Its not going too well for the fans of Villa or Blues looking to get a replica kit is it?

Blues kit manufacturer Xtep had there factory flooded and havn't been producing for about a month or so and only the club store is selling the shirts, so theyve sold out already and got to wait for the next shipment

And apparently Nike have apparently messed up the Villa home and away kit so they wont be released over here until 12th september

I'm sorry but although WBA v Wolves is a derby full of hatred, the geographical lines that the story above goes on about makes Albion v Villa, and Albion v Blues as more local affairs. WBA is a stone's throw from Handsworth and is in essence a Brummie club.
Good to see all the clubs in there though.

It's a shame they didn't also talk about wider Midlands as aside from Coventry all the big teams are up when you account for Stoke too which is quite a midlands showing.

August
14 Stoke H 2-1
21 Everton A 0-1 (1-1)
28 Newcastle H 2-1

September
11 Fulham A 1-1
18 Tottenham A 1-2
25 Aston Villa H 2-2

October
2 Wigan A 1-0
16 West Ham H 2-1
23 Chelsea A 0-3
30 Man City H 1-3

November
6 Man Utd A 0-2
9 Arsenal H 1-3
13 Bolton H 3-2
20 Blackpool A 2-1
27 Sunderland H 2-1


December
4 Blackburn A 1-2
11 Birmingham H 2-1
18 West Brom A 1-1
26 Wigan H 2-0
28 Liverpool A 0-1

January
1 West Ham A 1-1
4 Chelsea H 1-3
15 Man City A 0-2
22 Liverpool H 1-1

February
1 Bolton A 1-2
5 Man Utd H 1-3
12 Arsenal A 0-3
26 Blackpool H 3-1

March
5 Tottenham H 1-0
19 Aston Villa A 2-2

April
2 Newcastle A 1-1
9 Everton H 2-1
16 Stoke A 0-1
23 Fulham H 2-0
30 Birmingham A 1-1

May
7 West Brom H 2-1
14 Sunderland A 2-3
22 Blackburn H 3-1

Points Tally - 53

15 more then last season ... ummm ... I'll settle for 45. and 12th to 14th!

Two down ... 36 to go.

4th Points
4th Place
3 Goals For
2 Goals Against

Still clinging onto the cricket season and Warks have 2 "cup finals" as their final championship games are against Kent and Hants. Currently batting against Kent we have to get a big score to put the pressure on them. Anyone who knows their cricket knows that the bottom 2 go down and we have been struggling all season so the great escape is still on! Also we are looking strong for the Pro40 (40 over cricket) semis with a possible Lords final to look forward to.

1 Nottinghamshire 13 7 3 3 39 36 0.0 196.0
2 Somerset 14 5 2 7 44 35 0.0 180.0
3 Yorkshire 14 5 1 8 37 36 0.0 177.0
4 Lancashire 13 4 2 7 30 34 0.0 149.0
5 Durham 13 4 3 6 24 30 0.0 136.0
6 Hampshire 13 2 4 7 45 33 0.0 131.0
7 Warwickshire 14 4 9 1 15 41 0.0 123.0
8 Kent 13 2 5 6 39 35 1.0 123.0
9 Essex 15 2 6 7 27 40 2.0 118.0

Get in you Bears!!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/counties/8963530.stm

Fantastic News:

Perry Barr to become the home of UK athletics

Sep 27 2010 by Paul Dale, Birmingham Mail


BIRMINGHAM’s Alexander Stadium is to become the new home of athletics in Britain following a £12.2 million makeover, according to city council bosses.

The local authority will today approve a deal that will see the sport’s governing body, UK Athletics, move its headquarters from Loughborough to the Perry Barr stadium, which is to have a new 5,000-seat stand. The move means Birmingham will be able to boast it has the national stadium for athletics, according to cabinet leisure member Coun Martin Mullaney.

He said spectator capacity could easily be increased to 25,000 for special events by hiring temporary seating, enabling the city to host the European Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games in future.

Coun Mullaney (Lib Dem, Moseley & Kings Heath) said: “This is fantastic news. We may have lost the national football stadium to London, but we have beaten them when it comes to athletics.”

He said most people assumed the 2012 Olympic Games stadium under construction in London would host national athletics events.

But Birmingham’s audacious move meant London would miss out, Coun Mullaney claimed.

He added: “No British city has ever hosted the European Athletics Championships, but there is a chance now that Birmingham could do so.”

The council will borrow money to cover the cost of improving Alexander Stadium, but income earned from office facilities at the new-look ground will cover interest payments, Coun Mullaney insisted.

Leisure bosses believe better spectator facilities will result in Birmingham being chosen to host the International Association of Athletics Federation’s Samsung Diamond League – a series of global race meetings featuring top athletes.

Steve Hollingworth, assistant director of sport and events at the council, said Birmingham would “become the home of UK athletics for both administration and the team for the next ten years and beyond”.

No comment was available from UK Athletics yesterday.


Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories//tm_headline=perry-barr-to-become-the-home-of-uk-athletics%26method=full%26objectid=27346672%26siteid=97319-name_page.html#ixzz10j5Vl4z1

great news, although 25k people leaving Alexander Stadium by two bus routes and a grass car park is not a good look.

Needs a tram service - revive the Varsity Line anyone? :yes:

The local authority will today approve a deal that will see the sport’s governing body, UK Athletics, move its headquarters from Loughborough to the Perry Barr stadium

I'm not convinced that's correct. It's my understanding that their HQ is on Blythe Valley, Solihull. Loughborough is one of the 4 High Performance Centres.

Still good news nonetheless.

I wonder if it's another Athletics body and there's been a monumental cock up...

UK Athletics still to decide over move to Birmingham's Alexander Stadium
Oct 1 2010 By Paul Dale

Birmingham City Council's claim that Alexander Stadium is to become Britain’s new national centre for athletics backfired when the announcement turned out to be premature.

Cabinet members approved a £12 million expansion plan, taking maximum capacity at the Perry Barr stadium to 25,000.

The scheme would allow the sport’s governing body, UK Athletics, to move its offices from Solihull to Alexander Stadium and allow elite Diamond League meetings with races featuring the world’s top athletes to be staged from 2011, according to cabinet member Martin Mullaney.

He said Birmingham had “beaten London” by securing the national athletics stadium, putting paid to speculation that UK Athletics was poised to move its headquarters to the Olympic stadium in the capital after the 20102 Games.

But the shine was taken off Coun Mullaney’s announcement when UK Athletics confirmed that, although it is considering moving to Alexander Stadium, no decision has been taken. :doh:

Before moving the organisation will have to begin formal consultation with about 80 staff at its offices at the Blythe Valley business park close to the M42 in Solihull and talk to its current landlords about exiting a lease.

The financial case for expanding Alexander Stadium rests almost solely on UK Athletics taking up office space under a new 5,000-seat stand with the rental income set to cover repayments on the loan the council has to take out to pay for the project.

Building work will begin by the end of October, Coun Mullaney told the cabinet. But UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos said: “The only thing I can confirm is that we have an agreement in principle to take the Diamond League to Birmingham subject to contractual details being ironed out.

“As far as moving our offices is concerned, we have been in negotiations, now we need to take it to the next stage.”

Copies of correspondence released by the council appear to show a slight change of emphasis by UK Athletics during the summer.

On July 5 Mr de Vos wrote to council assistant leisure director Steve Hollingworth stating: “Subject always to contract I can confirm that UK Athletics would like to become an anchor tenant at the facility and that our break clause at our current facility would enable us to relocate from October 2011.”

But two weeks later, Mr de Vos wrote simply to confirm that his organisation would welcome the opportunity to move to Alexander Stadium and would look to hold further detailed negotiations “once the project has become a reality”.

Coun Mullaney (Lib Dem, Moseley & Kings Heath) is confident a deal with UK Athletics will be signed imminently.

He told the cabinet Birmingham could look forward to the possibility of staging the European Athletics Championships and even the Commonwealth Games in future.

He added: “No British city has hosted the European Athletics Championships, but there is a chance now that Birmingham could do so.”

Council leader Mike Whitby said: “This project will further enhance Birmingham’s deserved reputation as Britain’s sporting city, bringing jobs to the city and enhancing our facilities.

“We play host to gold medal hopefuls from the USA and Jamaica ahead of the 2012 Olympic Games and, to build on that success, we need the facilities required for the world’s best athletes to compete here on a regular basis.

“That’s what this project will achieve and we’re again showing Birmingham has the commitment needed to be a significant player in world sport.”

Opposition Labour councillors are calling for clarity over UK Athletics’ prospective move.[/url]

Oh dear.

Mullaney's been spending too much time around Whitby :lol:

An article in today's Mail suggest that Blues are looking at a new, redeveloped main stand, bringing St Andrews capacity up to 45-46k, short term, with the possibility of a new ground in the future. Probably the sensible option until they can get attendances up :)

http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2010/10/12/plea-to-fans-as-birmingham-city-ponder-the-future-of-st-andrew-s-97319-27450519/

Interesting stuff. I have to admit, i leaning towards staying at St.Andrews these days. Having lost family members who went to St.Andys for many years. It just gives me a comfort knowing im in the same spot my Grandad was in the 1920's and 30's etc.

I visited the ground today to pick up the new shirt, I have to say the area around St.Andrews is a disgrace! I do think BCC should put at least a little effort into the area, the ring road is in a disgusting state, litter everywhere, un-kept hedge rows and vandalism too.

Bear in mind St.Andrews and Villa Park bring in 10'000's of new vistors to the city every year. This is what people see and it will leave them with the wrong impression. You don't see our other major tourist hot spots being so badly neglected.

Very True Royal Blue!
I think St Andrews is not only the stadium that we have all grown up with it is also the spiritual home of our club. Getting the Garrison Lane stand redeveloped will be a big boost. However we need the fanbase to increase and more of the regular fans who have become disillusioned to come back!

Here is the BCFC site's view on the article by Birmingham Mail.
http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/WTPS/0,,10412~2181749,00.html

Let's hope they look at all avenues with this. Strange timing about this announcement i feel as to my understanding there has no been any talks or rumours within the club of Pannu about to discuss the stadium plans with the Birmingham Mail.

It just gives me a comfort knowing im in the same spot my Grandad was in the 1920's and 30's etc.

.

A nice thought Royal Blue .:)

I posted it in the Official Bham thread. This is from the Telegraph.


Birmingham plan ambitious revamp of St Andrew's into 45,000-seat stadium
Birmingham City are planning a £20 million redevelopment of St Andrew’s which would see the 104-year-old ground's capacity increased by 15,000 seats and a new hotel installed - but only if supporters indicate that they would actually fill it. Birmingham plan ambitious revamp of St Andrew's into 45,000-seat stadium

...
Birmingham are also in talks with Birmingham City Council about the possibility of building a 55,000-60,000-capacity City of Birmingham Stadium, a concept first put forward in 2005.

...
With a current average gate of just 25,000, the club would be 20,000 fans short of filling a redeveloped ground on matchdays, and able to fill just a third of the proposed new stadium.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/8060102/Birmingham-plan-ambitious-revamp-of-St-Andrews-into-45000-seat-stadium.html

It sounds as though a new stand would only be a way of increasing attendances so they can justify a new stadium in Saltley though.

I think they would be better off building a new stadium with a 35 000 capacity but designed so it can be easily extended when they need to. Either than or go for a complete rebuild of the existing ground, but it is not a very accessible area for a major event, and a new stadium would attract other uses.

I can see the benefit of them leasing a COBS from the city council - after all it is only used twice a month.

