New Season, New Ambitions at Birmingham City FC

Even though I'm currently on "Vacation" I couldn't leave the football alone! I visited my Uncle and Aunt's local EPL club team Birmingham City at their home pitch St.Andrews to get a feel for what the club is after at the start of the new EPL season. Plus it was an awesome way to get a mini tour of the grounds. I would like to thank BCFC for their hospitality, especially to Chris Kershaw the press officer for the club who gave me the time of day when I showed up unannounced on team photo day!

Enjoy,
Mike
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With the start of the new Barclay's Premier League season, Birmingham City FC supporters are cautiously optimistic about the chances in the league this year. After a higher than expected 9th place finish last season, the best in 51 years. The club is looking to new opportunities both on and off the pitch to grow the success of the West Midlands club. The club turned heads last season with an 12 match unbeaten run after Christmas which went a long way in sealing their place in the top flight for another season.


Player Recruitment/Development

Heads we also turned just before the run started as the long protracted take over of the club from David Sullivan and David Gold to Chinese billionaire Carlson Yeung was completed. At an estimated cost of 81 million GBP, Yeung assumed control of a club that had just been promoted back to the Premier League after winning the Championship League title that spring. At the onset of his take over Yeung promised over 40 million GBP in new signings to the club, and although the full amount of that spending had not happened as of yet the club is confident it can attract top talent to the squad. As with other Premier League clubs this season City have to be concentrated on the new home grown player rule that regulates squad sizes and composition. The rule states that 8 out of a possible 25 man roster must be "home grown". These home grown players must have been in the English academy system from over 3 years by the time they are/were 21. This does not mean the player has be to English born, think Cesc Fabregas.

So where does this leave The Blues in regards to player recruitment? Are they are buying club? Or is there going to be a push of youth from the academy?