Source: Daily_Mail
The rise and rise of Birmingham City: As good as it gets for Blues fans
Jasper Carrott must be struggling for jokes these days. [LNB]His stock gag that the only way Birmingham City would get into Europe would be if a war started is starting to look a bit dated thanks to the efforts of Alex McLeish & Co.[LNB]Seventh in the Premier League at Christmas? One point ahead of Liverpool? [LNB]Unthinkable? Unbelievable, more like. But the fact is that for generations of the club's fans this is as good as it has been.[LNB]They have never been justified in attaching the word 'great' to any side to wear the royal blue. Good is about as far as any neutral would accept.[LNB] Rising high: Since promotion was secured at Reading last season, the stock of Alex McLeish and Birmingham has gone through the roof[LNB]That said, it is probably better to compare sides through the generations. For the most recent converts to the cause, Steve Bruce's class of 2004 were about the best example.[LNB]Armed with the goals of Mikael Forssell, with Robbie Savage at his annoying best in midfield and Matthew Upson finally carving out a career for himself after a terrible run of Football injuries, the portents looked good. That lifted the club into 10th, their best position in 30 years.[LNB]Blue heaven: Francis[LNB]That was the pinnacle for another generation of fans, the days when Trevor Francis, Bob Latchford and Bob Hatton, prompted by Howard Kendall and Alan Campbell in midfield with Joe Gallagher at the back, were about as good as it got.[LNB]Then a freak John Mitchell goal 10 seconds from the end of extra-time in the FA Cup semi-final replay of 1975 put Fulham through to a final against West Ham at Birmingham's expense and another decent team hit a downward slope.[LNB]Prior to that, older supporters will refer to Arthur Turner's side of 1956 as the best ever.A sixth-placed finish in the First Division and the club's second FA Cup final appearance was evidence of that.[LNB]That became known as the Bert Trautmann final after Manchester City's side, led by Don Revie, overcame a broken neck to their goalkeeper to inflict more misery on Birmingham.[LNB]It has been hailed as a Revie masterplan. Birmingham's players have since confirmed that the silk jerseys they wore on a scorching Wembley day retained so much sweat that they felt like they were dragging sacks on their backs.[LNB]Another example of glorious failure as far as Birmingham City are concerned.Whatever will they do with success?[LNB] 'I keep the Shed End in my loft', says Birmingham's very own 'I keep the Shed End in my loft', says Birmingham's very own McLeish to be offered new deal after steering Birmingham towards EuropeBIRMINGHAM CITY FC
