Small Heath Alliance

Keith Piper (10 replies)

GBlue — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:07:27 +0000

Keith Piper passed away today, a great player for the Bears - RIP.

The three V**** England players (25 replies)

bluechip — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:16:14 +0000

So I've been thinking, we have 3 of them in the England team in 3 different positions it don't feel right celebrating if one of them scores or plays well but these statements about the players have made me feel more at ease;

Firstly.. Oliver Watkins

Ollie Watkins is a boyhood Arsenal fan and has openly stated that playing for the club is his "dream". Growing up, his family also supported the Gunners, and he specifically idolized Arsenal icon Thierry Henry.

Next... Morgan Rogers grew up supporting West Bromwich Albion.Born in Halesowen, West Midlands, the attacking midfielder is a lifelong fan of the Baggies

And lastly
Ezri Ngoyo Konsa was born on 23 October 1997 in Newham, Greater London, to a DR Congolese father and an Angolan mother. He attended Cumberland Sports College and is a boyhood Tottenham Hotspur F.C. supporter.

All three just WORK for them, but alot of them think that they support villa 😂

Daryl Dike, worth a punt? (16 replies)

Gavlaaa40 — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:31:21 +0000

Just seen he is a free agent, obvious injury issues throughout his time at Albion so no way should be seen as a starter but still only 26, he could be an inexpensive addition to the squad and offer something different to what we currently have.

Alfie May (6 replies)

George Smith — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:58:13 +0000

Footballer’s brother jailed after terrorising own family and smashing into home with paving slab
A man who terrorised three members of his family including a professional footballer with threats of violence, rape and death has been jailed for more than seven years.

Dane May's disturbing and relentless behaviour against two siblings and their mother over 18 months culminated in a terrifying bid to attack one brother with a paving slab after smashing his way into his home.

Dane May was jailed at Maidstone Crown Court.

So alarming was the drug addict's vendetta against his relatives that his mum was forced to move house for her safety and his youngest brother - League One striker Alfie May - installed high-tech security at his home and worked out 'escape plans' with his wife.

In one particularly sinister message sent to his oldest sibling Sam May he warned: "I always said you would see me on the news and on the front page of every newspaper for what I would do to prove how f***ed up I really am."

Details of how the lives of Sam, Alfie and their mum Deborah Rawlings were targeted by the 38-year-old before he erupted in violent rage on April 30 last year were revealed at his sentencing hearing for three offences of stalking from November 2023 and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent in April last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that after Dane inherited £120,000 from his late father at the end of 2023, the family believed he used the money to fuel his drug addiction.

It was also said there may have been “some dispute” over the division of assets from the estate.

However, although regarded as "a friendly, affable and good brother" when not abusing illegal substances and alcohol, while intoxicated the defendant became "highly abusive and threatening," said prosecutor James Benson.

It is said he expressed resentment at his siblings' happy and successful lives - before matters came to their ugly conclusion in what the prosecution said was an act of revenge carried out under the mistaken belief that his family had given statements to the police.
In the build-up to that particular incident, Sam May had been on the receiving end of threats of violence from his brother as often as three times a week, resulting in him taking steps to protect his family by telling his sibling he was not at his West Malling home, explained Mr Benson.

However, on one occasion, Dane went to the length of flying a drone over the property in an attempt to prove he was lying, and another time rammed his Ford Ranger into the front security gates.

He would also turn up at his house demanding to be let in, or call ahead warning: "I'm coming to get you. You'd better open the door."

In another threat, he told construction firm boss Sam: "Do you not get how dangerous I am? Tonight you can die with me."

Matters escalated in the two weeks before his arrest, with the defendant visiting his mum's in a "very angry" mood, threatening to break in and burn the house down.

Around the same time, he phoned Sam, threatening to kill him and rape a young relative, and then bombarded him the following day with hundreds of messages and death threats.

Then, on April 29 in what sounded like a drunk and drugged state, he again phoned Sam, ordering him to retract his police statement and, swearing on his own daughter's life, warned: "Your family will watch me kill you".

The court heard, however, that although Sam May had reported his sibling's concerning behaviour, he had not provided any statement.

Alfie, a former Chatham Town, Hythe Town, Doncaster Rovers and Charlton Athletic player who in 2024 was named EFL Player of the Year, also became a victim of Dane's stalking behaviour from November 2023.

