The day we've waited for
"Mr Blue Sky, please tell us why, you had to hide away for so long - where did we go wrong?"
Well, Mr Blue Sky has not merely peeped out from behind the grey clouds that have hovered over St Andrew's for 136 years, he's blown them away with a vengeance.
That moment when Obafemi Martins steered the ball into the unguarded goal at Wembley's West End in the last minute of the Carling Cup final was a moment never, ever to be forgotten for any follower of Blues.
It released an explosion of joy - almost disbelieving joy - that has been pent-up so long deep inside bluenoses.
I have never heard such a cacophonous reaction to a Blues goal and no wonder. I mean, let's face, just how long can one Keep Right On? Being tired and weary can't be a badge of honour for infinity and beyond.
And when the whistle to end the 2011 Carling Cup final went some five minutes of stoppage-time later, the scenes of celebration were extraordinary and, I would wager, unlikely to ever be replicated.
ELO's classic Mr Blue Sky gets everyone bouncing at St Andrew's, but when before have 31,500 Blues fans ever sung the words like they did on Sunday as the players before them paraded the trophy in a state of delirium?
And those players: incredible; before, during and after the final.
They didn't want to leave the pitch, just like no one wanted to leave the stands. There was a real connection there, something that, by contrast, didn't seem to be apparent in the opposition.
From the quarter-final onwards, Blues players knew they had something going in this competition and they understood exactly what actually winning the darn thing would mean to the faithful.
It didn't need Mr Birmingham - as Ben Foster nicknamed Craig Gardner - to keep haranguing them.
They knew they could create history, the Blues fans knew it - and they both wanted it badly.
And, when you read and hear what the likes of Alex McLeish, Barry Ferguson, Stephen Carr and Foster said, about winning being extra special, better than their successes of the past because Blues just don't usually do this kind of thing, did Arsenal really know what they were up against?
The preparation for the final, for the game, was thorough and clear.
McLeish and his coaching and support staff watched an estimated 12 hours of footage of Arsenal in the week up to the game to solidify the game plan.
The players were told the team and the tactics in midweek.
Blues arrived at the Wembley 45 minutes before Arsenal to get at home and comfortable with the surroundings. They wore suits and were smart. Business-like.
Arsenal wore tracksuits and gave off a blasé air that suggested the cup was already in the bag, that this was going to be the first - and easiest - leg of a quadruple. Wembley? Natch.
McLeish had the courage of his convictions. To play Nikola Zigic as a lone striker took balls. He had to trust in his selected players to carry out what he felt was required for the strategy to work.
Take Arsenal on in a playground match, and it would have been curtains, he felt.
I am sure I was not alone in having some trepidation on learning the team. Zigic hasn't the mobility, how could Blues stretch and get beyond the Arsenal defence with no Cameron Jerome or Martins, was it merely containment and hope for the best?
It was anything but, as it transpired.
Blues pressed very high up the pitch with gusto and Lee Bowyer and Gardner were always keen to make the forward darts to support Big Zig, who put the wind up Arsenal's defence.
Sebastian Larsson was dynamic, Keith Fahey - whose selection was another big call - was excellent in roles on the left then the right once Gardner was forced off.
Defensively, it emerged afterwards that three-quarters of the back four had only managed to train for the first time on Friday, but they were immense.
Roger Johnson is a version of Monty Python's Black Knight. He comes back for more, regardless. Martin Jiranek's timely interceptions and cool reading of the game were impressively elegant. Carr? Stuart Parnaby's description again fitted best: a machine.
The opening goal, from a corner, was something Blues had worked on.
Zigic was reminded that Wojciech Szczesny tends to come and flap, a bit like Brad Friedel did at the end of the league derby against Villa, when Zigic only just glanced a long free-kick over, and that the Arsenal defence simply didn't like mano a mano with him.
Just a bit more care and attention with his headers and . . . hey presto! Goal.
For all who said Blues would just lump it and play for set-pieces, they didn't. Some of their football was smart and swift and there was a 15 minute spell in the first-half when Arsenal were all at sea. Blues had them rattled.
It was a very poor decision by linesman Ron Ganfield to flag Bowyer offside when he burst through in the second minute. Blues should have had a penalty, Arsenal would probably have been a man down.
