Not Quite Hollywood

12 Apr 2023 | 6 comments

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The following article has been written by one of our Trust members.  They are the opinions of that person and not necessarily those of Blues Trust.  Would you like to contribute a discussion point of your own about Birmingham City Football Club?  If so, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Dour draw or not, the single point achieved against Stoke City on Easter Monday afternoon made the fifty point mark for the season very pleasing.  League tables don’t lie, but to see a Blues squad made up of loanees, elders and novices get to where we are deserves a few accolades.

Ok, so it is not into the 60+ points return which is where the play off contenders are now.  But, given the situation that the club yet again finds itself in, avoiding relegation with 5 games still to play is an achievement worthy of note.

Seasoned followers of Blues will know just how difficult this season has been, particularly as our two main strikers in Jutkiewicz and Hogan may well have been expected to have departed last summer.  “Bare bones” regularly being quoted by clubs is the norm, but surely we top that list given the players that John Eustace has had to work with? And that’s before you take into account the tepid atmosphere at St. Andrew’s whilst building repair works drag on and on and on.

Monday, however, brought home to me just what supporter power can achieve when committed and loyal followers gather together in large numbers. Wrexham is my point.  That club, with fifteen years in the wilderness, is now almost certainly back in the EFL.

We all know the story about two Hollywood stars stepping in and backing the club. But listening to Ryan Reynolds after their dramatic victory in the top of the table clash against Notts County, he explained that initial contact with the Wrexham Supporters Trust was a key moment in the decision to get involved.  For him, it confirmed the strength of supporter feeling for the club and the desire of fans to become active and make it better.   

Because the Wrexham Trust was big enough to make an impact, it was a defining moment for him to take notice.  Today, both Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have been awarded the freedom of Wrexham.  And the club now has a global profile.

At this stage, it is important for me to point out that I am simply a Blues Trust member and not on any Board making decisions.  But strength in numbers, like the Wrexham Trust, surely makes the point.  They had clout.

We never know what’s around the corner at St. Andrew’s.  And maybe it’s best that we don’t.  But a ‘Wrexham model’ could be a godsend to lift the club from the doldrums.  We might not be in the public spotlight at the moment, and certainly not quite Hollywood.  But we have a very respectable and passionate fanbase which, given half a chance and supportive owners, can play its part in driving the club forward.

Mitchell Bray

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6 Comments

  1. Peter Bates

    All credit to the players for there commitment during another difficult season,the manager needs credit too but as for the owners whoever they are they deserve the contempt that they will surely get,I have said it before managers,players and owners can come and go but supporters are for life,I have listened to sky pundits telling us how badly Manchester United and Everton have been treated by there owners and it is like the poor little rich kid throwing a tantrum because he is not getting his own way ,there supporters don’t know how lucky they have been,as a club we now need to try and build hopefully with new owners on board it will take time but let’s hope there is light at the end of a dark and bleak tunnel kro

  2. Smithy

    Nice timing if this takeover news is for real. Please God it goes through.

  3. Peter Bates

    Fingers crossed small light big tunnel, great news for supporters and for the good people who work for the club hopefully no problems the supporters need and deserve a takeover kro .

  4. Mick Titmus

    Great news ! Now lets show these saviours of our club ( hopefully) just how big this club can be . We are known for our intimidating support and our anthem ,lets turn up in our numbers and bellow it out . This could just be the turning point in our recent history,lets do our bit …… KRO

  5. Ed Truman

    Let’s not lose sight of the important point Mitchell is making about supporters acting together to drive change. Today’s ownership announcement does not change things in the slightest. What is happening at Wrexham is a good example for us all. Problem is, it takes two to tango and unless the current ownership and senior staff at St Andrew’s stop regarding supporters as an unwelcome inconvenience and instead see the potential that trust and collaboration can bring, change won’t happen. New owners, should they arrive, might see things differently. Let’s hope so.

  6. Mark R

    Well said Mitchell.
    Owners with real ambition, who either already have, or develop, a strong devotion for Blues and its loyal fans, can make all the difference in the world to our future fortunes.
    As you’ve highlighted, Wrexham is a very good example. It is obvious their Hollywood owners have totally fallen in love with the club and the community of Wrexham.
    Blues are a much bigger club than Wrexham so imagine what we could become with owners who really care…
    Anyway, let’s get right behind our incoming owners and turn up to games in our droves next season
    KRO

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