"The Road to the Premier League is a Matter of When, Not If, Birmingham City's New Amazon Prime Documentary Imparts, Offering an Inside Look and Lofty Promises"
The highly anticipated documentary series, Built in Birmingham: Brady & The Blues, is set to premiere on Prime Video this Friday. The series delves into the intense and transformative journey of Tom Brady, the legendary American football quarterback, as he ventures into the world of English soccer with Birmingham City Football Club.
The series sheds light on Jay Stansfield's goal drought and his subsequent resurgence, thanks in part to the support of teammates Gardner and Davies. However, the main focus lies on Brady's involvement with the club, which brought a winner's mentality from his NFL career.
Brady, who became a minority owner in 2023, is portrayed as a strong-willed leader with high expectations. He challenged staff decisions, such as insisting on giving David Beckham a hospitality gift bag despite objections. His intensity extended to criticism of former manager Wayne Rooney, whose work ethic Brady questioned openly, contributing to Rooney's eventual firing in early 2024 after the team was relegated.
Brady's goal was to instill "winning processes" and help Birmingham City capitalize on its undervalued potential. He made himself actively available to support the club, focusing on energy and morale in games and team dynamics.
Wayne Rooney, who was ranked at no.50 in a list of the greatest players of all time, was the manager of Birmingham City but was replaced by Chris Davies. Rooney's tenure resulted in the team's relegation to League One. The series also discusses Birmingham City's hooligan past and does not entirely condemn it.
The series, a compelling three-hour story, could have benefited from highlighting more of Tom Wagner's plans for the club and the city off the pitch. Despite this, it offers an insightful look into Brady's impact on the football club, creating friction but also a renewed drive at Birmingham City.
In addition to Brady and Wagner, the series features strikers Alfie May and Jay Stansfield, who were signed by Birmingham City during a summer transfer window. The origins of the Zulu Warriors are also addressed in the series.
Viewers can stream the series from anywhere with a NordVPN mega-deal, which offers a 70% discount, four months free, and Amazon vouchers. The series, however, seems to afford Brady McElhennian protagonist status even in his absence, which may detract from other parts of the story not told.
Jay Stansfield, son of Exeter City legend Adam Stansfield, who passed away due to bowel cancer when Jay was seven years old, is also a central figure in the series. Simon Jordan is mentioned in the series, but the focus is mainly on Brady and the football club.
Overall, Built in Birmingham: Brady & The Blues offers a gripping account of Brady's entry into English football, marked by his intense leadership style and high expectations. It's a must-watch for football fans and those interested in the intersection of sports and business.
The documentary series, Built in Birmingham: Brady & The Blues, delves into Brady's efforts to instill "winning processes" in European-league football, specifically with Birmingham City Football Club. Despite the series' primary focus on Brady, it also highlights Jay Stansfield's resurgence in sports after a goal drought, demonstrating the impact of team dynamics on individual performance.