But it didn't affect them and they could have added to Zigic's opener.
When Robin van Persie equalised with a superb volley, the complexion of the final could have changed.
And in the last 15 minutes, it was a red tide that Foster, with various parts of his anatomy, repelled in superb fashion as Johnson hobbled on and Jiranek, who also carried an injury, soldiered through.
Alan Hansen, on the BBC, began their coverage by saying - like most pundits - that this was overwhelmingly Arsenal and Arsene Wenger's time - and it started now. Oops.
By the end he was lauding Blues, saying the last half hour would stay with him forever because Blues gave a display of commitment to the cause that was 'beyond belief'. But that's what they are like, Al.
Jean Beausejour, on for dead leg victim Gardner, brought a useful spark to Blues play in the second period and Fahey almost made it 2-1 but struck the post, before Arsenal's late flourish.
It was an entertaining and absorbing final and Blues were still there rolling with the punches as the clock ticked into the final minute.
Jerome was ready to come on. Alongside McLeish in the technical area, he was stripped.
Experience told McLeish to hold him back, as Blues had one last free-kick that needed to be punted towards Zigic, before he was replaced. You just never know . . .
Sure enough, Foster smacked the ball like a rugby place kicker long and high into the Arsenal area, Zigic got a glance and Laurent Koscielny decided not to carry through his clearance. The ball bounced back off Szczesny straight to Martins who just couldn't miss, even if he had tried.
That was that. Blues had a gift goal, but it mattered not. They deserved the trophy, they made a game of it, they had the desire, the urgency and every player committed as a band of brothers to the same end.
And, let it be known, the more cynical, clogging team was Arsenal. Jack Wilshere is a fine talent and can bleat all he likes about Ferguson's injudicious slap on the back of Koscielny's head following Martins' goal, but he might want to stop the aggressive posturing during a game that smacks of little man syndrome.
Arsenal may have missed the leadership and quality of Cesc Fabregas and the direct speed of Theo Walcott. (Blues were without regulars Scott Dann and James McFadden).
But Blues had 11 leaders out there on a billiard table Wembley pitch that they revelled in (they can pass it, you know, Arsene).
Carr was right when he said Arsenal may have had more quality than Blues, but not as much heart.
And Blues also had one shrewdie on the sidelines who out-foxed Monsieur Wenger.
When Mike Dean signalled the end, the way the entire Blues bench cleared and ran to all points west in manic fashion - they didn't seem to know themselves where they were going - said so much. The fans exploded in delight, and so did they.
Matt Derbyshire, who hasn't had a sniff since the semi-final second leg, and Aleksandr Hleb danced with genuine delight. Dann flung away his crutches to jig and join the on-pitch party, McFadden was dragged into the thick of the celebrations by Ferguson when he hung back a bit, as if he felt he shouldn't really be part of it. Telling.
Blues journey to Wembley, what they did and how they did it in winning the 2011 Carling Cup, should be remembered as an absolutely fantastic ride and a momentous achievement.
It was a proper football story, about proper football people and proper fans, who have suffered so much. What the game should be all about.
And it was highly appropriate that it Arsenal who were vanquished given the recent emnity.
Alex McLeish and his squad should not be taken for granted. It should be realised just what Blues have got in situ at St Andrew's.
Those images afterwards will forever stay etched in my memory. It meant so much, to so many. And I will admit it here, I couldn't get myself together to compose my match report in a coherent manner until a couple of hours later.
Watching the This Is Our Time video on the big screen beforehand, the fans reaction to it and then the rendition of Keep Right On was spine-tingling and highly emotional for me also.
I choked up but also had that feeling, that sense something special was destined to happen.
To paraphrase Mr Blue Sky, it was the day we've waited for, indeed.
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Colin Tattum - Mail man Colin Tattum's view of what's going on at Birmingham City FC.
