If I could pin-point the moment where my life took a dramatic turn for the worst, it would be just hours after my birth.
We still have the photograph somewhere. Me in the hospital in a cot beside my mother. A Birmingham City scarf draped around me.
A lot of the time we don’t have a choice in life and this was one of the moments I had no control over. First born and landed with the curse of supporting the Blues; there was no way I was ever going to get out of this one, not if my dad had anything to do with it.
But over twenty years on and, despite the tears I’ve shed, the copious amounts of money I’ve spent and the times I’ve been let down, again and again, the curse has, in my eyes, become more of a blessing.
Sometimes you wonder, when you’re in places like Burnley and Leeds and you’re watching your team being played off the park and being taught a good little footballing lesson, why you do it.
But then you look around you to your friends beside you. The ones who were born into the same tradition as you, the ones who you share the same experiences with every week, and the ones who make the losses that little bit more bearable.
And it’s not been all gloom and doom either. There have been happier times. The wins over the top teams, the battling performances where you’re left feeling as proud as you ever could be of those eleven players on the pitch, the promotions, the Premier League survival, playing in Europe, even winning a trophy.
Even yesterday, as I saw my team get beat by Brighton in a somewhat frustrating match, I thoroughly enjoyed my day. I spent it with some brilliant people, had a laugh and watched some football. I wouldn’t want to spend my Saturdays, or often my Tuesdays, doing anything different.
Because as much as I joke about Blues having a negative impact on my life – and probably my health too – I wouldn’t be without them.
As much as I berate my dad for passing down the curse, I thank him for it too.
As much as I complain as a trudge out yet another ground after yet another loss, I smile at the same time.
Because Birmingham City, despite all its faults, has given me some of the best days of my life, allowed me to meet some fantastic people, and taken me to places I never would have gone to were it not for football.
So in a sense I suppose while in those first hours of my life I was condemned to a lifetime of supporting a mediocre football team who will seldom achieve anything special; it’s opened my eyes to making the most out of bad situations and laughing in the face of adversity.
It’s not that I can’t find a way out of this; it’s that I just don’t want to.
Sunday, 12 January 2014
Monday, 23 December 2013
Christmas is only a click away...
Following on from my previous Christmas-themed blog, I had a bit of time on my hands at one point during work experience last week and decided to have a go at a feature, including some interesting facts about our shopping habits during the festive period…
While the traditionalists amongst us may view the hustle and bustle of the high street as synonymous with Christmas as turkey and tinsel, this year more than ever we are favouring our laptops over the queues and turning to online shopping to purchase our presents.
The rise in internet shopping, especially during the festive period, has expanded considerably over the last few years.
In 2012, online trade bolstered the overall Christmas sales revenue by 1.5 per cent, a one per cent rise on the previous year, and it is estimated that this Christmas in Britain alone we will do £5 billion worth of our festive shopping online.
As a nation we are growing ever more impatient and the quick and instant nature of the internet provides us with everything we need during what is renowned as the busiest time of the year.
Fast and easy shopping, all with a couple of clicks of the mouse. No queues, no fuss, and no fighting over the last Soap and Glory box set in Boots.
There are simple enough reasons as to why we’re staying away from the high streets, with online stores offering us the ease of purchasing goods in not only a quick and easy fashion, but relieving us of the painstaking Christmas queues which a lot of us nowadays simply don't have the time for.
Shopping online is also in some instances the cheaper option, with online retailers like Amazon offering free delivery and many stores using incentives such as free click and collect services when you spend over a certain amount.
With smartphones and tablets on the rise too, purchasing goods via the internet has never been easier.
Adobe's Online Shopping Forecast estimates that 12.4 per cent of total online sales this Christmas in Europe will be made from mobile devices, equating to a massive 68 per cent increase compared to last year.
Although online shopping during the Christmas period poses bigger problems that usual with fraud and items not being delivered on time, many consumers are still favouring taking these risks over going out and physically buying their gifts.
However, retail stores are in no way the losers during the festive season. It is estimated that £40.3 billion will be spent in-store over Christmas, as forecast by Deloitte.
