Former Birmingham City striker Mikael Forssell was left almost speechless during an emotional first return to St Andrew's since his departure from the club 17 years ago in 2008.
An Emotional Anniversary Return
The Finnish forward, now 44, was a special guest for the club's 150th-anniversary fixture against Norwich City on November 22. His visit marked a poignant moment, allowing him to witness firsthand the dramatic changes at the historic ground.
Forssell expressed sheer disbelief at the transformation of the stadium, crediting the significant investment from owners Knighthead. "I can't believe this is the same place," he admitted. "It still has the same spirit but what the owners have done looks amazing."
He emphasised that the club is moving in a positive direction in all areas. "You can see how much the owners have invested in this place. Where the club is going is amazing," Forssell added, while also showing support for potential future stadium plans.
High Praise for Current Blues Star Jay Stansfield
During his interview with the club's media channel Blues+, Forssell also shared his thoughts on Birmingham's current attacking talent. He reserved particular praise for fan-favourite centre-forward Jay Stansfield.
"Amazing player in every way," Forssell stated. He went on to analyse the young striker's effectiveness, noting that his success is no accident. "It's not a coincidence that he keeps scoring. You have to work on it every single day."
What impressed the former Blues hero most was the variety in Stansfield's goals. "The thing I like a lot is he scores different types of goals," Forssell explained. "Everybody has their trademark movement or trademark goal, but he scores different types of goals and that tells you that he's a really good goalscorer."
A Club Moving Forward with Its Spirit Intact
Reflecting on his own iconic moments in Royal Blue, Forssell's return painted a picture of a club honouring its past while building ambitiously for the future. His overwhelming takeaway was one of optimism, driven by the visible commitment of the ownership and the passion of the supporters.
He concluded that while memories are cherished in the old ground, the fans are the true creators of atmosphere, a spirit they will carry wherever the club's journey leads next.
