Birmingham’s chairman, Tom Wagner, insists relegation to League One will not derail his grand plans for the club but it is impossible not to recognise it is a significant backwards step. Birmingham’s American owners plan to build a 60,000-capacity arena on a 48-acre site in nearby Bordesley Green, a world-class facility if it materialises, but no amount of CGI images can sugarcoat a thoroughly deflating end to another depressing season.
As arch-rivals Aston Villa close on qualifying for the Champions League, Birmingham are now preparing to play in the third tier for the first time since 1994-95. Barry Fry ensured it was a brief stay, clinching promotion as champions that season, and Birmingham can only hope they will repeat the feat, their 13-season run in the Championship over.
Birmingham’s survival always hinged on getting favours elsewhere and with results going against them a narrow victory courtesy of Paik Seung-ho’s second-half header was insufficient.
There was no pinwheeling Paul Caddis moment to get them out of jail this time. Perhaps the only consolation is that, whereas a decade ago there were fears of administration, if not liquidation, financially at least they appear in rude health. Perhaps that is why there was a muted atmosphere at the final whistle, a jarring numbness, a few jeers as opposed to anarchy.
“It’s very easy to say but I do believe that once the dust settles the club are destined for some really exciting times because I don’t think there are many teams with the desire [of the owners],” Gary Rowett said. “It feels like the club has gone to ground zero but I believe we can get it right on the pitch
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