But the alternative in online shopping is becoming increasingly popular and the rise in purchasing Christmas gifts over the internet is expected to keep on growing, with the current increase at 19 per cent year-on-year. This also means many stores won't reach their sales targets, as more people shun their stores in favour of the internet.
And it is predicted to continue after Christmas Day, with Boxing Day estimated to be the single biggest online shopping day of 2013.
Whether we choose to flock to the high streets or purchase from the comfort of our own home, our Christmas spending is once again booming, and more of us are favouring making at least some of our festive purchases via a couple of clicks of the mouse, rather than spending a couple of hours in the shopping centre madness.
While the traditionalists amongst us may view the hustle and bustle of the high street as synonymous with Christmas as turkey and tinsel, this year more than ever we are favouring our laptops over the queues and turning to online shopping to purchase our presents.
The rise in internet shopping, especially during the festive period, has expanded considerably over the last few years.
In 2012, online trade bolstered the overall Christmas sales revenue by 1.5 per cent, a one per cent rise on the previous year, and it is estimated that this Christmas in Britain alone we will do £5 billion worth of our festive shopping online.
As a nation we are growing ever more impatient and the quick and instant nature of the internet provides us with everything we need during what is renowned as the busiest time of the year.
Fast and easy shopping, all with a couple of clicks of the mouse. No queues, no fuss, and no fighting over the last Soap and Glory box set in Boots.
There are simple enough reasons as to why we’re staying away from the high streets, with online stores offering us the ease of purchasing goods in not only a quick and easy fashion, but relieving us of the painstaking Christmas queues which a lot of us nowadays simply don't have the time for.
Shopping online is also in some instances the cheaper option, with online retailers like Amazon offering free delivery and many stores using incentives such as free click and collect services when you spend over a certain amount.
 |
| Image: zmags.com |
With smartphones and tablets on the rise too, purchasing goods via the internet has never been easier.
Adobe's Online Shopping Forecast estimates that 12.4 per cent of total online sales this Christmas in Europe will be made from mobile devices, equating to a massive 68 per cent increase compared to last year.
Although online shopping during the Christmas period poses bigger problems that usual with fraud and items not being delivered on time, many consumers are still favouring taking these risks over going out and physically buying their gifts.
However, retail stores are in no way the losers during the festive season. It is estimated that £40.3 billion will be spent in-store over Christmas, as forecast by Deloitte.
But the alternative in online shopping is becoming increasingly popular and the rise in purchasing Christmas gifts over the internet is expected to keep on growing, with the current increase at 19 per cent year-on-year. This also means many stores won't reach their sales targets, as more people shun their stores in favour of the internet.
And it is predicted to continue after Christmas Day, with Boxing Day estimated to be the single biggest online shopping day of 2013.
Whether we choose to flock to the high streets or purchase from the comfort of our own home, our Christmas spending is once again booming, and more of us are favouring making at least some of our festive purchases via a couple of clicks of the mouse, rather than spending a couple of hours in the shopping centre madness.
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Christmas Kindness
I decided to give my blog a bit of a festive touch as we draw ever closer towards Christmas. Here are my thoughts on a true act of human kindness this festive season that brought a little tear to my eye...
It's known as the season of goodwill, but with all the turkey buying, present wrapping and hectic last minute shopping, many of us simply fail to make time for ourselves and for other people – especially those we don't know.
Across the pond, however, a Canadian airline decided to remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas, by bringing festive joy – and a few tears – to hundreds of unsuspecting passengers on two of their flights.
Last week, a video went viral when the airline WestJet surprised passengers with gifts and presents in an act of overwhelming generosity.
Over 30 million people and counting have so far viewed the heart-warming video, dubbed the ‘Christmas Miracle,’ which showed over 150 staff rush off to complete their Santa duties for 250 of their passengers.
After the holiday-makers checked in at Toronto’s Pearson and Hamilton airports for flights to Calgary, they were greeted by a virtual Father Christmas after scanning their boarding passes, who asked them, what they wanted for Christmas most of all.
