Flic-flacs, shirt-whirlers and silencing Aston Villa – Birmingham City's best goal celebrations have been ranked as Blues look to win another fight against Championship relegation.
10. Nikola Zigic vs Aston Villa (December 2010)
This one takes the Audience Participation award. No sooner had Zigic spooned home the winner and lolloped off to the Tilton, than he was wrestled down in a headlock by Craig Gardner. Seb Larsson arrived on the scene, booted the advertising hoardings and then the substitutes started a pile on, finished by an exuberant supporter as the cherry on top.
9. Harry Redknapp vs Bristol City (May 2017)
Not a goal celebration but one of the most memorable reactions to a final whistle. Redknapp had steered Blues to safety on the final day with a victory at Bristol City. Fans cavorted in the away end for several minutes when Harry was drawn like a moth to the flame. Out came the scarf, the fist pumped and he was suddenly 50 years younger. Those scenes tempted him out of semi-retirement. Unfortunately.
8. David Davis vs Aston Villa (October 2016)
The midfielder cracked home an equaliser in front of the Tilton and flew up the sideline bellowing defiance. As he got closer to the Villa supporters off came the shirt and the enviable torso rippled. It just about trumped the wagging finger at Wolves a couple of seasons later.
7. Steve Claridge vs Huddersfield (May 1995)
Barry Fry took his Blues team to the Terriers on the final day of the 1994/95 season knowing a win would put them back in the second tier. With his back to goal ten yards out Claridge spun and somehow rammed the ball past the entire home defence and set off behind the goal in a whirl of arms and legs, similar to the way an octopus would attack the Can-Can. Thankfully he was engulfed by supporters before further embarrassment ensued.
6. Nathan Redmond vs Brighton (April 2012)
The youngster lasered in a daisy-cutter from 20 yards, a goal which was enough to put Chris Hughton's Blues in the Championship play-offs. He then glided towards the visiting supporters and gave it the old snake-hips routine before being engulfed by team-mates. The boy could move.
5. Clinton Morrison vs Aston Villa (December 2004)
Clinton hooked it goalwards, Sorensen made a mess and off the Londoner went, fingers planted on lips with the other hand pointing at anyone who'd catch his eye, ending in a good old chest-beat.
4. Howard Gayle vs Aston Villa (March 1984)
Blues were still fuming about the career threatening injury Kevan Broadhurst had suffered at Villa Park earlier that season. They exacted retribution a few months later with a 2-1 victory sealed by Howard Gayle, who raced away from the visitors' defence and stroked home the decisive goal. He then leaped over the hoardings, climbed the fences and stood there, Messianic-like holding on with one hand, pumping the other as Bluenoses celebrated beneath him. What an image.
3. Paul Tait vs Carlisle (April 1995)
As soon as Ricky Otto's cross brushed off Tait's floppy hair and into the Carlisle net, Wembley erupted. It was the most golden of goals. And the celebration was even more memorable. The midfielder turned left and went off to the stands in search of friends old and new. The shirt was ripped off to reveal the legend suggesting toilet-related activities in relation to Blues' local rivals.
2. Paul Caddis vs Bolton (May 2014)
Obviously the goal meant everything, it saved Blues from relegation and potential oblivion. But it's the scenes it sparked which stand out. In went the ball, out came the pasty Scottish complexion and round and round and round went the shirt as Caddis headed up the touchline and off towards Darren Randolph. Seconds later, Lee Clark was haring in the other direction and throwing himself into the crowd. Stern John at Millwall in the play-off semi-finals gets an honourable mention in the shirt swinging category.
1. Obafemi Martins vs Arsenal (February 2011)
Who put the ball in Arsenal's net? Who gave Blues fans the proudest day in club history? Oba-Obafem, Obafemi Martins. He swept the ball into the empty goal, shrugged off Nikola Zigic, zigzagged away from his team-mates then flew into a triple flic-flac as Bluenoses kicked down the gates of heaven. A stunning celebration to go with a simple goal.