This included numerous unwanted and abusive calls, often between the hours of 9pm and 4am when fuelled by drink and drugs.

His concerns were such that when he moved away from Kent he did not tell his brother his new address.

‘Do you not get how dangerous I am? Tonight you can die with me…’
Then, after his career took him to Birmingham City, Dane threatened to hurt him and his children as well as destroy his marriage with lies he referred to as "dirty secrets".

The defendant would also threaten to find out where he lived and would call his brother's wife when playing football away from home.

"He expressed resentment at Alfie and Sam's happy and successful lives, with both brothers having careers, families and family homes," said Mr Benson.

"Dane suggested he would put an end to it all."

In what was said to be an act of "remarkable restraint and compassion", Alfie encouraged his brother to seek help and appealed to his better nature, added the prosecutor, telling him that "deep down you are a good person".

However, his fear of what could happen was so great that he and his wife installed cameras, alarms and smoke deterrents at their home and discussed escape routes in case Dane showed up to carry out his threats.

Their mother, Mrs Rawlings, also received unwanted and threatening calls. The court heard she had previously been a victim of her son's harassment in 2014, which led to his conviction for common assault and using violence to gain entry.

On March 12 last year, she learnt that Dane had threatened he was "coming to kill her", and a month later, he turned up at her address while she was away in London.

Speaking to his mum through her Ring doorbell, he told her he would "burn the house down".

Matters finally came to a head on April 30 when Dane May, motivated by the wrong belief statements had been provided to police, "decided to make good on the previous threats made," said Mr Benson.

Dane flew a drone over his brother’s house to see if he was in. Photo: istock
Dane flew a drone over his brother’s house to see if he was in. Photo: istock
At about 4pm, he phoned Sam May "screaming, shouting and threatening". Then, at 6pm, he phoned again, telling his brother he would kill him.

This prompted Sam May to make his first of several calls to police that evening, stating he was worried about his sibling coming to his home and causing him and his family harm.

Mrs Rawlings also received a number of calls, believed to be from Dane using a withheld number, added the prosecutor.

On that same date, Alfie was preparing for an evening match against Blackpool when he too was contacted by his brother.

The nature of the call led the footballer to phone Sam to warn him he was "in imminent danger", said Mr Benson.

He also learnt an angry and intoxicated Dane May had contacted two of his [Sam May] employees saying he would "finish off" his brother.

In response to that alert, the court was told Sam May tried to "encourage" the police once more to attend his home.

At 10pm, Alfie told Sam their brother had phoned to say he was "on his way to kill him", prompting Sam to again call police.

But before any officers arrived, Dane May was at the gates, screaming to be let in, snorting cocaine and telling his brother "I promise you, your time has come".

He then tried to kick his way through the large glass doors but only caused one to bow and damaged the frame, the court was told.

Undeterred, Dane May then tried to smash his way in using a garden chair. Having again failed, he armed himself with a paving stone and struck the back door with it three times, causing it to give way on the final blow.

‘He shouted at the officers, questioning why they hadn't taken him more seriously when he called police earlier that evening…’
He then entered the house through the smashed door, still carrying the slab.

While all this was going on, Sam May was on the phone to police, the prosecutor said.

He could be heard repeatedly shouting "Stop" and urging his wife, who had sought refuge upstairs with their child, to also call for help.

An enraged Dane then kicked or stamped on his brother's thigh while holding the paving stone at head height.

"Sam May was petrified and to protect himself punched out at the defendant," said Mr Benson. "He described having a fight, with the defendant being 'as strong as an ox'.

"But he [Sam May] overpowered him, put him to the ground, the slab fell to the ground, and he kicked and punched him numerous times to neutralise the fight."

Sam May then called for his wife to bring down a dressing gown cord to tie him up and he was restrained.

Police finally arrived to be met by an "extremely upset" victim.

"He shouted at the officers, questioning why they hadn't taken him more seriously when he called police earlier that evening," Mr Benson told the court.

In the aftermath, and once under arrest, the defendant could be heard "whimpering and apologising". He also suffered a seizure and required treatment from paramedics.

Sam May was said to be in emotional turmoil, shocked and frightened by his brother's actions but still concerned for him.

