Capital One League Cup

Saturday August 14th 2011

Kick off 3pm

Stadium St. Andrew’s Stadium Birmingham B9 4RL

Telephone 0844 557 1875

Club Colours Blue and White

Nickname The Blues

Official Club Website www.bcfc.com

Tyne and Wear born Lee Clark is in charge at St Andrews and made the move from a four year spell at Huddersfield Town in June of this year.

The majority of midfielder Lee’s professional playing career was spent in the North East featuring in nearly 300 games for Newcastle United and nearly 100 for rivals Sunderland. He also found time to Captain and spend six seasons at Fulham and make 11 appearance for England at Under 21 level. Retiring from playing in 2006, he became coach at St James’ Park before following the Manager Glenn Roeder to Norwich City between 2007 and 2008.  Lee’s Assistant at Birmingham is Terry McDermott.

Exit the M1 at Junction 19 onto the M6 and onto its Junction 4 to join the M42 (signposted South West M5). Exit the M42 at its Junction 6 onto A45 (signposted Birmingham South East). Follow signs for City Centre. You will eventually get to Poets Corner roundabout where you take the third exit B4145 Golden Hillock Road signposted Saltley. Straight over the next roundabout (still B4145). At the traffic lights it will be a quick left and right zig zag still onto the B4145 now called Muntz Street. After a short drive when this road becomes Victoria Street drive look out for a left turn into Cattell Road B4128 for the ground. Measured from London Gateway the journey is just over 100 miles.

Tough one! There is street parking in the vicinity but not a lot.

There is a small car park at the ground next to the visitors’ entrance

which is full very early. According to BCFC there is a secure independent

car park near the stadium based at Birmingham Wheels which is located

at Adderley Road South B8 1AD for a £5.00 charge.

Birmingham New Street is served by London Euston and the ground is a good 30-40 minutes walk – never forget mini cabs (£6 should cover this journey) are made for sharing and allow you to have that extra beer!

Barnet Football Club are arranging the running of coach travel once again this season. The cost of a seat to Birmingham is £20.00 with discounts for Season Ticket Holder or Supporters Trust Members. Please look out for details of times etc. on the clubs website www.barnetfc.com

The Brighton Arms on Coventry Road is probably the most accommodating pub in the vicinity although most pubs close to the ground, with the greatest of respect to the local community, can be a little intimidating according to my spies. Therefore the City Centre is your best bet for a decent pint. A cab will cost about £6.00 from the area around the station to St Andrews. Check out The Anchor on Bradford Street or the Wellington on Bennett Street – both come highly recommended by my contacts.

I was fortunate to visit St Andrew’s in my old ground hopping days of the 1970s and 1980s when the vast majority of the ground was massive covered 100 step terracing to the left and opposite of the current main stand now called with Garrison Lane Stand.

This existing main stand was built in 1954 and has nicely withstood the test of time although extensively modified. It has room for around 5,000. The remaining three sides are newer structures – the Gil Merrick Stand to the left free standing and a continuous L shaped single tiered stand opposite and to the left   St. Andrew’s current capacity is 30,016.

Aston Villa, Aston Villa and Aston Villa.

Great value to be had as Birmingham are offering Bees Season Ticket Holders a seat for just £5.00 with Concessions at £3.00. Turn up on the night and you will pay £8.00 with Concessions at £4.00

Barnet fans will be housed in a section of the aforementioned Gil Merrick Stand.

The only previous encounters I can recall is a Birmingham City, managed by Barry Fry by then, visit to Underhill for Nicky Evans’ Testimonial in May 1994. Ex Bees Willis, Daish, Lowe, Barnett, Huxford, Harding, Stein and Howell were all part of that Blues season. Before that in October 1980 when the ground was in need of updates to the floodlights (and virtually every other area too!) Bees manager Fry pulled a few strings and his old mate Jim Smith kindly sent their first team including Colin Todd, Alan Ainscow, Archie Gemmell, Keith Birchen and Frank Worthington amongst others to raise some much needed cash.

Thousands of famous people have been born here and as it is my game I am choosing a selection of Celebs.

Sir Alfred Bird (Custard Powder), John Cadbury (Chocolate) come to mind on a purely personal level of favourite indulgences you understand while Murray Walker, he of Formula 1, gets a mentioned because he is a legend. Music is well catered for as all the following bands originated here: The Moody Blues, Traffic, Black Sabbath, ELO and Duran Duran. Comedians Jasper Carrott, Tony Hancock and Victoria Wood were born here too.