British Labour politician Roy Jenkins (1920 - 2003), the MP for Birmingham Stechford, during the UK general election campaign, UK, 18th February 1974. He became Home Secretary in March under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)British Labour politician Roy Jenkins (1920 - 2003), the MP for Birmingham Stechford, during the UK general election campaign, UK, 18th February 1974. He became Home Secretary in March under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
British Labour politician Roy Jenkins (1920 - 2003), the MP for Birmingham Stechford, during the UK general election campaign, UK, 18th February 1974. He became Home Secretary in March under Prime Minister Harold Wilson. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Birmingham in 1974: 11 old pictures showing life for Brummies 50 years ago

Joe Forte
By Joe Forte

Reporter

Published 3rd Aug 2024, 06:00 GMT

Birmingham was a very different city in 1974 - from the music to the culture - we’re looking back at some old photos from the year to see how much has changed in 50 years

Today we’re travelling 50 years into Birmingham’s past to check out 11 old photos and see just how much the city has changed.

Birmingham remained by far Britain's most prosperous provincial city as late as the 1970s, with household incomes exceeding even those of London and the South East.

At the time, Noele Gordon was also a huge star in the Birmingham-based television show Crossroads.

Here are some photos showing what the city was like 50 years ago.

English footballer Bob Hatton (right) of Birmingham City FC playing at St Andrew's stadium in Birmingham, UK, May 1974. (Photo by Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

5. St Andrew's

English footballer Bob Hatton (right) of Birmingham City FC playing at St Andrew's stadium in Birmingham, UK, May 1974. (Photo by Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Cricketer David Lloyd, who replaced Geoff Boycott, seen in action as he cuts Bedi to the boundary for four during his innings at Edgbaston against India. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive

6. 6 Jul 1974

Cricketer David Lloyd, who replaced Geoff Boycott, seen in action as he cuts Bedi to the boundary for four during his innings at Edgbaston against India. Mandatory Credit: Allsport Hulton/Archive | Getty Images

British Labour politician Theresa Stewart (1930 - 2020), a councillor for Birmingham City Council UK, September 1974. (Photo by Hoare/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

7. Labour politician Theresa Stewart

British Labour politician Theresa Stewart (1930 - 2020), a councillor for Birmingham City Council UK, September 1974. (Photo by Hoare/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Welsh footballer Leighton Phillips at Villa Park in Birmingham, after signing to Aston Villa from Cardiff City, UK, 6th September 1974. (Photo by R. Viner/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)

8. Villa Park, 1974

Welsh footballer Leighton Phillips at Villa Park in Birmingham, after signing to Aston Villa from Cardiff City, UK, 6th September 1974. (Photo by R. Viner/Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images) | Getty Images

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