In his subsequent victim impact statement, he told police that his family was left "terrified", and what was meant to be their "forever home" had been put up for sale.
"I have very little energy left when speaking about what happened. I hope this is the end of it all," he wrote.

"Even 10 months on, I'm still massively affected by what he has done...I dread what will happen when Dane comes out of prison.

"I hope by then I will be protected, with him not knowing where I am or how to contact me."

Alfie May, who signed for Huddersfield Town in July last year, told police he believed he "bore the brunt" of the abuse being the youngest of four brothers and "likely to offer least resistance".

Their mum, in her impact statement, said her son's behaviour made the family "all feel in danger" and that she had had to change her "entire life" to stay safe.

This included moving with her husband away from Kent "so Dane won't find us".

But, explaining how she still lived in fear of her son, she added: "He often threatened he would get others to hurt us.

"It makes me nervous as to who is around and if they are going to carry out something Dane has got them to do.

"This is no way to live my life. I have had to create a whole new life to feel safe but I still feel Dane is looming over us.

"My sons blame themselves and there are so many emotions I see them going through.

"Even today writing my statement I can feel an anxiety building, which only comes when I remember what happened and speak to people about it.

"I hope one day we can all move on from what has happened to a brighter future."

‘I have had to create a whole new life to feel safe but I still feel Dane is looming over us….’
May, of Edington Way, West Malling, initially denied the charges but pleaded guilty on what was the first day of his trial in December last year.

Sentencing was due to take place on March 3 but had to be adjourned for a psychiatric report to be obtained.

At his next court appearance on May 22, defence counsel Kieran Brand acknowledged the defendant's poor mental health was exacerbated by his use of class A drugs in "misguided efforts" to "numb the pain" of his childhood trauma.

But he said that while on remand since arrest, the structured prison environment had enabled May to focus on addressing his offending behaviour and substance misuse while remaining drug-free.

Such was the improvement was that the defendant had described himself as "feeling his most stable ever", added the barrister.

"The work he has done has been of great benefit to him, and for the first time he is now accepting that he has no one else to blame for these offences but himself," explained Mr Brand.

"That is work he will continue to do and is keen to carry on when he is ultimately released from custody."

The court also heard that May has established his own foodbank charity within prison to help fellow inmates without funds or suffering poor mental health.

Such was its success, said Mr Brand, that it was not only awaiting governor approval to become a recognised scheme but was one the defendant intended to build on by working with offenders experiencing drug and psychiatric problems upon his release.

May was also said to now be on stable medication and made no attempt to contact his victims.

"This is quite a different Dane May to the person who committed this ugly, serious set of offences," added the lawyer.

"He is someone who has done much work on himself, is motivated to change, and has demonstrated he can do so."

With the sentencing hearing having then been adjourned again due to lack of court time, May appeared in the dock on Thursday (June 4) to learn his fate.

In deciding the appropriate punishment, Judge Catherine Moore told him she had taken into account all that had been said on his behalf, including his childhood experiences, diagnoses of PTSD and an emotionally unstable personality disorder, and progress made since his arrest.

But she said notwithstanding his mental health issues, he was able to understand the nature and consequences of his "persistent and premeditated" conduct and make rational choices.

Furthermore, his messages and threats - some "extreme in nature" added the judge - were intended to maximise distress, and his behaviour had caused Sam May in particular to make "considerable" changes to his life, including selling his home.

Deciding that due to the continuing significant risk of serious harm he posed it was necessary to impose a 10-and-a-half year extended sentence for public protection, Judge Moore told the defendant: "It is quite clear your behaviour terrorised your family members and you have left them petrified.

"The impact of your actions continues to resonate for each of them even though you remain in custody."

May's sentence comprises a seven-and-a-half year jail term - of which he must serve two-thirds before the parole board can consider his release - and a licence period extension of three years.

Judge Moore also said that it was "a rare case" given the nature and timeframe of the abuse suffered when an indefinite restraining order should be imposed

This bans May from contacting the victims and going to any address or educational establishment at which they reside or attend.

He is also excluded from going to Doncaster, Huddersfield and any football ground where Alfie May is present.

None of the victims attended the hearing.

