About

Birmingham City Football Club, founded on 1 January 1875, is based in Birmingham, England and currently compete in the EFL Championship. Walkouts lists a curated selection of signed football shirts and framed memorabilia that reflect the club’s long story, from its origins as Small Heath Alliance to modern campaigns, and collectors value this continuity when assessing provenance.

The club has called St Andrew's its home since 1906 and has landmark honours that attract collectors, notably as League Cup winners twice and for reaching an Inter-Cities Fairs Cup final as one of the first English sides to contest a major European final. St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park, the Second City derby history and Wembley appearances are key provenance points often cited on item labels and match records.

Shirt collectors follow specific seasons and fixtures because they mark changes in kit design or memorable moments. The early 1962-63 League Cup run, the 2001-02 play-off promotion campaign and the 2010-11 League Cup success at Wembley all drive demand for season shirts and player-issued variants. The club is also listed at an IFFHS rank of 501, which some curators use as one contextual data point when cataloguing modern-era items.

Anniversary releases post-1970 are sought after for commemorative crests and limited runs, including releases for Centenary 1975, the 125-year badge in 2000 and the 150-year commemorative crest in 2025. These anniversary shirts tend to appear in well-documented drops, and early runs with factory tags are especially prized for display and archival purposes.

Collectors chase shirts from defining seasons and fixtures because they mark visual or roster shifts. The 1962-63 season represents Birmingham’s first major League Cup trophy, 2001-02 captures play-off promotion styling and 2010-11 is remembered for the Wembley League Cup win; shirts from those years often feature player-issue variants and limited regional retail editions that add provenance value.

Iconic away colourways feature in many wishlists, for example the 2010-11 League Cup era shirts and the yellow away shirt (2011-12) linked to European away sets, while retail demand extends beyond match-worn material. Fans actively collect signed fanshop shirts, framed limited editions and player-issue variants, and listings commonly include a COA to confirm signature provenance. Free worldwide shipping is offered on many framed and retail items.

Practical collector insight: tags and supply eras matter, with Umbro, Diadora and Adidas runs often used to verify a shirt’s production window, and match provenance is frequently supported by links to the Second City derby, Wembley appearances and the club’s early identity as Small Heath Alliance. For those tracking specific pieces, look for details from 1962-63, 2001-02 and 2010-11 when assessing condition and signature traceability, and consult Walkouts for certified items and clear provenance statements.

Collector Highlights

Iconic home kits

  • 1962–63 Blue League Cup winners
  • 2010–11 Blue League Cup winners vs Arsenal
  • 2001–02 Blue First Division play-off promotion

Iconic away kits

  • 2011–12 Yellow Europa League away set
  • 2001–02 Red Play-offs away
  • 2010–11 Black League Cup away

Anniversary shirts

  • 1975 Centenary 1875–1975 crest
  • 2000 125 years special badge
  • 2025 150 years commemorative crest

Collector seasons

  • 1962–63 League Cup first major trophy
  • 2010–11 League Cup Wembley win
  • 2001–02 Promotion play-off success

Honours

Birmingham City’s honours profile blends domestic silverware with notable European milestones. The club are two-time winners of the League Cup, lifting the trophy in 1963 and again in a memorable 2011 final at Wembley, where they defeated Arsenal. Earlier, they reached the 1956 FA Cup final, while in continental competition they made history as the first English club side to reach a major European final, playing in the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup finals in 1960 and 1961. Domestically, they were founder members and the first champions of the Football League Second Division, and during a later spell outside the top division they secured the Football League Trophy twice. Across their history, Birmingham have spent around half their seasons in the top tier, underlining a recurrent presence at English football’s highest level. Recognition also comes via international metrics, with the club ranked 501 by IFFHS, reflecting their enduring footprint in the game.

Legends & Leadership

Trevor Francis is remembered as a legend player of the 1970s, symbolising Birmingham City’s attacking flair and providing match-winning quality that defined the club’s ambition in that decade.

Gil Merrick stands as a legend player of the 1950s, a standard-bearer between the posts whose consistency and leadership aligned with one of the club’s most competitive eras.

Christophe Dugarry emerged as a recent key player in the early 2000s, bringing elite pedigree and crucial goals that helped shape the club’s top-flight battles of that period.

Stadium

St Andrew's has been Birmingham City’s home since 1906 and remains central to the club’s identity and matchday rituals. Known to generations of supporters simply as St Andrew's, the ground took on a dual identity in 2024 when it was renamed St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park for sponsorship reasons. The change sits alongside a century-plus of tradition, with the stands carrying the voice of the Blues faithful and their distinctive matchday songs. Atmosphere intensifies for key fixtures, especially the fierce city rivalry with Aston Villa, where the Second City derby showcases Birmingham’s noise, colour and edge. Whether referred to by its historic or sponsored name, the stadium remains a focal point for the club’s community, embodying both heritage and modern branding as the team pursues success in domestic competition.

Also known as
St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park
Local derby
Second City Derby Aston Villa city rivalry

Authentication & Provenance

  • Verification EFL vs UEFA patches
  • Suppliers Umbro/Diadora/Adidas eras; check tags
  • Provenance 2011 final shirts prized

FAQ

Q: When was the club founded and how has its name changed? A: The club was formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, became Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and Birmingham City in 1943.

Q: Which league do they compete in? A: Birmingham City currently compete in the EFL Championship, the second level of the English football league system.

Q: What is the club’s home ground called now? A: The long-time home is St Andrew's, which was renamed St. Andrew's @ Knighthead Park in 2024 for sponsorship reasons.

Q: Who are the club’s main rivals? A: Aston Villa are the nearest neighbours, and meetings are known as the Second City derby.

Q: How are memorabilia items verified, and do you ship internationally? A: Items can be supplied with independent authenticity such as a COA or LOA or supported by witnessed signing evidence; Free worldwide shipping.