2008–09 Birmingham City F.C. season

December 2014 September 2020 Birmingham City F.C. 2008–09 Alex McLeish David Gold Ground St Andrew's Championship 2nd (promoted) FA Cup Third round League Cup Third round Kevin Phillips (14) 25,935 vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, 6 April 2009 15,330 vs Derby County, 27 January 2009 19,081http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/Attendance/0,,10794~200810412~7,00.html Stats: Attendance The Football League 23 September 2011 _whiteborder _whiteborder 000099 000099 000099 000099 FFFFFF _whitesides FFFFFF FF2020 FFFFFF FFFFFF FF2020 2007–08 2009–10 The 2008–09 season was Birmingham City Football Club's 106th in the English football league system and their 47th in the second tier of English football. The team finished in second place in the Football League Championship to win promotion to the Premier League for the 2009–10 season. Pre-season The kits were again manufactured by Umbro and bore the name of sponsors F&C Investments. The home shirt was royal blue with white sleeve trim, shorts were royal blue and socks were white. The away shirt was in a "penguin" style, white with a broad red central front panel, and was worn with white shorts and red socks.http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2008-2009/championship.html Coca Cola Championship 2008–2009 Historical Kits Dave & Matt Moor 23 September 2011 McLeish appointed former Celtic head physiotherapist Tim Williamson, Norwich City physio Peter Shaw, and British Olympic Association sports scientist Ben Rosenblatt to his backroom staff.http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1350593,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205416/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1350593%2C00.html Backroom boost Birmingham City F.C 24 July 2008 29 July 2012 dead With club captain Damien Johnson awaiting surgery on a back problem expected to keep him out for at least two months, Lee Carsley, who joined Birmingham when his contract at Everton expired, was appointed team captain in his absence.http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11694_3847956,00.html Carsley named Blues skipper Sky Sports 21 July 2008 18 August 2013 The first team's relegation from the Premier League made the reserve team ineligible for the Premier Reserve League, and the club decided not to enter any other reserve league.http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1326512,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120806210327/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1326512%2C00.html Blues opt out of reserve league Birmingham City F.C 11 June 2008 6 August 2012 dead When the players returned for pre-season training, Franck Queudrue and Olivier Kapo failed to arrive. Queudrue claimed that he had mistaken the date, and Kapo was still in France receiving treatment on a hand injury.http://espnfc.com/news/story?id=553160&sec=england&cc=5739 McLeish caught short as duo fail to return ESPN FC 2 July 2008 18 August 2013 The club later announced that Queudrue could leave on a free transfer, and Kapo was fined. After a delay caused by Birmingham's insistence that he could only leave once the fine was paid, Kapo completed a move back to the Premier League with Wigan Athletic, where he was reunited with former Birmingham manager Steve Bruce.https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/jul/15/birminghamcity.wiganathletic Kapo's move to Wigan 'breaks down' The Guardian 15 July 2008 18 August 2013 Young goalkeeper Artur Krysiak joined York City on loan for a month. On 9 July, Kevin Phillips signed a two-year contract with the club. Phillips had scored 24 goals for West Bromwich Albion the previous season, helping his club to promotion to the Premier League, but turned down their offer of a one-year deal in favour of a two-year contract in the Championship. Forward Marcus Bent joined from Charlton Athletic for a fee reportedly in excess of £1 million; he was on the verge of signing for Cardiff City, but changed his mind at the last minute. Birmingham also made two loan signings. AZ Alkmaar's Netherlands under-21 international midfielder Kemy Agustien joined for the season, and Ghana senior international and former Arsenal winger Quincy Owusu-Abeyie signed from Spartak Moscow, initially until January 2009. In each case there was a possibility of making the loan permanent. Attempts to sign Celtic defender Bobo Baldé fell through because of the player's wage demands,http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1360400,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205446/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1360400%2C00.html Balde out of reach for Blues Birmingham City F.C 20 July 2008 29 July 2012 dead and after Derby County midfielder Stephen Pearson's medical revealed a groin problem, he refused Birmingham's offer of a loan deal instead.