Revitalized Birmingham eyes future beyond 'Hollywood Derby'

Birmingham City’s ‘Hollywood Derby’ against Wrexham draws global attention as CEO focuses on long-term ambitions

As Birmingham City prepares to face Wrexham in what’s being dubbed the ‘Hollywood Derby,’ the spotlight shines brightly on both clubs. The matchup, fueled by Wrexham’s high-profile owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds and Birmingham’s stake held by NFL legend Tom Brady, has captured global attention.

The fixture follows Wrexham’s recent 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury, which propelled them to the top of the table. McElhenney’s social media shout-out to Brady, promising an exciting game, has amplified anticipation, marking it as one of the most-publicized League One matches ever. Despite initial suggestions to move the game to the U.S. to maximize commercial appeal, the EFL declined the proposal.

Birmingham, under the leadership of CEO Garry Cook, is determined to look beyond this high-profile game. Cook reflects on the club’s revival since its relegation and the challenges faced, including past disrepair of their stadium. He draws parallels with his transformative work at Manchester City, emphasizing the importance of fan engagement and community work.

Birmingham’s ambition extends to rebuilding their infrastructure and enhancing their standing in football. Recent investments include a record £10m transfer for striker Jay Stansfield from Fulham. Cook’s vision is to build a robust club, aiming for significant achievements in the future, though he acknowledges that setting immediate Champions League goals might be unrealistic.