Built in Birmingham: Brady & the Blues

Really good documentary of the highs and lows of Birmingham Citys last couple of seasons. Does not go into great detail about the matches but some interesting insights into the direction the club has gone and the characters/thought processes.

One highlight was Jay Stansfield family story though quite sad, his mum was so proud. He came across really well and was showed respect for his former club.

The documentary was put together with some snippets from Peaky Blinders, a dose of self deprication from the fans and found it was not just generic football club story.

Think Tom Brady and Chris Davies came across as professional whilst showing what drives them, and really enjoyed the 5 episodes.

The comparison to Welcome to Wrexham is obvious, and it is also obvious that is where Built in Birmingham goes wrong.

Welcome to Wrexham - from day one - had a huge amount of community engagement, including both the owners constantly doing things for/with the community and the community playing a huge part of the story itself.

It almost (not quite) made the sporting side of the story secondary, it became a "human story of struggle" which touched our heartstrings.

It works because the Wrexham owners seem genuine, it seems like they care about these people for real.

Built in Birmingham tries to copy that, but it doesn't work, and it doesn't work because Tom Brady is a very different animal.

He's not an entertainer, there is no softness in him, he is a completely driven competitor, where anything that detracts from driving towards the goal is a waste of time.

THAT should be the driving force for the show, that should be the perspective.

When you try to fit him into the Welcome to Wrexham mold, he doesn't fit, and the whole thing comes across as awkward and disingenuous.

If they do a season 2 - and I hope they do if they take my advice - they need to change direction completely.

Don't include the fans, don't include the community, make it wholly about the drive to reach results, with Tom Brady being the driving force for the show, together with the main back office characters, the manager and the players.

That would be far more interesting.

Like Wrexham and Sunderland till I die before it Brady and the Blues delves into a unique look at a sleeping giant.

A British soccer club in peril Brady and co walk into to an insane environment of hooliganism, decay and grit ... looking to change its fortunes around.

It's not all plain sailing and the challenges come thick and fast especially in episode 1.

A fish out of water story but a worthwhile incite non the less.

The Blues documentary was excellent - had some concerns prior to watching as there have already been quite a few football documentaries. It had good balance and gave some insight at what went on behind the scenes (though I thought they could have showed more comments / input from other senior management and other players.

Could have dedicated a few mins to Juke too.

Episode 3 was quite sad - especially when highlighting the playing similarities using TV footage of Jay and his Dad.

As a blues fan, I'm biased. But this is a professionally shot and edited documentary. It's not a low budget cash grab. I think this would suit any and all football fans rivalling the Wrexham and Sunderland documentaries. It's open and honest, revealing of course the aim for the American owners is personal profit, but that doesn't have to be a bad thing. The relationship can be mutually beneficial. I'm keen for more in the years to come.