NEWSLETTER feb 2018 ISSUE 18 THIS MONTH A Word From The Chairman Interview with Paul Devlin The 250 Club Gala Dinner Blues All Stars A Word From The Chairman Tom Ross It was amazing to receive an on 5 October. The night was contacts and we look forward to email from a family member of fantastic and there were some working with him further. one of our former players with many stories from them both some news that warmed the about their amazing careers. The Finally on a sad note, I would like heart. evening was also a platform for to say how shocked and saddened Tony to launch his autobiography we were to hear of the news that The son of Jackie Stewart ‘There To Be Shot At’ which is former legendary West Bromwich contacted me to inform us that available to buy now. We home to Albion, Coventry, Wolves, Villa and Jackie has been inducted into the confirm more of these events in England striker Cyrille Regis had Raith Rovers Hall of Fame for not the near future, so make sure you passed away at the young age of only for his career at Rovers but keep a look out for the dates on 59. for his time at Birmingham City. the FPA’s Facebook and Twitter What an awesome gesture by accounts. Cyrille never played for Blues, but Raith Rovers. he was a regular guest at many One of our jobs at the FPA is of our events. A top player and Jackie joined Blues in 1948 to provide the Club with former more importantly a top man, Cyrille becoming one of the most players on a matchday. The role fought racism and won. expensive players at that time for consists of visiting the corporate a fee of £8,000. Jackie helped hospitality lounges and bars as Our thoughts are with his wife Julia Blues win promotion and he well as doing an on the pitch and his family at this sad time. RIP finished his spell at Blues with 218 interview at half-time. In recent Cyrille! appearances, scoring 57 goals. games, we’ve been very lucky Sadly, Jackie died in 1990 but to welcome back two former we’d like to give a huge thank you players who sadly can’t get to St. to Raith Rovers for his recognition. Andrew’s as much as they’d like! Former striker Kevin Francis, who Late last year, the FPA contacted is now a policeman in Canada, the Club about hosting a 250 Club made one of his rare visits, whilst Dinner to honour those players former half-back and Welsh who had played at least 250 for International Terry Hennessey also Blues. The Club’s Commercial attended a game. For full details Director Ian Dutton immediately on how to take part, visit the back agreed to help and along with the page. FPA we created an evening that was am amazing success. Visit The FPA also has an exciting page four for more details. announcement to make and I would like to welcome Ian Dutton Also in October we held a Q&A who has agreed to join the FPA with former goalkeeper Tony Committee. Ian brings a wealth of Coton and former striker Mick commercial experience to us with Harford at Peachy Keens, Yardley his boundless enthusiasm and Cyrille Regis Contents CONTACTS A WORD FROM Former Players Association Tom Ross Chairman Birmingham City Football Club, THE CHAIRMAN Page 2 E-mail: [email protected] St. Andrew’s Stadium, Birmingham, B9 4RL AN INTERVIEW WITH Kevan Broadhurst Committee member Tel: 0121 202 5291 / 0121 202 5210 E-mail: [email protected] 0844 557 1975 PAUL DEVLIN Page 3 Mob: 07976 408 623 Fax: E-Mail: [email protected] THE 250 CLUB MalcolmDean Holtham Page CommitteeCommittee MemberMember E-mail: [email protected]@bcfc.com Web: www.bcfclegends.co.uk GALA DINNER Page 4 Mob: 0791307904 695579985964 Facebook: Birmingham-City-Former-Players-Association BLUES ALL STARS Page 6 Twitter: twitter.com/BCFC_FORMER 2 Tel: 0121 202 5291 / 0121 202 5210 E-Mail: [email protected] A Word From Paul Devlin The Chairman 137 Apps 35 Goals 1996-1998, 2001-2002 Why are you a Blues fan? at the time). I didn’t hear anything for weeks so I spoke to Johnno Because of my dad. Celtic were again who said Steve Bruce had the first club I got interested in but cooled on the idea of signing me. in 1990 my uncle started taking me I had told Neil Warnock I wanted down the Blues and I was hooked. to return to Blues and now had One of my first Blues heroes was to go back and say I was staying Frank Worthington - I always after all