Alex Dicken’s latest Birmingham City notebook features St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, Pete Shuttleworth, Keshi Anderson and Romelle Donovan
St Andrew’s stadium is undergoing significant renovations for the second consecutive summer as Birmingham City prepares for their League One campaign. The club’s owners, Knighthead, have committed £15 million to improve the existing infrastructure, with work already in progress.
One major development is the renovation of the club shop, which has been closed until further notice to allow construction to begin. The shop is being reoriented to face the Kop front entrance and the new fan park, aiming to create a more cohesive experience for supporters. Additionally, a permanent fan zone is being built in the Main Stand car park, and a pop-up entertainment hub is being set up in the Kop car park.
Nick Smith, Head of Infrastructure, explained the changes: “We are renovating the retail shop and the reason I tell you that is because we are going to reorientate the retail store so that the front door faces the Kop front entrance and the fan park.”
Inside the stadium, Events Crew has been hired to install a trackway around the perimeter of the pitch. This trackway is commonly used in large sporting and entertainment venues to protect the pitch while work is carried out.
These improvements reflect Birmingham City’s commitment to enhancing the matchday experience for their fans and ensuring the stadium meets the needs of the club as they embark on their League One journey.
Pete Shuttleworth Keeps Busy
Pete Shuttleworth, who rejoined Birmingham City as part of Wayne Rooney’s coaching staff in October, faces an uncertain future this summer. Despite the managerial changes, the 45-year-old has remained involved, being retained by Tony Mowbray and later redeployed by Gary Rowett for the final six weeks of the season.
Shuttleworth has transitioned from an analyst role to a coaching position in recent years. He is currently working towards completing his UEFA A Licence, having recently undergone training at the Northern Irish FA. On his Instagram account, Shuttleworth shared his experience:
“Back home after a great week in Belfast completing Block Two of my A Licence with the Northern Irish FA. Met an amazing group of coaches who were supportive all week and genuinely wanted each other to succeed and an excellent set of tutors from the NI FA who work really hard to make it an engaging and fulfilling course. After years of neglecting my own qualifications, I am determined more than ever to progress and see where this journey can take me.”
Anderson to Play in Charity Match
Birmingham City midfielder Keshi Anderson, whose contract has been extended by an additional 12 months, is set to participate in a charity match to support children affected by the conflict in Gaza. The match will take place at The Hive, home of Barnet FC, in London on Saturday, June 1.
Anderson, 29, will be playing for Nujum Sports in the Children of Gaza match, alongside other professional players. They will be competing against a team assembled by former Aston Villa player Anwar El Ghazi. This event highlights Anderson’s commitment to using his platform to support charitable causes.
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