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/alex-mcleish-rethink-on-ben-watson-66725 Alex McLeish rethink on Ben Watson as Stephen Pearson move collapses Tattum, Colin Birmingham Mail 25 July 2008 19 August 2013 On the field, a different eleven played each half of a 2–2 draw with Hereford United in a behind-closed-doors training match,http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/blues-2-hereford-2-66082 Blues 2 Hereford 2 Birmingham Mail 11 July 2008 18 August 2013 before Birmingham embarked on a three-match tour of Austria. They began with a 7–0 defeat of local team Kirchberg, with two goals each from Gary McSheffrey and Phillips and one from Liam Ridgewell, Garry O'Connor, and David Murphy, who converted a corner taken by the 16-year-old Jordon Mutch. O'Connor, McSheffrey and Mehdi Nafti scored as a Birmingham team including trialists Zola Matumona and Yamoudou Camara beat Czech side Viktoria Plzeň 3–1 in the second tour match. The 16-year-old Jordon Mutch played the full 90 minutes and was involved in the build-up to the first two goals. O'Connor's goalscoring form continued, and James McFadden's alert reaction to a goalkeeping error gave Birmingham a third win out of three against Nürnberg, newly relegated from the Bundesliga. Back in England, first-half goals from Cameron Jerome and Martin Taylor saw off the challenge of the lengthy trip to League Two side Gillingham with the aid of Maik Taylor's goalkeeping, and the next day, yet another O'Connor goal gave the other half of Birmingham's squad a 1–0 win at Forest Green Rovers of the Conference. A late Kevin Phillips goal secured a 3–2 win at Leicester City, before the only pre-season game at St Andrew's, against Fulham, was the only one that Birmingham failed to win. After the kickoff was delayed because of crowd congestion, Simon Davies gave the visitors a first-half lead, equalised by Sebastian Larsson after 77 minutes. A hamstring injury sustained by Radhi Jaïdi proved less serious than first appeared.http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1359043,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205422/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1359043%2C00.html Good news on Jaidi scan Birmingham City F.C 5 August 2008 29 July 2012 dead +Pre-season friendly match detailsDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceReport15 July 2008KirchbergAW7–0McSheffrey (2) 30' pen., 39', Ridgewell 45+1', O'Connor 53', Kevin Phillips (2) 57', 73, Murphy 67'http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/kirchberg-0-birmingham-city-7-66270 Kirchberg 0 Birmingham City 7 Tattum, Colin Birmingham Mail 16 July 2008 18 August 201317 July 2008Viktoria PlzeňNW3–1O'Connor 13', McSheffrey 15', Nafti 78'http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1346315,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120722091719/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1346315%2C00.html FC Viktoria Plzen 1 Blues 3 Birmingham City F.C 17 July 2008 22 July 2012 dead 20 July 2008NürnbergNW2–1O'Connor 1', McFadden 17'http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1347659,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120722091740/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1347659%2C00.html Blues 2 FC Nurnberg 1 Birmingham City F.C 20 July 2008 22 July 2012 dead 26 July 2008GillinghamAW2–0Jerome 14', Martin Taylor 20'1,742http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/gillingham-0-birmingham-city-2-66810 Gillingham 0 Birmingham City 2 Tattum, Colin Birmingham Mail 28 July 2008 19 August 201327 July 2008Forest Green RoversAW1–0O'Connor 88'934http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/forest-green-rovers-0-birmingham-66802 Forest Green Rovers 0 Birmingham City 1 Birmingham Mail 28 July 2008 19 August 201329 July 2008Leicester CityAW3–2Larsson 27', Phillips (2) 78', 90'6,354http://www.birminghampost.co.uk/news/local-news/kevin-phillips-remains-goal-poacher-3958314 Kevin Phillips remains goal poacher extraordinaire Birmingham Post 29 July 2008 18 August 20132 August 2008FulhamHD1–1Larsson 78'http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1357044,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120722091823/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1357044%2C00.html Blues 1 Fulham 1 Birmingham City F.C 2 August 2008 22 July 2012 dead The Championship 2008–09 Football League August–September The new season opened on a wet and windy 9 August with the visit of Sheffield United. The game was heading for a goalless draw when substitute Kevin Phillips controlled O'Connor's headed pass, turned and scored into the bottom corner of the net in the third minute of stoppage time. It was Birmingham's first shot on target. Phillips repeated his late winner in less dramatic fashion away at former club Southampton. The home side took the lead just before the interval after defensive midfielder Nafti had gone off with a torn hamstring,http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1370129,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205510/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1370129%2C00.html Nafti injury setback Birmingham City F.C 19 August 2008 29 July 2012 dead but O'Connor equalised soon after the break, then, within a