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Birmingham Attractions
Birmingham City F.C.
Birmingham City Football Club was formed in 1875 as Small Heath alliance. In 1888 the teams name was changed to become Small Heath, this lasted until 1905 before it became Birmingham F.C. It was finally in 1943 that the name changed for the last time becoming Birmingham City F.C.
The clubs most successful period was during the 1950s and the 1960s. In the 1955-56 season the club reached sixth position in the first division, as well as reaching the FA Cup final of that year. In the sixties the team reached the Inter-Cities final two years running, that of 1960 and 1961. But it was in 1963 that the club won its first major trophy, the League Cup, when they beat arch rivals Aston Villa 3-1.
The club has spent most of its history in the top tiers of football. But from the late eighties, until 2002, they found themselves outside top flight football. They even at one point found themselves in the third tier of English football before bouncing back. The club has twice won the Football League Trophy.
Birmingham City’s ground is called St. Andrew’s Stadium, and holds a total capacity of 30,011. St. Andrew’s has been the home of the club since 1906 and has been through many changes in its history. The site on which the ground stands was once brickworks. The stadium was built in less than twelve months even though the land was full of stagnant pools.
The ground was rumoured to have been cursed by gypsies who were moved of the land but there is no evidence to support this. The ground capacity was originally reported at 75,000, however, in 1938 the official capacity was reduced to 68,000. In the FA Cup fifth round tie in 1939 between Birmingham and Everton a crowd of 66,844 watched the game.
During the Second World War Birmingham’s chief constable had the ground closed due to danger of bombing. Birmingham was the only club to do so, but had it re-opened after the issue was discussed in parliament. The railway end was actually bombed during the war and the main stand suffered when fuel, instead of water was poured on the fire by the fireman.
The new main stand was built with a cantilever roof offering spectators more of an uninterrupted view. Floodlights were added in 1956 and switched on against Borussia Dortmund for the first time in 1957.
In the mid sixties the capacity was brought down to 55,000, before being reduced again by the Taylor Report. Birmingham City Football Club today is looking for a new home and stadium but at present do not have the planning, or funds for such a move.
Should you be coming to Birmingham in the future and are looking for a cheap hotel in Birmingham, then many can be found close to St. Andrew’s Stadium.
