HORSE POWER

BIRMINGHAM CITY FAN KEITH DIXON LOOKS BACK AT THE CAREER OF POPULAR FORMER BLUES STRIKER GEOFF HORSFIELD

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CAN you believe it's 25 years ago that Geoff Horsfield made his debut in Birmingham City’s 0-0 draw at Queens Park Rangers?

At the time he was Birmingham's record signing, having cost a reported £2.25m when he moved from Fulham in July 2000.

Geoff was born in Barnsley to a traditional mining family on November 1, 1973 and his style of play reflected his working-class upbringing: strong, determined and focussed on doing the best he could in whatever situation. This immediately made him a favourite of the Bluenoses.

He signed a five-year contract with the Blues and scored his first goal against West Brom at the Hawthorns in a 1-1 draw. He went on to end the season as top scorer with 12 goals.

His arrival at St Andrew's coincided with two consecutive final appearances for Birmingham: the League Cup in 2001 and Division One Play-Off in 2002.

In the League Cup showpiece, the Blues played Liverpool, Geoff's boyhood heroes. He’d scored two goals in the 4-1 after extra-time semifinal second leg victory against Ipswich Town, giving Birmingham a 4-2 aggregate success.