To build a new stadium to only increase the capacity by 5,000 wouldn't be worth it really. Even it was to be extended in future i'm not sure whether the cost would outweigh the benefits. Hospitality events and conferences are worth a lot more now, maybe the club could diversify into that more if a new Stadium was built.

T minus 17 hours until the first of 3 second city derbies this season.

The Carling Cup draw was spot on!!

Interesting statistic - Blues enjoyed 4 wins and 2 draws with Kevin Phillips scoring the winner for Villa to break that run. Villa on a run of 6 wins (3 suspect ones at that!) with a certain Kevin Phillips to come off the bench....

Tickets went on sale for the Big Blues vs Villa cup game on december 1st at 9am this morning. By 8pm when the ticket office shut, just 3000 remain. They don't go on general sale for another week!

27,000 tickets sold in one day! (3,800 to Villa)

Tickets went on sale for the Big Blues vs Villa cup game on december 1st at 9am this morning. By 8pm when the ticket office shut, just 3000 remain. They don't go on general sale for another week!

27,000 tickets sold in one day! (3,800 to Villa)

I'm not so sure, as all of the season ticket holders have had theirs reserved until next wednesday. So surely they haven't been sold yet! As i know a few ST holders who are going on Saturday before the West Ham game. to get theirs. There are about 14,000 ST holders so maybe about 13K were sold yesterday? With the others ready to go on sale once Wednesday has past? I think a few of these have been sold also but my point is that they are holding tickets back.

Should be a full house no doubt though! :)

Yeah basically, the only tickets that will make it to general sale next wednesday morning will be those season ticket holders who choose not to go. Not many I imagine.

Indeed! Are you going yourself Royal Blue? I wouldn't miss it for the world mate! KRO.

Indeed! Are you going yourself Royal Blue? I wouldn't miss it for the world mate! KRO.

Oh yes! got my tickets yesterday. I have a season ticket on the Tilton. Its gonna be rocking mate can't wait.

When was the last time St Andrews sold out for a game?

When was the last time St Andrews sold out for a game?

It gets close for when the 'big' teams come i think. As it was only West Ham yesterday it was a few thousand under. The attendance was 26474, and St Andrews has capacity of 30009. But it is never that high because of the divide between fans, restricted view tickets not being bought unless it is for a massive game, and also that the Away fans sometimes don't sell out their allocation.

Interestingly the board have been trying to get fans back on a matchdays by doing ticket deals and focusing on families i think. Not sure if this will be ongoing however.

Just saw the away fans figures yesterday..
26,474 (2,696 away fans)

Here is a match report as well :) http://www.bcfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10412~51749,00.html

Just watched the second half of the Villa game ;2-2 and highly entertaining .:)

The Diamond League athletics in is Brum for 2011! World class athletics. link (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/9225907.stm)

Good news for sport in Birmingham .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/athletics/9225907.stm

About time it got turned on. Awkward Day and time though.

The announcement of the nation selected to host the World Cup in 2018 will be broadcast live on the BBC big screen in Victoria Square, Birmingham, on Thursday.

The successful bid, chosen from England, Russia, Spain/Portugal and Belgium/Netherlands, will be announced by FIFA President, Sepp Blatter, between 2.45 and 3.30pm on Thursday.

Birmingham is one of the host cities in the England bid and Villa Park will be one of the venues if the England bid is successful.


Stakeholders from the Birmingham bid including former Aston Villa favourite Ian Taylor, children from Hodge Hill School and Birmingham City Council’s Assistant Director of Sport and Events, Steve Hollingworth will be in attendance.



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2010/11/30/world-cup-bid-announcement-live-on-big-screen-in-birmingham-s-victoria-square-65233-27743327/#ixzz16nDOD6tk

Well that discracefull behaviour at St Andrews last night would not of helped Englands bid, i hope you are all ashamed of yourselves and giving this city a bad name.

You are a load of w-nkers, both city and villa fans who got involved.

And by the way i dont support either team, in fact i dont support football, so i am glad England didnt win.

I don't understand why people hype so much over a game, its a damn game get over yourselfs.

Look at this videos guys, it really is embarrassing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f157MJ0G-a4&feature=player_embedded

I would even go as afar as when the next match is played at St Andrews, it should be played behind closed doors without any fans there. That would show you MORONS out there that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable. :bash::bash::bash::bash::bash:

:ohno:

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs570.ash2/149252_464548902077_522082077_5661739_128957_n.jpg

Who takes a fucking suitcase to a football match?!

Well that discracefull behaviour at St Andrews last night would not of helped Englands bid, i hope you are all ashamed of yourselves and giving this city a bad name.

You are a load of w-nkers, both city and villa fans who got involved.

And by the way i dont support either team, in fact i dont support football, so i am glad England didnt win.

There was always going to be trouble. Englands big got 2 votes so i doubt that it made hat big a difference. Still not good for both teams though.

Who takes a fucking suitcase to a football match?!

Photographers who sit around the Pitch. The big question is why did some retard in the away end bring a Distress Flare?

After England's disappointing rejection as host of the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2018 despite having "the best technical bid", I thought I'd take a quick look at the 'FIFA Bid Evaluation Report' on their website. One small point that struck was that Manchester was listed as second after London in the size of the proposed host cities --- population 2,573,500 compared with Birmingham's 1,016,800. It shows how a simple name change can elevate a city's importance. As an administrative unit 'Greater Manchester' is no different from 'West Midlands' but the name works wonders. It's a pity thet Birmingham's neighbouring councils are so parochial that they always veto any attempt to change 'West Midlands' to 'Greater Birmingham'.

Wolves played well today and completely deserved to win. I am so angry with Blues for such a spineless, abject, pathetic and disgraceful performance. 3 shots off target and 0 on target!! How could they be so un-up for it? A win would have put them on 21pts and left Wolves on 12pts - instead we are 3pts above them and I can only see a relegation battle now. Only 3 wins out of 17 games is really poor form. We have to start winning beginning next week against Newcastle.

Peter Pannu on ST ANDREW'S DEVELOPMENT PLANS.

"Plans are underway to improve facilities here at the stadium.

"When the time is right fans will be consulted, but for now all that needS to be said is that whatever plans there are will be geared to the bigger picture and vision to re-do the old stand in Garrison Lane to achieve the artistic and eventual effect of a grand stadium.

"Improvements will come in stages and stem from both sides of the stands behind the goals. As this is not my prime concern at this stage, that is all I have to say for now."



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/01/22/birmingham-city-peter-pannu-on-finances-and-a-new-stadium-97319-28034070/2/#ixzz1Bsvfe3A0

Joining the 6200 Cov heading to Birmingham next week. Should be quite a few in the town from early doors. Square Peg from 9.30am :cheers: Hopefully it'll all be very civil.

You'll be hard pressed to find a Birmingham fan who cares about the FA cup this year.

Nice one Blues!

:banana::banana::banana: Wemberley!!! :banana::banana::banana:

Thoroughly deserved victory against the Hammers tonight. I nominate Zigic for man of the match... :nuts:

Great 2nd half performance by Blues today, really hope I can get a Wembely ticket - have seen England there and the stadium is awesome

I was at a gig in Leamington during the game so relied on mine and my mates mobile updates - excruciating but brilliant trip back to Brum! Hopefully I can get a ticket - they start at about 34 quid I think.

Funny how Blues and Villa follow each other in Cup Finals -

Blues 1956 FA Cup Final
Villa 1957 FA Cup Final

Villa 2000 FA Cup Final
Blues 2001 League Cup Final

Villa 2010 League Cup Final
Blues 2011 League Cup Final

I just had to share...

http://i77.photobucket.com/albums/j47/gorman_2006/image-308C_4B92F8AD.gif

Villa promoted to Football Money League
Last updated: Thu 10th February, 2011 | Time: 08:32am

Aston Villa has secured a place on the Football Money League from Deloitte. The list chronicles the world’s 20 highest earning football clubs, which surpassed €4bn for the first time.

Villa takes its place in the 20th spot on the table, alongside clubs including Manchester City. Manchester United, Real Madrid and Barcelona.

According to the list, by advisory form Deloitte, the top 20 clubs generated a total of €4.3bn in revenue, an increase of 8 per cent on the previous year.

Real Madrid takes the top spot on the list, after securing revenues of more than €438m during 2009/10. FC Barcelona retains second place ahead of Manchester United, making it a Spanish one-two for the second successive year.

Dan Jones, partner in the sports business group at Deloitte, said: “All bar three of the top 20 clubs achieved revenue growth during 2009/10 demonstrating the continued resilience of football’s top clubs as the full impact of the global economic downturn took hold. The game’s top clubs have proved themselves well-placed to meet these economic challenges given their large and loyal supporter bases, ability to drive broadcast audiences and continuing attraction to corporate partners.”

Whilst Spanish clubs claim the top two positions in the Money League, England retains the largest representation from any single country, with seven clubs. Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea all retained their previous years’ positions of third, fifth and sixth, respectively. Liverpool slipped one place to eighth.

All of this year’s top 20 clubs are from the ‘big five’ European leagues with England contributing seven, Germany and Italy four clubs each, Spain three clubs and France two.

http://www.insidermedia.com/insider/midlands/47183-villa-props-football-money-league/

Deloitte Football Money League, 2009/10 Revenue (€m)

Position / Previous Position / Club / Revenue (€m)

1 1 Real Madrid 438.6
2 2 FC Barcelona 398.1
3 3 Manchester United 349.8
4 4 Bayern Munich 323.0
5 5 Arsenal 274.1
6 6 Chelsea 255.9
7 10 AC Milan 235.8
8 7 Liverpool 225.3
9 9 Internazionale 224.8
10 8 Juventus 205.0
11 20 Manchester City 152.8
12 15 Tottenham Hotspur 146.3
13 11 Hamburger SV 146.2
14 13 Olympique Lyonnais 146.1
15 14 Olympique de Marseille 141.1
16 16 Schalke 04 139.8
17 18 Atlético de Madrid 124.5
18 12 AS Roma 122.7
19 new VfB Stuttgart 114.8
20 new Aston Villa 109.4

http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-UnitedKingdom/Local%20Assets/Documents/Industries/Sports%20Business%20Group/UK_SBG_DFML2011.pdf

I believe Birmingham United City have won a football match or something..

Carling Cup at Wembley, 2-1 to Blues (Arsenal)

Mike Whitby even got a close up on the camera

Come on BLUES!!!!

To the bookies on monday morning i had blues to win the cup from the 4th round:D

Now hurry up and get the stadium built or redeveloped!

BBC are piping up about Arsenal being unlucky, not too much focus on a chavvy team winning a trinket.

Also BBC haven't updated their website.....yet.

Just putting it out there.

Great result for the blues,thoroughly deserved!:cheers:

10/10 Blues.

Even Alan Hansen had to admit Blues had played well. He said their commitment in the last half hour would live with him for a long time. I've never heard him be complementary about Birmingham before. That in itself is an achievement.

Keep right on Blue Noses. Fantastic stuff.

i was up here in newcastle watching the game, and it was frigging amazing!!!

i have never been prouder of being a brummie!!!

Great result. We played awesome in the first half, I don't agree that Arsenal played terribly, we were just up and at 'em and they weren't ready for it. In the second half they showed what they're capable of but Foster was too good today and the commitment from every single player cannot be questioned.

:banana::banana::banana:

I have only one thing to say.

YYYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:dance:

come on blues

Best atmosphere ever!

Great game blues totally deserved it.

@Vile fans playing the triumph down, It wasn't a joke cup last season when you were in the Final was it?

We're going to Italy,
You're going to Coventry!
lalalalala
lalalalala!

KRO

Whats the chances of blues doing an open bus top tour around the city or atleast up broad St with the cup?

