This past week has given plenty of Blues fans the chance to talk about one particular game.
The memorable night at St Andrew’s when we beat Aston Villa 3-0.
Our left-back that day was Martin Grainger, and his response to a video about Peter Enckelman’s now famous (or infamous depending on what side of Birmingham you come from) error in the Second City Derby sparked a bit of a debate from journalist Brian Dick.
He said that Grainger was Birmingham City’s greatest ever left-back, but threw open the doors for people to throw up their own suggestions.
The topic certainly threw out some interesting names and some very convincing reasons why.
100% for me! pride, passsion and an absolute cruise missile of a left foot on dead ball ????#KRO
— blue machine (@justinj11425645) September 16, 2019
Mark Dennis. Because he was the best left back in England for years
— Benno (@Bluewurst1875) September 16, 2019
John Frain was always a favorite of mine , but julian dicks , Grainger didnt take any prisoners. But john Frain just for his passion and loyalty to the club
— mick (@mickcwhill) September 16, 2019
Amari Bell, Marcos Painter or Simon Marsh for me.
— V (@Veno1983) September 16, 2019
Jonathon grounds best left footer in world football what more can be said
— Give Florence Pugh an Oscar already (@DongAndChengOut) September 16, 2019
We’ve had some great ones, Dicks, Dennis, Van den Hauwe. Grainger top of the tree for me.
— Eamonn Prescott (@EamonnPrescott) September 16, 2019
Julian Dicks was easily better but played in the days of 6000 crowds so people not aware of how good he was. Easily good enough for England (after he left TBF) except 1. Disciplinary issue and 2. Mr S Pearce. Grainger not in same bracket, good as he was.
— Alex Hurley (@alexjhurley) September 16, 2019
Don’t forget Garry Pendrey, tough tackling, speedy, ace crosser of the ball, scourge of Div1 wingers in the ‘70s. Unlucky not to get an England call up!
— BarmyG (@garrybluenose) September 16, 2019
Although I must confess I’m a little bit on the young side to know exactly how good most of these players were, so I’m going to rely on you guys to tell me about them. The best name that comes to my mind during my ‘era’ is Jonathan Spector.
So who was your favourite left-back, and more importantly why?