Football supporter group pioneer receives Lord Mayor’s Award for services to Birmingham.
The founder of a pioneering football supporters group set up to strengthen the connection between Birmingham City FC and the South Asian community has been honoured with the Lord Mayor’s Award.
Micky Singh, who founded Blues 4 All (B4A) with the Championship club in 2015 and now runs the community supporter’s group with his son Bik, was given the prize by Lord Mayor Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE during a special event to celebrate the 10th anniversary celebrations of Blues 4 All.
The Lord Mayor’s Award is an award for “outstanding achievement or exceptional service to the City and people of Birmingham”. Professor Jagtar Singh, the UK’s 
first Asian firefighter to achieve the rank of chief fire officer and who set up the country’s very first equality department in the fire service in 1985, was honoured with an award by B4A, in addition to former BCFC Club photographer Roy Smiljanic and community volunteer Colin Nelson, integral figures within B4A and the Club’s community.
Over 100 guests from business, media, and sport – including former Birmingham City players – and B4A members attended the celebration hosted by Sky Sports and BBC broadcaster Amber Sandhu at St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park. Micky Singh from Blues 4 All, said: “My feet haven’t touched the ground. It was a big surprise for me as I didn’t expect to receive something like this. For it to happen on the same day as our 10 year celebration was fantastic.”
Attendees at the B4A celebration event were also treated to a performance and PA by British-Punjabi composer, producer and singer Dr Zeus.
B4A, led by father and son Micky and Bik Singh, has grown into a powerful force for positive change over the past decade. The group have helped to transform and extend the fanbase of Birmingham City FC’s Men and Women’s teams by engaging with thousands of members from local churches, gurdwaras, mosques, mandirs, grassroots, and community organisations.
The group has been shortlisted three times at the prestigious National FSA Awards and won the Fans for Diversity Award in 2017. Blues 4 All has boosted attendance and involvement in the women’s game, particularly among local South Asian communities, and supported fans during the COVID-19 pandemic – presenting virtual watch parties, mental health-focused social events, a running club, and food parcel deliveries.
The group’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and diversity in football by providing access to match day experiences for underrepresented communities around the revamped St Andrew’s at Knighthead Park, coincides with the 10th anniversary of the supporter-driven initiative and a new era of investment at the club.
