In Search of Small Heath Alliance...... Again!
It's extremely well researched and is packed full of interesting newspaper reports on our early days. It also details the start of our rivalry with B6 which took almost 10 years to ignite.
I had no idea that we reached an FA Cup semi final before them which we did in 1885/1886. Seems they didn't consider us rivals until then and this certainly rubbed them up the wrong way.
The reports of the semi final seemingly set the tone for our history. Firstly we lost 4-0 to The Baggies but secondly the match ended with a (newspaper quote) "general melee" on and off the pitch.
Further quotes from the press
"It was a most disgraceful occurrence, and casts stigma upon the Birmingham roughs, which it will take a long time to eradicate"
"Birmingham spectators are not the most pleasant to play before, particularly if their favourites are playing a losing game, as on Saturday"
Do yourselves a favour and grab a copy of this quite brilliant book.
[www.amazon.co.uk]