Birmingham City’s 30-Year Quest: Can They Finally Conquer League & Cup Glory?

Birmingham City’s 30-Year Quest: Can They Finally Conquer League & Cup Glory?

It could be an incredible week for Birmingham City, as the Blues look to secure their first piece of silverware of the season this weekend.

Regardless of what happens in the Vertu Trophy final on Sunday, Birmingham can at the very least go into next week pleased with the fact they are going to be playing in the Championship again next season.

The Blues secured promotion from League One with a 2-1 win away at Peterborough United on Tuesday night, in a well-timed dress rehearsal for the upcoming Wembley clash.

Promotion was always the aim this season, but there’s still work to be done, with the league title technically still up for grabs and the EFL Trophy within Birmingham’s grasp.

Birmingham City can replicate double-winning success of 1994/95

Alfie May’s reaction to promotion says it all, really. The striker insisted this is just the start for Birmingham, before rallying his colleagues to look ahead to Wembley this weekend, and to clinch the league title, too.

If Birmingham do manage to prevail in the Vertu Trophy final on Sunday, and then go on to lift the League One title as expected, it would be a truly historic moment in the club’s history, and indeed in the history of the EFL.

Birmingham last did the league and cup double way back in the 1994/95 season, when they won the old Second Division and lifted the Football League Trophy, too. Essentially, they did exactly what they’re on course to do this season.

Jack Wiseman was in charge for that monumental campaign, with Barry Fry as chairman. EFL legend Steve Claridge was the star of the show, with 25 goals in all competitions.

Funnily enough, Birmingham’s adventure in the Football League Trophy that year began with a 5-3 win over none other than Peterborough United. The Blues eventually won the prize by beating Carlisle United in the final with a golden goal from Paul Tait.

Birmingham were not quite as dominant in the league that year, though, with an 89-point haul proving just enough to see off the challenge of second-placed Brentford, who ended up with 85 points.

League One title is done, but EFL Trophy could see an upset

Let’s be honest, the League One title is wrapped up for Birmingham already. They’re very likely to go on and obliterate Wolves’ record points haul (103) before the season is over, too.

But, the imminent cup final is anything but a foregone conclusion. Birmingham may be far superior to Peterborough right now, but that matters for far less in a one-off, showcase final like the one we get to enjoy on Sunday.

The Posh will be desperate to upset the favourites, and they have their own historic incentives to chase, too. Winning on Sunday would see Peterborough become the first team to retain the EFL Trophy ever, and would also bring them level with Bristol City as the club to have won the competition the most (three times).

The route to the final for Birmingham and Peterborough has seen them both defeat strong teams, but it all comes down to that 90 minutes (plus extra time and penalties if needed, but you know what we mean), and Posh will be giving it everything they can to spoil the party.

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