2015–16 Birmingham City F.C. season

July 2017 July 2017 Birmingham City F.C. 2015–16 Gary Rowett Birmingham International Holdings St Andrew's Championship 10th FA Cup Third round League Cup Third round Clayton Donaldson (11) 21,380 (vs Middlesbrough, 29 April 2016) 9,275 (vs Gillingham, League Cup 2nd round, 25 August 2015) 17,602https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/stats/_/id/392/league/ENG.2/season/2015/view/performance Birmingham City Performance Stats – 2015–16 ESPN FC 26 June 2024 26 June 2024 https://archive.today/20240626164456/https://www.espn.com/soccer/team/stats/_/id/392/league/ENG.2/season/2015/view/performance _birmingham1516H _classicfootball 0000FF 0000FF FFFFFF 0000FF _birmingham1516A _birmingham1516al FFF000 000000 000000 2014–15 2016–17 The 2015–16 season was Birmingham City Football Clubs 113th season in the English football league system and fifth consecutive season in the Football League Championship.http://fchd.info/BIRMINGC.HTM Birmingham City Football Club History Database Richard Rundle 5 September 2017 It covered the period from 1 July 2015 to 30 June 2016. Their Championship record, of 63 points accrued via 16 wins, 15 draws and 15 losses resulting in a tenth-place finish, was exactly the same as in 2014–15. Tenth was the lowest position the team had occupied all season. The average attendance at league matches, of 17,602, was some 9% higher than in 2014–15. As with all clubs in the top two tiers of English football, Birmingham entered the 2015–16 FA Cup in the third round; they lost in that round at home to Premier League club AFC Bournemouth. In the League Cup, they progressed through two rounds before being eliminated by Aston Villa, also of the Premier League, in the third. Thirty-two players made at least one appearance in first-team competition, of whom six were loan signings and one was registered on a short-term contract; there were eighteen different goalscorers. Team captain Michael Morrison appeared in 49 of the club's 50 fixtures over the season, and played in every minute of the 46 Championship matches.https://int.soccerway.com/players/michael-morrison/35935/ M. Morrison Soccerway Perform Group 7 May 2016 Clayton Donaldson was top goalscorer with 11 goals, all of which were scored in league competition. Background and pre-season After narrowly avoiding relegation to League One in 2014, a poor start to the 2014–15 season with only two wins by mid-October brought manager Lee Clark the sack.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/11174591/Lee-Clark-sacked-by-Championship-strugglers-Birmingham-City-after-poor-run-of-results.html Lee Clark sacked by Championship strugglers Birmingham City after poor run of results John Percy Daily Telegraph 20 October 2014 16 May 2016 24 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141024111000/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/11174591/Lee-Clark-sacked-by-Championship-strugglers-Birmingham-City-after-poor-run-of-results.html live Under caretaker management, the team lost 8–0 at home to AFC Bournemouth to drop to 23rd place in the table.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/11187686/Birmingham-City-0-Bournemouth-8-Malcolm-Crosby-apologises-to-fans-after-embarrassing-defeat-plunges-club-further-into-crisis.html Birmingham City 0 Bournemouth 8 Steven Sutcliffe Daily Telegraph London 25 October 2014 16 May 2016 28 October 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141028010409/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/birmingham-city/11187686/Birmingham-City-0-Bournemouth-8-Malcolm-Crosby-apologises-to-fans-after-embarrassing-defeat-plunges-club-further-into-crisis.html live Burton Albion manager and former Birmingham player Gary Rowett took over,https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/29781713 Gary Rowett: Birmingham City appoint Burton boss as manager BBC Sport 27 October 2014 25 March 2018 strengthened the defence by bringing in Charlton Athletic's Michael Morrison, initially on loan,http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-how-michael-morrison-8303599 Birmingham City: How Michael Morrison can end the Blues merry-go-round in defence Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 18 December 2014 16 May 2016 and, with the aid of other loan signings including Italian international forward Diego Fabbrini,https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32085561 Diego Fabbrini: Watford loan out forward to Birmingham City BBC Sport 26 March 2015 25 March 2018 led them to a 10th-place finish. First-team players released at the end of the 2014–15 season included Callum Reilly, Nikola Žigić, Matt Green, Olly Lee, Gavin Gunning, youngsters Amari'i Bell and Will Packwood, and long-serving goalkeeper Colin Doyle.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-colin-doyle-callum-9183420 Birmingham City: Colin Doyle and Callum Reilly head list of players released by Gary Rowett Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 5 May 2015 16 May 2016http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/amarii-bell-birmingham-city-2458910.aspx Amari'i Bell released by Blues Birmingham City F.C. 18 May 2015 16 May 2016 20 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160920200713/http://www.bcfc.com//news/article/amarii-bell-birmingham-city-2458910.aspx First-choice goalkeeper Darren Randolph chose to leave when his contract expired.http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/9860950/birmingham-city-goalkeeper-darren-randolph-is-to-leave-the-club Birmingham City goalkeeper Darren Randolph is to leave the club Sky Sports 27 June 2015 16 May 2016 11 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160611041959/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11065/9860950/birmingham-city-goalkeeper-darren-randolph-is-to-leave-the-club live Free-transfer signings for 2015–16 included winger Jacques Maghoma, previously with Sheffield Wednesday, and two goalkeepers, Adam Legzdins, who started his career with Birmingham but never played for their first team, and former Polish international Tomasz Kuszczak.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33352331 Tomasz Kuszczak: Birmingham sign ex-Manchester United keeper BBC Sport 1 July 2015 16 May 2016 Undisclosed fees were paid for Groningen's KNVB Cup-winning captain Maikel Kieftenbeld, a Dutch under-21 international defensive midfielder, and Danish forward Nicolai Brock-Madsen; the release clause on Kieftenbeld's contract was widely reported at €250,000,http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/9926677/birmingham-city-sign-maikel-kieftenbeld-from-fc-groningen Birmingham City sign Maikel Kieftenbeld from FC Groningen Sky Sports 28 July 2015 15 May 2016 29 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150729053313/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/9926677/birmingham-city-sign-maikel-kieftenbeld-from-fc-groningen livehttp://www.dvhn.nl/nieuws/sport/fc-groningen-verkoopt-kieftenbeld-voor-kwart-miljoen-12823813.html FC Groningen verkoopt Kieftenbeld voor kwart miljoen nl FC Groningen sell Kieftenbeld for a quarter of a million Dagblad van het Noorden Groningen 26 July 2015 15 May 2016 subscription 7 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151007064338/http://www.dvhn.nl/nieuws/sport/fc-groningen-verkoopt-kieftenbeld-voor-kwart-miljoen-12823813.html and according to BBC Sport, the fee for Brock-Madsen was "believed to be in the region of £500,000, with possible add-ons taking it up to £1m."https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34018385 Birmingham City: Nicolai Brock-Madsen signs for Blues BBC Sport 21 August 2015 16 May 2016 Birmingham made one loan signing: attacking midfielder Jon Toral joined from Arsenal for the season. Out-of-contract players who signed new contracts included club captain Paul Robinson, experienced defender Jonathan Spector, and youngsters Nick Townsend, Charlee Adams, Koby Arthur and Viv Solomon-Otabor,http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-2440527.aspx Quartet offered new deals Colin Tattum Birmingham City F.C. 5 May 2015 16 May 2016 23 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923192744/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-2440527.aspxhttp://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-find-out-how-9949687 Birmingham City: Find out how long Gary Rowett's Blues players have left on their contracts Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 28 August 2015 16 May 2016 the club extended the contracts of defenders Jonathan Grounds and Paul Caddis, top scorer Clayton Donaldson, attacking midfielder Andy Shinnie, and wingers David Cotterill and the in-demand Demarai Gray.