Unbeknown to them, it wasn’t just a festive gimmick: they were actually going to receive the gifts they’d requested, and as soon as the passengers boarded their flights it was then a race against time for the WestJet employees to hunt down big screen TVs, flights home for the holidays and underwear.
Like Santa’s elves they wrapped all the presents and ran them over to baggage reclaim, where stunned passengers were greeted with more than just their luggage.
Not only was it an extremely clever marketing and PR stunt for WestJet, but it highlighted the true meaning of Christmas for the unsuspecting passengers and the millions of people from all over the world who have viewed the video online.
Upon viewing the video myself I had to wipe away a few tears; seeing people overjoyed at receiving presents they so desperately needed like flights home for Christmas was so overwhelming and truly special to see.
This touching act of kindness goes to show that whoever we are, we can make someone's Christmas with one simple act of generosity.
It's known as the season of goodwill, but with all the turkey buying, present wrapping and hectic last minute shopping, many of us simply fail to make time for ourselves and for other people – especially those we don't know.
Across the pond, however, a Canadian airline decided to remind us all of the true meaning of Christmas, by bringing festive joy – and a few tears – to hundreds of unsuspecting passengers on two of their flights.
Last week, a video went viral when the airline WestJet surprised passengers with gifts and presents in an act of overwhelming generosity.
Over 30 million people and counting have so far viewed the heart-warming video, dubbed the ‘Christmas Miracle,’ which showed over 150 staff rush off to complete their Santa duties for 250 of their passengers.
After the holiday-makers checked in at Toronto’s Pearson and Hamilton airports for flights to Calgary, they were greeted by a virtual Father Christmas after scanning their boarding passes, who asked them, what they wanted for Christmas most of all.
Unbeknown to them, it wasn’t just a festive gimmick: they were actually going to receive the gifts they’d requested, and as soon as the passengers boarded their flights it was then a race against time for the WestJet employees to hunt down big screen TVs, flights home for the holidays and underwear.
Like Santa’s elves they wrapped all the presents and ran them over to baggage reclaim, where stunned passengers were greeted with more than just their luggage.
Not only was it an extremely clever marketing and PR stunt for WestJet, but it highlighted the true meaning of Christmas for the unsuspecting passengers and the millions of people from all over the world who have viewed the video online.
Upon viewing the video myself I had to wipe away a few tears; seeing people overjoyed at receiving presents they so desperately needed like flights home for Christmas was so overwhelming and truly special to see.
This touching act of kindness goes to show that whoever we are, we can make someone's Christmas with one simple act of generosity.
Wednesday, 18 December 2013
Home and Away
The nose-bleed territory of fourteenth in the table was reached by Birmingham City on Saturday, following their 2-0 away win against Bournemouth.
The victory marked the team's third win away from home on the bounce, making it six games unbeaten in the Championship for Blues. Despite dropping down one place the day later after Wigan's win against Bolton, spirits are high in the Birmingham camp, following a nervy start to the season in what has been deemed as a relegation battle for Blues from the off.
However recent results have pushed Lee Clark's men slowly up the standings and in order to put further daylight between themselves and the relegation trap door, Blues are going to have to start replicating their impressive away form back at St. Andrew's, a place which has only seen two league wins all season.
Performances on their home turf have been exceedingly lacklustre; chalking up four losses already at what used to be renowned as 'fortress St. Andrew's' where not so long ago the Midlands side completed an impressive twelve months unbeaten at home.
The fortress now resembles a mere sandcastle, and Blues go into Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest desperate to pick up three points at home, in what would be their first league victory at their Midlands base since 1st October, when they embarrassed Millwall by four goals to nil.
But Forest, who sit just one point outside the play-offs despite winning only once in their last five games, will be looking to take advantage of Blues' questionable home form, and return to the East Midlands with points a plenty for their promotion push.
It's a real head-scratcher trying to figure out just where it goes wrong for Clark and his team at St. Andrew's. Although goals were pinpointed as the problem at the beginning of the season, that can't be said as much now, having scored nine goals in their previous five games.