^^ I believe there was an article in the mail saying that the council have rejected the open bus top tour, instead there is to be a celebration partly funded by BCC at the blues ground

http://www.birminghampost.net/news/newsaggregator//tm_headline=no-open-top-bus-tour-for-carling-cup-winners-birmingham-city%26method=full%26objectid=28251461%26siteid=65233-name_page.html

Bit of a dissapointment there wont be one to be honest

Just one belated word about Sunda...

Frigging awsome!!!!

Birmingham city FC come down to reality with a bump with a 3-1 thrashing to local rivals West Brom. :ohno:

Birmingham city FC come down to reality with a bump with a 3-1 thrashing to local rivals West Brom. :ohno:

Not really a shock when you see we had 5 changes from our line up last week followed by 2 more in the second half. It was basically our reserve team.

After the best footballing day in my life last Sunday, Blues had their worst day of the season yesterday where most results went against them. As RB says it was a changed side but the fact is that if Jerome, Martins, Phillips can't score, are we totally relying on just Ziggy and midfielders doing the business for us? We don't score enough goals!!
I just hope our decent away form continues at Goodison on Wednesday night - we need to win because we don't want to be cast adrift, and have to get towards the 40pts mark asap.

I think it showed how much we missed Ferguson, Fahey is adequate, but not quite up to the same standard.

In the 2nd half, the players seemed to have no energy left and Albion picked it up as well, in the 1st half both teams were fairly rubbish, and I thought the fans were flat as well, it was as if everyone still had a hangover for last week.

Yes, we need to get something at Goodison, we haven't won there in the league since 1957, it's about time I reckon, haha.

Can I just say having watched Blues abismal performance that I am happy they are relegated as they don't deserve to be in the Premier League. I am a Blues fan but if my team can go into the last game of the season knowing anything less than a win could mean relegation and just sit and watch the game like they did then they dont deserve to be there. It was just a crap performance where our midfield did fuck all and Jerome was just awful. Their performance showed they clearly don't want to be in the Premier League. How retarded do you have to be to not know you need the ball to do anything yet we just kept blasting it up field hoping for Cudiccini to trip and break his leg as the ball bounced over him it seemed or at least something along those lines. Thoroghly angry and feel sorry for Mcleish as it could be his neck for such a crap performance from a bunch of players that played with no passion.

Gutted. I think we'll struggle in the Championship next season too. Hopefully there'll now be a massive clear out of all the players who couldn't be arsed with playing for us this season. Then there's the ones we need to keep but are good enough for other clubs to come along and poach (Foster, Johnson, Dann, Larsson). And so we'll be left with a bunch of has-beens. Can't see us getting promoted straight back.

I feel genuinely sorry for the Blackpool players and fans, they gave it a real go this season and just fell short. And Blues did fantastically well considering half of the team couldn't be arsed.

Blackpool lost 10 games this season where they scored two. Cant fault their attack but if you defend like a school yard kickaround your going to concede more than you score. I will miss them though and their great manager, they are in a great position to bounce back though as they didnt spend any money in the Prem and will get the parachute payments as well.

As to Birmingham I would rather Wolves went down.

Birmingham. Nothing club.

Wolves/West Brom - only 2 teams with no 0-0's this season.

How many major Trophies have Wolves won since you were born? Which going by your history on this forum was most likely in the mid 90's. Or even in the past 28 years since I was born?

How many major cup finals have Wolves even reached? or Semi Finals? or even Quarter finals for that matter in that time?

In the last Decade alone Blues have made 2 Major Cup Finals and 3 Quarter Finals. As my profile picture currently shows, if your not aware, Blues are also the current holders of the League Cup. Seems quite a considerable amount to achieve for a 'Nothing Club'.

In that time What has the Mighty Wolverhampton Wanderers achieved exactly? Maybe the fact that people may now of actually heard of the them?

We may not have quite reached the levels that Aston Villa have recently, but we have MORE then overshadowed Wolves. West Brom too, although in fairness Baggies have had a decent decade too, they have over shadowed Wolves, spending longer in the Top flight and reaching the FA Cup semi final.

So cup run's aside, something Blues, Villa and Baggies have all had, lets compare seasons in the Premier League since it started in 1992.

Aston Villa, have had a very respectable 19
Birmingham City have had 7
West Bromwich Albion 7
Wolves 3

Now I wouldn't call Wolves a 'Nothing' club. But in my lifetime they are by far the team that has achieved the least locally.

royal blue what did you think of the performance on sunday?

How many major Trophies have Wolves won since you were born? Which going by your history on this forum was most likely in the mid 90's. Or even in the past 28 years since I was born?

My dicks bigger then yours!! grow up pillock! And none. I just missed out on the 1980 league cup win. Still does that matter? I've been around long enough to see Blues fans have a ridiculous inferiority complex with all midlands teams.

DUE TO LACK OF SUCCESS! worse bunch of fans nationwide most likely in that respect. talk the talk but never walked the walk until this February.

How many major cup finals have Wolves even reached? or Semi Finals? or even Quarter finals for that matter in that time?

Quite a few.

In the last Decade alone Blues have made 2 Major Cup Finals and 3 Quarter Finals. As my profile picture currently shows, if your not aware, Blues are also the current holders of the League Cup. Seems quite a considerable amount to achieve for a 'Nothing Club'.

A nothing club stretches alot further then your performance on the pitch. Lack of fans, shite facilities, un-warranted ego's.

Just look at responses from Blues fans in relation to everything involving other clubs. Your so scared shitless of Villa, Wolves and WBA all you do is chat shit to make yourselves feel more important.

Kinda pathetic. And for 28 years old. I suggest you grow up a bit.


In that time What has the Mighty Wolverhampton Wanderers achieved exactly? Maybe the fact that people may now of actually heard of the them?

See ... :lol:

Exactly the reason why everyone in the midlands think City fans are a bunch of cocks. I do apologise but I'm pretty sure the famous old gold is more famous then you'll ever be.

You forget Wolves trounced you to the Championship Title few years ago. Knocked you out of the FA Cup then saw you relegated on Sunday. :lol:

We may not have quite reached the levels that Aston Villa have recently, but we have MORE then overshadowed Wolves. West Brom too, although in fairness Baggies have had a decent decade too, they have over shadowed Wolves, spending longer in the Top flight and reaching the FA Cup semi final.

Maybe. Wolves had a torrid few decades. Still we managed numerous cup quarter finals and almost stopped the monopoly of FA cup finalists back in 1999 when we lost 1-0 to Arsenal in the semi-finals. Still ... as a club without the offer of more money - every player with any sanity would choose Wolves over Blues. Simple reason. They are more respected world wide.

So cup run's aside, something Blues, Villa and Baggies have all had, lets compare seasons in the Premier League since it started in 1992.

Aston Villa, have had a very respectable 19
Birmingham City have had 7
West Bromwich Albion 7
Wolves 3

Oh so now we are comparing history. Contradiction.

Come back when you've won 4 League Titles, 4 FA Cups, 4 Charity Shields and the LEAGUE CUP TWICE. Oh and get to a final of the Europa League.

Now I wouldn't call Wolves a 'Nothing' club. But in my lifetime they are by far the team that has achieved the least locally.

When does the fixture list get announced? :banana::banana::banana:

No real counter argument just childish insults I see.

Your lack of knowledge is funny too as Blues reached 2 Europa league finals in early 1960's. We lost to Barcelona and A.S. Roma. Before Wolves, Infact before any other English club reached a European final.

I'll leave with with this. I Have watched Blues play at Wembley 3 times and Win all 3 times. I saw them play Twice at Cardiff's Millenium Stadium. I have seen Blues play 7 seasons in the Premier League and I will now get to see Blues play in Europe next season.

Blues are entering 4 Competition's next season. They can potentially win all of them and will be one of the favorites in one of them too.

I don't normally like to respond to Troll's but it was too funny to resist your comment about Blues being a 'Nothing' club. Amazing how cocky you seem to be less the a week after managing to fluke an extra season in the Prem by 1 point. Enjoy your relegation battle next season. We'll be waiting to take your place in 12 months time hopefully.

So McLeish has moved from Blues to Villa.. Thoughts?

Jeez.

Blues are in freefall. It seem's they have nobody around who knows how to run a football club!

They are in difficult financial territory yet they are asking for £14m for a player with only 1 year left on his contract. £5m for Cameron Jerome?? ... £8m for Craig Gardener?

If Mcleish were to join Villa - I personally think it's an absolutely terrible move. For Villa's sake. They could do so much better.

Brilliant News, The forums are going crazy. Blues fans are delighted the negative football is gone, Villa fans are panicing.

Eco, your Wrong, Plain Wrong. You know very little about Blues. Everything you seem to know appears to have come from the tabloid press and not from the club itself.

Rest assured there was a collective 'ah bless' when Wolves offered £5m for Johnson. Wolves can't afford his wages and he doesn't want to join them anyway, he has been talking about moving to a bigger Premier League club for months with his eyes on the top 4. He also has upto 3 years left, due to him having a 2 year extended option on his contract. Blackburn doubled what Wolves offered and were also rejected:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2001801/Blackburn-want-10m-Roger-Johnson-replace-Phil-Jones.html

We turned Down an offer of £5million of Jerome. Thats was NOT the asking Price. So clearly he is worth at least £5million as Bolton were willing to pay it:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6972977,00.html

Craig Gardner isn't for sale, so they slapped an inflated asking price on him to deter other clubs sniffing around him.

Blues are holding out for as much money as they can get for the Star players. Hardly in Freefall.

The simple answer is Carson Yeung made the huge mistake of walking into Blues and advertising the cash he was going to spend on players. Since then the club has had a hard time trying to sign players with clubs like Spurs increasing their valuations on players such as Roman Pavlyuchenko. Since then the club has released NO information on the its finances. Journalists have had to come up with rumours to fill column inches. The only facts we have are that when ever Big Eck wanted money to sign players, it was found. When UEFA checked the clubs books, they were more then happy to grant the club a Licence to take part in the Europa League.

However much Wolves and Villa fans want to see Blues go Bust. It Isn't going to happen.

Brilliant News, The forums are going crazy. Blues fans are delighted the negative football is gone, Villa fans are panicing.

You loved him when you lifted that cup which you can now piss in!!

Eco, your Wrong, Plain Wrong. You know very little about Blues. Everything you seem to know appears to have come from the tabloid press and not from the club itself.

Really. I do apologise. Are you Carson Yeung or Pannu? What more do you know that I don't? Where do you get your information from?

Rest assured there was a collective 'ah bless' when Wolves offered £5m for Johnson.

£6m - and he isn't worth much more then that. He is 28 and has 1 year left on his contract. 2 year option which Birmingham can't afford to pay.

Wolves can't afford his wages

Err. I think we can. It's just up to the board if we want to break our wage structure. He is on no more then O'hara.

and he doesn't want to join them anyway, he has been talking about moving to a bigger Premier League club for months with his eyes on the top 4. He also has upto 3 years left, due to him having a 2 year extended option on his contract. Blackburn doubled what Wolves offered and were also rejected:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2001801/Blackburn-want-10m-Roger-Johnson-replace-Phil-Jones.html

How do you know? You his cousings, aunties, best friends, dog?

Birmingham cannot AFFORD to extend his contract. Therefor he has 1 YEAR LEFT.

Oh ... and then you go and get your sources from a tabloid. :lol: Bit of a contradiction. And Blackburn haven't bid anything. Its speculation.

We turned Down an offer of £5million of Jerome. Thats was NOT the asking Price. So clearly he is worth at least £5million as Bolton were willing to pay it:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_6972977,00.html

If he is worth £5m then Doyle must be worth treble that.

