Blues Insider by Keith Dixon

Author:Keith Dixon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pitch Publishing
Published: 2017-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

10

Former Players’ Association and Birmingham City All- Stars

THE FORMATION of the Birmingham City Former Players’ Association is the culmination of a dream that Kevan Broadhurst and Tom Ross had for many years. It all started with the formation of the Blues All-Stars charity fundraising team of ex-players in 1991.

That first team included Kevan, Joe Gallagher, Micky Evans, Tom Ross, Terry Cooper, Ron Green, Trevor Morgan, Garry Pendrey, Robert Hopkins, Tony Evans, Tony Taylor and Steve Lynex to name but a few. Over the years, the Blues All-Stars have raised over £1m for many deserving charities around the Birmingham area.

Eventually Kevan and Tom discussed the logistics of establishing a formal Former Players’ Association. The football club bought into the idea and with the great help of committee member Jessica Birch and the club’s head of corporate sales, Adrian Wright, the association, which now boasts over 200 members, was formed. The aim was to find as many ex-players as possible. The major reason for the association is to build a bridge between the club, the supporters and its history. It also allows the ex-players to keep in contact with each other. By virtue of pitch and hospitality appearances, the ex-players can also keep in touch with the fans.

The association believes that every single player who has worn the royal blue shirt should be recognised and made welcome at St Andrew’s.

Launch date was Friday 25 April 2008 with a special gathering at St Andrew’s which included Alan Ainscow, Alex Govan, Colin Green, Bob Hatton, Bobby Thomson, Dave Latchford, Dennis Isherwood, Eddie Brown, Geoff Cox, George Allen, Gil Merrick, Gordon Astall, Graham Hyde, Ian Atkins, Jon Bass, Kevin Poole, Mick Halsall, Noel Blake, Paul Peschisolido, Ron Wylie, Tony Rees, Jon McCarthy, Malcolm Page, Nicky Eaden, Pat Wright, Peter Warmington, Steve Robinson, Keith Bertschin, Martin O’Connor, Ian Clarkson, Paul Brady, Phil Hawker, Tommy Mooney, Joe Gallagher, Kevin Ashley, Mick Darrell, Nigel Gleghorn, Paul Hendrie, Robin Stubbs and Tony Coton.

On 21 May 2009 I met with Tom and Kevan at The Belfry Hotel in Sutton Coldfield to discuss my ideas to generate funds for the FPA through a number of events and activities to be organised and implemented by myself on a 50/50 profit share basis. As the FPA had been formally constituted and the Bluenose Executive Lunch Club had ceased operations in 2006 I felt that the time was right for me to be appointed as a BCFC FPA official fundraiser.

It was clear that Birmingham City would continue to host formal dinners at St Andrew’s using FPA members, but there was a demand for ‘unofficial’ events, whereby the fans could meet their heroes in an informal environment at an affordable cost with a target of £10 a head.

The idea was that former players would be paid for their time and travel expenses when attending an event but also that it would be an enjoyable experience for them including something to eat and drink. While these costs reduced the resultant profit pot for the FPA it

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