The defence too has impressed greatly. Darren Randolph, man of the match at the Goldsands Stadium on Saturday, has pulled off multiple astute performances between the sticks, whilst his defence in front of him have put their bodies on the line on plenty of occasions this season; with Paul Robinson and Kyle Bartley standing out of late. The latter is also making an impact at the other end of the pitch as the club's second top goal scorer on five goals, just behind Jesse Lingard who has netted six times since joining the club on loan at the end of September.
Confidence and team spirit should not be a problem either, with the full time celebrations in Bournemouth showing just how tight-knit this group of player are; a far cry from last season, where many accused Clark of having lost the dressing room.
As the seasons reaches its half-way point, Blues need to be looking at creating an even larger gap between themselves and the drop zone and with games coming thick and fast over the festive period it gives them ample chances to chalk up the points.
Hopefully they can continue to push towards the top half of the table, which seemed an unrealistic aim when the season began. Clark and his team will have to put their heads together and solve the St. Andrew's puzzle first however, with the weekend a fine opportunity to do so and to continue their recent run of results.
The victory marked the team's third win away from home on the bounce, making it six games unbeaten in the Championship for Blues. Despite dropping down one place the day later after Wigan's win against Bolton, spirits are high in the Birmingham camp, following a nervy start to the season in what has been deemed as a relegation battle for Blues from the off.
However recent results have pushed Lee Clark's men slowly up the standings and in order to put further daylight between themselves and the relegation trap door, Blues are going to have to start replicating their impressive away form back at St. Andrew's, a place which has only seen two league wins all season.
Performances on their home turf have been exceedingly lacklustre; chalking up four losses already at what used to be renowned as 'fortress St. Andrew's' where not so long ago the Midlands side completed an impressive twelve months unbeaten at home.
The fortress now resembles a mere sandcastle, and Blues go into Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest desperate to pick up three points at home, in what would be their first league victory at their Midlands base since 1st October, when they embarrassed Millwall by four goals to nil.
But Forest, who sit just one point outside the play-offs despite winning only once in their last five games, will be looking to take advantage of Blues' questionable home form, and return to the East Midlands with points a plenty for their promotion push.
It's a real head-scratcher trying to figure out just where it goes wrong for Clark and his team at St. Andrew's. Although goals were pinpointed as the problem at the beginning of the season, that can't be said as much now, having scored nine goals in their previous five games.
The defence too has impressed greatly. Darren Randolph, man of the match at the Goldsands Stadium on Saturday, has pulled off multiple astute performances between the sticks, whilst his defence in front of him have put their bodies on the line on plenty of occasions this season; with Paul Robinson and Kyle Bartley standing out of late. The latter is also making an impact at the other end of the pitch as the club's second top goal scorer on five goals, just behind Jesse Lingard who has netted six times since joining the club on loan at the end of September.
Confidence and team spirit should not be a problem either, with the full time celebrations in Bournemouth showing just how tight-knit this group of player are; a far cry from last season, where many accused Clark of having lost the dressing room.
As the seasons reaches its half-way point, Blues need to be looking at creating an even larger gap between themselves and the drop zone and with games coming thick and fast over the festive period it gives them ample chances to chalk up the points.
Hopefully they can continue to push towards the top half of the table, which seemed an unrealistic aim when the season began. Clark and his team will have to put their heads together and solve the St. Andrew's puzzle first however, with the weekend a fine opportunity to do so and to continue their recent run of results.
Tuesday, 3 December 2013
The Football Bug
I’ll be the first person to admit that last season I somewhat ‘lost’ the football bug.
It was my first year an university, and I didn’t want to miss out on anything, so football unfortunately took a back seat.
That being said, part of me didn’t really want to go either. Disregarding the fact I didn't want to miss nights out and spending time with my new friends, I felt spending my money on watching some of those performances last season, well, just couldn’t be justified.
It was the first time in my life I’d had to fend for myself; meaning food, bills, and all the other important life essentials had to come out of my own money. Football just didn’t really come into it in my first term. And I don’t regret it.
In fact, I’m glad that my first year at university coincided with a pretty awful season for Blues, because it meant I didn’t miss out on nights and days out, nor did I miss out on many memorable games. It was a win, win situation looking back on it.
