Fred Goodwin took charge at Birmingham City in the year 1970 and guided the club back in to first division football. He enjoyed a terrific 1971 – 1972 league campaign that saw his side finish off in a very strong second position, which gained the club promotion in to the top flight. Bob Latchford was in fantastic form for the club as his 23 goals scored really helped the club gain promotion. It was a campaign that also saw Birmingham City FC reach the semi finals of the FA Cup, as they crashed out suffering a 3-0 defeat against Leeds United in the last four.
Goodwin took Birmingham to a very decent 10th position finish at the end of the 1972 – 1973 season , however he saw his side struggle in the top flight the following two season as they narrowly avoided relegation on both occasions. He took the blues to the quarter finals of the league cup in 1974 as they suffered defeat against Plymouth Argyle and in to the semi finals of the of the FA Cup in 1975 as they suffered a defeat against eventual finalists, Fulham in the last four.