Birmingham City v QPR

MY DREAM FIVE-A-SIDE TEAM:
TOM ROSS
THROUGHOUT THE 2023/24 SEASON, BLUES NEWS IS GOING TO BE TASKING A
FAMILIAR FACE TO COMPILE THEIR DREAM FIVE-A-SIDE TEAM – WITH A TWIST!
For each home game, a different team will be published, but these will be subject to stipulations ensuring it is a
proper challenge. This week, local media legend Tom Ross was chosen to put together a Birmingham City quintet
that flourished both on the pitch and in the dugout, having represented the Club as player and manager.
Gil Merrick
No better goalkeeper in my opinion. Also managed the
team to a League Cup final win versus Villa, winning 3-1 at
St. Andrew’s and drawing 0-0 at Villa Park. As a goalkeeper,
he had the lot, shot-stopper, athletic, agile, a ‘keeper who
organised his defence and he was as brave as any ‘keeper had
to be in those days when forwards would try and smash them
into the net via what was called a shoulder charge. He could
do as much to win any game as any player with his brilliant
acrobatics between the sticks.
As a manager, he also led Blues to another European Final
where they lost to Roma in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup. He was
ahead of his time in many ways and spent time at Barcelona
studying their methods and brought the first Spanish coach to
England, Emilio Aldecoa, to work with him at Blues. A 25-year
career at St. Andrew’s says it all.
Gary Rowett
A cultured right-back who was always comfortable on the ball
and made defending look easy. He read the game superbly
and was always a step ahead of many other players. He
managed Blues during the tough times from 2014 to 2016 and
was just three points off the play-off places when he was,
in my opinion, bizarrely sacked. Who knows how it all would
have panned out had he stayed in charge because the club
appointed five managers in the following three years.
Steve Bruce
A brilliant defender who showed that
and more when he arrived at Blues
from Manchester United. Another great
reader of the game and an aggressive
first-to-the-ball defender. He was superb
at organising the backline beside him. A natural
leader of men and a man who others were inspired by.
As manager, he steered the team to promotion to the
Premiership courtesy of winning the play-offs in 2002. No one
will ever forget that semi-final second-leg night at Millwall
and of course the breathtaking final win versus Norwich City
in Cardiff.
Garry Pendrey
Garry bleeds blue blood and was a tough
tackling, no-nonsense, competitive
defender. He was a great leader of men
which is why he was our youngest ever
captain. He led by example and gave
it all and after every one of his 360 First Team games he left
the pitch with no more to give, the tank was empty. But, in my
opinion, he was also a better footballer than most give him
credit for but always kept the game simple.
He took over as a manager, saying “it was the only job he ever
wanted”, but it was the toughest and darkest of times under
owner Ken Weldon. The club was broke, and on the verge of
going bust. Any players who could raise money were sold from
under his feet. He admits management was not for him, but
he forged a great career as a number two under Alan Buckley,
Graham Turner, and Gordon Strachan.
Trevor Francis
RIEP. He had it all, tremendous explosive pace, ability, skill,
quick brain, could ghost past defenders as if they were nailed
to the floor. He scored great goals, simple goals, world-class
goals and headed goals for fun. He was an instinctive player
that had defenders all over the place who often resorted to
kicking him. He simply had it all - the greatest player to ever
wear the royal blue.
As a manager, he led the team to the League Cup final against
Liverpool in 2001 where they were robbed by an inept referee.
Who will ever forget the semi-final second leg v Ipswich Town
at St. Andrew’s? The Stadium was bouncing and rocking from
start to finish. To be honest, it would not matter who the other
players were, with TF in the team, winning was a foregone
conclusion in any five-a-side competition.
54 | BLUES NEWS BIRMINGHAM CITY V QUEENS PARK RANGERS