Gil Merrick also known as Mr Birmingham City gave his life & soul to Brimingham City serving it as both a player & a manager before the club broke his heart with the manner of his dismissal. This biography looks at how Merricks time at the club coincided with many of the best days (and nights) in its history; promotions an FA Cup Final appearance European success domestic success the introduction of European coaching methods & debuts of many great young players. Birmingham City Football Club is acknowledged as a sleeping giant the trouble is that this so-called giant has never awoken since its formation in 1875. Over 130 years of professional football in the heart of the industrial Midlands has produced only one major trophy
- The League Cup in 1963
- alongside a million heartaches & disappointments for its fans. Faced with an underachieving football club Bluenoses have had to look to their heroes to justify their blind faith & continued enthusiasm
- Gil Merrick is the greatest hero of all! Gil is held in high esteem because he loved the club as much as the supporters even though his father was a Villa fan. He gave his life & soul to Birmingham City serving it as both a player & a manager before the club broke his heart with the manner of his dismissal. Loyalty could have been Gils middle name. Known as Mr Birmingham City his time at the club coincided with many of the best days (and nights) in its history; promotions an FA Cup Final appearance European success domestic success the introduction of European coaching methods & debuts of many great young players. Who knows how Gil would have fared in todays game where money rules & international players become celebrities. I have little doubt that he would have remained level-headed & taken the trappings of success in his stride but would he have remained with one club for 25 years? Whatever happens in the future to The Blues whether they ultimately regain Premier League status & conquer Europe there will never be another club servant to match my hero
- Gil Merrick.