From League One Dominance to Championship Contenders

Fresh off a historic League One title win (34 victories, 111 points), Birmingham City enters the Championship season with unprecedented momentum. Defender Ethan Laird – a Manchester United academy product – embodies the club's fearless mentality:

"Let them try. When a club has this buzz, rivals take notice. We thrive as targets – it fuels our engine."

The Knighthead Revolution

• Ownership Ambition: Knighthead Capital's $1.5B city regeneration plan includes Premier League aspirations within 5 years
• Tom Brady Effect: NFL legend's minority stake and frontman role in Amazon's Blues Reborn documentary (premiering Aug 18)
• Record Spending: £15m signing of Jay Stansfield smashed League One transfer records

Squad Spotlight: Hunger Meets Experience

Ethan Laird (22):

• Played under Solskjær at Manchester United
• Brings top-tier mentality from loan spells at Bournemouth/QPR

Jay Stansfield (21):

• 19 goals last season
• "This isn't just promotion – we're building a legacy"

Tactical Edge

• Manager John Eustace's 3-4-3 system dominated League One (78% win rate)
• New signings targeting set-piece specialists to counter Championship physicality

The Championship Gauntlet

• Opening Test: Hosting Ipswich Town (Aug 11) – last team to achieve back-to-back promotions to EPL
• Key Fixtures:
  • Sept 16: vs Leicester City
  • Dec 2: vs Leeds United
• Survival Benchmark: 50+ points needed to avoid relegation scrap

Off-Pitch Power Plays

• St Andrew's Stadium upgrades: New 5,000-seat Kop stand by 2025
• Brady-led global marketing push targeting US soccer markets
• Academy tie-ups with MLS clubs for talent pipeline

The Blues' mantra? Laird says it best:

"We don't fear the target – we ARE the target. Premier League isn't an 'if,' it's a 'when.'"