minute of coming off the bench, Phillips was first to react to Bent's header rebounding from the crossbar. O'Connor and Phillips – this time starting the game – gave Birmingham their third win in as many games, at home to Barnsley. The unbeaten start continued with a 1–1 draw at Norwich City. Larsson took the lead against the run of play – centre-half Martin Taylor was the pick of Birmingham's players in the first half – but Darel Russell equalised just after half-time, and both McSheffrey and Phillips missed late chances to steal all three points. When the league resumed after the international break, Artur Krysiak was on the bench while regular reserve goalkeeper Colin Doyle recovered from a knee operation.http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1384357,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205732/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1384357%2C00.html Doyle undergoes minor knee op Birmingham City F.C 4 September 2008 29 July 2012 dead Nafti was sent off after 24 minutes for a two-footed lunge on James Coppinger, and at half-time, McLeish replaced Phillips with Marcus Bent to play as a lone striker; 35 seconds later, Birmingham had the lead, after Liam Ridgewell's long free kick was headed on by Bent and Cameron Jerome volleyed past the goalkeeper. Maik Taylor produced a fine save near the end to turn Darren Byfield's powerful 30 yd on shot onto the post. At half-time, a clock was unveiled in memory of Birmingham and England full-back Jeff Hall, who died of polio in 1959 aged just 29, and whose death helped to kick-start widespread public acceptance in Britain of the need for vaccination.Gould, Tony I thought my polio was over, but not any longer https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/i-thought-my-polio-was-over-but-not-any-longer-1617651.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/i-thought-my-polio-was-over-but-not-any-longer-1617651.html 1 May 2022 subscription live The Independent 30 April 1995 19 August 2013https://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/may/5/newsid_2510000/2510495.stm Dr Salk promotes polio vaccine in UK 9 July 2007 On This Day BBChttp://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/tragic-birmingham-city-star-jeff-240917 Tragic Birmingham City star Jeff Hall inspired polio fight Varma, Anuji Birmingham Mail 14 June 2009 19 August 2013 Hall's teammates Gil Merrick and Alex Govan performed the unveiling. A Louis Carey own goal and Jerome's second goal in four days gave Birmingham another three points at Bristol City, but their unbeaten start to the Championship campaign finally ended on 20 September at home to Blackpool. After Gary Taylor-Fletcher's goal, Birmingham threw everyone forward but without success. Normal service resumed at Cardiff City, where first league goals of the season for James McFadden and Quincy Owusu-Abeyie secured the win, and Quincy's second league goal was nearly enough at Derby County, but Steve Davies tied the scores in the 87th minute. McLeish had said he hoped to bring in loan signings, but would not bring in players "just to make up the numbers".http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1385450,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205738/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1385450%2C00.html McLeish - I still want loans Birmingham City F.C 5 September 2008 29 July 2012 dead He was unwilling to take trialist Nigel Quashie on loan until the player had proved his fitness,http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1390430,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205754/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1390430%2C00.html McLeish in no rush over Quashie decision Birmingham City F.C 12 September 2008 29 July 2012 dead and although an agreement had been made with Tottenham Hotspur to take Kevin-Prince Boateng on loan, McLeish was unable to meet the player face-to-face to assess his interest in joining the club.http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1404126,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205901/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1404126%2C00.html McLeish: No Boateng deal Birmingham City F.C 26 September 2008 29 July 2012 dead October–November In stoppage time of a first half described in the Sunday People as "marginally more exciting than root-canal dental treatment", at home to Queens Park Rangers, Phillips tapped in an O'Connor cutback for a win that took Birmingham top of the table. Phillips made it clear afterwards that he wanted to be in the starting eleven: "I want to start games. I'm disappointed I haven't started as many as I wanted. All I can do is score and make it as hard as possible for him [McLeish] to leave me out."https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/3141321/Kevin-Phillips-makes-striking-claim-for-a-starting-place-in-Birmingham-team-Football.html Kevin Phillips makes striking claim for a starting place in Birmingham City team Edbrooke, David The Daily Telegraph 5 October 2008 20 August 2013 After the international