Birmingham City stadium work accelerates, Donovan rewarded as Anderson prepares for summer match

St Andrew’s is undergoing a makeover for the second successive summer ahead of the start of Birmingham City’s League One campaign.

Owners Knighthead have pledged £15million to improve the club’s existing infrastructure this summer and work is already well underway at the stadium. Blues closed their club shop over the weekend until further notice to allow builders to begin work.

In addition to the permanent fan zone being built on the Main Stand car park, Blues are also opening a pop-up entertainment hub on the Kop car park. In order to create a more joined up experience for supporters, changes are being made to the shop.

Head of infrastructure, Nick Smith, explained: “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.”

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There is work being done inside the stadium, too. Blues have employed Events Crew to install a trackway around the perimeter of the pitch at St Andrew’s.

Trackways are common in big sporting and entertainment venues and it will help protect the pitch whilst work is carried out in the stadium throughout the summer. You can check out the job Events Crew have done via the picture below.

Pete Shuttleworth keeps busy

Pete Shuttleworth, who returned to Blues as part of Wayne Rooney’s coaching staff in October, is one of the coaches whose futures are uncertain this summer. The 45-year-old was kept on by Tony Mowbray before being redeployed by Gary Rowett for the final six weeks of the campaign.

Shuttleworth has transitioned from analyst to coach in recent years and is working to complete his UEFA A Licence at the moment. He recently spent time training at the Northern Irish FA to complete the second part of his qualification.

Posting on his Instagram account, Shuttleworth said: “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 down to play in charity match

Blues midfielder Keshi Anderson – whose contract has been extended by an additional 12 months – is scheduled to take part in a charity match in aid of children affected by the conflict in Gaza.

Anderson and a number of other professional players are competing in the Children of Gaza match at The Hive, home of Barnet FC, in London on Saturday, June 1. Anderson, 29, is part of a squad competing for Nujum Sports against a team put together by ex-Aston Villa player Anwar El Ghazi.

Donovan lands England under-18 call-up

Blues teenager Romelle Donovan has earned a call-up to England's under-18s team. Donovan made 10 appearances for the first team last season and has been a star of Blues under-21s' journey to the Professional Development League National Final.

He has scored nine goals for Blues' second string in 2023/24 and will represent his country later this month. The attacker has been selected in the Young Lions' squad for the Tri-Nations Trophy, held at St. George's Park, with matches against Northern Ireland on May 22 and Morocco on May 26.