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33525877 Birmingham City: Demarai Gray agrees new deal BBC Sport 14 July 2015 16 May 2016 In connection with the club's 140th anniversary in 2015–16, both home and away kits echoed the past. The home kit reproduced the original shirt from 1875, blue with a white sash, with white shorts and blue socks; supporters could pay for their names to be woven into the sash. The away kit reprised the "German flag" kit worn very occasionally in the 1970s, with a yellow right side and sleeve, a broad red central panel, and black left side and sleeve, black shorts and yellow socks with black tops. Both shirts carried intertwined club initials instead of the globe and ball badge. The kits, supplied by Carbrini, bore the logo of sponsors EZE Group, an entertainment and leisure company.http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2015-2016/championship.html Sky Bet Championship 2015–2016 Dave Moor Historical Football Kits 15 May 2016 25 February 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240225215031/http://historicalkits.co.uk/English_Football_League/season/2015-2016/championship.html livehttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/eze-group-birmingham-city-2493943.aspx Birmingham City FC announce major shirt sponsorship deal with EZE Group Birmingham City F.C. 15 June 2015 15 May 2016 21 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150721061418/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/eze-group-birmingham-city-2493943.aspx After a training camp in mainland Europe,http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-2446053.aspx European training camp for Blues Colin Tattum Birmingham City F.C. 8 May 2015 21 May 2015 25 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180325172936/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2015/european-training-camp-for-blues/ Birmingham City's pre-season programme continued with friendly matches away to Nuneaton Town, Kidderminster Harriers, Northampton Town, Shrewsbury Town and Burton Albion. They also faced Benfica B at St George's Park. Their only home friendly was against Leicester City. + Pre-season match detailsDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRefs14 July 2015Nuneaton TownAW3–0Novak 25', Shinnie 70', Davis 73'1,071http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/nuneaton-0-birmingham-city-3-9658049 Nuneaton 0 Birmingham City 3 Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 14 July 2015 18 July 201518 July 2015Kidderminster HarriersAD1–1LowryTrialist 82'2,801http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/updated-kidderminster-harriers-1-birmingham-9684183 Updated: Kidderminster Harriers 1 Birmingham City 1 Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 18 July 2015 18 July 201521 July 2015Shrewsbury TownSquad split in two, both games played simultaneously SplitSquadAW2–0Thomas 2', Donaldson 15'1,919http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/shrewsbury-town-birmingham-city-2561887.aspx Report: Shrewsbury Town 0 Blues 2 Birmingham City F.C. 21 July 2015 21 July 2015 5 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150905063549/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/shrewsbury-town-birmingham-city-2561887.aspxhttp://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2015/07/21/town-0-blues-2-report-and-pictures/soccer-pre-season-friendly-shrewsbury-town-v-birmingham-city-4/ Town 0 Blues 2 Shropshire Star 21 July 2015 22 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150723033213/https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/shrewsbury-town-fc/2015/07/21/town-0-blues-2-report-and-pictures/soccer-pre-season-friendly-shrewsbury-town-v-birmingham-city-4/ 23 July 201521 July 2015Northampton TownSplitSquadAD2–2Gray 3', Novak 76'1,675http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/northampton-2-birmingham-city-2-9703753 Northampton 2 Birmingham City 2 Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 21 July 2015 21 July 2015http://www.daventryexpress.co.uk/news/adams-double-secures-impressive-draw-for-cobblers-1-6862439 Adams double secures impressive draw for Cobblers James Heneghan Daventry Express 21 July 2015 22 July 2015 29 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150729233812/http://www.daventryexpress.co.uk/news/adams-double-secures-impressive-draw-for-cobblers-1-6862439 live25 July 2015Burton AlbionAL0–23,393http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/updated-burton-albion-2-birmingham-9728337 Updated: Burton Albion 2 Birmingham City 0 Paul Suart Birmingham Mail 25 July 2015 27 July 201527 July 2015Benfica BNL0–1n/ahttp://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/devante-cole-features-birmingham-city-9739910 Devante Cole features in Birmingham City friendly defeat to Benfica B Darren Campbell Birmingham Mail 27 July 2015 27 July 20151 August 2015Leicester CityHL2–3Cotterill 23', Gray 25'7,026Updated: Birmingham City 2 Leicester City 3: Blues let two goal lead slip to lose to Premier League opponents http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/updated-birmingham-city-2-leicester-9772834 Paul Suart Birmingham Mail 1 August 2015 3 August 2015 Football League Championship 2015–16 Football League Championship August–September Unlike in recent seasons,http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/birmingham-city-0-watford-1-5582749 Tattum Colin 3 August 2013 Blues 0 Watford 1 Birmingham Mail 16 October 2015http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/middlesbrough-2-birmingham-city-0-7594137 Middlesbrough 2 Birmingham City 0 Colin Tattum Birmingham Mail 11 August 2014 16 October 2015 there were only three debutants in the opening-day fixture, at home to Reading. With all senior players available for selection,http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-reading-sky-bet-championship-2600567.aspx Preview: Blues v Reading Birmingham City F.C. 8 August 2015 20 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304135025/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-reading-sky-bet-championship-2600567.aspx 4 March 2016 the team lined up in manager Gary Rowett's preferred 4–2–3–1 formation with Kuszczak in goal, Caddis and Grounds at full back, Spector and Morrison at centre back, Kieftenbeld alongside Stephen Gleeson in defensive midfield, Gray and Cotterill as wide midfielders, and Toral in support of lone striker Donaldson. Either side of half-time, Birmingham took a two-goal lead via Cotterill's deflected free kick and Toral's header from Donaldson's cross. Kuszczak's fumble led to the visitors making the score 2–1, but well into stoppage time, substitute David Davis's challenge conceded a penalty. Kuszcazk atoned for his earlier error by parrying the kick, and Reading's Simon Cox failed to convert the rebound.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/birmingham-city-2-reading-1-9818241 Birmingham City 2 Reading 1 Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 10 August 2015 16 October 2015 Away to Burnley, Birmingham twice took the lead, first when Toral ran on to Donaldson's through ball and finished with a first-time shot from the edge of the penalty area, and then via Caddis's penalty, and Cotterill hit the post with a free kick, but with five minutes left, Matt Taylor's powerful free kick earned the hosts a point. Birmingham's penalty caused controversy: there seemed to be little contact by the defender on Donaldson,http://www.skysports.com/football/burnley-vs-birmham/339544 Burnley 2–2 Birmingham: Late Matthew Taylor stunner seals point Sky Sports 15 August 2015 18 October 2015 16 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200916204255/https://www.skysports.com/football/burnley-vs-birmham/339544 live whose post-match claim that "You get told if you get a slight touch go down" prompted accusations of cheating.http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/13600679.MATCH_ANALYSIS__Burnley_2_Birmingham_City_2/ Match analysis: Burnley 2 Birmingham City 2 Suzanne Geldard Lancashire Telegraph 17 August 2015 16 October 2015http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/13610161.display/ Willie Irvine column: Taking your chances is only way to win games Willie Irvine Lancashire Telegraph 18 August 2015 16 October 2015 The visit to Brentford, scheduled for 18 August, was postponed six days before the scheduled date of 18 August because the hosts needed to re-lay the Griffin Park pitch on an emergency basis. Unusually, they agreed to reimburse supporters for non-refundable travel costs already incurred.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33886202 Brentford postpone Birmingham game after pitch problems BBC Sport 12 August 2015 20 August 2015http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/brentford-v-birmingham-city-travel-refunds-offer-2626806.aspx Postponed Birmingham City match travel refunds confirmed Brentford F.C. 17 August 2015 20 August 2015 4 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304132554/http://www.brentfordfc.co.uk/news/article/brentford-v-birmingham-city-travel-refunds-offer-2626806.aspx Against Derby County, Gleeson's deflected shot from distance – his first goal for the club – gave Birmingham the lead, which Toral should have increased, but the visitors equalised after an hour, had striker Chris Martin yellow-carded for simulation when he appeared to have been fouled inside the area, and hit the frame of the goal three times, including an excellent save from Kuszczak to turn Andi Weimann's shot onto the post and catch the rebound.http://www.vavel.com/en/football/championship/529565-birmingham-city-1-1-derby-county-sides-share-points-in-action-packed-affair.html Birmingham City 1–1 Derby County: Sides share points in action-packed affair Mosope Omoniyi Vavel.com 21 August 2015 18 October 2015 22 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151222141434/http://www.vavel.com/en/football/championship/529565-birmingham-city-1-1-derby-county-sides-share-points-in-action-packed-affair.html live After the game, Rowett made comparisons with some of the richer clubs in the division, claiming that although his "team of free transfers and players bought with someone's pocket money" were "more than matching teams", they were "always disappointed coming in we haven't done a little bit more."http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-gary-rowett-proud-9907774 Gary Rowett proud of his free transfers and pocket-money men Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 22 August 2015 18 October 2015 The second goal of Gleeson's Birmingham career opened the scoring in the club's first League visit to his former club, Milton Keynes Dons: he curled Donaldson's cutback over the goalkeeper into the corner of the net. Later in the game, he was stretchered off with an ankle injury that proved less serious than initially feared. To complete a 2–0 win, substitute Maghoma ran on to Donaldson's through ball and placed it wide of the goalkeeper.http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/mk-dons/mk-dons-news/report-dons-0-2-birmingham-efficient-city-down-dons-1-6930974 Report: Dons 0–2 Birmingham: Efficient City down Dons Toby Lock Milton Keynes Citizen 29 August 2015 18 October 2015 31 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150831210823/http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/mk-dons/mk-dons-news/report-dons-0-2-birmingham-efficient-city-down-dons-1-6930974http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-injury-news-gary-10032915 Gary Rowett provides a fitness update on Stephen Gleeson Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 11 September 2015 18 October 2015 DonaldsonBirmingham's leading scorer in 2014–15made up for this season's goal drought with a first-half hat-trick at home to Bristol City. The third goal came from a penalty awarded for a foul on Toral; Bristol City's manager, Steve Cotterill, thought Toral should have been booked for simulation. Regular penalty-taker Caddis allowed Donaldson to take the kick to complete his hat-trick, and a Grounds header completed a 4–2 win.