00:00It was a remarkable season for Birmingham City as they fought their way through League One.
00:08During Chris Davies' first managerial stint, Blues found solid form at St Andrews, delivering late goals and strong home performances that rekindled hope among the supporters.
00:21The club managed to build winning streaks that generated belief and momentum.
00:26Young talents emerged, blending with a core of experienced players who stood firm in tight battles, proving a foundation of stability as the club prepares for its return to the championship.
00:39Looking ahead, the key question is whether Birmingham can translate this fighting spirit and cohesion into a competitive edge in the championship.
00:49With the squad's mix of energy and experience, there is cautious optimism that the Blues can hold their own and avoid an immediate relegation fight, potentially pushing further than mid-table and gradually building towards more ambitious goals.
01:05We spoke to Charlie Haffenden of Birmingham World to reflect on the defining moments of a season built on grit and to explore what lies ahead for the club as they step up to the second tier next term.
01:19Let's look ahead to the championship season. They're going to be competing in the second tier again, but this time so much has changed.
01:27You've got the Premier League teams coming down with some top quality players, but Blues are going to be competing financially with the likes of those as well.
01:36And, you know, it just seems like it all sort of is set for them to follow Ipswich Town and go back to back and end up with a Premier League outfit.
01:45You know, you could add another Premier League club to the ones you cover with Birmingham World.
01:50So, you know, just look ahead to Birmingham City. How do you feel they're going to get on?
01:53How important is having a good start and continuing this morale that they have around the entire club?
01:58It's so important. I can see them definitely carrying on the momentum because how could you not, really?
02:04The group of players are so tight-knit. Chris Davies has created such a great atmosphere.
02:09And when you've got so much success, success, I think, breeds success.
02:12I can see them being playoff contenders immediately.
02:15Maybe that's a bit too much pressure, but I think they'll be right up there.
02:19They'll be spending more this summer. They'll be addressing some areas in the squad.
02:23I think a lot of it is already good enough to compete at that level.
02:26And, yeah, we could see an Ipswich Town. We absolutely could.
02:29But I think it's a story of Birmingham, not of Ipswich. It's their own story.
02:32As well, the developments under the new ownership with Tom Wagner, Tom Brady getting involved as well.
02:38There's a worldwide appeal coming to Birmingham.
02:40And when they've got the plans of a new stadium in the next 10 years or so, the new sports quarter in Birmingham, it's the whole project.
02:47It's not just the footballing side of it. I think it's very exciting for them.
02:50Now, I mean, only positives really surrounding them this season.
02:55An incredible, record-breaking League One campaign.
02:57And also, you know, you feel four promoted outfits.
03:00You look at the likes of Leeds who have just gone up to the Premier League.
03:03Wrexham, who are joining Birmingham City in the Championship.
03:06The home form is so important.
03:09You know, you can go on the road and maybe afford to lose some games if your home form's so good.
03:13Zero league losses for Blues at St Andrews.
03:16That must be an incredible feather in Chris Davies' side's cap to go into the Championship and really try and continue that.
03:24So, in terms of your viewing experience of Blues this season, very different to the last season or so.
03:30You know, so many positives surrounding the club at the moment, both on and off the pitch.
03:34Oh, absolutely.
03:35111 points is a world record for a 46-game season, a professional league anyway.
03:41That's incredible in itself.
03:42And I can't ever see that record being beaten, to be honest with you.
03:45I know they spent a ridiculous amount of money in the summer transfer window.
03:49Utterly unprecedented.
03:51Splashing £13 million on one player in Jay Stansfield was about four or five times the amount of the previous League One record transfer fee.
03:58That's outrageous, I know.
04:00But they still had so many new players.
04:02I think it was 20 new signings in total that had to gel.
04:05So many departures.
04:06The football club, the morale around it was just on the floor.
04:09So, it was a lot of challenges and Chris Davies had never managed properly before.
04:13He'd been an assistant, the likes of Tottenham and Celtic, and he'd been in the Celtic set-up as well, Leicester.
04:19And he'd had experience winning an FA Cup in that run with Leicester, but he hadn't managed himself.
04:24So, all of those factors, the record points total, being unbeaten at home in the league as well, so important.
04:31That's something you can boast heading into next season.
04:33And also, just when you're presenting the project to players, trying to sign new ones this summer to be at the championship level.
04:40I think that's definitely quite alluring factors, to say the least.
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