I'd say you have waited 25 years to write that piece. A pleasure to read it
As a neutral observer, I thought Birmingham deserved it going by the play. In the days before, you read how Arsenal would let Fabregas pick up the trophy when they won it, and he was sitting in his tracksuit during the game waiting for the moment that never came. You would read about Arsenal's £50M net profit before the game and then afterwards hear from the 20/20-hindsight pundits how they needed a better goalie and a defender or two, though that would have eaten away at their £50M net profit. Also way too much time given to Arsenal ahead of the kick off. Watched it as a neutral, expected Arsenal to win it, but was very impressed with Birmingham and their commitment and how good old fashioned tactics, a specific use of the lanky Zigic, the chessboard like strategies paid off, but only thanks to the hard work. So, well done to the lads. You worked for it and wanted it much more than the Londoners who thought they had it in the bag and that it would be theirs if they just turned up on the day.
Thank you for that pleasent read. A fantastic day and one that will not be forgotten for Blues fans. Whether it is the start of a fantastic run in the club where we end up a top half team or a downward spiral. It's Birmingham, We deserved the cup, we earnt it, fought for it and it's ours.
Hope the villa fans don't forget it =D 15 years now?
KRO all Blues fans
Great piece as per usual Colin, and spot on. I was in the club Wembley section which was meant to be 'neutral' but was in fact 80% arsenal so was listening to their fans comments it was clear that they were arrogant too - "we should win this no trouble in the second half as long as we keep away from corners!" wenger did not rate us or think much about his gameplan claiming disdainfully "they only play the long ball game well." Well we know to play football too and we can defend. So much for the professor! - after all it was not rocket science for us to go for their centre halfâs and keeper. the day will always hold wonderful memories for me. I live in north London and tonight I am going to play 5-a side with arsenal supporters - joy o joy! KRO
Brings a tear to my reading this Tatts after such a wonderful, unforgettable day. You did well to compose yourself in two hours, it might have taken me a lot longer in your position. Great blog perfectly summing up a day we've all been waiting for. More power to your pen.
Actually Tatts the "grey clouds that have hovered over St Andrew's" for 105 years lol
Really glad you enjoyed it as like many you're been through it all.
Here's an idea, why don't the Meaning Evil realise that if we ALL pull in the same direction goods things can happen.
For far too long various Most & Pail publications have delighted in taking digs at the club for the most trivial of matters and have been happy to stir and create un rest. That also applies to Tom Dross too!
Let's all row together, in the same direction and who knows, you may be doing another blog on us winning the F.A. Cup this year too! :-)
You'd think by reading that Zigic wasn't the most important player on the park, barely gets any praise at all but else would we expect from the British football media the same pundits who didn't rate champions like Vidic and Ivanovic for a very long time.
Beautifully encapsulating how 31,000 Bluenoses felt, including myself! It will be forever etched in my memory the vision of Obafami Martins passing the ball into an empty net. Surely it wasn't happening, Blues taking the lead in the 89th minute, but it was real and Blues defeated Arsenal and lifted the Carling Cup! To a man we excelled, Arsenal couldn't cope with with the spirit and force of a Birmingham team playing for each other, a crowd of Blue and White cheering them on, willing them to win and they did! Shock,joy, disbelief and the shedding of a tear, I'll freely admit. Never in all my years could I imagine this. John Mitchell breaking our hearts at Maine Rd, Preston in the play off semi final and AJ missing in Cardiff! Those sorrows banished with the joy of this victory. Birmingham City in Europe, passport at the ready. Now to beat West Brom and 3 points towards Premier League survival.
At the helm Big Eck, tactical genius, man manager supreme a man to make Blues fans proud of their team. Happy Birthday Carson!
It was great to win but why did ferguson have to slap the arsenal lad after he made a horrendous mistake? No true brummie should kick a man when he's down. shame on you fergie you should apologise or we look classless!
Tatts, fantastic piece, brilliant. I couldn't believe the reaction/roar at the end of the pre-match video on the screen. Tears in my eyes at that point, so emotonal, it was as if we were saying "we ain't losing this" What a day, culminating in the winning goal swiftly followed by the final whistle...incredible. I still haven't come down yet!
Tatts we are lucky to have a true bluenose who always reports in a fair and intelligent way regardless of his obvious alliegance.Fantastic blog as ever.A great day we will all never forget.Couldn't be there myself but the roof is still bouncing on the house from when the ball kissed the net.Myself and my 11 year old lad had tears rolling and my good lady finally realised after 20 years of marriage what it meant to a true bluenose to win a trophy.