break, Birmingham had much the worse of the visit to Burnley, but they managed to draw when McFadden's shot was parried to Jerome who scored from close range. Martin Taylor replaced Jaïdi at centre-back because of a thigh injury sustained on international duty, and Murphy injured a knee during the match, while both Damien Johnson and Kelly returned to training,http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1417956,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205925/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1417956%2C00.html Injury update Birmingham City F.C 16 October 2008 29 July 2012 dead and Quashie joined on loan for a month. Franck Queudrue made his first start of the season at home to Crystal Palace.20101 2008 Franck Queudrue 20 August 2013 After twice hitting the woodwork, O'Connor scored the game's only goal when Julián Speroni parried Phillips' 94th-minute cross to his feet. In the midweek match, at home to Sheffield Wednesday, O'Connor scored twice and Wednesday's Etienne Esajas once in a four-minute spell before Phillips made the final score 3–1 from Queudrue's "inch-perfect" through ball. O'Connor was injured in the warm-up, and Stuart Parnaby went off after 10 minutes of the match against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, giving teenage right-back Jared Wilson what would be his only competitive first-team appearance for Birmingham.50135 2008 Jared Wilson 20 August 2013 Mikele Leigertwood was sent off in the first half, but despite the numerical disadvantage, Samuel Di Carmine's 25 yd on shot in the 54th minute decided the match in QPR's favour – Birmingham's first away defeat in the league – after Phillips' stoppage-time "equaliser" was disallowed for offside. By the end of the match, the rain had turned to heavy wet snow. Former Birmingham record signing Clinton Morrisonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/birmingham_city/2151911.stm Birmingham net Morrison BBC Sport 30 July 2002 22 August 2013 gave Coventry City a 1–0 win at St Andrew's. Again, a late equaliser was denied when the assistant referee ruled that Keiren Westwood saved from Queudrue before the ball crossed the line. Martin Taylor replaced Queudrue in defence and loanee Nicky Hunt kept his place at right back as James McFadden's goal earned Birmingham a point at Nottingham Forest. Queudrue returned from illness to score the winning goal at home to Charlton Athletic; Quashie was sent off for two yellow cards. Second-half substitute Phillips scored twice at Swansea City to give Birmingham consecutive 3–2 wins, and, restored to the starting eleven in place of Quincy, scored again as Birmingham beat Ipswich Town. In an end-to-end match at league leaders Wolverhampton Wanderers in foggy conditions, McFadden had a goal disallowed for offside, the ball deflected off Ridgewell's shoulder against the post with Taylor beaten, Bent's lob was cleared off the line, and the left-footed midfielder Mehdi Nafti replaced the injured Hunt at right back, all before half-time. In the second half, goals from Jerome – only three minutes after coming on – and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and some last-ditch defending meant the points were shared. December According to the Guardian reporter, "the early defending was so slack as to suggest salaries should be chopped rather than capped",https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/08/birmingham-city-watford City shaken but Rodgers may not stay to plug Watford gap Alexander, Jeremy The Guardian 8 December 2008 29 September 2020 as Birmingham led Watford 2–1 after 18 minutes. The visitors began the second half well—first Jaïdi headed clear from under the crossbar, then Leigh Bromby struck the bar with Taylor beaten—and in the last few minutes of the match Jerome scored Birmingham's third, Ross Jenkins's first league goal made the score 2–3, and the three points were confirmed only when the referee signalled time moments before Jaïdi's apparent handball in the penalty area. Lee Carsley's first goal for the club secured a win under Plymouth Argyle's dim floodlights, before an attacking game at Preston North End remained goalless until stoppage time, when Ridgewell failed to deal with a cross and Jon Parkin shot home. Apart from "a moment of individual brilliance" as Phillips "nipped in to steal the loose ball and after nutmegging Ivar Ingimarsson advanced unchallenged to the edge of the area and lashed in a stinging low drive",http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/76593/Royals-give-McLeish-the-Blues Royals give McLeish the Blues Daily Express 20 December 2008 29 August 2013 Reading were in complete control as they replaced Birmingham in second place in the table with a 3–1 win at St Andrew's. At Ipswich Town on Boxing Day, McFadden converted Birmingham's first penalty of the season, awarded when Kemy Agustien's cross was handled, and Agustien himself came close to extending the lead with a powerful shot. In the last match of 2008, David Murphy was sent off for two yellow cards as Swansea City earned a goalless draw at St Andrew's. April–May 6 April – The teams in the Championship had a 2-week break because of the World Cup Qualifiers that were to be played. On the return, Blues were to play Wolverhampton Wanderers in a 1st v 2nd place top-of-the-table game. After having Lee Carsley sent off in the 37th minute for a late tackle on Chris Iwelumo that saw him stretchered off, Blues went on to score through Cameron Jerome's third goal in as many games on the stroke of half time. Striker Garry O'Connor came on to replace him and scored in the 69th minute to send Blues 2–0 up, and just two points behind Wolves in the Championship table and to distance themselves from 3rd place. It was the biggest attendance of the season at 25,935 and was also shown live on Sky Sports. 