Birmingham returned straight back to the
Premier League by finishing second in
The Championship thereby gaining automatic promotion. The team had started the season inconsistently leaving them in ninth position after the 0–1 defeat to
Norwich City on 17 November. This led to supporters calling for the sacking of manager
Steve Bruce, but the board held firm and the team pulled themselves around. The year finished with Birmingham topping the table by nine points after dropping only seven points in 15 games since the defeat against Norwich.
Boxing Day saw the centenary of the opening of
St Andrew's.
Queens Park Rangers were the team to visit on the historic day, and Birmingham marked the occasion by defeating their rivals 2–1. Many fans also hoped that the 'curse of the gypsies' would finally be dispelled from the stadium, and at last the team could make their mark on English football. The
FA Cup saw Birmingham overturn
Newcastle United away from home that was undoubtedly the result of the season. Goals from
Gary McSheffrey,
Bruno Ngotty,
Sebastian Larsson,
DJ Campbell, and an own goal by former
Aston Villa midfielder
Nolberto Solano gave Birmingham a 5–1 victory at
St James' Park. Blues went on to lose in the next round to
Reading. Birmingham once again returned to some inconsistent form, but a run of good results after the Easter games against
Burnley and
Barnsley saw them climb back to the top of the table with one game to go, and after
Crystal Palace beat
Derby County, promotion was secured. The only thing left to be sorted out was who would win the league, Birmingham or
Sunderland? Blues had a one-point lead, but after a defeat to
Preston North End and a victory for Sunderland, Blues were confined to finishing second. But promotion back to the big time was secured. The end of season awards ceremony, held at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole Hotel, saw
Stephen Clemence win the player of the season and players' player of the season awards.
Fabrice Muamba was chosen young player of the season, and
Krystian Pearce was the
Academy player of the season.
Sebastian Larsson's goal against
Sheffield Wednesday on 28 April was chosen goal of the season, and the breakthrough award, sponsored by the local radio station, went to goalkeeper
Colin Doyle, whose penalty save against
Wolverhampton Wanderers in April earned him the "magic moment" award. The season ended with the club recording the most league wins (26) in a season. ==The Championship==