{"product_id":"birmingham-city-2002-03-home-shirt-dugarry-21-l","title":"BIRMINGHAM CITY 2002-03 HOME SHIRT - DUGARRY 21 - L","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eExcellent condition. Club crest and manufacturer logo are embroidered. Club sponsor is flock and embossed with a few small marks.  Player name\/number is flock and heat applied. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNo pulls or bobbles. Colours and stitching in excellent condition. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBirmingham City enjoyed a successful return to the top flight during the 2002\/03 campaign under Steve Bruce, finishing 13th in the Premier League in their first season at the highest level of English football since 1985\/86.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaving secured promotion through the First Division play-offs the previous season, Birmingham entered the campaign looking to establish themselves in the newly formed Premier League era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe squad featured established players including Jeff Kenna, Kenny Cunningham, Martin Grainger, Bryan Hughes, Stan Lazaridis, Geoff Horsfield and goalkeeper Nico Vaesen. Summer arrivals included Robbie Savage from Leicester City and Clinton Morrison from Crystal Palace, providing additional experience and attacking options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBirmingham began their Premier League campaign with a 2–0 defeat against Arsenal at Highbury, but gradually adapted to the demands of top-flight football.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the season's most memorable moments came in September 2002, when Birmingham defeated local rivals Aston Villa 3–0 at St Andrew's. Goals from Morrison, Olof Mellberg's own goal and Geoff Horsfield secured an emphatic victory in the first Premier League meeting between the two clubs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBruce's side completed a league double over Villa in March 2003, securing a 2–0 victory at Villa Park through goals from Horsfield and Stern John. The results became defining moments of Birmingham's first Premier League campaign, providing memorable victories against their local rivals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe January arrival of French international Christophe Dugarry from Bordeaux also proved influential during the second half of the season. Dugarry contributed important goals and attacking creativity, helping Birmingham move away from the relegation places.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe club eventually finished 13th with 48 points, recording 13 victories across their 38 Premier League matches. Stern John finished as Birmingham's leading scorer across all competitions with nine goals, while Morrison contributed six league goals during his debut campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn domestic cup competition, Birmingham were eliminated from the FA Cup in the third round by Fulham, while their League Cup campaign ended against Preston North End. The season represented an important achievement for Bruce and his squad, establishing Birmingham as a Premier League club after a lengthy absence from the top flight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eProduced by Le Coq Sportif, the 2002\/03 Birmingham City home shirt featured the club's traditional royal-blue colourway with subtle darker-blue vertical stripes across the front. Contrasting navy panels appeared on the sleeves, complemented by white piping and a distinctive V-neck collar. The design incorporated the Birmingham City crest, Le Coq Sportif branding and the Phones 4u sponsor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorn by players including Savage, Morrison, Horsfield, Cunningham and Dugarry during Birmingham's first Premier League campaign, the shirt became associated with the club's successful return to the top flight and memorable derby victories against Aston Villa. Its traditional colours and distinctive early-2000s styling make it a recognisable example of Birmingham City's Le Coq Sportif era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #ff00ff;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e PIT TO PIT - 60\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ecm \/\/\/ COLLAR TO HEM - 73cm \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"The Soccer Archive","offers":[{"title":"L \/ Blue","offer_id":53228735758623,"sku":"2\/11-BJZIUZ","price":120.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0709\/3508\/5343\/files\/BIRMINGHAM_CITY_2002-03_HOME_SHIRT_-_DUGARRY_21.png?v=1794394295","url":"https:\/\/thesoccerarchive.com\/ja\/products\/birmingham-city-2002-03-home-shirt-dugarry-21-l","provider":"The Soccer Archive","version":"1.0","type":"link"}