Barrington Patterson: Birmingham City and fans pay tribute to One Eyed Baz

Birmingham City and the club’s fans paid tribute to former supporter and community activist Barrington Patterson prior to Sunday’s (3 April) derby win over West Bromwich Albion.

Baz, known affectionately as One Eyed Baz, died on 22 March after suffering a heart attack, aged 56, his wife confirmed on Twitter.

The former professional kickboxer grew up in Handsworth, and was a well known former member of Birmingham City’s Zulu hooligan firm.

In his later life, Barrington campaigned against knife crime and homelessness in the city.

Before Sunday’s derby against the Baggies, hundreds of Blues fans marched to St Andrew’s singing songs in memory of Baz.

Fans gathered in the city centre at 1.30pm before marching towards the stadium.

Before kick-off, supporters also took pictures next to the monochromatic photograph of Baz, which has been printed onto one of the walls in Coventry Road, Small Heath - opposite Blues’ home ground, as a tribute.

A banner was then unveiled inside St Andrew’s prior to kick-off, and in the 56th minute of the game both sets of supporters held a minute’s applause to pay their respects to Barrington.

Baz’s wife Tracey, thanked the club and supporters for the tributes after the game.

Posting on Twitter, she wrote: “Thank you everyone who has taken the time and the effort today to show support for Baz. Everyday you bring us strength.”

After the game, Blues striker Lyle Taylor, who scored the match-winning penalty, paid tribute to Baz.

He said: “Absolutely the win was for him and his family.

“You can see the posters and stuff around him, it’s a short life unfortunately and you never know when it’s time for you to go.

“But that one’s for him, and there isn’t a more fitting way from the stories I’ve been told for us to play a game and win a game a proper fight, and from what I’ve been told a man who had a massive massive heart and that one is for you.”

Tracey also thanked Lyle on Twitter.

She wrote: “Massive thanks to Birmingham City FC and Lyle, and every single person that made yesterday so special.”

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