Every Championship signing so far as Birmingham City's rivals make moves (3 replies)

Birmingham Mail — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 19:21:06 +0000

The Championship transfer window will officially open on Monday, June 15 but deals are already being completed

[www.birminghammail.co.uk]

Tom Huddlestone Graduates from LMA Diploma in Football Management (9 replies)

Birmingham City FC — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:39:46 +0000

Tom Huddlestone graduates from the LMA Diploma in Football Management

[bcfc.com]

Not good enough for us (64 replies)

El Mayor — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 20:58:57 +0000

🚨🔥 EXCL | Two Premier League clubs and Ligue 1 sides have submitted offers for Aurelien Guernier as a free agent.

Birmingham City are pushing to renew his deal, but the 18yo LW is carefully evaluating all options.

Teams from Italy, Belgium & Portugal are in the mix too. pic.twitter.com/cpY97sEFWv
— Rudy Galetti (@RudyGaletti) June 9, 2026

But being pursued by Prem and Ligue Un sides.

Former Birmingham City player targeted by Sheffield Wednesday after relegation (2 replies)

Birmingham Mail — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:01:57 +0000

Sheffield Wednesday could snap up a former Birmingham City player as part of their rebuild in League One

[www.birminghammail.co.uk]

Parking Season Tickets (15 replies)

Dave1991 — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 15:30:07 +0000

It's a great initiative but unfortunately it's shot up in price again.

The season they introduced it through 'The Big Parking' it worked out to be £8 per home game. Last season it went to £10.

'JustPark' have now taken it over and increased to £12 per home game.

Quite a year on year increase. Feels like they're taking advantage of the risks associated with street parking.

Paik Korea kit: Free to a good (or even bad) home (2 replies)

Thrillhouse — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:12:30 +0000

Gambled on a Paik #8 Korea kit from our friends in China.

Turned up men’s small. I am not a small. Anyone want it?

(Edit - just a top, dunno why I said kit)

lost down Mexico way (1 reply)

dork — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 18:45:34 +0000

if you have a spare half hour or so you might be interested in this

maybe some of you might even know them

sorry if this has been done already

Great white shark (14 replies)

Mario kempes 78 — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 08:52:27 +0000

[youtube.com]

Any shark lovers on here this one captured in the med..imagine seeing this while your taking a dip

Here we go again (37 replies)

El Mayor — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 17:30:51 +0000

The England and Wales Cricket Board are investigating an incident in a nightclub involving Ben Stokes and Gus Atkinson following the first Test against New Zealand.

An ECB statement said the pair were involved in a "breach of team protocols" in the early hours of Monday morning,… pic.twitter.com/FAahrnE3Gp
— Test Match Special (@bbctms) June 8, 2026

Breach of team protocol in a nightclub - Stokes and Atkinson.

FIFA appointed Somali referee denied entry to US (42 replies)

bluer than blues — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 18:34:11 +0000

Award-winning Somali referee Omar Artan, set to be the first from his country to officiate at the World Cup, was denied entry to the United States, a sports ministry official told AFP on Monday.

“Denying him entry to the United States and preventing him from officiating scheduled matches harms not only him personally but also undermines football’s commitment to fairness, merit, and the spirit of fair play,” Ciise Aden Abshir, a senior advisor to Somalia’s Ministry of Youth and Sports and a former national team captain, told AFP.

From The Guardian.

I don't suppose Infantino will intervene. Funny that he's from one of the countries Trump hates the most and has been incredibly disparaging about.

Mods feel free to move to politics board, although it is football.

Revealed: David Sullivan’s Sunday Sport sold sexualised images of 15-year-old girls (104 replies)

The Guardian — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:30:42 +0000

Sunday Sport s Countdown to 16 used revealing photoshoots with young girls to trail topless pictures published after their 16th birthdaysIn 1987, the tabloid press in Britain was at the peak of its powers. The Sun newspaper, with its brash celebrity scoops and strident support for Margaret Thatcher

[www.theguardian.com]

Display Format (3 replies)

lowercaser — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 12:08:39 +0000

I don't know if the problem is my end or if there is a site issue but it displays fine if I'm not logged in but when I log in it goes all "1998"

https://ibb.co/8gDZJ7TR

Tried in Chrome, Firefox and Opera and on my phone and it was all the same.

Season Ticket relocation (50 replies)

Bluegary — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:44:04 +0000

Window opens at 9am today. Been calling since 9am and getting a message saying the ticket office is closed and to call back between 9am and 5pm!