and he put me back in the wanted to play like Frank - and I am team. But almost immediately I was still trying. loaned out to Blues, which quickly How did you come to join Blues? turned into a permanent deal. It was a fantastic time reaching the I was at Notts County when my Play-Off Final and scoring one of former Magpies team mate Michael the penalties that got Blues back Johnson called and said Barry to the top flight. I got emotional Fry wanted to sign me. Barry did on the pitch that day and still get a deal for me and Andy Legg emotional every time I see a clip saying ‘Leggy can throw it to big or hear commentary of that day. Kevin Francis’. The deal was for I think David Sullivan played a £500,000, I was valued at 100k and big part in getting me back to St. Leggy for 400K. I wonder who had Andrew’s. a sell on clause in his contract from his non-league days. How special was playing in the Premier League? Do you remember your debut? The Premier League was amazing In fact I remember the whole week. and I am proud to have scored My debut was against Sunderland the first Premier league goal at whom I had played against for St. Andrew’s, which was against County and gave Andy Melville Leeds. The two games against Villa the run around, scoring twice. I will always live in my memory. I was acting a bit big time in the started in the first game and was dressing room saying how I was on the bench for the second. looking forward to playing against Melville etc. We lost 1-0 and Who was your toughest Melville scored the winner - that opponent? taught me a valuable lesson. My It has to be Stuart Pearce and I second game was against Wolves played against him at a time when and I scored both goals in a 2-0 defenders got a free one against win. So a memorable week. In you before the referee took any the Blues squad were Samways, notice. It was tough. Ashley Cole Breen, Castle, Hunt, Ward, Bennett, was another defender who was Finnan and Johnson to name but also difficult to get the better of. a few. Who was the best player you How did you come to leave? played with? Trevor Francis had taken over as Christophe Dugarry was amazing manager and I think I scored 19 because he was such a skilful, goals in my first season, but I knew talented footballer. Jonathan Hunt he didn’t fancy me as a player. I was also a great footballer who had spoken to him and told him I was two footed and scored goals. wanted pay parity with players like He was just fantastic to play with. Paul Furlong but he didn’t agree. I have to say I did not want to leave, While at Blues you got your but off I went to team up with Neil international call up? Warnock at Sheffield United. It was a very proud moment when I How did your second spell at was called into the Scotland squad Blues Happen? by Berti Vogts. I played ten times, but it could have been different Once again Johnno was on the because Mick McCarthy wanted phone saying Steve Bruce wanted me to play for the Republic of to sign me when he arrived at St. Ireland. It was a wonderful moment Andrew’s, but I had just signed and my dad was so proud when I a four-year deal (SB was on played for Scotland at Hampden Birmingham-City-Former-Players-Association gardening leave at Crystal Palace Park. 3 Events SPONSORED BY the 250 Club gala dinner 29 september 2017 The Former Players Association has put on many events in partnership with the Football Club but our 250 club event on 29 September 2017 was without doubt one of our best. The atmosphere was truly amazing and the never to be forgotten night provided those lucky fans in attendance the opportunity to honour those 36 players who are part of the 250 Club. The 36 players are: 4 Tel: 0121 202 5291 / 0121 202 5210 E-Mail: [email protected] To commemorate everyone inaugurate some of the 250 Club who has made at least 250 members into the FPA Hall of appearances, 36 players were Fame. Ray Martin, Geoff Vowden, made members of the prestigious Gordon Astall, Malcolm Beard, 250 Club by inscribing their names John Frain, Ian Bennett, Michael on a plaque in the Legends’ Johnson and Bryan Hughes are Lounge, St. Andrew’s. Sadly, only now honoured in the Hall of Fame Trevor Francis, Malcolm Page, with photos adorning the Legends’ Garry Pendrey, Joe Gallagher, Ray Lounge walls.