Craig Gardner isn't for sale, so they slapped an inflated asking price on him to deter other clubs sniffing around him.

Keep being deluded. Everyone of your players is for sale.

Blues are holding out for as much money as they can get for the Star players. Hardly in Freefall.

I love how you continue to be oblivious to what is happening at St Andrews. You have no money, no manager, your players are jumping ship, and soon will Yeung. He is trying to get ridiculous money to help repay his investment and walk.

The simple answer is Carson Yeung made the huge mistake of walking into Blues and advertising the cash he was going to spend on players. Since then the club has had a hard time trying to sign players with clubs like Spurs increasing their valuations on players such as Roman Pavlyuchenko.

He came in bragging about cash because HE DOESN'T HAVE ANY.

Since then the club has released NO information on the its finances. Journalists have had to come up with rumours to fill column inches.

He hasn't got any. Everyone knows this. That's why he doesn't talk about it anymore. The only reason he did in the first place was to bluff people like you. And it worked.

The only facts we have are that when ever Big Eck wanted money to sign players, it was found. When UEFA checked the clubs books, they were more then happy to grant the club a Licence to take part in the Europa League.

Anyone can shift figures here and there. Why is it that Yeung had to sell capital holdings just to keep the club afloat? :lol:

However much Wolves and Villa fans want to see Blues go Bust. It Isn't going to happen.

Don't want you to go bust. Love you delusional south brummie lot. It's entertaining.

Your bias is spoiling what could be a sensible debate Eco.

From a neutral position this is fascinating, but it really isn't about Wolves at all.

Bias?

How can it be biased. The view in the midland's is that Blues are in serious trouble. If you look into what's been happening at the club even you should be able to see this.

And I was only replying to Royal Blue ... if you looked at my initial response ... I think I answered ReissOmari question did I not

So McLeish has moved from Blues to Villa.. Thoughts?

Jeez.

Blues are in freefall. It seem's they have nobody around who knows how to run a football club!

They are in difficult financial territory yet they are asking for £14m for a player with only 1 year left on his contract. £5m for Cameron Jerome?? ... £8m for Craig Gardener?

If Mcleish were to join Villa - I personally think it's an absolutely terrible move. For Villa's sake. They could do so much better.

Also known as MY THOUGHTS!!

It doesn't even mention Wolves until Royal Blue and his inferiority complex got involved in which I replied. (Or am I not allowed too?0 So don't start making accusations and if anyone you should be patronising it should be Royal Blue with his constant demeaning attitude to Wolves.

Saying Villa can do better then Mcleish is not biased. and neither is the fact that Blues are in serious trouble. It's just stating the bloody obvious and if that offends you, more so then Royal Blues post as a neutral then you must be a little confused.

Ecological seems to think the World revoles around Wolverhampton Wanderers. Its actually quite funny whilst tragic at the same time.

I should know better then to bite when he come's trolling for attention.

Anyway, it's going to be interesting to see the developments over the next few days. If Villa have tapped up Mcleish then they have picked a fight with Peter Pannu which is a dangerous game. The bloke famously took on the Triads and won and isn't scarred of taking legal action.

Beside's every single Villa fan I know is fuming at the Idea of Mcleish taking over at Villa Park. Randy Lerner is reported to have decided against Steve Mclaren because of the reaction from certain sections of the Villa fanbase. Which makes it even more confusing that Randy would turn to Alex Mcleish.

The idea that Mcleish can simply send an Email and will automatically be released from a legally binding contract is baffling. He seems like an decent and intelligent man but has behaved in an unprofessional manner.

Was it Ego that made him think he could just quit whenever he wants or was it bad legal advise from his Solicitor's?

The lack of any kind of statement from McLeish and the email resignation are both out of character for him. Its a pretty cowardly way to leave a job.

He's Burnt his Bridges at St.Andrews and isn't welcome by most at Villa Park

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:


You have got to be kidding me!!

Please read above post!! Where the fuck did I mention Wolves before you and your inferiority complex got involved just because I said the Blues BOARD don't know how to run a football club.

Then you turned it into some Roger Johnson hoo hah

If anybody has a secret club crush its you with the Old Gold. You never fail to bring them up in a post then start rubbishing them to give you something to jerk off about.

Inferiority Complex?

So your Psychologist now I see.

I doubt it somehow.

Villa have just unveiled their new primary sponsor...

Genting Casino's.

Are you as underwhelmed as me? I wasn't expecting anything massive, but i was expecting something I'd remotely heard of.

At least it isn't Tampax.

and blues have appointed hughton as manager but also lost larsson to sunderland.

Genting Casino's you must have heard of them? i've never been to a casino and i heard of them before, the Casino at Star City is there's i believe

Genting Casino's you must have heard of them? i've never been to a casino and i heard of them before, the Casino at Star City is there's i believe

Ah I thought that was a Stanley Casino.

Jeez.

Blues are in freefall. It seem's they have nobody around who knows how to run a football club!

They are in difficult financial territory yet they are asking for £14m for a player with only 1 year left on his contract. £5m for Cameron Jerome?? ... £8m for Craig Gardener?

If Mcleish were to join Villa - I personally think it's an absolutely terrible move. For Villa's sake. They could do so much better.

Just tp out some perspective about knowing how to run a football club - look at CCFC. Don't own their ground, had to mortgage the training groundto keep the taxman at bay and sold their one remaining asset, shares in ProZone, for £5m for the same reason. All the cash has gone.

A few good players have/are walking away on a free transfer and the few players we've got remaining are probably worth about £5m between them, but we're losing half a million a month.

Our board is made up of a guy who was part of the Southampton debacle and sounds like he'd lose a battle of wits with a stuffed iguana and a self-promoting, all style no substance, Canadian with absolutely no idea of football.

We're playing Brum second game of the season - you may well get the points by default as we may have gone out of business by then.

CCFC may well be the first 'big' casualty of the derailing of football's out-of control gravy train.

Birmingham City Home and Away kit, Personally I think it looks like the kits you can order from a sports shop for your team
http://images.icnetwork.co.uk/upl/birmmail/jul2011/8/8/birmingham-city-s-new-home-and-away-kit-977220553.jpg
http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2011/07/01/birmingham-city-unveil-all-blue-home-kit-97319-28976423/

the future of Birmingham City does not look good. didn't their chairman get arrested?

Yeah over money laundering charges in China. Don't think it's worth worrying about just yet.

yeah not until they freeze his assets

True! No wonder the Chinese Premier didn't visit the city's second biggest investment from China the other day... :|

I cant believe how bad those new kit designs are

With a new white logo on it, shouldn't be too bad. Don't like the blue shorts but this season is a "just get through it" one!

Eco, your Wrong, Plain Wrong. You know very little about Blues. Everything you seem to know appears to have come from the tabloid press and not from the club itself.

Rest assured there was a collective 'ah bless' when Wolves offered £5m for Johnson. Wolves can't afford his wages and he doesn't want to join them anyway, he has been talking about moving to a bigger Premier League club for months with his eyes on the top 4. He also has upto 3 years left, due to him having a 2 year extended option on his contract. Blackburn doubled what Wolves offered and were also rejected:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2001801/Blackburn-want-10m-Roger-Johnson-replace-Phil-Jones.html

:lol:

http://www.expressandstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/roger-johnson.jpg

http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg738/scaled.php?tn=0&server=738&filename=fkffmu.jpg&xsize=640&ysize=640

The simple answer is Carson Yeung made the huge mistake of walking into Blues and advertising the cash he was going to spend on players. Since then the club has had a hard time trying to sign players with clubs like Spurs increasing their valuations on players such as Roman Pavlyuchenko. Since then the club has released NO information on the its finances. Journalists have had to come up with rumours to fill column inches. The only facts we have are that when ever Big Eck wanted money to sign players, it was found. When UEFA checked the clubs books, they were more then happy to grant the club a Licence to take part in the Europa League.

However much Wolves and Villa fans want to see Blues go Bust. It Isn't going to happen.

I hope for Birminghams sake this Chinese business man buys out Carson Yeung cause you guys are f*cked right now.

Royal Blue as you've gone quiet over there. Might interest you. Blues sold RG for less then you brought him. :lol:

How silly do you look now!!

Oh and a lovely picture for you too ... :banana:

Wolves quids in on Roger Johnson and Jamie O’Hara deals
Saturday 23rd July 2011, 11:30AM BST.

http://www.expressandstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/roger-johnson7.jpg

Wolves’ hardball approach on transfers has been rewarded after the club secured top signings Roger Johnson and Jamie O’Hara on cut-price deals, it has emerged.

The club paid just over £4m to Birmingham for Johnson for a flat fee with no add-ons.

That figure is nowhere near the £7m ‘confirmed’ by Blues at the time, or the £6.4m that was widely quoted in the days after the deal was completed.

Midfielder O’Hara cost them £3.5m, well below the £5m reported when he signed from Tottenham.

Reports suggested Blues had initially wanted staggering £14m for Johnson before dropping their price to £10m then £9m.



Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/wolverhampton-wanderers-fc/2011/07/23/wolves-quids-in-on-roger-johnson-and-jamie-ohara-deals/#ixzz1T1QPgdCG

Rumours Birmingham City have gone into administration after being £60m in debt. This ownership culture of buying a club, then running it into the ground once it all goes pear shaped needs to stop.

Yep. Rumours been going round since the weekend. Seem to be confirmed now.

Bet Royal Blue is still in denial though! :nuts:

Seems that there isn't any chance of Blues going into administration but there are some serious financial issues.

So how does everyone think their team will do this year?

I've got Cov as certs for relegation - the squad is unbelievably small (opening game of the season and we could already be down to 1 fit first team midfielder, 1 striker and 1 who can play either - against Leicester I fear it could be an embarrassment.) and the money will have run out by Xmas so the 10 point deduction will see us down anyway.

I think we might play some interesting stuff under Thorn but we'll be relying on kids for much of the season.

I was down about blues chances but I don't know why but the signing of Spector and how well Redmond is performing has given me some hope.

Blues will play CD Nacional of Portugal in the Europa League Play-Off round.

First leg in Madeira on 18th August, second leg at St Andrew's on 25th August.

http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~2411087,00.html

Great game tonight, i'm pissed btw. but 3-0 at home in the europa league :)

Lol, don't blame you.

Gutted that I missed the game due to some bastard sneezing on the plane back from Madeira and giving me the flu, wanker. :bash:

But hey a fantastic result, we get three more home games in Europe, and some more fantastic away days. :banana:

So it's Braga, Club Brugge and Maribor.

I was in a room with the World Cup and the European Nations Cup this morning .The European Cup was surprising small and of course , I knew the Wold Cup was quite petit .:)

I was in a room with the World Cup and the European Nations Cup this morning .The European Cup was surprising small and of course , I knew the Wold Cup was quite petit .:)

Cool.

There is a lot of potential innuendo in what you typed, but I'll hold back :tongue2:


BTW are you going to give them back? ;)

Community Shield could be heading to Villa Park
by Brett Gibbons, Birmingham MailDec 9 2011

inShare
5

BIRMINGHAM will receive a multi-million pound economic and sporting boost with next year’s prestigious FA Community Shield set to be held at Villa Park.

The Birmingham Mail understands that negotiations with the FA are at an advanced stage to host the annual football season curtain-raiser in the city on the weekend of August 12.

The fixture, normally between the previous season’s Premier League champions and the FA Cup winners, is usually held at Wembley Stadium.

But the venue is set to stage the final of the Olympic football tournament on the same weekend as the Community Shield match.

In previous years when Wembley has been unavailable, the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, has been used to host major football events.

But FA chiefs decided the Welsh venue was not viable because it would also be hosting Olympic football matches in the days leading up to the Community Shield.