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/clayton-donaldson-lucky-birmingham-citys-10047553 Clayton Donaldson: Lucky for me Birmingham City's regular penalty taker was feeling generous! Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 13 September 2015 18 October 2015 After five league matches with an unchanged starting eleven, Rowett brought in Maghoma for Gray for the visit of Nottingham Forest, who inflicted Birmingham's first defeat of the season and became the first team to prevent them scoring. Forest scored after 54 minutes, after which Gray and league debutants Brock-Madsen and Solomon-Otabor entered the game, but in vain. Rowett was disappointed by the way the team "became a little frantic and a little bit too hurried and desperate on the ball and did not show enough quality." Neal Eardley, returning to league football after nearly a year out injured, lasted 44 minutes of the visit to Ipswich Town before dislocating his shoulder.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/neal-eardley-birmingham-city-boss-10133748 Neal Eardley: Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett gives an update on the defender's dislocated shoulder Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 25 September 2015 21 October 2015 On his first start of the season, Shinnie exploited a defensive error to play Cotterill in for the opening goal, which was equalised ten minutes later via a penalty awarded against Spector, a decision that divided opinion. The flatness of their second consecutive home defeat, 2–0 to bottom-of-the-table Rotherham United, was arguably a reaction to the midweek League Cup defeat at Aston Villa. September ended with the rearranged visit to Brentford; since the original date, the club had sold their 2014–15 top scorer Andre Gray,http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-boss-glad-see-end-9915375 Brentford boss glad to see end of Andre Gray transfer saga Tim Street GetWestLondon 24 August 2015 21 October 2015 26 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150826203225/http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/brentford-boss-glad-see-end-9915375 live sacked their manager, and appointed former Birmingham captain Lee Carsley in his place. With Shinnie injured, Rowett brought Davis into a three-man defensive midfield, and unexpectedly gave club captain Robinson his first league start in several months. A 2–0 win via Morrison's header from a corner and Gleeson's long ball that Donaldson chipped over the goalkeeper left Birmingham in fifth place, six points behind leaders Brighton & Hove Albion.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/brentford-0-2-birmingham-city-10161628 Brentford 0–2 Birmingham City Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 29 September 2015 21 October 2015 October–November Birmingham prolonged Leeds United's run without a home win courtesy of a fine performance by Gray, capped by a powerful shot from inside the penalty area for his first goal of the season, two saves by Kuszczak, and a stoppage-time goal from substitute Maghoma.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/leeds-united-0-birmingham-city-10182685 Leeds United 0 Birmingham City 2 Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 3 October 2015 12 January 2016 Their own winning run continued at home to Queens Park Rangers, when they came from behind via Robinson's header from Gray's free kickhis second goal for the club in 127 matchesand a second-half penalty converted by Caddis after Donaldson was fouled, and away to bottom club Bolton Wanderers, when Robinson and Gray repeated their partnership for the only goal of the match after 20 minutes. What the BBC's reporter called "some desperate Blues defending", aided by the introduction of Spector as a sweeper to protect the back four, helped Birmingham hold their lead and go second in the table. Rowett retained that formation for the visit to Hull City, but the hosts profited from the additional freedom available to their midfield and won 2–0.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-find-out-how-10326402 Birmingham City find out how tough it is at the top and more things we learned from Hull City defeat Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 24 October 2015 12 January 2016 On the anniversary of Rowett's first match in charge, a goalless draw away to Wolverhampton Wanderers, Birmingham lost 2–0 at home to the same opponents. He was critical of the team's lack of quality, feeling they "needed to be more inventive and show more composure on the ball." Birmingham's first home clean sheet of the season combined with a third consecutive failure to score produced a goalless draw at home to 15th-placed Blackburn Rovers, marred by an injury to Cotterill's knee that kept him out of Championship football until February.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/david-cotterill-injury-blow-gary-10425663 David Cotterill injury blow: Gary Rowett reveals how long the Birmingham City winger could be out for Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 11 November 2015 5 January 201639739 2015 David Cotterill 2 May 2016 A free-flowing performance and five goals away followed against a defensively poor Fulham side. In stoppage time, Solomon-Otabor scored his first senior goal: after a run down the left,Report: Fulham 2 Blues 5 http://www.bcfc.com/fixtures-results/match-report/?matchid=3833392&tcmuri=2515746 Birmingham City F.C. 7 November 2015 22 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151123003254/http://www.bcfc.com/fixtures-results/match-report/?matchid=3833392&tcmuri=2515746 23 November 2015 "a neat turn that left Richard Stearman on his backside was followed by a clinical finish".http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-analysis-back-track-10406124 Birmingham City analysis: Back on track; Why Jon Toral is vital for Blues; Other things we learned Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 7 November 2015 22 November 2015 Donaldson returned from making his international debut for Jamaica with a groin injury that was predicted to keep him out for six weeks. Rowett suggested the damage could have been less serious had Donaldson not played the whole match despite being obviously unfit, but Jamaica coach Winfried Schäfer said the player had insisted on continuing.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34900916 Birmingham City: Striker search stepped up after Donaldson blow BBC Sport 24 November 2015 21 March 2016http://www.sportsmax.tv/?q=articles/2015/11/24/jamaica-football-i-have-never-played-injured-player-schaefer-taken-aback Jamaica Football: 'I have never played an injured player' Schaefer taken aback by Birmingham accusations Digicel SportsMax 24 November 2015 29 December 2015 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305050105/http://www.sportsmax.tv/?q=articles%2F2015%2F11%2F24%2Fjamaica-football-i-have-never-played-injured-player-schaefer-taken-aback The inexperienced Brock-Madsen led the line at home to Charlton Athletic. Their manager, Karel Fraeye, "aware that Birmingham struggle at home when they try to be dominant", fielded a well-organised team who scored from what Rowett described as "their only real chance on goal in the whole game." A defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion put the hosts top of the table and left Birmingham in sixth place going into December. December–January Rowett's proactive changes at home to Huddersfield Townadopting a 4–3–3 formation and a pressing stylewere countered by the "worst start you could ever have",http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-boss-gary-rowett-10550111 Birmingham City boss Gary Rowett on the 'worst start' ever Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 5 December 2015 2 May 2016 as Aston Villa fan and former Birmingham trainee Joe Lolley scored after 33 seconds; for the fourth game running, Birmingham could not do the same, and suffered their third consecutive defeat.http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/birmingham-city-0-huddersfield-town-10554621 Birmingham City 0 Huddersfield Town 2: Early Lolley strike fires Terriers to first win under Wagner Alexandra Porter Doug Thomson Huddersfield Daily Examiner 5 December 2015 2 May 2016 With loanee James Vaughan leading the line, Birmingham played out a goalless draw at Middlesbrough in wet and windy conditions; according to the BBC's reporter, Morrison "should have won it when he headed wide late on". A penalty, awarded in first-half stoppage time for handball when the ball appeared to strike the "offender" in the face, was converted by substitute Caddis to secure Birmingham's first league win since 7 November. Defensive errors led to a 3–0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday,http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/sheffield-wednesday-3-birmingham-city-10652872 Sheffield Wednesday 3 Birmingham City 0: Brian Dick's match in a minute with stats and pictures Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 26 December 2015 2 May 2016 and the last fixture of 2015, at home to Milton Keynes Dons, saw the return to the starting eleven of Donaldson and a 1–0 win courtesy of Maghoma, who "performed not one but two cut-backs, sending six Dons players the wrong way before unleashing a fierce strike into the roof of the net",http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/report-birmingham-1-0-mk-dons-maghoma-gives-dons-the-blues-1-7135274 Report: Birmingham 1–0 MK Dons: Maghoma gives Dons the Blues Toby Lock Milton Keynes Citizen 28 December 2015 2 May 2016 10 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160810001504/http://www.miltonkeynes.co.uk/sport/football/mk-dons/report-birmingham-1-0-mk-dons-maghoma-gives-dons-the-blues-1-7135274 which took Birmingham into the new year ninth in the table. Despite the absence of Grayon the verge of completing a £3.5 million transfer to Premier League club Leicester Cityand a first-half injury to Donaldson, Birmingham secured a 2–1 win at home to Brentford via Kieftenbeld's 89th-minute winner.