BRUM IS BLUE!

Today we remember Arthur Labinjo-Hughes who was brutally murdered by the very people who were in charge of his safety on the 17th June 2020. It’s a story that breaks your heart whenever it comes up, it brings memories of the image that was used in the media of the young lad wearing his Blues top. I think the impact of this image in part is what drives the club to honour his memory year after year.

Arthur was just six years old at the time, at the time all reports showed he was a fun, bubbly and loved child but his father and fathers partner let him down. It was during Covid-19 which would certainly have played a part in authorities missing the signs on this one but it doesn’t excuse them.

The Arthur Cup was first played in 2021 and has since become an annual fixture in pre-season as Blues and Solihull Moors face each other to raise money for various charities in the community, including the NSPCC. It’s played at the ARMCO Arena every year which is the home of Solihull Moors and, if we’re keeping score, Blues have won this fixture the last three times although Moors came away with the win at the inaugural fixture.

I mentioned yesterday, as I looked back at the Seville game and threw in a look ahead to today, I think tonight we will see a few more of the youth players in tonight’s line up. I don’t know if this is true or not but the reason I suspect we will is because you’re not going to take the youth on the training camp abroad but you do want to have a look at them still, not just with a view for the squad as the squad will likely be predominately the players taken to Portugal. It’s a case of looking at back up, looking at development, is it worth keeping them this season on the books or should they be loaned out. Is there potential or will we not extend any professional contracts.

It will see a mix of first team players also, no doubt, so we will continue to see the new lads and how they fit into the squad as well. I anticipate another victory for Blues but it’s half not the point, the point is to keep Arthur in our memories. He is always loved by Blues!