The stiffest competition for Villa Park comes from Manchester United’s 75,811-capacity Old Trafford ground.

But that is also an Olympic venue and there is a big possibility that one of the Manchester clubs would be involved in the shield, which rules out the game being played in their home city.

A feasibility study has been taken at Villa Park and more than 45,000 fans will be expected to descend on Birmingham for the day of the game.

Improvement work has also been started on the stadium exterior.


The big-spending crowd will also bolster the hard-hit regional economy through the tills at pubs, hotels and restaurants. And Villa will also expect to receive a sizeable slice of extra income from merchandise and sales on in-ground refreshments.

The showpiece fixture normally secures a global television audience of tens of millions, providing a worldwide boost for the city and its ability to stage high-profile events.

There had been some speculation the FA would use the opportunity to take the game overseas.

The Italian FA has signed a deal to hold its Super Cup in China for the next four years.

Given the vast following for English football around the globe, there would certainly be a financial incentive to pursue this route with the Community Shield.

However, the FA has confirmed that will not happen.

Instead, the game is almost certain to be played at Villa Park with its traditional mid-August kick-off.

“The Community Shield will take place at the traditional time at a prestigious stadium in England,” said an FA spokesman.

But he would not confirm that the stadium had been designated to host the fixture.

Aston Villa also declined to comment on the speculation,

Villa Park hosted last summer’s concerts by Take That, which brought millions of pounds into the city.

John Lamb, of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the plans to bring the Shield to the city.

“It’s great news for business in the city and the television exposure will take us around the globe.

“Even though the Olympics will be the major sporting event in the country at the time, the FA Community Shield will be the one that matters for fans of English football around the world,” he added.

However, he said it was a pity that Villa Park did not refer to Birmingham in its name to complete the promotional package for the city.

“That would never go down well with supporters, but it is marvellous for everyone involved at Villa Park. It also gives Birmingham a chance to shine as a city,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Birmingham City Council said that the authority did not want to comment until Villa Park was confirmed as the location for the game.


Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/12/09/community-shield-could-be-heading-to-villa-park-97319-29923067/#ixzz1g4kNVb9r

How silly do you look now!!

http://www.expressandstar.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/roger-johnson7.jpg

Player of the Season

Oh I see.

You are now using that in a different manner than the original discussion.

We still signed him. Just turned out to be shit, just looked good in a Birmingham team.

Lets not beat around the bush. Wolves are in such a secure position like Newcastle were they should easily win back promotion next season.

The question is though. Do the fans really want too?

The premiership is a depressing place with the theatrics, refereeing decisions, ref baiting, small away allocations and constantly fighting against the rub of the green against the bigger boys.

A year long break is actually something i'm looking forward to as are many fans.

3 years of defeats can drain you.

Happily swap 5 happy moments for 30 next year in a lower league and re-organise the playing squad.

Sell of Fletcher, Jarvis, Hennessey, Doyle, O'hara, Edwards, Ward, Foley, Stearman, Milijas, Johnson and a few others. Re-invest that £30m on players like Jordan Rhodes and it'll bring a fresh start to a confidence hit squad.

With the likes of De Vries, Zubar, Berra, Kightly, Henry, David Davis, Hammill, Ebanks-Blake there is already a championship winning base there.

Few more youth players that have done so well this year also this relegation might just be a blessing in disguise.

Eco - you're so very right, this has been my favourite season of following West Ham for years, every game is competative in a way the Premiership will never match, know it sounds wrong but I'm very much hoping to be in the Championship next season as well, which to be fair seems quite likely at the minute.

I agree as a West Brom fan, life can be far more exciting winning games and fighting for promotion than losing a lot and battling to stay up. (Not that I am complaining so much about these last two years, more the majority of our recent top flight seasons).

You are now using that in a different manner than the original discussion

Was just messing, interesting how a good player can go bad - not too sure what the issue was - probably bringing him in on big money and making him captain didn't help. Great way to destabilise the players from Mick.

Anyway - hope you bounce back and as you said you should be fine money wise.

I do feel for TC, I think he was stitched up and placed in a position where he had to take the job on.

Oh I see.

You are now using that in a different manner than the original discussion.

We still signed him. Just turned out to be shit, just looked good in a Birmingham team.

Lets not beat around the bush. Wolves are in such a secure position like Newcastle were they should easily win back promotion next season.

The question is though. Do the fans really want too?

The premiership is a depressing place with the theatrics, refereeing decisions, ref baiting, small away allocations and constantly fighting against the rub of the green against the bigger boys.

A year long break is actually something i'm looking forward to as are many fans.

3 years of defeats can drain you.

Happily swap 5 happy moments for 30 next year in a lower league and re-organise the playing squad.

Sell of Fletcher, Jarvis, Hennessey, Doyle, O'hara, Edwards, Ward, Foley, Stearman, Milijas, Johnson and a few others. Re-invest that £30m on players like Jordan Rhodes and it'll bring a fresh start to a confidence hit squad.

With the likes of De Vries, Zubar, Berra, Kightly, Henry, David Davis, Hammill, Ebanks-Blake there is already a championship winning base there.

Few more youth players that have done so well this year also this relegation might just be a blessing in disguise.

Looked good in a McLeish team you mean.

I don't know a great deal about the dingles, other than I love Molineux and what is being done there with the new stand and general redevolpment.

How are the finances there?

You may say a championship winning team there, but look at Wet Spam-they were massively tipped as were Leicester to win the league, look what happened to them!

Us Blues we were tipped for mid table-we spent a grand total of £1m in the 2 transfer windows, but managed to sign the rest on Free's or loans:

Myhill-Loan
Steven Caldwell-Free
Pablo Ibanez-£500k
Peter Ramage-Loan
Chris Burke-Free
Guirane N'Daw-Loan
Marlon King-Free
Erik Huseklepp-Loan
Andros Townsend-Loan
Morgaro Gomis-Free
Wade Elliott-£500k
Caleb Folan-Free
Adam Rooney-Free
Jonathan Spector-Free
Cian Hughton-Free
Jack Deaman-Free

That's 15 players for just £1m- And look where we are in the table, play-offs secured.
The league is unpredictable, it's very difficult to say you where you will be next season, I expected blues to finish 7-15th this season what with our finances and mass of games. We've nearly played 59 games in all competitions this season, many more than any teams around us, we're the surprise package this season. I sure hope you dingles get back up to the prem because it's going to be quiet with just Blues and West Brom in the prem! LOL KRO

So Big Eck has his worst season in 3 years! Eh? Yes that's right, if Villa had reached the incredible figure of 38pts last season they would have gone down below Blues and Blackpool's 39pts. What a cop out! Villa have got away with it by the skin of their teeth this season.

Here's a P45 I prepared earlier.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v284/martynahood/Misc/P45AM.jpg

Couple of Million out with his wages there Hoody. Also, He's most likely going no where! Villa's debt Mountain combined with the fact he cost a reported £5 million (Thanks by the way) mean they're stuck with him. He's to stubborn to quit.

Besides, having hounded out Graham Taylor, David O'Leary, Martin O Neil, Gerard Hoillier and now Alex Mcliesh, Villa fans have turned the club into a complete joke. Who on earth would want the Job?

Villa will need to spend BIG to avoid the drop next season, Randy's just had to spend £30million to simply balance the books.

Meanwhile Blues have just completed an epic season. 62 Games, only 1 league defeat at home.

Baggies have done well, but the loss of Hodgson and Foster mean they will have to buy well over the summer.

Wolves went down with a whimper, as I predicted last summer.

Couple of Million out with his wages there Hoody.

On the contrary. He's reputedly on £2 million a year but we are in week 7 of the tax year.

(£2m/52 weeks) x 7 weeks.

Roughly there. Even worked the tax out (albeit to the wrong code)

On the other note. O'Leary pretty much sacked himself by the infamous players revolt. Taylor sacked for poor performance (any manager would be sacked for that performance), O'Neill quit apparently due to a disagreement with Lerner over funds. Houllier was a mutual agreement after he went into hospital with his dodgy ticker.

McLeish will be only one that would be true on that list and to be frank he's done nothing to prove anyone wrong.

So I think you might want to do a tad of swotting up.

So Big Eck has his worst season in 3 years! Eh? Yes that's right, if Villa had reached the incredible figure of 38pts last season they would have gone down below Blues and Blackpool's 39pts. What a cop out! Villa have got away with it by the skin of their teeth this season.

I think every Villa fan would agree this season has been abysmal, and we have been fortunate with other results, but comparison with other seasons is irrelevant. Excluding last season, you'd need to go back to the 02/03 season (when West Ham went down with 42 points) to see Villa relegated on this year's points/goal difference.

Strong reports from Brum press that big Eck is being given the heave-ho today.

Last we will see of him in the English top flight?

Me thinks so.

^^ Confirmed,

Norwich boss Lambert favourite...

Love it! £4 Millon Pounds compensation. £4 MILLION Pounds!!!

Meanwhile the club is running at a loss of £30 Million a year. Randy learner is a laughing stock.

On the contrary. He's reputedly on £2 million a year but we are in week 7 of the tax year.

(£2m/52 weeks) x 7 weeks.

Roughly there. Even worked the tax out (albeit to the wrong code)

On the other note. O'Leary pretty much sacked himself by the infamous players revolt. Taylor sacked for poor performance (any manager would be sacked for that performance), O'Neill quit apparently due to a disagreement with Lerner over funds. Houllier was a mutual agreement after he went into hospital with his dodgy ticker.

McLeish will be only one that would be true on that list and to be frank he's done nothing to prove anyone wrong.

So I think you might want to do a tad of swotting up.

There's no swotting up to do, knowing many Villa fans in day to day life i've witnessed first hand the grief all of there managers have received. The anti Mcleish campaign has made the club as whole a complete laughing stock this season. Who on earth in there right mind would want the Job after that?

Poor squad, low funds, if any, and a fan base thats torn to shreds. Its called Karma for the theft of Alex Mcleish from Blues

Wait, can you blame Villa fans for being unhappy with McLeish? He was unpopular from the outset, not because he came from Blues but because everyone saw what sort of football he brought to Blues. And fuck all changed when he came to Villa. The anti-McLeish campaign hasn't made the club a laughing stock, it's McLeish that's made it a laughing stock. No other team in the Premier League had such uninspiring tactics and performance as Villa. Constant defensive football, it was horrible.

I laugh at how you can call that karma after what he did to Blues, to be honest...

For me, this next appointment is make or break for my opinion on Lerner. His appointments have been fucking awful. Arguably, Houllier might have managed something if it weren't for his health problems, but there's no doubting that McLeish was a god awful decision. Whoever comes into the club now is facing a similar situation to what O'Neill was looking at when he started, and that person needs the promise of funds for some decent new players so that we don't keep ransacking our youth team.

In my opinion, the club needs to stop looking at these EPL managerial rejects. If we can't get Martinez or Lambert (there's even chatter of Di Matteo if he doesn't get a permanent contract at Chelsea...), which I actually can't see happening, then I see no reason why we shouldn't look to the Championship for some hungry talent. I guess we'll find out soon enough though...


On the other side of it all, it's a shame to see Wolves go down, especially after the fight they put up in their last couple of matches, but their season performance has been pretty dire as a whole. I also think it's a shame that Birmingham didn't get promoted, but Southampton and Blackpool have been very strong this season. With a few tweaks, I see no reason why Blue can't get promoted next season. We'll see!