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35215306 Demarai Gray: Leicester sign Birmingham winger BBC Sport 4 January 2016 2 May 2016 He won the ball in midfield, played it through to Vaughan, and kept running; when Vaughan shot across goal, Kieftenbeld arrived at the far post just in time to slide the ball home for his first goal for the club.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-citys-maikel-kieftenbeld-best-10679997 Birmingham City's Maikel Kieftenbeld: It was the best feeling in football to score the winner for Blues Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 3 January 2016 2 May 2016 A draw at Nottingham Forest preceded a 3–0 win at third-placed Derby County by a Birmingham side described by the Observer reporter as "tight at the back, and clinical in attack". Kieftenbeld completed the win by "crashing home a brilliant first-time volley from the edge of the area",https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/16/derby-county-birmingham-city-championship-match-report Birmingham's Paul Robinson sparks clinical victory at high-flying Derby Nick Miller The Observer London 16 January 2016 2 May 2016 17 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160117112138/https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/16/derby-county-birmingham-city-championship-match-report live a feat he repeated in the next match, also 3–0, at home to Ipswich Town.http://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/match_report_birmingham_city_3_ipswich_town_0_two_fine_strikes_kill_off_10_man_blues_1_4391118 Match report: Birmingham City 3 Ipswich Town 0 – Two fine strikes kill off 10-man Blues Stuart Watson East Anglian Daily Times Ipswich 23 January 2016 2 May 2016 29 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160129212351/https://www.eadt.co.uk/sport/match_report_birmingham_city_3_ipswich_town_0_two_fine_strikes_kill_off_10_man_blues_1_4391118 The second goal in that match, when "Kuszczak launched a free kick down the middle, Clayton Donaldson headed on and before the ball hit the ground Toral fired a dipping volley over the goalkeeper from 25 yards", earned its scorer the club's Goal of the Season award.http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-jon-toral-3105775.aspx Jon Toral nets a hat-trick at Birmingham City's end of season awards Birmingham City F.C. 9 May 2016 10 May 2016 11 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160511201501/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-jon-toral-3105775.aspx A goalless draw at Bristol City meant Birmingham went through January unbeaten with eleven points from their five matches, which brought the team back into the play-off positions and earned Rowett a nomination for Championship Manager of the Month to add to Kieftenbeld's Player of the Month nomination.http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/gary-rowett-maikel-kieftenbeld-2937362.aspx Gary Rowett and Maikel Kieftenbeld up for January awards Birmingham City F.C. 4 February 2016 2 May 2016 12 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160812195618/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/gary-rowett-maikel-kieftenbeld-2937362.aspx They lost out to Hull City's Steve Bruce and Abel Hernández respectively.http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10155856/hulls-steve-bruce-and-abel-hernandez-land-januarys-sky-bet-championship-awards Hull's Steve Bruce and Abel Hernandez land January's Sky Bet Championship awards Mark Crellin Sky Sports 5 February 2016 2 May 2016 6 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160206073210/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/10155856/hulls-steve-bruce-and-abel-hernandez-land-januarys-sky-bet-championship-awards live February–March Donaldson scored his first goal since November in the fifth of thirteen minutes of first-half stoppage time, as a result of injuries to Sheffield Wednesday's Keiren Westwood and Sam Hutchinson, but the arrival of Atdhe Nuhiu as a second-half substitute changed the game and Gary Hooper's two goals in two minutes gave the visitors a win.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-one-substitution-turned-10854639 Birmingham City: One substitution turned the game on its head – Gary Hooper Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 7 February 2016 2 May 2016 Rotherham United marked the arrival of Neil Warnock as manager with two sendings-off in a goalless draw at home to Birmingham. A minute's applause in memory of former Birmingham manager Freddie Goodwin, who had led the team to promotion to the First Division in 1971–72 and twice reached the semifinals of the FA Cup, preceded the visit of struggling Bolton Wanderers. Having averted an imminent winding-up order by agreeing a takeover deal, they lost 1–0 at Birmingham to a Donaldson goal set up by Diego Fabbrini, making his first start since signing a permanent contract with the club.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-analysis-wasnt-freddie-10942619 Birmingham City analysis: It wasn't Freddie Goodwin-esque, but it was a vital victory indeed for Blues Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 24 February 2016 2 May 2016http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-plan-tribute-bolton-10929072 Birmingham City plan tribute at Bolton match for Freddie Goodwin Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 22 February 2016 2 May 2016 February ended with a poor first-half performance that was punished with a 2–0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers. March began with second-placed Hull City's first loss of 2016 as former Birmingham defender Curtis Davies deflected Toral's shot past his own goalkeeper, but defeat at Blackburn Rovers dropped Birmingham to ninth position. A man-of-the-match performance from Davis, recalled to the starting eleven for the visit to Wolverhampton Wanderers, his former club, was spoilt only when Carl Ikeme made a "great save" to stop his powerful shot giving Birmingham a victory. Davis again nearly won the match at home to Fulham late on with a shot that hit the post, but another draw kept Birmingham in ninth, but now six points off the play-off places albeit with a game in hand. April–May A rearranged schedule because of cup commitments or for television broadcast meant Birmingham had eight fixtures in 28 days in April, including home matches against the top three teams in the division. They began at Charlton Athletic, who were on the verge of relegation. After a delay caused by home fans throwing hundreds of sponge footballs onto the pitch as part of an ongoing protest against the club's ownership, Charlton won via a 94th-minute header from a corner when "everyone is back and two or three players were stood watching while their player heads it in." With the loan window about to close, Birmingham signed Northern Ireland international striker Kyle Lafferty. The move was in both parties'interests: Rowett hoped to improve Birmingham's goalscoring and with it their chances of reaching the play-offs, and the player had hardly appeared for Norwich City, his parent club, and needed match fitness ahead of the upcoming European Championships. Lafferty returned from international duty with a groin injury, and it was rumoured that he would miss the rest of the season,http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/updated_norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_in_contention_for_birmingham_debut_after_blues_boss_dismisses_season_ending_injury_talk_1_4476828 Updated: Norwich City striker Kyle Lafferty in contention for Birmingham debut after Blues' boss dismisses season-ending injury talk Mark Armstrong Eastern Daily Press Norwich 31 March 2016 7 April 2016 3 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160403230324/http://www.edp24.co.uk/sport/norwich-city/updated_norwich_city_striker_kyle_lafferty_in_contention_for_birmingham_debut_after_blues_boss_dismisses_season_ending_injury_talk_1_4476828 but he was fit to start the home match against third-placed Brighton & Hove Albion on 5 April. He opened the scoring after 16 minutes with a tap-in following a goalkeeping error, but Brighton went on to win 2–1. Away to Reading, Donaldson headed home after two minutes for his first goal in six weeks, and Cotterill's free kick was parried into the path of Ryan Shotton to secure the win with his first goal for the club. Donaldson scored again three days later, but as a consolation with Birmingham already 2–0 down at home to Leeds United, the defeat left them nine points outside the play-off places. At home to second-placed Burnley, Rowett thought Birmingham were the better team.http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/reaction-blues-1-burnley-2-3063224.aspx Reaction: Blues 1 Burnley 2 Birmingham City F.C. 16 April 2016 8 May 2016 14 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160814050423/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/reaction-blues-1-burnley-2-3063224.aspx They equalised though Maghoma's header after Toral's shot was parried, and Grounds headed against the crossbar, but towards the end of the game Championship Player of the Year-elect Andre Gray was left unmarked and touched home a cross.http://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/burnley-fc/latest-news/birmingham-city-1-burnley-2-1-7856993 Birmingham City 1, Burnley 2 Dan Black Burnley Express 16 April 2016 8 May 2016 10 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160610090104/http://www.burnleyexpress.net/sport/burnley-fc/latest-news/birmingham-city-1-burnley-2-1-7856993 livehttp://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/10247847/burnley-striker-andre-gray-named-player-of-the-year-at-football-league-awards Andre Gray, Bradley Dack and Kemar Roofe named top players at Football League Awards Matthew Treadwell Sky Sports 18 April 2016 8 May 2016 21 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160421090628/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11688/10247847/burnley-striker-andre-gray-named-player-of-the-year-at-football-league-awards live It proved to be Toral's last appearance. He was sent off for a second yellow card in stoppage time, for a foul on former Birmingham loanee Lloyd Dyer, and then injured a hamstring in training that was to keep him out for the last few weeks of the season. He had scored eight goalssecond behind Donaldson over the seasonand provided three assists.