Ex-Aston Villa boss tried to keep new Birmingham City signing

Dec 3 2008 By Andy Walker

homesick’,” recalled Gregory.

“He really found it hard to cope, but not with the training. Keith was fine for the three or four hours when he was out on the training field but as soon as that was over then that was when the homesickness would kick in.

“Our attitude was that he’s got what the other kids that have to put up with it but it affected Keith more than most.

“He really struggled with living in the digs and being away from home. We suspiciously thought at the time that it might have had something to do with a girlfriend.

“He was a good player and I really didn’t want to let him go. I used to watch him briefly on the training ground, he was very committed, tidy in his play and he was a tough little monkey. We always thought there’s a good player in there.

“We did everything we could to make it happen. Homesickness happens to a few of the boys but usually after three or four months they are over it.”

Fahey was recently crowned the PFAI Player of the Year after picking up rave reviews for The Saints and Gregory has praised the Inchicore favourite for forcing his way back into English football.

“It says a lot about the type of person Keith is if he’s joining Birmingham,” he said. “There’s not too many that go back home and then resurface in the English game.”