9 April – Defender Ulises de la Cruz leaves Birmingham City to return to Ecuador after decided not to extend his contract. He made one appearance for Birmingham, coming off the bench against Doncaster Rovers. 13 April – Birmingham were held 1–1 at home to Plymouth but were forced to play the majority of the game with ten men after Maik Taylor was sent off. It kept them unbeaten in eight games, winning four of them. Manager Alex McLeish said he will be appealing to the FA about the red card as it was wrongly given. 14 April – Liam Ridgewell had an operation on his broken left leg that went successfully. He was injured in the first half in the home game against Plymouth and was stretchered off. Match details General sources (match reports):http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/birmingham/reports/birmingham_2008.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120523000755/http://www.sportinglife.com/football/cc_championship/birmingham/reports/birmingham_2008.html Birmingham City Reports 2008–2009 sportinglife.com 365 Media Group 23 May 2012http://www.bcfc.com/page/Fixtures/0,,10412~2008,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20090816172325/http://www.bcfc.com/page/Fixtures/0%2C%2C10412~2008%2C00.html Fixtures & Results: First team: 2008 Birmingham City F.C 16 August 2009 dead 23 September 2011 Individual match reports are linked from this page. Match content not verifiable from these sources is referenced individually. DateLeaguehttp://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/2008-2009/results Birmingham City 2008–2009: Results & Fixtures Statto Organisation 8 September 2013 live https://web.archive.org/web/20090622031419/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/2008-2009/results 22 June 2009positionOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRefs9 August 20087thSheffield UnitedHW1–0Phillips 90+3'24,01916 August 20083rdSouthamptonAW2–1O'Connor 49', Phillips 77'18,92523 August 20081stBarnsleyHW2–0Phillips 13', O'Connor 45+1'17,41330 August 20083rdNorwich CityAD1–1Larsson 40'24,22913 September 20082ndDoncaster RoversHW1–0Jerome 46'18,16516 September 20082ndBristol CityAW2–1Carey 8' o.g., Jerome 24'18,45620 September 20082ndBlackpoolHL0–120,98327 September 20082ndCardiff CityAW2–1McFadden 5', Quincy 41'18,30430 September 20082ndDerby CountyAD1–1Quincy 26'29,7434 October 20081stQueens Park RangersHW1–0Phillips 45+1'18,498https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/birmingham-1-0-qpr-1658508 Birmingham 1–0 QPR Sunday People 5 October 2008 20 August 201318 October 20082ndBurnleyAD1–1Jerome 77'13,809http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1422495,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205931/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1422495%2C00.html Jaidi out for Clarets clash Birmingham City F.C 16 October 2008 29 July 2012 dead 20 August 2013 http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1427293,00.html https://web.archive.org/web/20120729205938/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10412~1427293%2C00.html Murphy injury not serious Birmingham City F.C 21 October 2008 29 July 2012 dead 20 August 2013 21 October 20081stCrystal PalaceHW1–0O'Connor 90+4'17,70625 October 20081stSheffield WednesdayHW3–1O'Connor (2) 11', 15', Phillips 38'17,30028 October 20082ndQueens Park RangersAL0–113,5943 November 20082ndCoventry CityHL0–117,215https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/nov/04/championship-birminghamcityfc Morrison returns to St Andrew's to give Birmingham the blues Shaw, Phil The Guardian 4 November 2008 22 August 20138 November 20082ndNottingham ForestAD1–121,41515 November 20082ndCharlton AthleticHW3–2McFadden 13', Phillips 50', Queudrue 55'20,01321 November 20082ndSwansea CityAW3–2Bent 42', Phillips (2) 74', 79'16,95625 November 20082ndIpswich TownHW2–1Ridgewell 9', Phillips 14'15,68929 November 20082ndWolverhampton WanderersAD1–1Jerome 48'26,3296 December 20082ndWatfordHW3–2Phillips 8', Bent 18', Jerome 85'18,1749 December 20082ndPlymouth ArgyleAW1–0Carsley 62'10,446https://www.theguardian.com/football/2008/dec/10/football-championship-plymouth-birmingham Carsley breaks his City duck Parkinson, Nick The Guardian 10 December 2008 29 August 201313 December 20082ndPreston North EndAL0–110,94320 December 20083rdReadingHL1–3Phillips 60'19,69526 December 