Troy Deeney hails Tom Brady and Birmingham board's plan to demolish St Andrews... regardless of potential relegation

St Andrew's holds a treasured place in the memories of fans, steeped in decades of footballing history and emotion. However, the decision to demolish the venerable stadium is part of a larger vision aimed at revitalising the club's infrastructure and securing its future in the upper echelons of English football.

Under the ambitious plans spearheaded by Knighthead, a staggering £2 billion investment is set to transform the landscape of Birmingham's football scene. The proposed state-of-the-art stadium, boasting a capacity of up to 60,000 spectators, is poised to rival the likes of the illustrious Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, marking a significant leap forward for Birmingham City FC.

In his column for The Sun, Deeney wrote: "I’m very nervous that the club I supported, and then captained for two seasons until last summer, are going to be relegated to League One this season. But the fact that the club’s American owners, Knighthead, are determined to go ahead with a new stadium whatever happens on the pitch, proves they will drag Blues into the 21st Century. At times like this, with the Blues next to bottom in the Championship and in a desperate relegation battle, hope for the future is crucial.

"The owners are talking about a £2B investment and intend to hold NFL matches and concerts at the new ground, along the lines of the impressive Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It will be the sort of stadium where Blues fan Jude Bellingham might want to return later in his career. More importantly, if a new Jude Bellingham comes along, he might not be in a hurry to leave. The scale of the planned redevelopment of the Bordesley Park area is similar to what Manchester City have achieved with the Etihad campus. Blues chief executive Garry Cook was at City in the early years after the Abu Dhabi takeover, so he knows what he is doing. I love the ambition of chairman Tom Wagner — even if his plans mean the end for St Andrew’s."

Deeney's nervousness is palpable as Birmingham find themselves in the 23rd position in the Championship table with just 42 points from an equal number of games. They have won just once in their last five league games and remain desperate for points at the business end of the season. However, they are just a point away from safety and a spike in performance in the final lap could help them reach the shores.

Amid the relegation battle, the new stadium holds the promise of rekindling past glories and creating new memories for generations to come. The transition from a time-worn venue to a modern sporting arena epitomises the club's unwavering commitment to progress and evolution, reflecting its aspirations for sustained success on and off the field.