‘I promise you’ - What Birmingham City owner Tom Wagner said in X-rated speech after League One title lift

Birmingham City co-owner and chairman Tom Wagner gave Bluenoses a moment to remember as he took to the microphone and addressed supporters after the club’s League One title lift.

Blues thrashed Mansfield Town by four goals to nil on Sunday afternoon to rise up to 105 points, demolishing Wolverhampton Wanderers’ League One record with two games to spare. It was a dominant display and one reminiscent of the season on the whole as Keshi Anderson, Willum Willumsson, Kieran Dowell and Tomoki Iwata netted to maintain the party spirit.

St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, incredibly loud long before and right up until kick-off, was absolutely bouncing throughout the game. There wasn’t an empty seat in the house as 27,920 watched on, and every Blues fan waited behind for the long-awaited podium.

Wagner’s passion for the football club is unparalleled and that was abundantly clear as he delivered a brief but powerful speech after the trophy lift. The American expressed his gratitude to supporters for their unwavering support and offered an insight into what’s to come in the years ahead.

“I just wanted to say a big thank you to all you supporters from myself, everyone at Knighthead, all the employees and staff and the players for all your support,” Wagner began.

“We don’t forget that this is your club and it’s an honour to be a Blue. I am a Blue, and I am for life.

“I promise you that this is not the best day that we will enjoy together. It’s not even f****** close!”

Tom Wagner’s words ring Forever True

Without the investment from Wagner, Knighthead and Tom Brady in the summer of 2023, Blues would probably still be in the miserable abyss they were trapped in under the ownership of Birmingham Sports Holdings.

From afar, a relegation to League One might seem like a disaster. But it’s been a blessing in disguise for Birmingham, who have taken the drop in division in their stride and kicked on to become the best team the English third tier has ever seen. And they could yet make more history as the EFL points record, standing at 106, is within close reach.

The money pumped into the squad during last summer’s transfer window was unprecedented at this level, and arguably also at the level above. It was frowned upon by many from rival clubs but Wagner didn’t care as he was able to provide Birmingham manager Chris Davies with a squad capable of achieving what it has.

The job’s not done, though, as the next step for Blues is to kick on in the Championship. An immediate promotion to the Premier League is what fans and those within the club will be dreaming of, but a more realistic target is to be in contention for the play-offs.

Another summer of spending is expected as Birmingham seek to plug gaps - as crazy as that sounds given this season’s success - and soar up to an even higher level. The Championship is a different kettle of fish, after all, so Blues need to be prepared.

Given Wagner’s record so far, Birmingham are in the best hands.