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/thanks-memories-jon-toral-heres-11223203 Thanks for the memories Jon Toral – here's your Birmingham City best bits Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 21 April 2016 8 May 2016 After Donaldson's third and fourth goals since Lafferty's arrival gave Birmingham the lead at home to Preston North End, the visitors scored twice towards the end of the game to ensure that the play-offs were mathematically out of reach. According to Rowett, "the last 15 minutes was one of the weakest I've seen in a game", and he vowed to "make sure that I will not have players in the team who are happy with that kind of performance." Despite Huddersfield Town's statistical dominance, with 65% possession, 18 shots to 5 and 15 corners to 2, Birmingham again "squandered an advantage" given them by Cotterill's free kick to concede a late equaliser and come close to losing the match. Despite being rescheduled to a Friday night for live television, Birmingham's last home match of the season drew a season-high attendance of 21,380boosted by nearly 5,000 visiting supporters and encouraged by a newly formed "singing section" in the Tilton Road end of the groundwho saw an exciting 2–2 draw with Middlesbrough. Gleeson's powerful shot from distance opened the scoring after half an hour, but a few minutes later, Legzdinsin the team because Kuszczak had had surgery on his broken nose"fumbled the ball as if it was a bar of soap" and Jordan Rhodes tapped in. In the second half, Albert Adomah gave the visitors the lead, Davis's well-placed shot from the edge of the penalty areahis first goal of the seasontied the scores, and a minute later, a Middlesbrough "winner" was disallowed for offside, apparently wrongly. Both goalkeepers made fine saves and both sides had other chances, but the draw was enough to take Middlesbrough top of the table by one point, although Burnley and Brighton both had a game in hand.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/birmingham-city-2-middlesbrough-2-11265693 Birmingham City 2 Middlesbrough 2 Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 29 April 2016 8 May 2016http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-analysis-tilton-alliance-11266193 Birmingham City analysis: Tilton Alliance triumph; Gleeson success; Loans; Mistakes and more Steve Wollaston Birmingham Mail 30 April 2016 8 May 2016 The season ended at Cardiff City. With Rowett prioritising players who would be at Birmingham in 2016–17,http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-gary-rowett-hints-11280962 Birmingham City: Gary Rowett hints at chance for youngsters over loanees Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 4 May 2016 8 May 2016 young midfielder Charlee Adams made his first start and the only loanee in the matchday squad was Shotton, who lost his starting place to Robinson. Morrison, making his 400th league appearance, completed the league season ever-present. Cotterill scored first, from distance, and Birmingham seemed comfortable until Anthony Pilkington took advantage of Grounds' failure to clear a cross. Both Fabbrini and Vaughan hit the post, and Craig Noone and Pilkington made goalline clearances from Cotterill's free kick and Vaughan's late header respectively. The match was drawn, and results elsewhere meant Birmingham finished tenth, with 16 wins and 15 draws, just as they had done in 2014–15.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-analysis-promising-debut-11300203 Birmingham City analysis: A promising debut; a curse of a curse and symmetry isn't always pleasing Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 7 May 2016 8 May 2016 They had won just once in the last 12 matches of the campaign, and tenth was the lowest position they had occupied all season. Match results + Match results: ChampionshipDateLeaguepositionOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRefs8 August 20155thReadingHW2–1Cotterill 40', Toral 47' 19,171https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33744063 Birmingham 2–1 Reading BBC Sport 8 August 2015 8 August 201515 August 20155thBurnleyAD2–2Toral 10', Caddis 63' pen.12,430https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33832557 Burnley 2–2 Birmingham BBC Sport 15 August 2015 15 August 201521 August 20157thDerby CountyHD1–1Gleeson 45'18,134Birmingham 0–0 Derby https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33922533 BBC Sport 21 August 2015 21 August 201529 August 20157thMilton Keynes DonsAW2–0Gleeson 57', Maghoma 79'14,626https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34024836 MK Dons 0–2 Birmingham BBC Sport 29 August 2015 29 August 201512 September 20154thBristol CityHW4–2Donaldson 10', 20', 41' pen., Grounds 77'18,819https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34160354 Birmingham 4–2 Bristol City BBC Sport 12 September 2015 12 September 201515 September 20157thNottingham ForestHL0–116,604https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34182048 Birmingham 0–1 Nottingham Forest BBC Sport 15 September 2015 15 September 201518 September 20156thIpswich TownAD1–1Cotterill 22'18,973https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34203705 Ipswich 1–1 Birmingham Steve Marshall BBC Sport 18 September 2015 19 September 201526 September 20159thRotherham UnitedHL0–217,307https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34299024 Birmingham 0–2 Rotherham BBC Sport 26 September 2015 28 September 201529 September 20155thBrentfordAW2–0Morrison 71', Donaldson 90+4'9,528Brentford 0–2 Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33857721 BBC Sport 29 September 2015 29 September 20153 October 20154thLeeds UnitedAW2–0Gray 31', Maghoma 90+1'24,601Leeds United 0–2 Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34366125 BBC Sport 3 October 2015 4 October 201517 October 20154thQueens Park RangersHW2–1Robinson 24', Caddis 63' pen.19,161https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34493231 Birmingham 2–1 QPR BBC Sport 17 October 2015 17 October 201520 October 20152ndBolton WanderersAW1–0Robinson 20'13,703Bolton 0–1 Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34512236 BBC Sport 20 October 2015 22 October 201524 October 20156thHull CityAL0–217,436https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34557203 Hull 2–0 Birmingham BBC Sport 24 October 2015 24 October 201531 October 20156thWolverhampton WanderersHL0–218,946https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34623338 Birmingham 0–2 Wolves Ged Scott BBC Sport 31 October 2015 31 October 20153 November 20156thBlackburn RoversHD0–015,701https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34644585 Birmingham 0–0 Blackburn BBC Sport 3 November 2015 3 November 20157 November 20156thFulhamAW5–2Gleeson 19', Caddis 22' pen., Toral 31', Donaldson 82', Solomon-Otabor 90+5'18,888Fulham 2–5 Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34685908 BBC Sport 7 November 2015 7 November 201521 November 20156thCharlton AthleticHL0–116,514https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34816935 Birmingham 0–1 Charlton BBC Sport 21 November 2015 21 November 201528 November 20156thBrighton and Hove AlbionAL1–2Toral 21'27,242https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34887113 Brighton 2–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 28 November 2015 28 November 20155 December 20157thHuddersfield TownHL0–215,931https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34951372 Birmingham 0–2 Huddersfield BBC Sport 5 December 2015 6 December 201512 December 20159thMiddlesbroughAD0–020,929https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35013712 Middlesbrough 0–0 Birmingham BBC Sport 12 December 2015 12 December 201515 December 20158thPreston North EndAD1–1Morrison 67'10,668https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35035996 Preston North End 1–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 15 December 2015 15 December 201518 December 20157thCardiff CityHW1–0Caddis 45+1' pen.14,414https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35067986 Birmingham 1–0 Cardiff BBC Sport 18 December 2015 18 December 201526 December 201510thSheffield WednesdayAL0–328,523https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35139004 Sheffield Wednesday 3–0 Birmingham BBC Sport 26 December 2015 26 December 201528 December 20159thMilton Keynes DonsHW1–0Maghoma 63'19,714https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35147802 Birmingham 1–0 MK Dons BBC Sport 28 December 2015 28 December 20152 January 20168thBrentfordHW2–1Maghoma 55', Kieftenbeld 89'17,555https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35179289 Birmingham 2–1 Brentford BBC Sport 2 January 2016 2 January 201612 January 20168thNottingham ForestAD1–1Toral 24'18,342https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35229559 Nottingham Forest 1–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 12 January 2016 12 January 201616 January 20168thDerby CountyAW3–0Robinson 59', Gleeson 74', Kieftenbeld 80'32,895Derby 0–3 Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35269686 BBC Sport 16 January 2016 16 January 201623 January 20167thIpswich TownHW3–0Buckley 23', Toral 54', Kieftenbeld 70'18,272https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35330543 Birmingham 3–0 Ipswich BBC Sport 23 January 2016 23 January 201630 January 20166thBristol