Birmingham City F.C. players}}

=== First-team squad ===
{{football squad start |date=4 September 2025 |ref=<ref name=SquadNos>Sources for squad numbers: {{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/blues-reveal-chris-davies-squad-numbers |title=Blues reveal Chris Davies' squad numbers |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=9 August 2024 |access-date=12 August 2024}}</ref><ref name="Squad list">{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/teams/mens-team/squad-list |title=Teams: Mens: Squad list |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |access-date=28 August 2024 |archive-date=22 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240822135229/https://www.bcfc.com/teams/mens-team/squad-list |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=RepNat>Sources for representative nationality: {{cite web |url=https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/birmingham-city/10/ |title=Birmingham City: Players from A–Z |website=worldfootball.net |publisher=HeimSpiel Medien |access-date=27 January 2025 |archive-date=23 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221023161333/https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/birmingham-city/10/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2024-2025/flone/birmin.htm |title=Squads – English Football League One 2024/2025: Birmingham City |website=Football Squads |access-date=11 August 2024}}</ref>}}
{{football squad player|no=2|nat=ENG|name=[[Ethan Laird]]|pos=DF}}
{{football squad player|no=3|nat=ENG|name=[[Lee Buchanan (footballer)|Lee Buchanan]]|pos=DF}}
{{Football squad player|no=4|nat=AUT|name=[[Christoph Klarer]]|pos=DF|other=[[Captain (association football)|captain]]}}
{{football squad player|no=5|nat=GER|name=[[Phil Neumann]]|pos=DF}}
{{football squad player|no=6|nat=ENG|name=[[Jack Robinson (footballer, born 1993)|Jack Robinson]]|pos=DF}}
{{football squad player|no=7|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Tommy Doyle (footballer, born 2001)|Tommy Doyle]]|other=on loan from [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]]}}
{{football squad player|no=8|nat=KOR|name=[[Paik Seung-ho]]|pos=MF}}
{{football squad player|no=9|nat=JPN|pos=FW|name=[[Kyōgo Furuhashi]]}}
{{football squad player|no=10|nat=JAM|name=[[Demarai Gray]]|pos=MF}}
{{football squad player|no=11|nat=SCO|name=[[Scott Wright (footballer)|Scott Wright]]|pos=MF}}
{{football squad player|no=12|nat=SCO|name=[[Marc Leonard]]|pos=MF}}
{{football squad player|no=14|nat=ENG|name=[[Keshi Anderson]]|pos=MF}}
{{football squad player|no=16|nat=ENG|name=[[Patrick Roberts]]|pos=FW|other=on loan from [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]}}
{{football squad player|no=17|nat=SCO|name=[[Lyndon Dykes]]|pos=FW}}
{{football squad player|no=18|nat=ISL|name=[[Willum Þór Willumsson]]|pos=MF}}
{{fs mid}}
{{football squad player|no=20|nat=ENG|name=[[Alex Cochrane (footballer)|Alex Cochrane]]|pos=DF}}
{{football squad player|no=21|nat=ENG|name=[[Ryan Allsop]]|pos=GK}}
{{football squad player|no=23|nat=ISL|name=[[Alfons Sampsted]]|pos=DF}}
{{football squad player|no=24|nat=JPN|name=[[Tomoki Iwata]]|pos=MF}}
{{football squad player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[James Beadle]]|other=on loan from [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]]}}
{{football squad player|no=26|nat=NGA|name=[[Bright Osayi-Samuel]]|pos=DF}}
{{football squad player|no=27|nat=JPN|pos=MF|name=[[Kanya Fujimoto]]}}
{{football squad player|no=28|nat=ENG|name=[[Jay Stansfield]]|pos=FW}}
{{football squad player|no=30|nat=WAL|pos=MF|name=[[Lewis Koumas]]|other=on loan from [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]}}
{{football squad player|no=33|nat=GER|name=[[Marvin Ducksch]]|pos=FW}}
{{football squad player|no=41|nat=IRL|pos=DF|name=[[Eiran Cashin]]|other=on loan from [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]]}}
{{football squad player|no=42|nat=IRL|name=Daniel Isichei|pos=FW}}
{{football squad player|no=43|nat=ENG|name=[[Zaid Betteka]]|pos=FW}}
{{football squad player|no=48|nat=ENG|name=Brad Mayo|pos=GK}}
{{football squad end}}
<!--* Players marked "released" will leave the club after their contracts expire on 30 June.<ref name="Retained 2526">{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/birmingham-city-confirm-retained-list |title=Birmingham City confirm retained list |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=20 May 2025 |access-date=1 June 2025}}</ref>
* Players marked "incoming" will join the club on 1 July after their contracts elsewhere expire.<ref name="Retained 2526" />-->

