Tag: season

On the 3rd of July, 2024,  Birmingham City striker Alfie May sat down with Blues T.V. to reveal all the details about his move from Charlton Athletic.

Watch the video here.

Cameron Eubank.

Nathan Gardiner joins Blues Announcement.

On the 24th of July, 2024,  Birmingham City made an announcement about the commission of a Trevor Francis statue by  Douglas Jennings M.R.B.S., a globally acclaimed portrait sculptor.

The iconic statue will be situated in front of the Kop Stand, with the unveiling ceremony scheduled to take place prior to the start of the 2025/26 season.

The Trevor Francis Memorial Committee, consisting of his lifelong friends Jasper Carrott, John White and Tom Ross and Club representatives Chief Executive Officer, Garry Cook, Chief Fan Experience Officer, John Clarke, and Executive Vice Chairman Birmingham City Foundation, Jeremy Dale, undertook an extensive evaluation of potential sculptors to work with.

Jennings was the unanimous choice.  This was based on his impressive body of work, experience in producing art works for public figures in the world of sport and his passion for the Trevor Francis project.  His creations can be seen worldwide from The Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace to high-profile public commissions, including the recently revealed Walter Smith O.B.E. statue at Ibrox Stadium.

Francis’ death, at 69-years-old, came as a huge shock to the global footballing community.  Blues set aside space outside St. Andrew’s where supporters could pay their respects and leave tributes.  It was moving and poignant how many people flocked to the area to lay wreaths, cards, scarves, hand-written letters and pictures. A Book of Condolence was opened at the Library of Birmingham, as the outpouring of grief at Francis’ passing, and love for him, was clear to see.

In April 2024, the Club revealed that initiatives were being planned to ensure Francis’ memory and legacy would live on.  Under the guidance of the Trevor Francis Memorial Committee, the Club announced four initiatives:

To commission a statue that would be available for football supporters from around the world to visit and to enjoy.

An annual Trevor Francis Memorial Match, hosted at St. Andrew’s featuring Blues and clubs that Francis had played for and had connections with, starting with Glasgow Rangers on July 24, 2024.

A Memorial Concert in 2025, organised by Jasper Carrott.

A community inspired annual Birmingham City Foundation football competition.

Birmingham City Chief Executive, Garry Cook, said, “Birmingham City Football Club delivered one of the countries greats and his accolades went beyond our city.  Trevor Francis was and will always be an inspiration to young footballers, setting Club records, scoring the winning goal in a European Cup Final and representing his country with immense pride.  A commitment was made by the Club’s Board to ensure that Blues would never forget him.  Douglas Jennings is part of the process to ensure we deliver on this commitment.  Doug is an inspirational, creative genius.  From our first meeting, he demonstrated his understanding of what we are looking to achieve and why.  Douglas’s body of work, including the statue of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate our longest reigning monarch situated on the banks of the River Thames, is amazing.  It has been inspirational spending time in his company, learning about his creative process and his ideas for Trevor’s statue.  He is going to create memorable object of art befitting of ‘Super Boy’, one that Blues supporters, and football fans from across the globe are going to want to see in person.”

Douglas Jennings said, “I felt honoured when I received the call to work on this project. Trevor Francis is iconic, one of our greatest English footballers. I appreciate what he means to so many people and in particular Birmingham City Football Club.  This bronze statue will be a fitting tribute to a great man.”

Francis, a teenage sensation who scored all four goals in a victory over Bolton Wanderers as a 16-year-old, made 330 appearances for the Club, finding the net 113 times, before transferring to Nottingham Forest as Britain’s first £1 million footballer.  He later returned to Birmingham City as Manager between 1996 and 2001, leading the Club to the Worthington Cup Final as a Second Division side.

Read more about Francis here.

Read more about Jennings here.