20083rdIpswich TownAW1–0McFadden 39' pen.23,53628 December 20083rdSwansea CityHD0–021,83617 January 20093rdCardiff CityHD1–1Bowyer 90+4'19,85324 January 20093rdBlackpoolAL0–28,10527 January 20093rdDerby CountyHW1–0Carsley 59'15,33031 January 20093rdSheffield WednesdayAD1–1Phillips 90+3'18,4097 February 20093rdBurnleyHD1–1Phillips 37'16,76314 February 20092ndNottingham ForestHW2–0Bent 62', Fahey 75'17,63121 February 20092ndCoventry CityAL0–122,63724 February 20092ndCrystal PalaceAD0–012,8471 March 20092ndSheffield UnitedAL1–2Morgan 74' o.g.24,2324 March 20092ndBristol CityHW1–0Queudrue 87'17,5517 March 20092ndSouthamptonHW1–0Fahey 45+1'16,73510 March 20092ndBarnsleyAD1–1Martin Taylor 85'11,29914 March 20092ndDoncaster RoversAW2–0Jerome 19', Bouazza 42'11,48221 March 20092ndNorwich CityHD1–1Jerome 38'18,1596 April 20092ndWolverhampton WanderersHW2–0Jerome 45+4', O'Connor 69'25,93511 April 20092ndCharlton AthleticAD0–020,02213 April 20092ndPlymouth ArgyleHD1–1Queudrue 50'19,32318 April 20092ndWatfordAW1–0Jerome 73'16,18025 April 20092ndPreston North EndHL1–2Fahey 67'24,8253 May 20092ndReadingAW2–1Fahey 19', Phillips 60'23,879 League table BIR http://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/2008-2009 Birmingham City 2008–2009: English League Championship Table Statto Organisation 4 October 2011 live https://web.archive.org/web/20100109051108/http://www.statto.com/football/teams/birmingham-city/2008-2009/table 9 January 2010 Results summary 14 5 4 30 17 9 9 5 24 20 January 2012 FA Cup 2008–09 FA Cup As do all Premier League teams, Birmingham entered the FA Cup at the third round, in which they were drawn at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The tie was postponed from the scheduled date because of a frozen pitch, which provoked the club into a decision to install undersoil heating.https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7813385.stm Undersoil heating for St Andrew's BBC Sport 6 January 2009 2 March 2009 Wolves took a deserved first-half lead, but their second, soon after the interval, was courtesy of referee Howard Webb inadvertently diverted Jaïdi's pass to Wolves' Andy Keogh, who broke forward and Sam Vokes scored. Webb refused a penalty appeal for Richard Stearman's apparent foul on Marcus Bent, and Jerome struck the crossbar with a powerful shot from distance. RoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRefThird round13 January 2009Wolverhampton WanderersHL0–222,232 Football League Cup 2008–09 Football League Cup Birmingham were drawn to play League Two club Wycombe Wanderers at Adams Park in the first round of the League Cup. They won comfortably, with goals from Mehdi Nafti – his first for the club – Sebastian Larsson, Cameron Jerome and debutant Quincy Owusu-Abeyie. They were eliminated by fellow Championship club Southampton at St Mary's by two goals to nil. Midfielder Jordon Mutch made his debut as a half-time replacement for Gary McSheffrey to become, at 16 years 268 days, Birmingham's second-youngest debutant of all time, after Trevor Francis. RoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRefFirst round13 August 2008Wycombe WanderersAW4–0Nafti 14', Larsson 64', Jerome 73', Quincy 86'2,735Second round26 August 2008SouthamptonAL0–211,331 Player transfers In DatePlayerClubFeeRef 1 July 2008 Lee Carsley (Everton) Freehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7396978.stm Carsley passes Birmingham medical BBC Sport 3 June 2008 23 September 2011 9 July 2008 Kevin Phillips (West Bromwich Albion) Freehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7497349.stm Phillips leaves Baggies for Blues BBC Sport 9 July 2008 23 September 2011 16 July 2008 Marcus Bent Charlton Athletic £1mhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7509644.stm Bent completes move to Birmingham BBC Sport 16 July 2008 23 September 2011 2 January 2009 Keith Fahey St Patrick's Athletic Undisclosedhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7753287.stm Fahey signs Birmingham contract BBC Sport 2 December 2008 23 September 2011 2 January 2009 Robin Shroot Harrow Borough Undisclosedhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7808765.stm Birmingham sign midfielder Shroot BBC Sport 2 January 2009 23 September 2011 23 February 2009 Stephen Carr (Newcastle United) Freehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7906046.stm Blues coax Carr out of retirement BBC Sport 23 February 2009 23 September 2011 3 March 2009 Ulises de la Cruz (Reading) Freehttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7921122.stm De la Cruz earns Birmingham deal BBC Sport 3 March 2009 23 September 2011 Brackets round club names denote the player's contract with that club expired before he joined Birmingham City. Out DatePlayerFeeJoinedRef 16 July 2008 Olivier Kapo £3.5m Wigan Athletichttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7508113.stm Kapo wraps up transfer to Wigan BBC Sport 16 July 2008 23 September 2011 1 September 2008 Sone Aluko £50,000 Aberdeenhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7592684.stm Aberdeen complete Aluko transfer BBC Sport 1 September 2008 