Birmingham Brummies

The city of Birmingham had two teams in the Southern League of the inaugural season of British speedway in 1929. One was based at the (old Perry Barr stadium) and the other was based at Hall Green Stadium. The Perry Barr based team withdrew from the 1930 league season and had their results expunged. The Hall Green team, known as Birmingham Bulldogs fared a little better but closed in 1938.

The old Perry Barr Stadium, Walsall Road c.1950

Birmingham first raced league speedway as the Brummies during the 1946 Speedway Northern League, finishing in a respectable 4th place, but the season was marred by the death of their Canadian rider Charlie Appleby in a crash at Brough Park.[2] The Brummies continued to race and experienced success in 1948, when they won the division 2 National Trophy, during the 1948 season. In 1949 they competeted in the highest league for the first time and in 1952 finished runner-up to Wembley Lions.

Birmingham raced in the top division until the August of the 1957 Speedway National League season, when they withdrew and were replaced by the Bradford Tudors. The promoter Leslie Marshall quoted financial issues and decreasing attendances and the ban of two riders Ron Mountford and Eric Boothroyd for riding in South Africa.[3][4]

The Brummies reopened at Perry Barr for the 1971 British League Division Two season. In 1974 and 1975, the club gained silverware, winning the league and cup double in 1974 and then successfully defending their league title in 1975. It would be their greatest period of success at the (old Perry Barr stadium) because the stadium had closed for good by the Spring of 1984 and the Brummies were left without a home.

The Brummies then opened at the Wheels Project at Bordesley Green in 1985 racing for two seasons in the National League before closing in 1986.[5] Although Birmingham did win trophies during their initial spell in Speedway these achievements were often dwarfed by the success of fellow West Midlands Speedway teams, the Wolverhampton Wolves, Coventry Bees and Cradley Heathens.

Birmingham returned in 2006, racing at Perry Barr

After 20 years away from the sport Birmingham were reformed in 2006 and then accepted into the Premier League in 2007. The first meeting of the new era, the Alan Hunt Memorial, took place on 21 March 2007 at Perry Barr Stadium. In a successful first season the team finished in second place in the league table, and runner-up in both the Premier Trophy and the Young Shield, despite having only two members of their own team actually fit to ride. During the majority of their time in the Premier League they were captained by Australian Jason Lyons who went on to become extremely popular at the club and is now a member of the club's Hall of Fame. The club when re founded was sponsored by Richard Meredith of Mercom Water Products.[6]

Birmingham were accepted into the Elite League for 2011 and finished their first season in ninth place out of ten. Ahead of their second season in the top flight they retained the services of the previous season's star performers Danny King and Ben Barker as well as adding Speedway Grand Prix star Bjarne Pedersen. Although Pedersen's time at Birmingham was an unhappy one the team made a big improvement on their first season in the Elite League, finishing in 3rd place and achieving a spot in the play-offs. The 2013 season was filled with success, with the Brummies finishing in 1st place in the Elite League and achieving a place in the Elite League Grand Final.[7] They found themselves outclassed in the final, losing out on aggregate 104-79 to the Poole Pirates, who were inspired by Greg Hancock.[8]

Despite the success of the 2013 season there were regular reports of turmoil behind the scenes at the club, and at the end of the season team manager Phil Morris walked away from the club. The off season was a difficult time for the club, with captain Danny King handing in a transfer request, although he was later convinced to stay. Once the season began the troubles only intensified, and on 14 July 2014 it was announced that the club would cease to operate.[9] The team was taken over later that year by Tony Mole and entered into the National League for 2015. Under the stewardship of Mole and Drury The Brummies would crown a superb season back on track by winning the National League title. The Brummies defended their National League title in 2016, beating Eastbourne in a two leg play off, the play off system having been controversially introduced for this season. they would also win the National Trophy to crown a superb double.

Ahead of the 2017 season owner Tony Mole announced that he will be walking away from the sport after the 2017 season, after 31 years promoting in the sport. The Birmingham Brummies had their future secured when they were bought by David and Peter Mason toward the end of the 2017 season.

On 7th December 2021 an announcement was made that Nigel Tolley would purchase the club from outgoing owners David and Peter Mason, which ensured the Brummies would continue racing in 2022.[10]