Wrexham v Birmingham City - EFL League One

Thursday 23rd January 2025. EFL League 1. Wrexham v. Birmingham City.

American money’s been a Godsend, to both Birmingham City and Wrexham. You could even go so far as to say that it's been nothing short of a salvation like, high dosage boost, given the perilous state that both clubs had found themselves in under their previous ownership ‘models’. Three cheers for the blue and whites (and reds!), so to speak.

But in essence, tonight’s contest was a game of association football, played at the home of a team representing northernmost Welsh Wales, against the League 1 title favourites from the West Midlands of England. All the media hype about it being the ‘Hollywood derby’ match, came across as being cringeworthy, tacky, OTT, far too contrived and more than a little unnecessary.

I must stress that it’s the English media circus that I'm taking umbrage with here, not any of the American investors involved with what has become a most intriguing (and most welcome) plot. They have all been nothing but pleasant, charming, respectful and mindful of the culture and traditions of both clubs, plus the community spirit and ethos of the respective geographical regions that they belong to.

Their genuine enthusiasm is out there, in your face, on show for the world at large to see, broadcasting live to an intrigued and fascinated audience of millions. As well as a high number of disgruntled rival clubs supporters, unwilling to accept the benefits of new money in the game, while probably wishing somebody would give their own teams a substantial financial leg up.

The (huge) investment pumped into both local areas, reaches outwith the remit and obligations of mere football club ownership and represents a massive effort to (re)ignite two heavily fatigued ‘lands that time (almost) forgot’, while becoming a huge asset to (and part of) both.

The locations in question, badly needed a shot in the arm combined with an almighty kick-start up the ass. And, lo and behold, those things have been administered, on a huge scale, via a special delivery from the US of A.

It’s apparent that respective hardcore and long suffering fan bases of both Blues and the Red Dragons, seem to be growing more comfortable with all of the changes that are taking place so rapidly; and more importantly, those same supporters actually feel involved and like a big part of everything that is taking shape.

Build it and they shall come, as the saying goes, and indeed the two clubs are selling out games in their droves, as people are flocking in their hordes to buy into the new way of doing things. Excitement and optimism abounds, in two of the most unlikely of places imaginable.

The groundwork (and the work on the grounds) extends well beyond what one could reasonably expect from those responsible for taking hold of the wheel to steer two quite unfashionable (yet staunchly backed by a fiercely loyal and partisan fanbase) football teams, towards a better place and an altogether brighter future.

I'm quite sure, that when the wheels originally began to turn in motion, heralding a whole shedload of projects and possibilities gaining momentum, there was probably a reluctance to accept some of the claims and aims that seemed far-fetched in extremes, at face value.

An entrenched mindset among many of the dyed-in-the-wool hardcore, saw them digging in their heels, pragmatically and stubbornly holding on the the belief, that if something seems too good to be true, it invariably always is. Which is perfectly understandable and (deeply) rooted in the experience of witnessing far too many fresh-starts and false-dawns before. Truth be told, initially that was my slant on things too.

But, look around the Racecourse Ground and St. Andrew's today and witness the rapid progress for yourself, try not to marvel at the manifold improvements. Embrace the fact that both grounds severely needed a facelift and behold just how much better places they are now, both aesthetically and functionally.

Compare all of that to how run down and virtually dilapidated they looked just a short time ago. Consider the contrasting atmosphere that has taken a complete volte-face that as seen an air of supporter dissatisfaction and protests, morph into fan consultation and inclusivity. And I’d wager your ingrained scepticism and those entrenched nagging doubts will soon evaporate. Mine certainly did.

Seeing is believing; “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the lord. He is trampling out the vintage, where the grapes of wrath are stored”. It could have been written hi on behalf of these two promotion chasing teams, who met head to head in a third tier soccer match tonight. The composer of tht stirring ditty: Julia Ward Howe, was a native New Yorker too, by way of a biggish coincidence.

Is that enough sycophantic creepy crawling on my part yet? Hmm… maybe a bit more grovelling won't hurt anyone. I've met Tom Wagner a couple of times (we have similar hairstyles), he is a genuinely nice man. Humble to a fault and steeped in humility. Doubtless he is more than capable of being ruthless when the need arises too, but what struck me about him was how perpetually chilled out he came across as being.

He speaks well, delivering his vision, while oozing in confidence, in calm and considered tones. Comfortable in both individual one to one situations and also while addressing a room full of inquisitive souls. Which has already happened on a number of occasions at supporters forums. And, much to his credit, he is a very good listener too, very respectful of other people's opinions and input.

So what of tonight's game then? A point apiece didn't do either team any harm. Even if a slightly confused Sky TV presenter was heard to say, that following this 1-1 draw, Wrexham had closed the gap between themselves and Birmingham to just five points.