23 September 2011 2 April 2009 Ulises de la Cruz Released (LDU Quito)https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7982369.stm Birmingham hold De la Cruz talks BBC Sport 3 April 2009 23 September 2011http://www.eluniverso.com/2009/04/30/1/1372/E02C469A7D214F7791ED5EB330B03545.html De la Cruz volvió a Liga de Quito es De la Cruz returns to Liga de Quito El Universo Guayaquil 30 April 2009 28 August 2013 30 June 2009 Radhi Jaïdi Released (Southampton)https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8233355.stm Jaidi waits on Southampton switch BBC Sport 2 September 2009 29 August 2013 30 June 2009 Stephen Kelly Released (Fulham)https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8103966.stm Kelly swaps Birmingham for Fulham BBC Sport 16 June 2009 23 September 2011 30 June 2009 Artur Krysiak Released (Birmingham City)https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/8147686.stm Birmingham re-sign keeper Krysiak BBC Sport 13 July 2009 29 August 2013 30 June 2009 Mehdi Nafti Released (Aris)http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/released-birmingham-city-player-nafti-95387 Released Birmingham City player Nafti signs for Aris in Greece Birmingham Mail 10 June 2009 23 September 2011 Brackets round club names denote the player joined that club after his Birmingham City contract expired. Loan in DatePlayerClubReturnRef 30 July 2008 Kemy Agustien AZ Alkmaar End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7532995.stm Birmingham land Agustien on loan BBC Sport 30 July 2008 23 September 2011 6 August 2008 Quincy Owusu-Abeyie Spartak Moscow 5 January 2009https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7546254.stm Birmingham sign ex-Arsenal winger BBC Sport 6 August 2008 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7797803.stm Birmingham end Quincy loan deal BBC Sport 5 January 2009 23 September 2011 21 October 2008 Nigel Quashie West Ham United Three monthshttp://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1410406,00.html Quashie joins Blues Birmingham City F.C 21 October 2008 23 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120329235443/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1410406,00.html 29 March 2012 dead https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7811982.stm Quashie staying on at Birmingham BBC Sport 23 December 2008 23 September 2011 3 November 2008 Nicky Hunt Bolton Wanderers 31 December 2008https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7706626.stm Birmingham sign Hunt in loan deal BBC Sport 3 November 2008 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7804861.stm Bolton end Hunt's Birmingham loan BBC Sport 30 December 2008 23 September 2011 6 January 2009 Scott Sinclair Chelsea End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7814650.stm Birmingham sign Sinclair on loan BBC Sport 6 January 2009 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7865927.stm Sinclair extends Birmingham loan BBC Sport 2 February 2009 23 September 2011 8 January 2009 Hamer Bouazza Fulham End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7818881.stm Birmingham land Bouazza on loan BBC Sport 8 January 2009 23 September 2011 9 January 2009 Lee Bowyer West Ham United End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7819728.stm Birmingham snap up Bowyer on loan BBC Sport 9 January 2009 23 September 2011 29 January 2009 Carlos Costly GKS Bełchatów End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7859625.stm Blues clearance for Costly debut BBC Sport 3 February 2009 23 September 2011 9 February 2009 Djimi Traoré Portsmouth Three monthshttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7881813.stm Birmingham snap up Traore on loan BBC Sport 9 February 2009 23 September 2011 Loan out DatePlayerClubReturnRef 7 August 2008 Artur Krysiak York City One monthhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7547521.stm Keeper Krysiak joins York on loan BBC Sport 7 August 2008 23 September 2011 9 August 2008 Sone Aluko Blackpool 1 September 2008http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1362021,00.html Aluko joins Seasiders on loan Birmingham F.C 9 August 2008 23 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120218033114/http://www.bcfc.com/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1362021,00.html 18 February 2012 dead 19 August 2008 Krystian Pearce Scunthorpe United End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7570216.stm Pearce joins Scunthorpe on loan BBC Sport 19 August 2008 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7592351.stm Oji extends loan deal at Orient BBC Sport 1 September 2008 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7806443.stm Pearce allowed to stay with Iron BBC Sport 31 December 2008 23 September 2011 23 September 2008 Artur Krysiak Swansea City Three monthshttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7631665.stm Swans sign keeper from Birmingham BBC Sport 23 September 2008 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7796211.stm Krysiak back at Blues from Swans BBC Sport 22 December 2008 23 September 2011 