BLUES SEEK REPEAT

SAM SHEPPEY RECALLS WHEN BIRMINGHAM CITY WERE LAST IN THE THIRD THER 30 YEARS AGO...

- SAM SHEPPEY

League One is a relatively new league for a lot of Birmingham City fans.

You have to go back to 1994-95, when League One was the Second Division, for the last time the Blues featured in the third tier - and they won the league title. It was an immediate bounce back from relegation when the team went down with 51 points.

Last season the Blues dropped out of the Championship with 50 points, so the narrative seems similar to the one from 30 years ago. A big fish in a small pond is the view of many Birmingham fans and bookmakers.

The fanbase is expectant, and the media are interested. Here is the story from 30 years ago and how it compares to now...

THE MANAGER

Birmingham's current manager is Chris Davies. A student of the game, Davies' qualifications are lengthy, taking up varying coaching and assistant manager roles at Liverpool, Celtic, Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 39-year-old has worked under Brendan Rodgers at a number of clubs but is now striking out on his own after being appointed by the Blues in June.

The approach from Birmingham was different in 1994. Barry Fry was the man at the helm, with the board sticking with Fry after appointing him in December 1993.

A well-known, animated character with bags of personality, Fry galvanized his dressing room with his passion and desire for the game, saying things as they were, making him a fan favourite at the club.

Fry was appointed in the same year David Sullivan and David Gold secured an 80 per cent stake in the Midlands outfit.

Karren Brady was 23-years-old when she started to work as managing director at Blues in March 1993, highlighting the changing nature of the club behind the scenes.