So here we are. The final day of 2014. A year full of change, fear and controversy has finished with this club still standing tall, support as passionate as ever before and concerns about our future finally taking second place to the glory of our on-field heroics. It hasnt been an easy year. The losses of key loanees in January, David Murphys retirement in March and a record-breaking winless run at St.Andrews left us in the mire. We collected 16 points from a possible 69. We were humiliated at home by Yeovil Town, Bournemouth and Blackburn Rovers. We saw arguably the most unbalanced XI to ever take a field at St.Andrews. We became infuriating to watch as footballers showed immaturity beyond belief and tactics changed like the weather while Clark desperately attempted to keep this club up. Yet against all the odds, our four wins came in the most crucial of relegation six-pointers, we managed injury time equalisers against the divisions 2nd and 3rd best sides in incredible 3-3 draws and stayed in the division. Deserving of its own paragraph, Paul Caddis header in the final seconds of the season sent the away support at the Reebok Stadium into a frenzy. Lee Clark ran into the crowd, players showed their respect for the Birmingham faithful as they celebrated in front of a support that belted out Keep Right On so passionately that Bolton fans on social media admitted their joy in drawing, purely on the basis that Birmingham City would remain a Championship club. The summer saw some interesting deals and a change of tact but results failed to change. The home hoodoo ended for a brief moment as we beat Brighton while our annual goal glut at Millwall gave Clark time but mid-way through October it became as clear as ever that with another relegation fight on the cards, change was needed. It was the clubs first sacking in 13 years, Trevor Francis the last. Then came THAT result against Bournemouth. Two wins from 14 matches, one of the worst goal differences in the division and crowds had even dipped below 14,000 for the first time during the campaign. In stepped Gary Rowett. It began with a draw away at Molineux as we resisted their late attacks. A win against Watford and a solid home draw with Cardiff and the limitations of our squad seemed to vanish. Rotherham United were beaten then against Nottingham Forest, our side showed their true mettle. Even defeats against Blackpool and Derby County have not hurt optimism - the 6-1 thrashing of Reading has been the highlight of the year while victory over Nottingham Forest has left us moving into the new year with genuine hope. Off the field the situation has not yet been sorted and it doesnt look like anything will change any time soon. One thing is for certain, with Peter Pannu gone, Panos Pavliakos is doing his best to re-install a little bit of faith in BIHL and the running of the club. The decision to appoint Gary Rowett has been inspired but it also sounds as if he will be given a little bit of money to improve this squad of players. Had this been written in October, I dread to think what myself and Fred would have been writing about this year. In true Birmingham City fashion, we have come out fighting, showed our true colours and 2015 really does provide a fresh start for this club. On behalf of myself and Mr Leeson, heres a quick toast (imaginary glasses at the ready) to a new year, new beginnings and a continuation of the incredible support for Gary Rowett, his backroom staff, the players on the field and for Birmingham City Football Club as a whole. Keep Right On! - Ryan.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:14:36 +0000
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