Birmingham's win over Norwich not enough to avert relegation

04/05/2024 15:38

Birmingham City's chairman, Tom Wagner, insists relegation to League One will not derail his grand plans for the club but it is impossible to acknowledge it is a significant backwards step. Birmingham's American owners plan to build a 60,000-capacity arena on a 48-acre site in nearby Bordesley Green, a world-class facility if it materialises, but no amount of CGI images can sugarcoat a thoroughly deflating end to another depressing season.

As arch-rivals Aston Villa close in on qualifying for the Champions League, Birmingham drop into the third tier for the first time since 1994-95. Birmingham's 13-season run in the Championship is over. "Que sera sera, whatever will be will be, you're going to Shrewsbury," sang the visiting Norwich supporters.