Tension, tears and then triumph!

Apr 30 2007 By Catherine Lillington

Bluenose CATHERINE LILLINGTON mixed with an anxious Blues crowd on Saturday, who eventually saw their prayers for a win answered. Twenty-four hours later, promotion was confirmed.

IT SEEMED like the goals would never come for a nervous Blues crowd on the brink of watching their team return to the Premiership.

Some bit their nails. Other swore. Then a red card in the 58th minute was all too much to bear for fans so close to triumph they could smell promotion.

Dad-of-two Barry Ross, who chomped Polo mints for his nerves, in the Railway End of St Andrew's, said: "The longer this goes on the more edgy the crowd gets - hopefully it doesn't get to the players. There's so much at stake but we've certainly got enough to beat this lot. We've got Doyle in goal and some good partnerships have started forming."

Rising tension was also getting to Carole Ann Butcher, who sat pitch-side in the Old Main Stand. Wrapped in 31 scarves, she clutched her Blues teddy, shook her tambourine and shouted at the referee: "Go to Specsavers you twerp!"

The 61-year-old, from Nechells, who has supported the team for 48 years, said: "I want them to win and I'll be happy if we get into the Premiership.

"I wear these scarves to show my support but I still ain't got enough. My mum Emily was a Blues fan and I'm wearing her scarf, which I treasure."

Moments before Fabrice Muamba was sent off, 50-year-old Barry, from Rubery, said how a game could turn around when fate went against you.

"A scoreline of three or four nil would do me," he said.

"I could sit back and relax but it just doesn't happen though, does it?"

"Sometimes you need something to go against you to get you going."

Then it happened. A 74th minute goal from Cameron Jerome brought the home crowd to their feet.

And after another from Sebastion Larsson ten minutes later, the fans were absolutely euphoric. One was even spurred on to streak across the pitch.

The scenes followed a season which many fans likened to a rollercoaster ride with the lead of the Championship changing more times than David Beckham's hairdo.

Derek Voyce, aged 45, from Sheldon, said: "Until we had a player sent off we looked terrible. The crowd was nervous, the Sheffield Wednesday fans were singing and it looked like it wasn't going to happen for us.

"The team battled hard when they went down to ten men and the defence were throwing bodies at the ball. Sheffield had a lot of chances and they had the opportunity to beat us.

"It's been an up and down season and Birmingham have done really well to be at the top nearly all the time. So many times we've done well against the top sides and then struggled against the bottom teams. Like with Sheffield Ð they had a lot to play for, but we beat them."

Friends Maggie Flynn and Adrian Davis travelled 133 miles from Treharris, in Wales, especially for the game.

Birmingham-born Adrian, aged 44, said: "In a full stadium the atmosphere is better than at any match in Liverpool or Manchester.

"It's been a nerve-jangling season with one of the lows being when we lost to Cardiff, because they are on my doorstep."

Maggie, aged 43, said: "The game was nail-biting to watch but the result was worth all the long journeys, week in and week out."

Phil Taylor, aged 44, from Highgate, had brought his four-year-old grandson Connacorr Clift to his first Blues game.

He said: "It was an overwhelming atmosphere. I spent the second half standing up, it was the best game I've seen all season.

"Hopefully this will bring some more supporters back down. It's about time we had a full house again."

Father and daughter Gillian Price and Albert Vincent treated themselves to ice cream after the hard-earned victory.

Gillian, aged 44, from Walsall, said: "It was very tense at the beginning, we don't seem to do anything easily. We went ten men down and we pulled it around with a fantastic ending."

Albert, aged 69, from Great Barr and a steward of 40 years, said: "It was a brilliant result. Birmingham over the years know how to make you nervous and it doesn't get any easier being a Blues fan.

"But they're worth it and you can't change who you support. I live close to Aston Villa but I couldn't support them."

John Pendleton, aged 45, from Solihull, celebrated the win with his wife, two daughters and son.

He said: "It was tremendous to watch the team come back from having ten men, showing the passion and pride all us Blues really have and love to see.

"I'm so pleased for Steve Bruce and glad he stayed as manager."