=== Out on loan ===
{{football squad start |ref=<ref name=SquadNos/><ref name=RepNat/>}}
{{football squad player|no=–|nat=ENG|name=[[Alfie Chang]]|pos=MF|other=loan to [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] until 30 June 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=Alfie Chang joins Bristol Rovers on loan |url=https://bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/alfie-chang-joins-bristol-rovers-on-loan |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>}}
{{football squad player|no=–|nat=NIR|name=[[Tommy Fogarty]]|pos=DF|other=loan to [[Boston United F.C.|Boston United]] until 30 June 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=Tommy Fogarty moves on loan to Boston United |url=https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/tommy-fogarty-moves-on-loan-to-boston-united |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=19 August 2025}}</ref>}}
{{football squad player|no=|nat=ENG|name=[[Taylor Gardner-Hickman]]|pos=MF|other=loan to [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] until 30 June 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=Taylor Gardner-Hickman joins Blackburn Rovers on loan |url=https://bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/taylor-gardner-hickman-joins-blackburn-rovers-on-loan |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=2 September 2025}}</ref>}}
{{football squad player|no=–|nat=SWE|name=[[Emil Hansson]]|pos=MF|other=loan to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] until 30 June 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=Emil Hansson joins Blackpool on loan |url=https://bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/emil-hansson-joins-blackpool-on-loan |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=3 August 2025}}</ref>}}
{{football squad player|no=–|nat=NIR|name=[[Bailey Peacock-Farrell]]|pos=GK|other=loan to [[Blackpool F.C.|Blackpool]] until 30 June 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=Bailey Peacock-Farrell joins Blackpool on loan |url=https://bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/bailey-peacock-farrell-joins-blackpool-on-loan |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=18 July 2025}}</ref>}}
{{football squad player|no=–|nat=WAL|name=[[Tyler Roberts]]|pos=FW|other=loan to [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] until 30 June 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=Tyler Roberts joins Mansfield Town on loan |url=https://bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/tyler-roberts-joins-mansfield-town-on-loan |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref>}}
{{football squad player|no=–|nat=ENG|name=[[Dion Sanderson]]|pos=DF|other=loan to [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] until 30 June 2026<ref>{{cite web |title=Dion Sanderson joins Derby County on loan |url=https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/dion-sanderson-joins-derby-county-on-loan |website=Bcfc.com |publisher=Birmingham City FC |access-date=5 August 2025}}</ref>}}
{{football squad end}}

<!--=== Without a Squad Number ===
{{football squad start |ref=<ref name=SquadNos/><ref name=RepNat/>}}
{{football squad end}}-->

=== Reserves and Academy ===
{{Main|Birmingham City F.C. Reserves and Academy}}

===Retired numbers===
{{main|List of retired numbers in association football}}

In appreciation of [[Jude Bellingham]]'s contribution in a short time with the first team{{snd}}the club's youngest debutant, at 16 years and 38 days, and youngest goalscorer, he completed [[2019–20 EFL Championship|a full season in the Championship]] before becoming Birmingham's record transfer and the world's most expensive 17-year-old,<ref name=JudeFee/> "showing what can be achieved through talent, hard work and dedication" while retaining a "caring, humble and engaging off-the-field demeanour"{{snd}}the club [[retired number|retired his number 22 shirt]] "to remember one of our own and to inspire others."<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/archive/bellingham-expresses-his-gratitude |title=Bellingham expresses his gratitude |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=23 July 2020 |access-date=15 August 2023 |archive-date=11 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211030128/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2020/bellingham-expresses-his-gratitude/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

