To say it was a last gasp winner would be an understatement. From a long ball up from Ben Foster, a colossal misunderstanding between Wojciech Szczęsny and Laurent Koscielny and that celebration from substitute Obefemi Martins, saw Birmingham reach a level they would only have dreamt of going into the season.
Going into the game Alex Mcleish and his squad were big outsiders going up against an Arsenal squad that included the likes of a young and promising Jack Wilshire, as well as Robin Van Persie.
Serbian Giant Nikola Žigić got the Blues off to a great start giving them the lead with a close-range header.
Van Persie’s acrobatic attempt left the Brummies stunned but an inspired save from Ben Foster kept them in the game when he denied Nicholas Bendtner’s close range attempt
Then, possibly the biggest moment in Birmingham City’s history, where every Blue Nose will take Rob Hawthorne’s commentary to the grave.
“In it goes again towards the towering Žigić. OHH CONFUSION AND MARTINS HAS SURELY SCORED THE WINNING GOAL FOR BIRMINGHAM CITY.”
As Keep Right On echoed around an ecstatic blue half of Wembley, Stephen Carr lifted the first piece of silver wear for the Bordesley Green based club for 20 years.
The triumph ended Birmingham City’s 20 year wait for a trophy, which came under Lou Macari in the 1991 Leland DAF final, which included the likes of John Gayle, Simon Sturridge and John Frain.
Back in 1991, an acrobatic overhead kick from John Gayle in front of 57,000 spectators sealed the game, putting the Blue Noses into a frenzy at the old Wembley Stadium.
However, many fans regard this moment in the club’s history below the Carling Cup triumph due to the contrasting quality in opponent as well as the competition itself.
Arsenal or Tranmere Rovers? Carling Cup or Leyland DAF? I would like to think the preferable option is quite obvious to even the most casual football fan.
Another moment that stands out in history is the final day of the 2013/14 Championship season.
An away trip to Bolton Wanderers, needing a point to stay in the division, Lee Clarke’s men looked all but relegated when Lee Chung-yong scored in the 57th minute, as well as now Birmingham striker Lukas Jutkiewicz all but sealed Birmingham’s fate when he doubled the deficit with 15 minutes left, with a low driven shot going underneath Darren Randolph at his near post.
However, the saying ‘play to the final whistle’ could never have meant more, with Nikola Žigić halving Bolton’s lead there was a glimmer of hope.
Deep into the six minutes of added time, Blues went for it all. With Championship status hanging on it, they couldn’t do anything else.
Žigić was inches away from scoring perhaps the most important brace any player has scored for the club, but his headed attempt was cleared off the line, only as far as Paul Caddis, who headed the ball into the empty net, confirming Championship status for at least another season.
Although many fans remember this day fondly, celebrating surviving relegation can’t compare to a cup win in front of 80,000 at Wembley.
Similarly, on the final day of the 2016/17 season, Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham visited Bristol City knowing that a win would see them survive relegation.
However, with both Nottingham Forrest and Blackburn Rovers winning, Birmingham had to win to survive.
Che Adams got the ‘Boys in royal blue’ off to a great start, scoring after 16 minutes. Thanks to some last ditch defending, Blues managed to see off a 1-0 victory to yet again stay up on the final day.
Whenever ‘Keep Right On’ gets bellowed out from the Tilton, it’s usually something special, but when the slow rendition comes out, you’re in for a treat.
This is exactly what happened against Fulham in 2017.
After taking over from what could only be described as a catastrophe under Steve Cotterill, Gary Monk looked to save Birmingham from relegation on the final day for the third time in five seasons.
For the Blues fans, the day was much more enjoyable then the previous, with Jutkiewicz and Harlee Dean giving Blues a 2-0 lead going into half time.
The second half was less eventful, that was until the 84th minute when Tom Cairney gave the visitors a glimmer of hope, who needed a win to secure automatic promotion.
But Adams quickly restored Birmingham’s two goal advantage, with a smart finish towards the back post; a preview of the extraordinary season that was to come.
A slow, rare rendition of ‘Keep Right On’ echoed around St. Andrews, creating an unforgettable atmosphere.
There’s one thing in common with all of these isn’t there? They all involve final day survivals which is why none of these can compare to the glory that saw Birmingham become the last ever winners of the Carling cup.
Jacob Frain Thats Sport 