A group of Birmingham City fans got a shock ahead of their first home game of the new season, as they were joined in a local pub by Tom Brady.The NFL legend was in town to watch his first home game at St Andrew’s since becoming an investor of the club.Brady has become a minority investor in Birmingham, a major coup for the Championship.It was announced at the beginning of August that Brady has become a minority shareholder of the Blues having entered into a partnership with owners Knighthead Capital Management LLC. The 46-year-old – regarded as one of the greatest athletes in sporting history – will become chairman of the new advisory board, working directly with the club’s board and members of the Blues’ leadership team.
When the deal was announced, Brady said: “Birmingham City is an iconic club with so much history and passion and to be part of the Blues is a real honour for me.” And the seven-time Super Bowl winner has wasted little time in getting to know the fanbase, as he was spotted mixing with supporters at a local pub.Brady teased his appearance at the 3pm kick off against Leeds United with a photo of the view from his plane window on Saturday morning, posting: “Any plans before kick off guys? See you at St. Andrew’s.” And it appears he got the message, as he was later pictured shaking hands with fans and posing for selfies in The Roost in Small Heath – a local favourite around matchdays. The future NFL Hall of Famer even got his first taste of a proper English football chant, as the Birmingham faithful belted out St Andrew’s terrace classic ‘Keep Right On’.
It’s not just Birmingham fans who have given Brady a warm reception to the English game, with Wrexham owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney sending a message to the American icon.”I know Tom and he has the spirit of a lion and a competitor,” Reynolds said ahead of Wrexham’s League Two opener against MK Dons last weekend. “Come on in, the water’s warm.” When asked if they had any advice for Brady, though, McElhenney joked that he was in no position to tell a sporting legend – who holds the record for the most Super Bowl victories and most MVPs – how to be successful.
Birmingham will be looking to give Brady the best possible welcome with all three points against Leeds on Saturday afternoon, having drawn their opening game of the season 1-1 with Swansea City.