CityAD0–015,728https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35389306 Bristol City 0–0 Birmingham BBC Sport 30 January 2016 30 January 20166 February 20168thSheffield WednesdayHL1–2Donaldson 45+5'20,302https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35433109 Birmingham 1–2 Sheffield Wednesday BBC Sport 6 February 2016 7 February 201613 February 20167thRotherham UnitedAD0–011,018https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35509177 Rotherham United 0–0 Birmingham BBC Sport 13 February 2016 13 February 201623 February 20167thBolton WanderersHW1–0Donaldson 29'15,992Birmingham 1–0 Bolton https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35584439 BBC Sport 23 February 2016 23 February 201627 February 20168thQueens Park RangersAL0–217,110Queens Park Rangers 2–0 Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35618887 BBC Sport 27 February 2016 28 February 20163 March 20167thHull CityHW1–0Toral 14'18,105Birmingham 1–0 Hull City https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35656922 BBC Sport 3 March 2016 3 March 20168 March 20169thBlackburn RoversAL0–212,774https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35693658 Blackburn 2–0 Birmingham BBC Sport 8 March 2016 8 March 201613 March 20168thWolverhampton WanderersAD0–021,464https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35738617 Wolves 0–0 Birmingham BBC Sport 13 March 2016 13 March 201619 March 20169thFulhamHD1–1Morrison 56'17,104https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35791100 Birmingham 1–1 Fulham BBC Sport 19 March 2016 20 March 20162 April 20169thCharlton AthleticAL1–2Toral 32'15,742https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35902203 Charlton Athletic 2–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 2 April 2016 3 April 20165 April 20169thBrighton & Hove AlbionHL1–2Lafferty 16'16,143http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11741/10232153/colin-calderwood-urges-brighton-to-keep-up-promotion-push Birmingham 1–2 Brighton: Colin Calderwood and Gary Rowett Sky Sports 6 April 2016 25 March 2018 25 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180325171438/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11741/10232153/colin-calderwood-urges-brighton-to-keep-up-promotion-push live9 April 20169thReadingAW2–0Donaldson 2', Shotton 27' 17,868https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35948787 Reading 0–2 Birmingham BBC Sport 9 April 2016 9 April 201612 April 20169thLeeds UnitedHL1–2Donaldson 53'16,081https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35566718 Birmingham 1–2 Leeds United BBC Sport 12 April 2016 12 April 201616 April 20169thBurnleyHL1–2Maghoma 55'19,151https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36002910 Birmingham 1–2 Burnley BBC Sport 16 April 2016 17 April 201619 April 20169thPreston North EndHD2–2Donaldson 13', 59'14,366https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36021402 Birmingham 2–2 Preston North End BBC Sport 19 April 2016 19 April 201623 April 20169thHuddersfield TownAD1–1Cotterill 73'13,054https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36060753 Huddersfield Town 1–1 Birmingham BBC Sport 23 April 2016 24 April 201629 April 20169thMiddlesbroughHD2–2Gleeson 33', Davis 68'21,380https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36108459 Birmingham 2–2 Middlesbrough Ged Scott BBC Sport 29 April 2016 8 May 20167 May 201610thCardiff CityAD1–1Cotterill 11'21,022https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36176221 Cardiff City 1–1 Birmingham Dafydd Pritchard BBC Sport 7 May 2016 7 May 2016 League table BIR Results summary 9 5 9 27 27 7 10 6 26 22 http://www.11v11.com/teams/birmingham-city/tab/leagueTables/2016/ Birmingham City league performance history: League Championship table at close of 2015–16 season 11v11.com AFS Enterprises 25 March 2018 Select season and date required via dropdown menu. January 2026 FA Cup 2015–16 FA Cup As with all first- and second-tier teams, Birmingham entered the competition at the third-round (last-64) stage. They were drawn at home to Premier League AFC Bournemouth, who had won 8–0 when the two teams met at St Andrew's in the 2014–15 Championship. The visitors made eleven changes from their previous league match, Birmingham seven. Morrison's header from Cotterill's cross after 40 minutes gave his side the lead, but Grounds conceded a penalty four minutes later from which the visitors equalised. Cotterill and Eardley both went off injured at half-time, giving new signing Shane Lowry an opportunity at centre-back. Birmingham were awarded a penalty after an hour. With regular penalty-taker Caddis rested, Vaughanthe son of a Birmingham fantook the kick and hit it powerfully but too high. Maghoma hit the post when it should have been easier to score, other chances were missed, and with five minutes left, substitute Glenn Murray took advantage of a goalkeeping error to secure a win for Bournemouth. + FA Cup match detailsRoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRefsThird round9 January 2016AFC BournemouthHL1–2Morrison 40'13,140https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35211647 Birmingham 1–2 Bournemouth Mike Henson BBC Sport 9 January 2016 9 May 2016http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-comment-defeat-cruel-10712040 Birmingham City comment: Defeat was cruel – but not as cruel as the last time Bournemouth visited St Andrew's Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 10 January 2016 9 May 2016 League Cup 2015–16 Football League Cup In the first round, Birmingham were drawn away against Bristol Rovers. This was the second consecutive season that their first-round opponents were the team promoted to the Football League via the Conference play-offs.https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27871976 League Cup: MK Dons host AFC Wimbledon in first round BBC Sport 17 June 2014 1 July 2015https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33140081 League Cup: Away ties for relegated Premier League trio BBC Sport 16 June 2015 1 July 2015 While wary of the dangerswell illustrated at Blyth Spartans in the 2014–15 FA Cupof making too many team changes, Rowett still selected only three players who had started the previous league match.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/bristol-rovers-1-birmingham-city-9838170 Bristol Rovers 1 Birmingham City 2: Jacques Maghoma and Andrew Shinnie seal win for Blues Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 11 August 2015 13 May 2016 There were debuts for youth team product Adam Legzdins, who rejoined the club in the summer, nine years after his single appearance on the first-team bench, and for Jacques Maghoma, who opened the scoring after Wes Thomas intercepted an attempted back pass.http://www.bcfc.com/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10412~35971,00.html Adam Legzdins Birmingham City F.C. https://web.archive.org/web/20080514131236/http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10412~35971,00.html 14 May 2008 Rovers soon equalised, but Andy Shinnie secured the win with a low shot from 25 yd. Victory came rather more easily in the second round at home to League One club Gillingham, as two goals from Thomas earned Birmingham a trip to Villa Park in the third round.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/updated-birmingham-city-2-gillingham-9928262 Updated: Birmingham City 2 Gillingham 0 Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 25 August 2015 13 May 2016 Because of the history of trouble at recent fixtures against Aston Villa, Birmingham's allocation of tickets was set at 2,800, less than the 10% of capacity required under the rules of the competition, and far fewer than the 6,500 given to another local team, West Bromwich Albion, in the 2014–15 FA Cup.http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/aston-villa-v-birmingham-city-9991255 Aston Villa v Birmingham City: How many tickets have Blues been given for Villa Park derby? Shane Ireland Birmingham Mail 4 September 2015 13 May 2016http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/competition/rules/#22 Rules: 22 Tickets CapitalOneCup.co.uk The Football League 13 May 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160314235032/http://www.capitalonecup.co.uk/competition/rules/#22 14 March 2016 Rowett selected a full-strength team, and Sky Sports reporter suggested that "Birmingham look set for a good season in the second tier on this evidence", as they were edged out by Villa's half-time additions of Jack Grealish and Jordan Ayew and a Rudy Gestede header.http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/10002129/a-villa-1-0-birmingham-rudy-gestedes-header-settled-the-midlands-derby Aston Villa 1–0 Birmingham: Rudy Gestede settles West Midlands derby Sky Sports 23 September 2015 13 May 2016 25 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150925090904/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/10002129/a-villa-1-0-birmingham-rudy-gestedes-header-settled-the-midlands-derby live + League Cup match detailsRoundDateOpponentsVenueResultScoreF–AScorersAttendanceRefsFirst round11 August 2015Bristol RoversAW2–1Maghoma 57', Shinnie 68'5,650https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33768565 Bristol Rovers 1–2 Birmingham BBC Sport 11 August 2015 12 August 2015Second round25 August 2015GillinghamHW2–0Thomas 35', 72'9,275https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33969862 Birmingham 2–0 Gillingham BBC Sport 25 August 2015 25 August 2015Third round22 September 2015Aston VillaAL0–134,442Aston Villa 1–0 Birmingham https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34253383 Ged Scott BBC Sport 22 September 2015 24 September 2015 Transfers In DatePlayerClubout of contractFeeRef 18 May 2015 Alex Jones (West Bromwich Albion) Freehttp://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/birmingham-city-new-boy-reveals-9289340 Birmingham City new boy reveals his Blues aims Brian Dick Birmingham Mail 19 May 2015 19 May 2015 26 June 2015 Jacques Maghoma (Sheffield Wednesday) Freehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33289362 Jacques Maghoma: Midfielder signs