Great stuff Tatts, as usual. Brilliantly put.
Great blog. I could (and have) read match reports about Sunday for hours upon end. It will never get boring. I'm 23 and my dad is 60 yet it was the first time for both of us to see them lift some real silverware. Says it all!
To a man, they all deserve praise and adulation. Excellent blog, Tatts, it was especially great to see the 'squad players' joining in the celebration. They're all ready to step in when called upon, and supporting each other, when not. Great unity and team spirit. I wonder if Robbie Keane enjoyed the match from his 'sickbed'. The same goes for David Gold! I rate him as a person, but his decision to sell Blues may well have backfired, if we manage to survive and West Ham go down, with Birmingham's league and cup victories over them a major factor. Ben Foster deserved Man of the Match, but the biggest deserved winner for me was Alex McLeish. Tactical genius on the day.
Keep Right On!Russ
Brilliant read. Insight, intelligence, passion, emotion. The Mail coverage of the Carling Cup has been brilliant from first to last. We are lucky to have Eck and those boys heroes every one of them. What an amazing day
What a day and what a lovely piece Colin, 3 generations shared the day - my son (8) quite awestruck. So many people on the day came up to him ,ruffled his hair and said "remember this day!"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOgU7JsfVQs
Here's our story - feel the tension at the final whistle!!!!
Spot on Colin a day when lambs became lions and one of those days when the underdogs triumph. A day we will all never forget just fantastic a proper football club with proper fans. KRO
@ lex_blue - Classless? We're a club followed by a minority of pitch invading yobs where Tait is worshipped for his t-shirt and Carr for his hand Gesture. I hardly would hardly blame BF for making us look classless.
@ lex_blue - Classless? We're a club followed by a minority of pitch invading yobs where Tait is worshipped for his t-shirt and Carr for his hand Gesture. I hardly would hardly blame BF for making us look classless.
Villa fan here. Great article Colin. Blues did the city of Birmingham proud. We will be fierce rivals forever but for one day, and one day only, I was almost a bluenose.
Like some others have stated - for me amongst many thoughts were the players who weren't even on the bench who went mad and joined the manic mayhem on the pitch after the final whistle.
Any of them that doubt they should have been there or haven't contributed this season should dismiss those thoughts.
These fringe players have helped us win this cup by supporting their team mates by creating as much as anyone the camaraderie, the spirit and the fight that any eleven on the pitch show.
I AM PROUD OF THE WHOLE SQUAD, YOU HAVE PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE THAT STILL HASN'T FADED.
I've just arrived back in Sydney having flown over for the game that broke the curse - 3 generations of my family have watched for 100 years to see total failure. I saw nearly every home game from 1968 to 1991 before migrating to Australia. The Arsenal calamity in the last minute took me back to Maine Road in 1975 when a similar mix up put us out against a bunch of jokers from Fulham - grown men dropped to their knees totally inconsolable - as a 14yr old it was like my parents had been taken away - those thoughts immediately came back to be and I know the footballing gods had been challenged for long enough - they could not deny us this day. On another matter there is much talk of throwing the game against Bolton - disgraceful talk! A 2nd tier team from Lancashire must not have this pleasure - Blue Noses must drop their sense of low self esteem and start trying to smash a few people - success breeds success. This is the rarest season in the club's history and we must ride it. Do not doubt, do not yield, and as for the teams we might face in the semi final then smash them again because we have already mentally conquered them - let's move to a winning mentality! Sufficient league points are certain to follow. Well done to Alex McLeish and the boys - tremendous effort - as Harry Lauder said - KRO
This day will go down in history. Eck is a legend. What a brilliant performance and result. The team that carries the city's name does it with pride, class and without resorting to arrogance like the second rate outfit over the road. Brilliant blog
Well being in the Royal Navy im on a ship that was visiting London that weekend, i thought all my dreams had come at once. In London, got a ticket heading down wembley way! how wrong was i. Libya has a lot too answer for me missing out on the best day of my life. missed the it all having to head down there that wonderful day that seems so far away now. Well at least i now have this exciting end to the season just as i'm getting back. KRO