BRUM IS BLUE!

Blues host England U21’s tonight at St Andrews @ Knighthead Park as they take on Ireland U21, featuring current Blues Keeper James Beadle and former Blues Interim Manager (On multiple occasions) Lee Carsley.

It’s the first time since 2001 that St Andrews have hosted the National Team at any level. The previous time was when England U21s faced Spain U21s in a friendly which ended in a 4-0 defeat. I think what is quite impressive about this is that in the 24 years since the national team hasn’t returned so it is surely reflective of the impressive improvements and negotiating skills on display from Knighthead with that public face being our Tommy Wagner.

Blues ambitious plans to develop a 60,000 seater stadium isn’t just to cater for a larger volume of Bluenoses, it’s a revenue stream through hosting other events such as the NFL or concerts but importantly hosting the National Team. We’ve missed the Euros but there will certainly be opportunities for our new ground to host the National Team when they travel the country, especially given there’s not currently a world class stadium in Brum. Getting in now at U21 level will keep Blues hospitality in the minds of the FA going forward, knowing that once the new project is complete hospitality will only get better!

I’ll be down there tonight but with it being the U21’s I’m not expecting it to be as exciting as a Blues Matchday, simply because most England Fans are more inclined to follow the senior team rather than any of the youth teams, I’m taking it a bit like a reserve game. That said I’m sure Wagner and Co will still be ensuring there’s a lot on offer simply to leave fans that don’t come to St Andrews week in week out impressed with St Andrews at ever level.

On the Blues Website it looks like the food traders out the front will all be there still and there will be an interactive screen to send messages and images to. The fan park won’t be open but the Kop Amphitheatre will and there will be the usual live music in Box2Box Bar. I suppose therefore the only thing then to make the experience even better is a solid performance and win from England!