Tom Brady-backed Birmingham tipped to 'bounce again' & surpass Wrexham by returning to Premier League BEFORE Ryan Reynolds & Rob McElhenney's side

The Blues competed with Reynolds, Rob McElhenney and the Red Dragons throughout the 2024-25 campaign. Birmingham claimed the League One title in record-breaking style, with 111 points, but Wrexham will be joining them in the Championship next season after securing a historic third successive promotion.

The challenge now is to reach the top tier, with an ambitious ownership team that includes minority stakeholder Brady ready to push the club forward - with plans already being drawn up for a stunning new 62,000-seater stadium.

Quizzed on what NFL legend Brady brings to the table and what the immediate future holds for Birmingham, ex-Blues star David Dunn - speaking in association with William Hill - told GOAL: "One of the biggest things in football now is the financial clout that people like that bring. I think he gives you a much better chance than someone with no budget. Even looking at my short reigns as a manager, it is very difficult when the budgets aren’t great.

"I was fortunate enough to be down at Birmingham against Mansfield, the last home game of the season, and the place is just bouncing. It helps when you are winning games, at the top of the league and record points scorers, but even around the ground - it was a lovely day, the fan zones were packed, they had bands on, it was such a good vibe around the place. I think they could be a team that go and crack on again. I think they could bounce again."

Pressed on whether he expects Birmingham to return to the big time before Wrexham get there, Dunn added: "Yes, I think they will. I think they stand a really good chance of going up. The feel-good factor is there. If they can carry the momentum on into next season and if you have got the financial backing as well…

"I think Chris Davies has done a brilliant job - really like the way he plays. In interviews he comes across really well, so I think they have got a really good chance of double promotions - without putting too much pressure on them!"

Birmingham have - like Wrexham - spent big on assembling a squad that blends pedigree with potential, while the presence of Brady on the club’s board has attracted added exposure and interest from around the world. Dunn said of the intriguing project at St Andrew's: "I think the biggest thing happening there is that no-one wants to miss out.

"Straight away it creates real competitiveness with everyone in the dressing room. You don’t want to be that player that misses out on the next chapter going forward. I think it does help that you have got Alfie May and Jay Stansfield who, in my opinion, are probably the best two players in the league. Looking forward to them stepping up and seeing what they can do in the Championship.

"It’s the feel-good. Everyone seems to be on the journey. Tom Brady, such a successful, elite sportsperson anyway, who wouldn’t want to be part of something that he’s doing?"

Birmingham, who tumbled out of the Premier League in the same year as they won the 2011 League Cup, are expected to be busy in the summer transfer market as they seek to ensure that they remain fiercely competitive alongside Wrexham and Co in 2025-26.