The Sports Buff ⚽️ ⚾️ 🏈

Ever since Hollywood duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney took over North Wales club Wrexham, The Dragons have been transformed, both on and off the pitch. 

When the Deadpool star and his co-owner approached the fan-owned club with their proposal, it seemed like a pipe dream, one that would take time to become a reality. 

In a story that can easily be compared to Luton Town’s, the rise has been meteoric over the past five seasons or so. It’s nearly been promotion after promotion for the Welsh side. 

There have been setbacks, notably their failure to leave the National League, but since then, they have secured successive promotions and are now in England’s second tier. 

The last time they were there was when I used to wear Brylcreem to tame my luscious locks. As impressive as Phil Parkinson’s side have been, I want to change the direction of the conversation and talk about their League One promotion rivals of last term Birmingham City. 

Quite simply, last term, The Blues were outstanding as they went on to break the EFL points scoring record, which Reading set. Of course, it’s easy to say, well, they spent £30 million to get the League One title. 

Yes, Chris Davies’ side was expensive, but the talent assembled is very impressive. Jay Stansfield was signed from Fulham last term, for a fee in the region of £15 million, but look at this term. 

Celtic cult-hero Kyogo Furuhashi has been signed from Rennes, as well as Demari Grey and Chuba Akpom, formerly of Middlesbrough, who was the top scorer in the Championship with 28 goals two seasons ago. 

Birmingham have signed seven players, but special mention goes to these three. This trio have all played at a high level, and Birmingham have been able to lure them to St Andrews, which is impressive. 

Before you try to be a sceptic, yes, I know Demarai Grey started his career at Birmingham City. Last year, they and Wrexham secured the top promotion spots, partly because Matt Bloomfield’s departure had a destabilising influence on Wycombe Wanderers, who dropped into the play-offs despite being in the automatic positions for long periods.

I, for one, can’t wait for this season’s Championship; it promises to be a good one. 

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