Imagine if this had Happened (25 replies)

BigBarryBoozer — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:58:22 +0000

Kevin Bridges: In Search of the Beautiful Game (4 replies)

J_D — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 07:57:51 +0000

On BBC iPlayer - challenges the shift in football culture with Brazil and Scotland being thr focus

Very, very good watch. Reminded me a little bit of the book 'A Season in Verona' by Tim Parks in some parts

Interesting to watch it as a Blues fan too with us being on the cusp of becoming a completely different entity which will inevitably see an identity shift in some of our younger fans.

Morocco v Norway (13 replies)

Haircut1000 — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 20:55:22 +0000

Qatar semi-finalists and AfCon winners (or were they losers?) Morocco are 1-0 up against Haland's mob on ITV4. Could be tricky opponents for Scotland. I can see them going far in the competition.

Eriksen (13 replies)

Azza — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 14:30:57 +0000

Collapsed on the pitch again today in Denmark vs Ukraine friendly in similar circumstances to 2021.

Rushed to hospital but is reported as conscious.

its only rock and roll,i think. (3 replies)

Jonathan its late — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 21:07:19 +0000

primark are selling this-The Rolling Stones mesh T-Shirt.
its by admiral and is a red away 1982 england shirt.
where the england badge should be is a rolling stones tongue in st george red and white.
its polyester same as a football shirt,£12,weird.

Blaze & Somerset boost Women's T20 Blast finals bid (3 replies)

BBC Cricket — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 19:44:21 +0000

Tammy Beaumont hits a half-century as The Blaze beat Lancashire Thunder in a low-scoring match to go top of the Women's T20 Blast table.

[www.bbc.com]

Summer music (18 replies)

A_n_E — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 09:39:27 +0000

Jalen Ngonda's new album came out this week and it's another wonderful slice of northern / Motown inspired beauty. Showcasing his voice is a great album. 4.5 novaks out of 5
Also out in the last month is Crackazat's new album Sun. It's my album of the year so far without a doubt. It's got summer written all over it. It's Giles Petersen acid jazz for 2026. Get it on your playlist you can thank me later. 5 novaks out of 5
Also big thanks to Casper for putting me onto 8 days by Fred Everything and Atjazz. Another superb album for the summer. Balearic tinged dance perfect for a sunset by the sea. 4 novaks out of 5

Waiting list season tickets (6 replies)

Ditchblue — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 16:52:21 +0000

Has anyone who was on the waiting list been offered a season ticket by the club.

I am on it but not heard anything, so not sure if too early or not been lucky again.
Cheers

The FTD Brothers (8 replies)

BluenoseMo — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:38:02 +0000

I’ve just been to a very emotional homecoming celebration for Jordan and Cian - and Keep Right On was mentioned in their speeches (even from one of the presenters on BBC Hereford and Worcester, Tammy Gooding, who’s a Villa fan). I hope we get them to St Andrew’s at some point

David Sullivan steps down as chairman of West Ham over 'serious historic allegations' (1 reply)

Birmingham Mail — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 10:11:32 +0000

The former Birmingham City chairman said the allegations were false

[www.birminghammail.co.uk]

Bellingham as captain (20 replies)

number8 — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 07:41:21 +0000

How many other ex Blues have captained England?

Merrick? Anyone else?

England v NZ (football) (85 replies)

My Blue Heaven — Sun, 07 Jun 2026 18:20:59 +0000

📍 Raymond James Stadium, Florida
⚽️ England v New Zealand
📺 ITV1
⏰ 8.30pm pic.twitter.com/NmGRkLJM4L
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 6, 2026

May the Lord protect Harry Kane on that surface

Blues abroad (34 replies)

harrybcfc — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 15:24:39 +0000

Long time listener, first time caller

I live in Manchester, flew from there to Copenhagen this morning. Gave an “up the blues” to two separate bluenoses on my way through, then saw a third at arrivals in Copenhagen.

Unfortunately, a Danish bloke in a 90s Villa shirt has just served me a pint in Nørrebro.

It got me thinking: how far afield have you seen something blues related? I lived in Canada for a year and saw a Stephen Carr vs the North Stand sticker in Toby’s Bar in Toronto.