The Old Crown

Us football fans are a superstitious bunch so as I was eager to do my bit to reverse Blues's alarming home form, no league wins at home for around six months, I decided a change of pre match pub venue was called for before the must win game against Leeds United.

Just round the corner from my usual pre match pub The Wagon and Houses is The Old Crown, which apparently is the 'oldest extant secular building in Birmingham' dating back to 1368. The pub has retained its original black and white timber frame and it was with this is mind I attempted to capture a selfie incorporating part of the frame, the pub's name and the date, the actual result is somewhat unsuccessful..

The pub was very busy with Blues fans though surprisingly getting served wasn't an issue. There were three ales on offer and I opted for a pint of Marston's Pedigree served in an old skool glass tankard.

There was a strange feel around the city centre and Digbeth brought about by the fact that notorious troublemakers West Ham and Leeds were in town and this fact brought out the worst in some of Birmingham's supporters many of whom were congregated in the pub's doorway looking out for their prey. The local constabulary were alert to the fact and some paid a visit inside the pub for a look around.

Other activities and general apathy meant that I was flying solo both at the pub and the match which was fine as I was more than happy in the ancient pub mentally preparing for the game, enjoying my pint of Pedigree and listening to the excellent tunes on the jukebox which were all original ska songs, including classics like One Step Beyond the 1967 version by Prince Buster long before those nutty boys Madness got their hands on it.

My legendary weak bladder meant that I was content with a solitary pint in the historic Birmingham venue before making my way to the ground full of optimism knowing that I'd undoubtedly be depressed come five o'clock.

EDIT - I was, we lost 3 1 !!

UPDATE 25th October

I ended a historic day in a historic pub. I had just had the misfortune of witnessing Birmingham slump to their worst defeat in their 140 year history at the hands of Bournemouth and was out drowning my sorrows with fellow Blue noses Deb, Andy and Al..

We were all still in a state of complete numbness, the expression the worst ever gets banded about far too readily but it really was and statistics back this up. Absolutely shambolic !!

Not even a pint of one of my favourite beers Jennings Cumberland ale could lift me from my gloom. To quote The Smiths 'Heaven knows I'm miserable now' !!

Bizarrely there was something about the number eight that stayed with me all day, Blues lost 0-8, I had a drink after the match in Bar 8, I consumed 8 pints and got the 8 o'clock train home !!

There was nothing gr8 about the day !!