Birmingham City have spent most of their history in the top tier of domestic football. Their most sustained period outside the top flight was a continuous run from 1986 to 2002, which included two brief spells in the third tier, although the side twice won the Football League Trophy.

However, after several years back in the top flight, Birmingham City dropped into the Championship at the end of the 2007-08 season.

The Blues began life in 1875 as a church cricket side that called itself Small Heath Alliance, dropping the 'Alliance' in 1888, becoming Birmingham Football Club in 1905, before adding 'City' in 1943.

Birmingham City turned professional in 1885 and three years later became the first club to become a limited company with a board of directors.

Small Heath were founder members and the first champions of the Football League Second Division.
Birmingham City remained at that level for most of the time until the end of the First World War.

After winning their second Division Two title in 1921, the Birmingham FC enjoyed 18 seasons in the top flight and in 1931 made their first appearance at Wembley when they lost 2-1 to West Brom in the FA Cup final.

Birmingham FC's most successful period was in the 1950s and early 1960s when they achieved their highest finishing place - sixth in the First Division in the 1955-56 season - reached the finals of the 1956 FA Cup and Inter-Cities Fairs Cups (1960 and 1961), and won their only major trophy, the League Cup in 1963, when they beat local rivals and favourites Aston Villa 3-1 on aggregate.

In 1956, Birmingham City also became the first English league club to play in Europe, drawing 0-0 away at Internazionale.