CLIMBING WITH CHRIS

LIFELONG BIRMINGHAM FAN KEITH DIXON ON THE IMPACT OF ROOKIE BOSS CHRIS DAVIES...

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IN MY soon to be published book 'Birmingham City - 150 years of a remarkable football club', there is a chapter on managers and the opening paragraph refers to those who achieved success in the past.

Of permanent bosses, number one was Harry Storer in the '40s with a win ratio of 50.8 per cent over 118 games, followed by Trevor Francis, who achieved 47.9 per cent over 290 games.

That record-winning ratio was surpassed in 2024-25 by Chris Davies, who has managed the Blues for 60 games. He won 44, giving him a stunning win percentage of 73.33.

In doing so, he led Birmingham to become League One champions with a record-breaking 111 points and also ensured a trip to Wembley in the Vertu Trophy final.

It was little wonder the rookie boss was named the EFL League One Manager of the Season. So what do we know about this man who has achieved so much in his first role as number one?

Born in Watford on March 27, 1985, Davies was a youth player for Reading and because his father was Welsh, he was able to gain caps for the Welsh Under-17,18 and 19 squads. However, at the age of 19 he was forced to retire due to an arthritic condition in his foot.

A main driver in his career has been his relationship with Brendan Rodgers.