Blues Trust is saddened to report that a former Trust Chair, Margaret Decker, passed away on Wednesday 7 May aged 83. She was well known to many Blues supporters for her tireless efforts to improve the standing of the Club.

Margaret was a lifelong Blues fan from the 1950’s onwards, a time when female engagement in the sport was not on the same level enjoyed today. She was introduced to the Blues by her father Frank who used to take her to St. Andrew’s at every opportunity. They stood at the Railway End and she was hooked from the start.

During Blues FA cup run in 1956 Margaret was a teenager and her father told her that he could only afford to take her to either the semi final or the final, with the choice being down to Margaret herself. Margaret opted to go to the semi-final as she didn’t trust Blues to get all the way to the final. Of course, Blues won that semi-final against Sunderland but ,although a tremendous experience, it left Margaret with a slight feeling of guilt that if she had had more faith in the team she could have gone to Wembley. A feeling not fully assuaged until the 2011 League Cup Final victory.

Margaret, a retired teacher from Harborne, someone who had also worked in the voluntary sector in England and overseas and an active member of her church, also had the opportunity to sing on the pitch at Wembley before that game with Arsenal. She was a member of a choir chosen to do so, something which made the day doubly memorable for her.

Margaret was one of the founder members of the Trust in 2012, driven by concerns as to how the owners at the time, initially Carson Yeung and then Trillion Trophy Asia, were running the club. She was involved in many events to publicise the issues causing those concerns for Blues fans, and investigate the opaque ownership arrangements. These included producing, at her own expense, protest scarves during the Peter Pannu era. She also accompanied fellow supporter Daniel Ivery on a fact finding mission to Hong Kong. Margaret became chair of the Trust during this very difficult period in the Club’s history. She was also its Secretary for an extended period.

Margaret stood down from the Trust Board in 2021 but she continued to take an interest in its work. Her drive, energy, selflessness and desire to see the  Club do the right things will be fondly remembered by all who worked with her.

The Trust has lost a steely advocate and a much loved colleague. The Club has lost a passionate supporter of over 70 years, and someone who cared deeply for its wellbeing both on and off the pitch.

God bless you Margaret…..we’ll miss you.

Blues Trust