2 January 2009 Artur Krysiak Motherwell End of season 2 February 2009 Semih Aydilek Motherwell End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7865640.stm Motherwell take Sheridan on loan BBC Sport 2 February 2009 23 September 2011 2 February 2009 Stephen Kelly Stoke City End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7867516.stm Stoke complete Kelly loan switch BBC Sport 4 February 2009 23 September 2011 2 February 2009 Jared Wilson Chesterfield End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7865752.stm Chesterfield sign defender Wilson BBC Sport 2 February 2009 23 September 2011 5 March 2009 Gary McSheffrey Nottingham Forest End of seasonhttps://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7925571.stm Forest seal McSheffrey loan deal BBC Sport 5 March 2009 23 September 2011 6 March 2009 Robin Shroot Walsall 26 March 2009https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7928156.stm Walsall sign Birmingham's Shroot BBC Sport 6 March 2009 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/7966143.stm Shroot ends loan spell at Walsall BBC Sport 26 March 2009 23 September 2011 Appearances and goals Source: http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=291&teamTabs=stats&season_id=138 Birmingham 2008/09 Player Appearances Soccerbase Centurycomm 3 August 2012https://www.11v11.com/teams/birmingham-city/tab/players/season/2009/ All Birmingham City football club players: 2009 11v11.com Association of Football Statisticians 18 June 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20230225170249/https://www.11v11.com/teams/birmingham-city/tab/players/season/2009/ 25 February 2023 live Numbers in parentheses denote appearances made as a substitute. Players marked left the club during the playing season. Players with names in italics and marked * were on loan from another club for the whole of their season with Birmingham. Players listed with no appearances have been in the matchday squad but only as unused substitutes. Key to positions: GK – Goalkeeper; DF – Defender; MF – Midfielder; FW – Forward + Players' appearances and goals by competitionNo. Squad numberPos. Playing positionNat. NationalityNameLeagueFA CupLeague CupTotalDisciplineApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoalsApps AppearancesGoals13px|Booked|alt=A yellow rectangle, denoting the yellow penalty card shown to a player being cautioned13px|Sent off|alt=A red rectangle, denoting the red penalty card shown to a player being sent off1 GKNIRMaik Taylor4501000460112 DFIREStephen Kelly2 (3)00 (1)0103 (4)0002 DFIREStephen Carr1300000130203 DFENGDavid Murphy28 (2)0002030 (2)0314DFENGNicky Hunt * 9 (2)000009 (2)0004 MFENGLee Bowyer *1710000171615 DFENGMartin Taylor23 (1)1001024 (1)1206 DFENGLiam Ridgewell3611020391807 MFSWESebastian LarssonWycombeGoal Soccerbase incorrectly credits the second goal in the League Cup win at Wycombe Wanderers to O'Connor rather than Larsson.http://www.soccerbase.com/matches/results.sd?date=2008-08-13 Results & Matches on: Wed, 13 Aug 2008 Soccerbase Centurycomm 23 September 2011https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/7551383.stm Wycombe 0–4 Birmingham BBC Sport 13 August 2008 23 September 2011http://www.bcfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10412~45873,00.html Wycombe 0–4 Birmingham Birmingham City F.C. 13 August 2008 23 September 2011 https://web.archive.org/web/20120218033523/http://www.bcfc.com/page/MatchReport/0,,10412~45873,00.html 18 February 201235 (3)1001136 (3)2508 FWSCOGarry O'ConnorWycombeGoal10 (6)6002012 (6)6009 FWENGKevin Phillips24 (12)14001 (1)025 (13)141010FWENGCameron Jerome25 (18)9100 (1)126 (19)103011MFENGGary McSheffrey3 (3)000205 (3)00012MFTUNMehdi Nafti6 (5)000117 (5)11113GKIREColin Doyle1 (1)000203 (1)00014MFNEDKemy Agustien *13 (5)0101015 (5)02015DFTUNRadhi Jaïdi30010003106016FWSCOJames McFadden22 (8)4000022 (8)44017MFENGJordon Mutch00000 (1)00 (1)01018MFSCONigel Quashie * 8 (2)010009 (2)05118FWHONCarlos Costly *3 (5)000003 (5)00019MFGHAQuincy Owusu-Abeyie * 12 (7)2001 (1)113 (8)30019MFENGScott Sinclair *8 (6)000008 (6)00020DFFRAFranck Queudrue23 (2)3100 (1)024 (3)35021DFENGStuart Parnaby19 (2)0102022 (2)04022MFNIRDamien Johnson8 (1)00 (1)0008 (2)02023FWENGMarcus Bent16 (17)3101018 (17)31024MFGERSemih Aydilek000000000025DFENGJared Wilson0 (1)000000 (1)01026MFIRELee Carsley41210204425127DFENGKrystian Pearce000000001028GKPOLArtur Krysiak000000000029MFENGAshley Sammons000000000030MFIREKeith Fahey15 (4)4000015 (4)40031MFENGMitchell McPike000000000032MFNIRRobin Shroot001000100033MFALGHamer Bouazza *9 (7)100009 (7)11034DFMLIDjimi Traoré *2 (1)000002 (1)01035GKENGDean Lyness000000000036DFECUUlises de la Cruz0 (1)000000 (1)000 + Players not included in matchday squadsNo. Squad numberPos. Playing positionNat. NationalityName25MFENGSone Aluko References General Match details, both in prose and tables, are sourced to match reports on the sportinglife.com website and on Birmingham City F.C.'s website. Any match content not verifiable from those sources is referenced individually. Specific 30em Category:Birmingham City F.C. seasons Birmingham City