for Birmingham City BBC Sport 26 June 2015 1 July 2015 27 June 2015 Adam Legzdins (Leyton Orient) Freehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33298887 Adam Legzdins: Birmingham City sign goalkeeper BBC Sport 27 June 2015 1 July 2015 1 July 2015 Tomasz Kuszczak (Wolverhampton Wanderers) Freehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33352331 Tomasz Kuszczak: Birmingham sign ex-Manchester United keeper BBC Sport 1 July 2015 25 March 2018 27 July 2015 Maikel Kieftenbeld Groningen Undisclosedhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33679427 Maikel Kieftenbeld: Birmingham City sign Dutch midfielder BBC Sport 27 July 2015 25 March 2018 10 August 2015 Noe Baba (Fulham) Freehttps://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0810/720437-noe-baba-signs-one-year-deal-with-birmingham/ Noe Baba signs one-year deal with Birmingham RTÉ 10 August 2015 25 March 2018 11 August 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150811214850/https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/0810/720437-noe-baba-signs-one-year-deal-with-birmingham/ live 21 August 2015 Nicolai Brock-Madsen Randers FC Undisclosedhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34018385 Birmingham City: Nicolai Brock-Madsen signs for Blues BBC Sport 21 August 2015 21 August 2015 9 September 2015 Shane Lowry (Leyton Orient) Freehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34199460 Shane Lowry: Birmingham City sign ex-Aston Villa defender BBC Sport 9 September 2015 9 September 2015 29 September 2015 Emmanuel Mbende (Borussia Dortmund) Freehttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34391017 Emmanuel Mbende: Birmingham City sign ex-Dortmund defender BBC Sport 29 September 2015 30 September 2015 19 January 2016 Luke Maxwell Kidderminster Harriers £75,000http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/luke-maxwell-birmingham-city-kidderminster-harriers-2908516.aspx Blues snap up young Kidderminster Harriers midfielder Birmingham City F.C. 19 January 2016 19 January 2016 26 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160126201510/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/luke-maxwell-birmingham-city-kidderminster-harriers-2908516.aspx 27 January 2016 Diego Fabbrini Watford £1.5 millionhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/diego-fabbrini-birmingham-city-2923887.aspx Fabb signing for Blues Birmingham City F.C. 27 January 2016 27 January 2016 27 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160127164440/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/diego-fabbrini-birmingham-city-2923887.aspx Brackets around club names indicate the player's contract with that club had expired before he joined Birmingham. Out DatePlayerClubFeeRef 1 September 2015 Nick Townsend Barnsley Undisclosedhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-blues-nick-townsend-barnsley-2662540.aspx Official: Nick Townsend joins Barnsley on permanent deal Birmingham City F.C. 1 September 2015 1 September 2015 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012555/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-blues-nick-townsend-barnsley-2662540.aspx 4 January 2016 Demarai Gray Leicester City Undisclosedhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/demarai-gray-birmingham-city-leicester-city-2883810.aspx Demarai Gray has left Blues to join Leicester City Birmingham City F.C. 4 January 2016 8 January 2016 4 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160104202634/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/demarai-gray-birmingham-city-leicester-city-2883810.aspx 27 January 2016 Shane Lowry (Perth Glory) Contract cancelled by mutual consenthttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/shane-lowry-birmingham-city-2920079.aspx Shane Lowry leaves Blues Birmingham City F.C. 27 January 2016 27 January 2016 27 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160127215938/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/shane-lowry-birmingham-city-2920079.aspx 28 June 2016 Denny Johnstone Colchester United Undisclosedhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36654254 Denny Johnstone: Birmingham City forward joins Colchester United BBC Sport 28 June 2016 28 June 2016 30 June 2016 Mark Duffy (Sheffield United) Releasedhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mark-duffy-wes-thomas-david-edgar-lee-novak-neal-eardley-3104800.aspx Five players leave Blues Birmingham City F.C. 11 May 2016 11 May 2016 15 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160815193520/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mark-duffy-wes-thomas-david-edgar-lee-novak-neal-eardley-3104800.aspxhttp://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-mark-duffy-chris-hussey-3132406.aspx Blades make double swoop Sheffield United F.C. 1 June 2016 2 June 2016 2 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160602155801/http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-mark-duffy-chris-hussey-3132406.aspx 30 June 2016 Neal Eardley (Hibernian) Releasedhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37501295 Neal Eardley: Hibernian sign experienced Welsh right-back BBC Sport 28 September 2016 6 November 2016 30 June 2016 David Edgar (Vancouver Whitecaps) Released 30 June 2016 Mitch Hancox (Macclesfield Town) Releasedhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-mitch-hancox-3098686.aspx Blues bid farewell to Mitch Hancox Birmingham City F.C. 10 May 2016 10 May 2016 15 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160815124458/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-mitch-hancox-3098686.aspxhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36987345 Mitch Hancox: Macclesfield Town sign former Birmingham City defender BBC Sport 5 August 2016 6 November 2016 30 June 2016 Lee Novak (Charlton Athletic) Releasedhttp://www.skysports.com/football/news/11684/10316638/lee-novak-will-join-charlton-on-a-free-transfer-after-leaving-birmingham Lee Novak will join Charlton on a free transfer after leaving Birmingham Sky Sports 17 June 2013 25 March 2018 20 June 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160620224701/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11684/10316638/lee-novak-will-join-charlton-on-a-free-transfer-after-leaving-birmingham live 30 June 2016 Wes Thomas (Oxford United) Releasedhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36626045 Oxford United: Wes Thomas and Aaron Martin sign two-year deals BBC Sport 25 June 2016 26 June 2016 Brackets round a club denote the player joined that club after his Birmingham City contract expired. Loan in DatePlayerClubReturnRef 30 July 2015 Jon Toral Arsenal End of seasonhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/33725970 Birmingham City: Jon Toral signs on loan from Arsenal BBC Sport 30 July 2015 26 November 2015 26 November 2015 James Vaughan Huddersfield Town End of seasonhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34933388 Birmingham City: James Vaughan and Greg Halford sign on loan BBC Sport 26 November 2015 27 November 2015http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/james-vaughan-birmingham-city-2888155.aspx Blues snap up James Vaughan Birmingham City F.C. 8 January 2016 8 January 2016 19 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160819232441/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/james-vaughan-birmingham-city-2888155.aspx 26 November 2015 Greg Halford Rotherham United 2 January 2016 15 January 2016 Will Buckley Sunderland End of seasonhttp://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/10131376/birmingham-borrow-will-buckley-from-sunderland Sunderland's Will Buckley joins Birmingham in loan deal PA Sport Sky Sports 15 January 2016 25 March 2018 19 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160419152434/http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11694/10131376/birmingham-borrow-will-buckley-from-sunderland livehttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-will-buckley-loan-sunderland-2926844.aspx Will Buckley's loan extended Birmingham City F.C. 29 January 2016 29 January 2016 29 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160129201028/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-will-buckley-loan-sunderland-2926844.aspx 28 January 2016 Ryan Shotton Derby County End of seasonhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35432680 Ryan Shotton: Birmingham City sign Derby defender on loan BBC Sport 28 January 2016 25 March 2018 24 March 2016 Kyle Lafferty Norwich City End of seasonhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35895400 Kyle Lafferty: Birmingham City sign Norwich City's Northern Ireland striker on loan BBC Sport 24 March 2016 25 March 2018 Loan out DatePlayerClubReturnRef 3 July 2015 Mark Duffy Burton Albion End of seasonhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mark-duffy-joins-burton-albion-on-loan-2524581.aspx Mark Duffy joins Burton Albion on loan Birmingham City F.C. 3 July 2015 3 July 2015 23 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213639/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mark-duffy-joins-burton-albion-on-loan-2524581.aspxhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mark-duffy-birmingham-city-burton-albion-2886713.aspx Mark Duffy returns to the Brewers Birmingham City F.C. 6 January 2016 6 January 2016 8 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160108110222/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mark-duffy-birmingham-city-burton-albion-2886713.aspx 31 July 2015 Denny Johnstone Greenock Morton End of seasonDenny Johnstone heads out on loan http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/denny-johnstone-birmingham-city-2584706.aspx Birmingham City F.C. 31 July 2015 31 July 2015 31 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150731185052/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/denny-johnstone-birmingham-city-2584706.aspx 4 August 2015 Nick Townsend Barnsley Made permanent 1 September 2015Nick Townsend heads out on loan http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/official-nick-townsend-joins-barnsley-on-loan-2592690.aspx