=== Birmingham City Women ===
{{Main|Birmingham City W.F.C.}}

[[Birmingham City Ladies Football Club]] was formed in 1968. The first team worked their way through the leagues until promoted to the [[FA Women's Premier League]] in 2002. After Birmingham City F.C. withdrew financial support in 2005, the club were only able to continue because of a personal donation. They re-affiliated with Birmingham City in 2010, were founder members of the [[FA WSL]] the following year, and won the [[FA Women's Cup]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2005/10/10/bclfc_history_sport_feature.shtml |title=Birmingham City Ladies Football Club history |first=Jaskirt |last=Dhaliwal |website=BBC Birmingham |date=10 October 2005 |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-date=12 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130212085759/http://www.bbc.co.uk/birmingham/content/articles/2005/10/10/bclfc_history_sport_feature.shtml |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/nov/08/womens-fotball-birmingham-city |title=New Birmingham City owners pledge to support women's team |first=Tony |last=Leighton |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=8 November 2009 |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110324/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2009/nov/08/womens-fotball-birmingham-city |url-status=live }}<br>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/18194004 |title=FA Women's Cup: Birmingham beat Chelsea on penalties in final |first=Tony |last=Leighton |work=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2012 |access-date=12 February 2013 |archive-date=26 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826081649/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18194004 |url-status=live }}</ref> A second-place finish in the [[2012 FA WSL]] earned them qualification for the [[2013–14 UEFA Women's Champions League|2013–14 Champions League]], in which they reached the semi-final. After TTA took over Birmingham City F.C. in November 2016, the women's club became an integral part of the organisation.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/womens-team/womens-history/ |title=Women's History |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027112813/https://www.bcfc.com/womens-team/womens-history/ |archive-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> It was formally renamed Birmingham City Women in 2018, and would be known as plain Birmingham City except where that would cause confusion with the men's team.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2018/ladies-to-be-renamed-birmingham-city-women |title=Ladies to be renamed Birmingham City Women |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=3 July 2018 |access-date=3 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027112813/https://www.bcfc.com/womens-team/womens-history/ |archive-date=27 October 2020}}</ref>

== Club officials ==
'''Owners''':{{updated|October 2023|<ref name="Oct 23 Board" />}}
* [[Birmingham Sports Holdings]] 51.7%
* Shelby Companies Ltd 45.96%

'''Board''':{{updated|January 2025|<ref name="Oct 23 Board">{{cite news |url=https://www.bcfc.com/more/club/board-management |title=Board Management |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=October 2023 |access-date=2 January 2024 |archive-date=22 May 2024 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20240522110515/https://www.bcfc.com/more/club/board-management |url-status=live }}</ref>}}
* Chairman: [[Tom Wagner (financier)|Tom Wagner]]
* CEO: Jeremy Dale (interim)<ref name="Cook leaves">{{cite web |title=Birmingham City Football Club announces leadership transition |url=https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/media-article/birmingham-city-football-club-announces-leadership-transition |publisher=Birmingham City FC |date=16 January 2025 |access-date=16 January 2025}}</ref>
* Directors: Matthew Alvarez{{bullet}}Andrew Shannahan{{bullet}}Kyle Kneisly{{bullet}}Wenqing Zhao{{bullet}}Gannan Zheng

'''Football staff''':{{updated|29 September 2024|<ref name="Squad list" />}}
* Director of football: [[Craig Gardner]]<ref name="Gardner DoF">{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-announce-craig-gardner-31000415 |title=Birmingham City announce Craig Gardner promotion |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=13 February 2025 |access-date=13 February 2025}}</ref>
* Manager: [[Chris Davies (football coach)|Chris Davies]]<ref name="Chris Davies in">{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c722n8g27y0o |title=Birmingham appoint Spurs' Davies as new manager |website=BBC Sport |date=6 June 2024 |access-date=6 June 2024 |archive-date=6 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240606170942/https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c722n8g27y0o |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Assistant manager: [[Ben Petty]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/blues-add-ben-petty-to-chris-davies-staff |title=Blues add Ben Petty to Chris Davies' staff |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=17 June 2024 |access-date=17 June 2024 |archive-date=17 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240617105051/https://www.bcfc.com/blues-add-ben-petty-to-chris-davies-staff |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Coaching staff: [[Tom Huddlestone]]{{bullet}}Nathan Gardiner<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/nathan-gardiner-joins-blues-staff |title=Nathan Gardiner joins Blues staff |publisher=Birmingham City F.C. |date=4 July 2024 |access-date=4 July 2024 |archive-date=17 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240717110326/https://www.bcfc.com/news/all/nathan-gardiner-joins-blues-staff |url-status=live }}</ref>
* Goalkeeper coach: [[Maik Taylor]]
* Head of physical performance: Sean Rush