McCarthy (http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/aston-villa-fc/2012/05/15/odds-shorten-on-mick-mccarthy-becoming-aston-villa-manager-65233-30975487/) for the Villa. WFT Randy (and i'm a Blues fan)

Here we go again... :|

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/aston-villa-fc/2012/05/16/poll-mick-mccarthy-for-villa-manager/

For those that wish to vote, McCarthy seems a popular choice, granted it's mostly Albion fans voting for him....

Randy Lerner's jet has been seen on the apron in Norway.

Suggests Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Interesting.

http://i49.tinypic.com/j73oxy.jpg

Solskjaer is a definite curveball choice, I don't think anyone saw the possibility of him as an option. Hardly any managing experience but has seen success at Molde FK in the short time he's been there... and he's seen the inner workings of Man Utd... It could be a really good appointment (if he gets it, obviously) or it could be an absolutely horrific one.

Enough of footie for me for a while! Warwickshire marching on in the championship looking good to win what was snatched away from us last year by lancashire - so it seems apt that we're on our way to thrashing them for the 2nd time this season already. Come on you bears!

as im sure most are aware...

Aston Villa chosen to host FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester City at Villa Park
Mat Kendrick May 18 2012

ASTON Villa will host this summer's FA Community Shield between Chelsea and Manchester City - confirming Villa Park's status as one of the country's leading stadia.

Villa's long-standing tradition of staging marquee games will continue when the FA Cup and Premier League winners meet on Sunday, August 12.

The fixture has been switched from its regular venue at Wembley to avoid a clash with the Olympic Games football final which is scheduled to be played a day before.

Villa chief executive said: “We are delighted to be hosting the 2012 Community Shield and we look forward to welcoming fans from Manchester City and Chelsea to Villa Park.



Read More http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/aston-villa-fc/aston-villa-news/2012/05/18/aston-villa-chosen-to-host-fa-community-shield-between-chelsea-and-manchester-city-97319-30998486/#ixzz1vJxgk6OW

Enough of footie for me for a while! Warwickshire marching on in the championship looking good to win what was snatched away from us last year by lancashire - so it seems apt that we're on our way to thrashing them for the 2nd time this season already. Come on you bears!

Bollocks! Lanky held out for the draw - oh well we're still unbeaten this season.

OGS was offered the Villa job and turned it down for family reasons.

Seems they weren't keen on relocation.

Typical bloody Villa! Not only do they accrue a crap total of points that keeps them up in a lucky season but they begin a chain of events that lose Blues their manager. I hope we get Lee Clarke - I do NOT want us to have anything to do with Mick McCarthy.

It's disappointing that Hughton left, but not surprising when there's a job like Norwich being offered. He gave Blues a bit of life that I've not seen in the team for a good while.

Lambert's appointment is probably the first decent one of Lerner's reign but he's got to allow Lambert to sign some decent new players rather than raiding the youth team. We'll see how it plays out....

And Steve Clarke to West Brom... He's had a good lot of experience with the big teams and I think West Brom will be a good test for him as head coach. He's got a good rep, I reckon he'll do good for them.

Some pretty decent appointments in the region thus far, and seeing as how poor we did last season lets hope it leads to a resurgence.

Lambert I really rate and wanted him when SISU took over Coventry but instead we ended up with Coleman then Boothroyd :bash:

It's rare to be able to get a manager with CL experience in the Championship so Wolves have done well with Solbakken IMO.

Clarke was another potential choice I had for Cov if we went down the inexperienced manager route, but he's got a lot of coaching experience at the very top level.

It's a bit of a blow for Blues to lose Hughton, but if they got Clark (who I wanted instead of Thorn) they'd have a manager who'd provide exciting football for the fans. I'm maybe a little unsure of his overall pedigree as he did have quite a substantial L1 budget at Huddersfield and failed to get them promoted.

And even if it was McCarthy he does have a good record of building a solid team in the Championship and getting promotion. His main problem is then not building on it and constantly settling for mediocrity and seeing not getting relegated as success. But at this moment in time you could do a lot worse.

As for my lot, we're stuck with Thorn who can't bring anyone in and over half a dozen players linked with moves out. I think they've misunderstood the 7 subs ruling and think we're playing 7-a-side next year!

We may be 4th favourites for L1 but I can see us being nearer the bottom than the top of the division yet again. Thorn may well get sacked around Oct for a poor start but even then we'd only appoint from within, probably Carsley or maybe Rioch.

I don't understand why Cov stick with Thorn who seems a bit clueless TBH. How about getting Curbishley in?

Same reason he got the job to start with - money. To be fair to him at home we're not usually that bad (especially considering how inexperienced/poor our team was last season) it's just his tactics don't work away and he hasn't formulated some sort of plan B to sort it.

Curbishley would want a lot more money and some kind of funding for transfers, which he wouldn't get even if we raise a bit by selling. And I'm not sure he'd want to manage in L1. Thorn is also doing two roles as he's still chief scout too.

If you listen to the noises coming out of the club it's gone from 'let's get straight back up' to 'let's be realistic' already. Our budget for next season will probably only be about average for L1, if that, and with teams at that level upping their game against a 'big name' it could well be another very disappointing season.

So Edgbaston spends all the money on a brilliant new pavilion and stand (which Tufnell and Vaughn voted their favourite new cricket stand) and ends up with a test match that only had 2 days playable out of 5!! Only Saturday's attendance came anywhere near to capacity while Sunday was a pitiful crowd. God knows how much Edgbaston has lost out in revenue and taking into consideration that we haven't got an Ashes test next year when much smaller grounds like Cardiff get one. We have the biggest cricket ground outside Lords FFS!

I've just seen the route for the Olympic Torch... apart from the last four locations the rest aren't exactly the greatest advert for Birmingham.....

18:35 Smethwick
18:35 High Street (A4030)
18:39 High Street
18:44 Cape Hill (A4092)

18:52 Birmingham
18:52 Dudley Road (A457)
19:08 Spring Hill (A457)
19:12 Summer Hill Road (A457)
19:15 Sand Pits (A457)
19:18 The Parade (A457)
19:20 Paradise Circus
19:24 Suffolk Street Queensway (A38)
19:29 Bristol Street (A38)
19:51 Priory Road (B4217)
19:53 Edgbaston Road (B4217)
19:55 Canon Hill Park
19:57 Bridge

One thing I've noticed is that despite how high profile Birchfield Harriers is for the country - you do seem to hear it a lot in commentary, it doesn't seem to market itself that much. Are the Americans using their facilities? They should really get there name and branding out there.

Hey!! June 30th is a day etched in my head. I was having a drink in the Island Bar with friends and we realised the torch was coming up the road... - the biggest bonus was seeing the changeover just outside the Alex entrance..

I can't believe how much everyone has got behind this, and having seen the footage of the relay, to be honest Smethwick/Birmingham looked ace - simply because of the people out to cheer it all on.

Paradise Circus looked pretty good to - and yep, the Library looked fantastic along with the original 'Colosseum' town hall. - so glad the weather held out!

So whilst my camera was dead on this run, I'll probably join it in Coventry to get a few shots there. Good stuff!!

Edgbaston is teetering on the edge of another massive loss today - a biggish crowd in and if the ODI game against the Aussies (scheduled to start at 6pm if no more rain) is cancelled there will be yet another pay-back to punters. This is the worst summer I can recall.

I can see serious financial problems at Warwickshire because of this summer. Only two days of the six biggest days in the calendar (so far) generating any money. Even the Warks Worcs T20 match was rained off. This and the lack of a test match for two years could all spell trouble.

Well there you go - 2 days out of 5 in a test and now a prestigious ODI is also lost, all down to this bloody rain - no ashes test next year to rub it in. Edgbaston properly Losing out here.

I hope the MCC will be proud of their achievements, railroad the club into investments to retain their status and then deny them key money-spinners.

Fantastic! And they'll blame everyone else when the club goes bump!

I understood that Aston Villa were not hosting any Olympic football games because construction work to increase capacity would coincide with the games. I am not aware of any construction work, so was this a lost opportunity for locals to witness Olympic football?

Looks like it. I suppose the club thought there might be construction going on then and didn't want to limit their options. But it's not, so Villa's loss is Coventry's gain.

Not that far away though is it? A similar distance as say Uxbridge to Stratford. I still don't get this football infatuation with the Olympics though - no-one gives a stuff about football at the Olympics!

Does any body agree with me that bringing the Jamaican athletics team to Birmingham has not brought the exposure to the city that the council hoped for. There has been very little coverage from the national media and the team themselves has been virtually locked away. The team has attended a couple of events, but Usain Bolt was absent. The American team has been more forthcoming, but Tyson Gay did not turn up at anything. Needless to say the teams arrived in London yesterday and Bolt was all over my TV screen!

Team GB are playing in Coventry on Fri evening.

Team GB are playing in Coventry on Fri evening.

Just bought tickets to go and watch them. I was very impressed with tonight's performance and hopefully there'll be a decent crowd in Coventry on Friday.

Good name checks for Brum from Bolt and Blake, nice considering the worldwide audience. Amazing 1-2-3 for Jamaica to boot

Can't buy that kind of publicity.

http://audioboo.fm/boos/915240-big-up-birmingham-olympics

So it's just a few days until the new football season kicks off. In the Premier League, we've got Aston Villa, Stoke and West Brom representing the Midlands clubs. In the Championship, there's Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers battling it out. So, what do we expect to see?

Villa did shockingly last season with McLeish and getting rid of him was a good step in the right direction. I think Paul Lambert will do very well but to say he's got a demanding job is put it lightly. Ron Vlaar, El Ahmadi, Brett Holman and Matthew Lowton are all making an impression as this summer's signings with potentially more to come in the next couple of weeks. Despite the massive optimism ahead of the season and relatively promising pre-season, I don't think we're going to see a Newcastle-esque revival of the club just yet. With Agbonlahor and Albrighton out for the start of the season with injury, we're going to have a shaky start. I also can't help but think we could really do with another, experienced striker. At the moment, I'm thinking a mid-table finish for Villa provided we don't suffer any major injuries.

Blues have done a couple of good signings from memory and I think losing Hughton was a shame. I haven't watched any of the pre-season matches but from what I've been told, the play has either been quite dull or really promising. Competition is going to be fierce this season, I really can't call it...

http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/

Good to see this local newspaper covering all 6 big clubs......

E&S doesn't do Birmingham news does it, why would it sport?

Birmingham Mail and Post will cover the brum teams. E&S is local to Wolverhampton.

West Brom and Villa are Birmingham football teams.

There aren't many Birmingham fans in the Black Country, whereas there are plenty of Villa fans.

West Brom and Villa are Birmingham football teams.



IMO clubs that have a B-- postcode are clubs in Birmingham. That means Blues, Baggies and Vile.

IMO clubs that have a B-- postcode are clubs in Birmingham. That means Blues, Baggies and Vile.

Tamworth are in B79.

Saturday 8 Dec

Arsenal V West Brom 15:00
Aston Villa V Stoke 15:00

Wolves V Birmingham 17:20

Another local derby to look forward to! The Arsenal v West Brom game should be good given West Brom's desire to continue their recent form and Arsenal's lack of form lately. Not sure what to think the Villa game will be like as no one likes playing boring old Stoke.

Baggies' form has dipped a little but yes it should be a cracker! Good passing game no doubt. I think Stoke get a bad deal out of their football - did you see how they came back against Newcastle? Great English football. I reckon they'll do Villa especially if Cameron Jerome plays. Now Blues are slightly more relaxed away from home but one thing is certain, they'll let in at least 1 goal.

MSP's preds
Arsenal 3-2 WBA
Villa 1-2 Stoke
Wolves 2-2 Blues

Albion robbed, Villa sterile and in danger of going down (this time!!) and Blues weird! Wolves not much better! Oh and Coventry stuffed Saddlers 5-1 in the other derby!