Birmingham City F.C. 4 August 2015 4 August 2015 23 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213717/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/official-nick-townsend-joins-barnsley-on-loan-2592690.aspx 10 August 2015 David Edgar Sheffield United End of seasonhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/official-david-edgar-joins-sheffield-united-on-loan-2607604.aspx David Edgar jons the Blades on loan Birmingham City F.C. 10 August 2015 10 August 2015 23 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923213712/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/official-david-edgar-joins-sheffield-united-on-loan-2607604.aspx 14 August 2015 Lee Novak Chesterfield End of seasonhttp://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/lee-novak-joins-on-season-long-loan-2618433.aspx Spireites sign Championship striker Chesterfield F.C. 14 August 2015 14 August 2015 23 September 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150923221848/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/news/article/lee-novak-joins-on-season-long-loan-2618433.aspx 1 September 2015 Wes Thomas Swindon Town January 2016http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk/news/article/wes-thomas-joins-on-loan-2663310.aspx Wes Thomas joins on loan Swindon Town F.C. 1 September 2015 1 September 2015 2 October 2015 Mitch Hancox Crawley Town 2 January 2016http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-miitch-hancox-2723157.aspx Mitch Hancox makes Crawley Town loan move Birmingham City F.C. 2 October 2015 2 October 2015 4 October 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151004211307/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/birmingham-city-miitch-hancox-2723157.aspxhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-mitch-hancox-leyton-orient-2779867.aspx Mitch Hancox's loan extended Birmingham City F.C. 2 November 2015 2 November 2015 4 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151104213952/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/blues-birmingham-city-mitch-hancox-leyton-orient-2779867.aspxhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mitch-hancox-birmingham-city-2827750.aspx Mitch Hancox extends Crawley stay Birmingham City F.C. 30 November 2015 30 November 2015 29 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160229145253/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/mitch-hancox-birmingham-city-2827750.aspx 10 November 2015 Alex Jones Grimsby Town 12 December 2015http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/alex-jones-grimsby-town-birmingham-city-2794209.aspx Alex Jones makes Mariners loan move Birmingham City F.C. 10 November 2015 10 November 2015 24 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160224040949/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/alex-jones-grimsby-town-birmingham-city-2794209.aspx 12 January 2016 Kyle McFarlane Nuneaton Town 12 February 2016http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/kyle-mcfarlane-birmingham-city-nuneaton-2896862.aspx Kyle McFarlane makes Nuneaton Town loan switch Birmingham City F.C. 12 January 2016 12 January 2016 5 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305013912/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/kyle-mcfarlane-birmingham-city-nuneaton-2896862.aspx 19 January 2016 Luke Maxwell Kidderminster Harriers End of season 23 January 2016 Charlie Cooper Forest Green Rovers One monthhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35391652 Charlie Cooper: Birmingham City midfielder loaned to Forest Green BBC Sport 23 January 2016 24 January 2016 27 January 2016 Andrew Shinnie Rotherham United 7 May 2016http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/andrew-shinnie-birmingham-city-rotherham-united-2914992.aspx Andrew Shinnie loaned to Rotherham United Birmingham City F.C. 27 January 2016 27 January 2016 28 January 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160128025617/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/andrew-shinnie-birmingham-city-rotherham-united-2914992.aspx 29 January 2016 Wes Thomas Bradford City Three monthshttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35442980 Wes Thomas: Bradford City sign Birmingham City striker on loan BBC Sport 29 January 2016 25 March 2018 31 January 2016 Alex Jones Wellington Phoenix Administratively cancelled 16 February 2016The move fell through when New Zealand Football failed to forward the completed paperwork to FIFA before the transfer deadline despite receiving it from the Phoenix three days previously.http://www.nzherald.co.nz/football-soccer/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11588128 Football: Paperwork blunder puts English striker Alex Jones' Phoenix career in doubt Jason Pine New Zealand Herald 11 February 2016 11 February 2016 24 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160224095144/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/football-soccer/news/article.cfm?c_id=86&objectid=11588128 live An appeal failed when FIFA "ruled to protect the integrity of their global deadlines for the transfer of players".http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/76952998/Wellington-Phoenix-denied-Alex-Jones-loan-deal-by-Fifa-Status-Committee Alex Jones' stint with the Phoenix ends without a game as NZ Football blames lack of internet access for bungle Liam Hyslop Clay Wilson stuff.co.nz 16 February 2016 16 February 2016 6 August 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170806100934/http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/76952998/Wellington-Phoenix-denied-Alex-Jones-loan-deal-by-Fifa-Status-Committee livehttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/alex-jones-birmingham-city-2927800.aspx Jones heads to New Zealand Birmingham City F.C. 31 January 2016 31 January 2016 7 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160207120310/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/alex-jones-birmingham-city-2927800.aspx 12 February 2016 Wes McDonald Nuneaton Town One monthhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/wes-mcdonald-birmingham-city-nuneaton-town-2951799.aspx Wes McDonald makes Nuneaton switch Birmingham City F.C. 12 February 2016 14 February 2016 25 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180325235344/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/wes-mcdonald-birmingham-city-nuneaton-town-2951799.aspx 1 March 2016 Perry Cotton Kettering Town 2 May 2016https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/kettering-town/poppies-snap-up-birmingham-youngster-cotton-1-7242082 Poppies snap up Birmingham youngster Cotton Northamptonshire Telegraph 1 March 2016 25 March 2018 21 August 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160821114721/https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/sport/football/kettering-town/poppies-snap-up-birmingham-youngster-cotton-1-7242082 livehttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/perry-cotton-birmingham-city-3024139.aspx Perry Cotton has loan extended Birmingham City F.C. 24 March 2016 24 March 2016 16 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160416185820/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/perry-cotton-birmingham-city-3024139.aspx 18 March 2016 David Popa Kettering Town End of seasonhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/kettering-town-david-popa-birmingham-city-3014104.aspx David Popa makes Kettering loan move Birmingham City F.C. 18 March 2016 20 March 2016 10 April 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160410002908/http://www.bcfc.com/news/article/kettering-town-david-popa-birmingham-city-3014104.aspxhttp://www.bcfc.com/news/article/david-popa-birmingham-city-3061008.aspx Popa sees Kettering spell extended Birmingham City F.C. 15 April 2016 17 April 2016 26 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180326074220/https://www.bcfc.com/news/articles/2016/popa-sees-kettering-spell-extended/ Appearances and goals Sources:http://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=291&teamTabs=stats&season_id=145 Birmingham 2015/16 Player Appearances Soccerbase Centurycomm 7 May 2016For representative nationality: https://www.worldfootball.net/teams/te227/birmingham-city/all-players/ Birmingham City: Players from A–Z worldfootball.net HeimSpiel Medien 11 April 2021http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2015-2016/flcham/birmin.htm English Football League Championship: 2015/2016: Birmingham City FootballSquads 21 June 2024 13 December 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20191213004952/http://www.footballsquads.co.uk/eng/2015-2016/flcham/birmin.htm 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 off1GKENGAdam Legzdins50102080002DFWALNeal Eardley50102080203DFENGJonathan Grounds4511020481704DFENGPaul Robinson20 (5)3002022 (5)3406MFNEDMaikel Kieftenbeld41 (1)3102043 (1)31007MFENGDemarai Gray 22 (2)1001 (1)024 (3)1107MFITADiego Fabbrini7 (7)000007 (7)0208MFIRLStephen Gleeson42 (2)5002044 (2)5809FWJAMClayton Donaldson38 (2)11001040 (2)114010FWENGWes Thomas000022220011MFWALDavid Cotterill24 (5)4100025 (5)44012DFENGMitch Hancox000010100015FWENGJames Vaughan *5 (10)010006 (10)03016MFENGCharlee Adams1 (1)000001 (1)00017MFENGViv Solomon-Otabor2 (20)1100 (2)03 (22)10018MFENGReece Brown0 (1)0000 (1)00 (2)00019MFCODJacques Maghoma25 (15)50 (1)03128 (16)71020MFESPJon Toral *28 (8)80 (1)00 (1)028 (10)86121FWENGLee Novak000010101022MFSCOAndrew Shinnie5 (9)010218 (9)11023DFUSAJonathan Spector22 (3)0102 (1)025 (4)03024MFGHAKoby Arthur00001 (1)01 (1)00025DFAUSShane Lowry 100 (1)0001 (1)01025FWNIRKyle Lafferty *4 (2)100004 (2)13026MFENGDavid Davis23 (12)1103027 (12)16027GKENGConnal Trueman000000000028DFENGMichael Morrison46311204945029GKPOLTomasz Kuszczak41000104201030MFENGWill Buckley *5 (5)100005 (5)10031DFSCOPaul Caddis37 (2)4001038 (2)57032DFENGRyan Shotton *910000910044FWDNKNicolai Brock-Madsen3 (3)0000 (2)03 (5)00045DFENGGreg Halford * 0 (3)000000 (3)000 + Players not included in matchday squadsNo. Squad numberPos. Playing positionNat. NationalityName5DFCANDavid Edgar14FWENGAlex Jones References Birmingham City Category:Birmingham City F.C. seasons