But this season, with everything a bit more chilled out in second year, it’s made me wonder how I could have missed as many games as I did last season. I suppose you never know how you'll feel until you're in a certain situation, and even though this year I have less money (the real world is not fun) I'm finding myself going to pretty much every game.
Tonight will be the fourth league game I’ve missed so far, and sitting here writing this it’s killing me that I’m not on a train to Birmingham. A culmination of work (which I really should be doing right now instead of this!) and lack of funds mean the game against Doncaster tonight is out of the question. But after my previous record of games I’ve missed so far (Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall and Barnsley – I know…) people will probably be relieved that my bad luck won’t be making an appearance tonight!
I’ve seen us win twice, at Yeovil and Huddersfield, but despite that so far I’ve enjoyed this season so much more than last already – and it’s only the start of December.
As much as I’ve always loved following the Blues win, lose or draw; last season did put a dampener on it. It’s hard to motivate yourself to spend money you don’t have and time you can’t really give up to support your team at every single game when what you’re getting back is abject performances and a close-call with regards to a relegation battle. The first half of last season for me was very much 'pick and choose.'
But with that being said I’ve never completely lost my love for football, and I know I never will. Last season was definitely a blip, but a blip I will never regret.
Despite some of the performances this season, especially our home form, and those games at Leeds and Burnley, I’m really enjoying following the Blues this season, and that fact makes me happy.
I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep doing this for, so I’m definitely going to make the most of the fact that my weekends for the foreseeable future are occupied by football once more.
The only thing that’s complaining is my bank balance, but since when has that ever stood in the way of anything?! (An interest free overdraft, by the way, is a dangerous thing when you have a football addiction.)
Roll on Saturday.
It was my first year an university, and I didn’t want to miss out on anything, so football unfortunately took a back seat.
That being said, part of me didn’t really want to go either. Disregarding the fact I didn't want to miss nights out and spending time with my new friends, I felt spending my money on watching some of those performances last season, well, just couldn’t be justified.
It was the first time in my life I’d had to fend for myself; meaning food, bills, and all the other important life essentials had to come out of my own money. Football just didn’t really come into it in my first term. And I don’t regret it.
In fact, I’m glad that my first year at university coincided with a pretty awful season for Blues, because it meant I didn’t miss out on nights and days out, nor did I miss out on many memorable games. It was a win, win situation looking back on it.
But this season, with everything a bit more chilled out in second year, it’s made me wonder how I could have missed as many games as I did last season. I suppose you never know how you'll feel until you're in a certain situation, and even though this year I have less money (the real world is not fun) I'm finding myself going to pretty much every game.
Tonight will be the fourth league game I’ve missed so far, and sitting here writing this it’s killing me that I’m not on a train to Birmingham. A culmination of work (which I really should be doing right now instead of this!) and lack of funds mean the game against Doncaster tonight is out of the question. But after my previous record of games I’ve missed so far (Sheffield Wednesday, Millwall and Barnsley – I know…) people will probably be relieved that my bad luck won’t be making an appearance tonight!
I’ve seen us win twice, at Yeovil and Huddersfield, but despite that so far I’ve enjoyed this season so much more than last already – and it’s only the start of December.
As much as I’ve always loved following the Blues win, lose or draw; last season did put a dampener on it. It’s hard to motivate yourself to spend money you don’t have and time you can’t really give up to support your team at every single game when what you’re getting back is abject performances and a close-call with regards to a relegation battle. The first half of last season for me was very much 'pick and choose.'
But with that being said I’ve never completely lost my love for football, and I know I never will. Last season was definitely a blip, but a blip I will never regret.
Despite some of the performances this season, especially our home form, and those games at Leeds and Burnley, I’m really enjoying following the Blues this season, and that fact makes me happy.
I don’t know how long I’ll be able to keep doing this for, so I’m definitely going to make the most of the fact that my weekends for the foreseeable future are occupied by football once more.
The only thing that’s complaining is my bank balance, but since when has that ever stood in the way of anything?! (An interest free overdraft, by the way, is a dangerous thing when you have a football addiction.)
Roll on Saturday.
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