== Managers ==
{{Main|List of Birmingham City F.C. managers}}
Gil Merrick was the first Birmingham manager to win a major trophy, the League Cup in 1963. Merrick also led the club to the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final in [[1960–61 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|1961]], following [[Pat Beasley]] who had done the same in [[1958–60 Inter-Cities Fairs Cup|1960]].{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=62–63}} Leslie Knighton took the club to the final of the FA Cup in 1931;{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=15–17}} Arthur Turner did likewise in 1956, as well as taking charge of the club's highest league finish, sixth place in the [[1955–56 Football League|1955–56 First Division]].{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=27–29}} Birmingham reached the 2001 Football League Cup Final under Trevor Francis,<ref name="FLC 2001"/> whose successor as permanent manager, Steve Bruce, twice achieved promotion to the Premier League.<ref name="Promotion 2002"/><ref name="Promotion 2007"/> Birmingham won the League Cup for the second time under Alex McLeish in 2011.<ref name="FLC 2011"/> The [[1966 World Cup]]-winning manager, Sir Alf Ramsey, took charge of the club briefly in 1977.{{sfnp|Matthews|1995|pp=62–63}}

== Notes ==
{{notelist-ua}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{cite book |last=Gall |first=Caroline |title=Zulus: Black, White and Blue: the Story of the Zulu Warriors Football Firm |publisher=Milo Books |date=2006 |isbn=978-1-903854-53-2}}
* {{cite book |last1=Goodyear |first1=David |last2=Matthews |first2=Tony |title=Aston Villa A Complete Record 1875–1988 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |date=1988 |isbn=0-907969-37-2}}
* {{cite book |last=Holden |first=Jim |title=Stan Cullis: The Iron Manager |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |isbn=1-85983-211-3 |date=2000}}
* {{cite book |last=Jawad |first=Hyder |title=Strange Magic. Birmingham City v Aston Villa |date=2005 |publisher=<!-- Citation bot incorrectly changes this to "work=": although it's the name of a newspaper, it's also the *publisher* of this book -->Birmingham Post |asin=B001DPB4V0 }}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Lewis |editor1-first=Peter |title=Keeping right on since 1875. The Official History of Birmingham City Football Club |date=2000 |publisher=Arrow |location=Lytham |isbn=1-900722-12-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Matthews |first=Tony |title=Birmingham City: A Complete Record |date=1995 |publisher=Breedon Books |location=Derby |isbn=978-1-85983-010-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Matthews |first=Tony |title=The Encyclopedia of Birmingham City Football Club 1875–2000 |publisher=Britespot |location=Cradley Heath |date=October 2000 |isbn=978-0-9539288-0-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Radnedge |first=Keir |title=The Complete Encyclopedia of Football |chapter=Inter-Cities Fairs/UEFA Cup |publisher=Carlton Books |date=1998 |isbn=978-1-85833-979-5}}
* {{cite book |editor1-first=Jack |editor1-last=Rollin |title=Rothmans Football Yearbook 1990–91 |publisher=Queen Anne Press |location=London |date=1990 |isbn=0-356-17911-7}}
* {{cite book |last=Rollin |first=Jack |title=Soccer at War 1939–45 |publisher=Headline |location=London |date=2005 |isbn=978-0-7553-1431-7}}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Rollin |editor1-first=Glenda |editor2-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2010–2011 |publisher=Headline |location=London |date=2010 |isbn=978-0-7553-6107-6 |edition=41st}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Birmingham City F.C.}}
{{Commons|Birmingham City F.C. kits}}
* {{BBC football info|BBClinkname=birmingham-city}}
* [http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Birmingham_City/Birmingham_City.htm Graphical History of Birmingham City Kits]
* [http://www.bluestrust.org/ Blues Trust] website
* {{OpenCorp|Birmingham City FC}}
{{Birmingham City F.C.}}
{{Birmingham City F.C. seasons}}
{{Football League Championship}}
{{Premier League}}
{{Men's Football in the West Midlands}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Birmingham City F.C.| ]]
[[Category:Association football clubs established in 1875]]
[[Category:Football clubs in England]]
[[Category:Sport in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Premier League clubs]]
[[Category:English Football League clubs]]
[[Category:EFL Cup winners]]
[[Category:EFL Trophy winners]]
[[Category:Companies formerly listed on the Alternative Investment Market]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in England]]
[[Category:Football clubs in Birmingham, West Midlands]]
[[Category:Football clubs in the West Midlands (county)]]