I don't actually need to utilise my O-Level pass in mathematics, to correct that statement. Blues were five points ahead of their hosts before the game kicked off. By virtue of both teams gaining a point apiece from tonight’s draw, that gap is exactly the same as it already was. To think, some people are absolutely stealing a living from providing such in depth analysis and pithy insights.

Mind you, Wrexham’s programme editor stated that tonight’s visitors had only ever competed in Europe on one occasion, after qualifying by virtue of winning the League Cup in 2011. Really!? In future editions of your matchday publication whenever Blues are visiting, please note: on May 15th 1956, Birmingham City became the first English team to play in European competition (Inter-Cities Fairs Cup).

And they were also the first English club to reach a European final, losing on 4-1 on aggregate to Barcelona in a two-legged final. They also lost the following years final 4-2 on aggregate against AS Roma… and subsequently they were eliminated in the second round of the 1961-62 competition by Espanyol, after which they took fifty year ‘hiatus’ from taking part in football on the continent.

And no! You can't visit my house to peruse my programme collection. They are stored in special cellophane wrapping, under lock and key. Where they are going to stay untouched until my nearest and dearest inherit them in my will.

Here's a nostalgic tale to get tonight’s ball rolling: Mick Rathbone was an aspiring young full-back at Birmingham City (1974-79) who also played international football for England’s youth team. Now sixty-six years of age, he works as a physiotherapist at Oldham Athletic. In 1996 he fathered a son named Ollie, and tonight at the STōK Cae Ras (it's Welsh branded title, including Wrexham’s club sponsors name), young Ollie, who is now 28 years of age, scored the home side's opening goal in the ninth minute, with powerfully hit strike from outside the Blues goal area.

Wrexham had taken the lead in the reverse fixture at St. Andrew's (or St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, to give the stadium it’s fuller, newer Americanised title) earlier in the season too, before Blues took control of the game and gave Phil Parkinson's a bit of a drubbing Ironically tonight it was the visitors who had started well, before their Welsh hosts took the lead.

However the score was soon one-apiece, when Marc Leonard's left sided corner kick, was floated beyond the back-stick, where Lyndon Dykes met it with a powerful header back across the face of the goal. Alfie May flicked his head backwards but couldn't quite get a contact on the ball, which then seemed to glance off of the back of his former Charlton teammate George Dobson (now of Wrexham) on it’s way into the goal.

The jury was out, but they soon delivered their verdict; awarding the goal to Dykes. I’m quite sure Dobson didn't want it! But either way the goal was Birmingham City’s. And once again they had turned round a deficit against Ryan and Rob’s media darlings. To be honest, I actually occasionally enjoy their documentary, so please don't think that is any kind of slight on my part (the very thought, eh!?).

Blues played at a high tempo up until the halfway point of the game, but after the break Wrecsam (Woo hoo! Go me! The bilingual blogger is in da’ house) grew in stature and Birmingham’s hard working rearguard were (severely) put to the test.

But they held their ground, relishing the challenge against proven opposition, demonstrating that Blues have recruited well in all departments, since the arrival of Chris Davies and that they are supremely geared up for a promotion push throughout their meticulously assembled squad.

1-1 was just about a fair result in the end, even though Wrexham had rallied late in the game, offsetting Blues first-half ball-hogging spells of dominance. All told it was a decent contest, featuring two quality sides going toe to toe, giving a live TV audience a glowing insight into how good third division football can actually be.

Looking forward, both clubs are apparently moving to new grounds, not too far away from their current homes. Knighthead, for their part have already purchased the land. Adderley Road South B8 1AD, is the address should you wish to go there and give it a once over.

Surely everyone knows who Ryan Reynolds is. But I must confess that until some of the ‘celebrity’ faces involved in all of the above, had thrown their hand in with the English variant of football, I didn't actually know who they were. I have no interest in Gridiron whatsoever, so had only a very vague inkling into who (and just how big a deal) Tom Brady actually is. I'd recognise him now of course, so he can thank Birmingham City for helping to raise his profile over this side of the pond

And apologies Rob McIlhenney (I just had to check on Wikipedia to see if that's the correct spelling of his surname), but who in the UK had even heard of: ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia’, before you got involved at the Racecourse Ground? I wonder if there are any Wrexham fans out there, who actually know whereabouts in America ‘Philly’ is, or have ever watched a single episode of the sitcom?

Mind you, I wouldn't imagine that any of them have ever heard of THE66POW either… and probably wouldn't care ‘effing less about this: long winded, self-indulgent,misanthropic bullshit blog, with added football content, even if they had.