It’s been a tough few years being a Blues fan.
From mid-table mediocrity, points deductions, uncertainty over who actually owns the club and a succession of unsuccessful managers.
Recently, Birmingham Ladywood MP Shabana Mahmood has claimed that the club has ‘crippling debts worth over £120 million’ as she urges the government to push ahead with plans for an independent regulator in English football.
Ms Mahmood appeared in the House of Commons on Monday night (7 November), leading a debate on the governance and financial sustainability of football clubs in England, and believes an independent regulator would help clubs once they encounter financial mismanagement.
But things are starting to look up for Blues on the pitch. John Eustace has built a hard-to-beat team which the fans are enjoying watching. Eustace has guided the club to 10th place, just three points outside the play-off places, and with the unpredictability of the Championship, anything is possible this season.
With the club’s form picking up, we’ve decided to have a look back at some of the very best pictures from Birmingham City in the 1960s and 70s.
From brilliant team photos to England star Trevor Francis, here are 15 great photos from Blues players in the 60s and 70s.
1. Team photo - 1972
The Birmingham City football team pose together in front of their team coach prior to travelling to an away match in April 1972. (Photo by R. Viner/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
2. Taking on the Gunners - 1973
Footballers Brian Chambers (left) of Arsenal and Kenny Burns of Birmingham City during a League Division One match at Highbury Stadium in London, UK, 6th October 1973. The score was 1-0 to Arsenal.
3. In the gym - 1972
Blues players pictured training on newly installed exercise equipment at the club’s training facility in Birmingham on 14th October 1972. Players exercising include Bob Latchford, John Roberts, Dave Latchford, Tony Want, Tommy Carroll and Roger Hynd. (Photo by R. Viner/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
4. Stan Lynn - 1965
Stan Lynn (1928 - 2002) of Birmingham City working at his newsagent’s shop, UK, 16th February 1965. (Photo by R. Viner/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)