2 years ago this week Blues beat Villa in the LCQs but it seems the Villans are on a roll - fair play to them. Watch them get Bradford City in the semis........

9k at blues and 11k at baggies last night, poor all round really, i think baggies was £15 too

not sure if its apathy for the cup, the replay or just football in general on a cold tuesday night

Oh dear it seems that pip bloke who manages Barcelona has decided to be the coach of BAYERN MUNICH,instead of the giants who are in the premier league.It appears there is some dissalusionment amongst the ranks of the football fraternity in our country.How dare he.

Apathy at our predicament I think. Our crowds last season only peaked at the 26-27k mark in the Europa Lg and Play-off semi but the hard-core for the league is around 17k. Blues fans just need some hope about a new owner and we'll get a better response I think. A good run in the league wouldn't go amiss either!

Good to see the Villa Baggies game on at a decent time (5:30pm Sat) and not the usual Noon Sunday kick-off! WBA to turn their run around or Villa to win at last?

Blues at home to Brighton - another defeat I fear.

i think if villa lose, with the frustration that is currently around the club it could be the last 5.30 kick off between us for a while, that said it'll also be the last game between us for a while...

2 - 0 is enuff for Villa against Bantams ? (away goals rule)

yeah, away goal after extra time

saw enough in the 1st leg to think we can score at least 2, not conceeding will be the hard part, i think we'll do it but lose the final

yeah, away goal after extra time

saw enough in the 1st leg to think we can score at least 2, not conceeding will be the hard part, i think we'll do it but lose the final

I like your optimism, but I just can't see it.

Villa just do not have the spirit.

9k at blues and 11k at baggies last night, poor all round really, i think baggies was £15 too

not sure if its apathy for the cup, the replay or just football in general on a cold tuesday night

This.

2 - 0 is enuff for Villa against Bantams ? (away goals rule)

Away goals rule is after extra time has been played. Can Villa keep a clean sheet for 120mins?

According to reports Coventry may play their "home" games at St. Andrews or banks's stadium until their ground is sorted

I think it's a bit rich that the holding company is forcing out the very organisation that created the legacy able to build the Ricoh in the first place!! Without CCFC the rest wouldn't have happened. I really hope CCFC come through this and I don't mind them using St Andrews in the meantime. With the current snow the pitch might get cut up though due to many games coming up.
The CCFC thing is typical of football life outside the PL where West Ham will be gifted yet another tax-paid stadium.

I think it's a bit rich that the holding company is forcing out the very organisation that created the legacy able to build the Ricoh in the first place!! Without CCFC the rest wouldn't have happened. I really hope CCFC come through this and I don't mind them using St Andrews in the meantime. With the current snow the pitch might get cut up though due to many games coming up.
The CCFC thing is typical of football life outside the PL where West Ham will be gifted yet another tax-paid stadium.


That's not actually correct. The holding company (ACL) was only formed because CCFC ran out of money and went cap in hand. The council didn't want to get involved. Without ACL there also would be no Ricoh - it would be a partially decontaminated waste ground and CCFC would be paying £1m a year to a housing organisation to rent Highfield Road. Apart from the stadium the rest may well have gone ahead - Coventry has a tendency to throw up masses of retail sheds all over anyway and the case for the exhibition hall/hotel etc could have been made anyway due to it's good transport links with the M6 and proximity to the railway

Also ACL have said CCFC can finish their remaining games in the Ricoh if needed - no-one's kicked them out. Pretty generous for an organisation that's possibly just be done out of £1.3m! (although I think this kind of asset moving is commonplace and won't be allowable by the courts) The club's owners chose to leave the offices and shop - they were not forced or locked out.

ACL offered a much reduced rent and apparently their share of the refreshemnt income. SISU refused. No for three games they've got to find somewhere to pay, negotiate a deal for it (which considering they've refused to hand over a year's worth of rent isn't going to be easy!), pay for transport for all fans to the new venue and hope some people will travel the extra distance to watch. And sort out the hospitality arrangements and the likely legal action that will come from that. It could end up costing them a fortune.

I wonder if this will make the TV this year? 2000 extra spaces this year


Runners gear up for Brum half marathon
27 Mar 2013 11:05
Organisers vow this year's Bupa Great Birmingham Run will be bigger and better than ever

Runners have been put under starter’s orders for this year’s Bupa Great Birmingham Run, with organisers saying the event will be bigger and better.

The 13.1-mile race will take place on October 20 and there will be 20,000 spaces – 2,000 more than last year.

There will also be a new course which will include fewer hills.

The race will start and finish in the city centre and will take in Edgbaston and Bournville, but beyond that the route is yet to be decided.

Race director Jamie Still said because the event was growing in size, the current route could not accommodate so many runners.

“We also had feedback from runners saying they didn’t like the long hill stretch at the end of the run, so will be looking at that,” he said.

“We have looked at nine different options and have decided to stick in the south of the city and keep Edgbaston and Bournville, and then back into the city centre, which unfortunately will include some hills, but hopefully not as bad as the previous routes.”

Helping to launch the event was six-time Paralympic gold medallist David Weir, who will be competing in the event.

“I’m going to do more road races in the UK and am really looking forward to Birmingham and would like to do it in 45 minutes,” he said.

Last year’s event was hit by tragedy after Selly Oak runner Kevin Paterson, 36, collapsed and died after crossing the finishing line. He was the first person to die in the history of the event.

* For further race details visit www.greatrun.org

http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/lifestyle/health/runners-gear-up-birmingham-half-2038605

Blues were immense last night - just like a lot of performances from last season. Bring on the Wolves!!

Blues were immense last night - just like a lot of performances from last season. Bring on the Wolves!!

What a win that was last night, we were immense. Redmond was cracking and I thought Davies and Robinson were rock solid. What a free kick from Ferguson as well!

Thoughts on Clark now?

He's made some squad and tactical mistakes in certain games but I do like our blend of experience and youth on the whole. I also think Blues do better facing adversity rather than bring expected to turn sides over. On our day we are a match for anyone in this division though.

I know the feelings towards Clark have grown more positive but this was only natural as results improve. I do wonder if he's pushing the youth out of necessity though.

I heard today's game on the radio (WM with their Wolves bias!) and even though Wolves bossed us in the first half, I heard Davies was caught and injured by Ebanks-Blake who should have been yellow carded at least. So Davies wasn't at his best but it was definitely a game of 2 halves and Blues just came up short. How many times have Blues given teams a 3-goal start at St Andrews this season?

A good and critical article in The Birmingham Post.

http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/other-sport/2013/05/03/why-birmingham-s-football-teams-can-t-compete-with-manchester-s-65233-33279403/

Well it has been a fairly awful season for West Midlands football, apart from the Baggies and maybe Walsall's late play-off charge.

I fear it is not going to get much better in the next few years, my own club, Blues, basically living hand-to-mouth and will have not transfer funds next season, Wolves getting relegated and will have to reduce their wage bill by around £16m to meet the wage cap in L1, the Baggies board won't push beyond their means, I can understand where they are coming from, but a couple of risks this season could have seen them get a place in Europe, and Villa are in a state of flux, can afford to buy the odd player for medium to large fees, but rely on youth, but apart from the top 4 or 5 clubs in the premier, that is the future for the majority of league clubs, youth predominating, with the odd signing now and again.

Obviously you also have Coventry who are in right stuck, although they did ok in the league, would have just missed out on the play-offs if not for the 10 point deduction.

The majority of this summer I suspect will be about whether Blues can get investment or a takeover, never mind if our current owner gets put away on money laundering charges, Coventry and the ongoing dispute with SISU and ACL, plus potential takeover there also, and Wolves, and how life in L1 is going to effect them.

All in all fairly depressing :(

i think villa are in danger of apathy, which is probably the worst plalce to be as a football club

when (not if) we sell benteke in the summer it'll only get worse, it just all seems completely fucking pointless at the moment, you try through the youth and by some good scouting and then anyone who's half decent would rather sit on a CL clubs bench than play for us every week, i think we'll steer clear of relegation and just sit mid table doing nothing for 2/3 years now

i think villa are in danger of apathy, which is probably the worst plalce to be as a football club

when (not if) we sell benteke in the summer it'll only get worse, it just all seems completely fucking pointless at the moment, you try through the youth and by some good scouting and then anyone who's half decent would rather sit on a CL clubs bench than play for us every week, i think we'll steer clear of relegation and just sit mid table doing nothing for 2/3 years now

Spot on assessment I think.

I like most people I speak to seem totally disillusioned with football. The game is dying a slow and painful death.

Whats the point of even taking part in a competition you can't possibly win?

The cost of tickets is totally disproportionate to the level of entertainment on offer too.

I like most people I speak to seem totally disillusioned with football.

I know that feeling, I gave up my season ticket a few years ago (at Blues, bought a Macro lens instead!) - I've been a couple of times since with free tickets - but it's not enough to get me back in to football.

Seems I'm not alone, a lot of my work colleagues have given up with their teams, a lot of people seem to be ditching Sky Sports as well. I used to try and watch any of the free games on TV - now I can't be bothered.

ive thought about giving up sky sports, the "isnt this all brilliant" commentary really puts me off, to be fair i still watch most games, but this weekend for example, 2 really poor games and 1 not great game

really struggle with MOTD, watched hardly any spanish football this year, no serie A (but i have watched a fair bit of the bundesliga on ESPN)

think the NFL coverage is the only thing keeping my subscription going

I only rely on MOTD and the FL Show for my footie fix and listen to 5Live and 5LX for commentaries.
I think the PL has become to NW / SE powerful with only WBA from here being the best chance to break into the top 8. Without sugar-daddies the old way of building a squad through talented youth and depth to get close has disappeared.
On the media side - will BBC WM acknowledge next season that Villa, Albion and Blues are the priority teams and not fill every bloody air minute with Wolves news, gossip and commentary!

I only rely on MOTD and the FL Show for my footie fix and listen to 5Live and 5LX for commentaries.
I think the PL has become to NW / SE powerful with only WBA from here being the best chance to break into the top 8. Without sugar-daddies the old way of building a squad through talented youth and depth to get close has disappeared.
On the media side - will BBC WM acknowledge next season that Villa, Albion and Blues are the priority teams and not fill every bloody air minute with Wolves news, gossip and commentary!

The amount of attention Wolves have received this season on WM is sickening. It is all they ever talk about, every time I leave work and jump in the car all I hear is conversations about Wolves. Amazing given the small proportion of West midlands football fans that follow Wolves.

I'd put good money on BBC WM's sport phone in's receiving record low numbers of listeners this season.

There is 5 clubs in this region, Wolves is the second smallest and has achieved far less the Blues, Villa and Baggies in the modern era of the game.

The amount of attention Wolves have received this season on WM is sickening. It is all they ever talk about, every time I leave work and jump in the car all I hear is conversations about Wolves. Amazing given the small proportion of West midlands football fans that follow Wolves.

I'd put good money on BBC WM's sport phone in's receiving record low numbers of listeners this season.

There is 5 clubs in this region, Wolves is the second smallest and has achieved far less the Blues, Villa and Baggies in the modern era of the game.

Aye, but Tom Ross etc are besotted with the rest so it serves them better to have a bit more on Wolves, I'd never listen to BRMB for that reason. Despite going down, I feel rather chipper today with Saunders buggering off. Onwards and upwards. You are clearly frigging joking though about being the second smallest? You are delusional if not. Blues have done sweet FA ever, have a terrible fan base given their reach in the second biggest city in the land and are 'small time' in everything they do, you do know that don't you?:)

What we're saying Mookwolf is that BBC WM and Free Radio B'ham are Brum-based stations so we'd expect more news on the 3 clubs here. Fair enough WM has to cover the county but it has totally overdone it over the past 5 years on all Wolves things. The Black Country has Free Radio BC to cover Wolves too.
In regards to the size of clubs etc - it's all subjective. In the past 30 years Villa have been the most successful local club with Blues next best. Yes Wolves and WBA won the Championship recently but nothing else of note has been won. And in terms of seasons in the top flight in the last 30 years the order is Villa, Blues, WBA and Wolves.
The last cup I saw Wolves win was the League Cup 1980 when Andy Gray scored an easy tap-in but seriously the 80s and 90s were an absolute black hole where crowds plumbed the depths - I stood on the South Bank in the late 80s once amongst about 3000 people.
Now Wolves are back in the 3rd tier - the last time Blues were there in 94/95 season we had pretty decent crowds with many full-houses of 25000 so you can't say that Blues can't pull them in.
The 1950s was the best decade for our 4 clubs and it would be great to relive that again.

What we're saying Mookwolf is that BBC WM and Free Radio B'ham are Brum-based stations so we'd expect more news on the 3 clubs here. Fair enough WM has to cover the county but it has totally overdone it over the past 5 years on all Wolves things. The Black Country has Free Radio BC to cover Wolves too.
In regards to the size of clubs etc - it's all subjective. In the past 30 years Villa have been the most successful local club with Blues next best. Yes Wolves and WBA won the Championship recently but nothing else of note has been won. And in terms of seasons in the top flight in the last 30 years the order is Villa, Blues, WBA and Wolves.
The last cup I saw Wolves win was the League Cup 1980 when Andy Gray scored an easy tap-in but seriously the 80s and 90s were an absolute black hole where crowds plumbed the depths - I stood on the South Bank in the late 80s once amongst about 3000 people.
Now Wolves are back in the 3rd tier - the last time Blues were there in 94/95 season we had pretty decent crowds with many full-houses of 25000 so you can't say that Blues can't pull them in.
The 1950s was the best decade for our 4 clubs and it would be great to relive that again.

I know what you're saying about the wireless, just that it actually makes sense for some of them, Brum based or not, to actually cede to Tom Ross as they can't grab that audience so why not grab another?
You are rewriting history if you think you we're getting 25000 back then, I have no emnity at all to Blues, all my mates are bluenoses, but winning one tin pot don't make you a 'bigger club' - history and tradition and recognition worldwide do that. We'll never get 'the big six' up in the prem and tbh, I no longer care much, which is sad. I used to love our ramshackle mol in the 90s and still love your main stand, the rest of both stadiums is, like the footy on offer, sterile and without charm. I might go to some games next season mind, forgot what a win feels like...

Aye, but Tom Ross etc are besotted with the rest so it serves them better to have a bit more on Wolves, I'd never listen to BRMB for that reason. Despite going down, I feel rather chipper today with Saunders buggering off. Onwards and upwards. You are clearly frigging joking though about being the second smallest? You are delusional if not. Blues have done sweet FA ever, have a terrible fan base given their reach in the second biggest city in the land and are 'small time' in everything they do, you do know that don't you?:)

A Wolves fan calling me delusional :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Firstly, I don't work at Birmingham City Football Club, and as yet Im not in a position to do any thing but dream of owning the club, so pointing your finger at me because im a supporter is really rather pointless. But I will say this:

In the modern money driven era of the game, Birmingham out rank Wolves in EVERY way.

Trophies Won,
League position,
Number of seasons in the top flight,
even European campaigns!!

Birminghams fanbase is actually very decent for a club that has had poor investment and bad leadership for most of its history. Without any thing near the levels of investment clubs like Aston Villa and Man City have received. (clubs with comparable catchment areas). The club was getting regular crowds around the 29,000 mark until Brady started charging £50 per ticket. Fans were driven away by obscene ticket prices and mediocre Premier League performances.

As an England fan I know just how unfulfilling living off past Glories from a by gone era feels, so your not fooling me that being a big club in the 50's will ever actually give you any sense of satisfaction.

You can call Birmingham 'small time' as much as you want whilst playing in a entire league below them pulling in smaller crowds then them. Oh and maybe, just maybe some day you'll know as a Wolves supporter what beating Arsenal in the final seconds of a Wembley cup final feels like but I wouldn't hold your breath. Or even just finishing in the TOP half of the Premier League something Birmingham, Villa and Baggies fans all know fairly well.

It's largely because WM is riddled with Wolves fans. Daz Hale is openly a wolves fan, and though he'll never admit it it's obvious that Paul Franks is too.

Should open up a BBC office in Wolvo for their biased presenters!

A Wolves fan calling me delusional :lol::lol::lol::lol:

Firstly, I don't work at Birmingham City Football Club, and as yet Im not in a position to do any thing but dream of owning the club, so pointing your finger at me because im a supporter is really rather pointless. But I will say this:

In the modern money driven era of the game, Birmingham out rank Wolves in EVERY way.

Trophies Won,
League position,
Number of seasons in the top flight,
even European campaigns!!





Birminghams fanbase is actually very decent for a club that has had poor investment and bad leadership for most of its history. Without any thing near the levels of investment clubs like Aston Villa and Man City have received. (clubs with comparable catchment areas). The club was getting regular crowds around the 29,000 mark until Brady started charging £50 per ticket. Fans were driven away by obscene ticket prices and mediocre Premier League performances.

As an England fan I know just how unfulfilling living off past Glories from a by gone era feels, so your not fooling me that being a big club in the 50's will ever actually give you any sense of satisfaction.

You can call Birmingham 'small time' as much as you want whilst playing in a entire league below them pulling in smaller crowds then them. Oh and maybe, just maybe some day you'll know as a Wolves supporter what beating Arsenal in the final seconds of a Wembley cup final feels like but I wouldn't hold your breath. Or even just finishing in the TOP half of the Premier League something Birmingham, Villa and Baggies fans all know fairly well.


Good grief, aren't you chippy? You know full well you have never had full houses and the £50 ticket, do me a favour. Ask anyone the length and breadth of the country or across Europe who is the 'bigger' club and you know what answer you'll get. You spawnily won the tin pot (look at the list of recent winners - hardly stellar) and spent a few years on a pornographer's handouts making the greed league look shabby before sinking now to your proper level. Don't talk to me about mismanagement, we trump you several times over - though Carson is doing amazingly well at the moment!

Don't get you bluenose knickers in a twist man, I know we're in div 3 but at least we've lost Saunders so I'm reasonably confident of a rebuild- while Clarke is in charge you blokes are going nowhere.

Tin pot or not - we've been to 2 finals in 12 years and when we won it we went toe to toe with Arsenal and beat them fair and square. Talking about tin pots you're now in the Johnstones Paint Trophy lol!

Good grief, aren't you chippy? You know full well you have never had full houses and the £50 ticket, do me a favour. Ask anyone the length and breadth of the country or across Europe who is the 'bigger' club and you know what answer you'll get. You spawnily won the tin pot (look at the list of recent winners - hardly stellar) and spent a few years on a pornographer's handouts making the greed league look shabby before sinking now to your proper level. Don't talk to me about mismanagement, we trump you several times over - though Carson is doing amazingly well at the moment!

Don't get you bluenose knickers in a twist man, I know we're in div 3 but at least we've lost Saunders so I'm reasonably confident of a rebuild- while Clarke is in charge you blokes are going nowhere.

Never had full houses? Are you really THAT ignorant? and £50 per ticket was a genuine price for Blues vs Villa in 2008. I know because I was forced to pay it. It applied to games against the Big four as well.

The fact of the matter is most people in Britain have barely even heard of Wolverhampton, yet alone be able to point it out at first glance at a map. I know people in the West Midlands who would struggle.
As for Europeans, do really REALLY believe they know anything at all about WWFC? If your not Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool or Arsenal you DONT EVEN EXCIST to them!

Just as a side point, you are aware that Birmingham City have a bigger history in Europe then Wolves aren't you? You know we made 2 Uefa Cup/Europa League finals as well? loosing to Barcelona and AS Roma.

Tin pot or not - we've been to 2 finals in 12 years and when we won it we went toe to toe with Arsenal and beat them fair and square. Talking about tin pots you're now in the Johnstones Paint Trophy lol!

Tin - Pot is a term used by jealous people.

The names on the trophy read

2010 Manchester United
2011 Birmingham City
2012 Liverpool

Funny how the 2 biggest clubs in english football take it serious enough to try and win it.:nuts:

Wolves have won it as many times as Birmingham have.

The last time in 1980 was against the European Champions, Nottingham Forest.

Birmingham's achievement 2 years ago was good too, beating Arsenal who haven't won anything for 8 years.

Of course, the 2 league cups Wolves have won aren't quite as special as the 4 F.A cups and the 3 league titles.

Because Birmingham haven't won anything else it is easy to understand why their fans cherish the competition so much. Although strangely it only ever became important to them after they won it in 2011. Before trophies didn't mean anything. Strange that.

Apart from the 2001 final and 1996 semi final you mean?

No.

The point is that Birmingham fans used to say that it didn't matter how many trophies a club had won over the course of its history. All because their own club's trophy haul consisted of just one league cup and a few other minor honours.

Birmingham have now won another league cup and suddenly the amount of trophies a club has won is extremely important to them and shows how mighty they are.



In the modern money driven era of the game, Birmingham out rank Wolves in EVERY way.

Trophies Won,

League position,

Number of seasons in the top flight,

even European campaigns!!

However, Villa maintain premiership status thanks to Gooners:duck:

If Wigan beat you on Sunday your last 2 points hauls will read 38 and 40 - massive!!

All rivalries aside I hope Wolves, Cov and Walsall clean sweep the promotions next season, Blues go up, Villa survive again (lol!) and the Baggies get into Europe.

yes the last 2 seasons, might as well throw in the previous year too

but whatever you dont dont go as far back as 5 years because then you start having to add in the 6th place finishes, or really dont look at the prem record or you'd have to say we are 5th on the all time prem table, REALLY dont start looking at the all time list or you'll see that we are 4th in this country...

but yeah football only began when small heath won the carling cup

FWIW villa do this all the time, 2/3 years of prosperity followed by an almighty collapse and scraping survival, our poor couple of seasons really isnt anything new

No.

The point is that Birmingham fans used to say that it didn't matter how many trophies a club had won over the course of its history. All because their own club's trophy haul consisted of just one league cup and a few other minor honours.

Birmingham have now won another league cup and suddenly the amount of trophies a club has won is extremely important to them and shows how mighty they are.

Talk about a sweeping generalisation.

yes the last 2 seasons, might as well throw in the previous year too

but whatever you dont dont go as far back as 5 years because then you start having to add in the 6th place finishes, or really dont look at the prem record or you'd have to say we are 5th on the all time prem table, REALLY dont start looking at the all time list or you'll see that we are 4th in this country...

but yeah football only began when small heath won the carling cup

FWIW villa do this all the time, 2/3 years of prosperity followed by an almighty collapse and scraping survival, our poor couple of seasons really isnt anything new

With respect this has been Villa's 3rd successive brush with the drop zone, January 2011 Villa were in the bottom 3 when they played Blues at St.Andrews.

If Benteke leaves or worse does a Darren Bent and forgets how to score then next season could be far worse then this campaign.

or we could shift the high earning waste of spacers from previous managers, have the youngsters gain some confidence and have a really good year :O

strangely i thought we were far far worse last year under mcleish, i was convinced last year that we stayed up purely on the basis that there were worse teams than us, was the same in o'dreary's last season and under taylor mkII, however this year i think we've stayed up because we won key games vs relegation rivals since christmas

at least you can see what lambert is trying to do