Birmingham City's European adventure should be embraced, says old boy Mick Rathbone

Aug 14 2011 by Colin Tattum, Sunday Mercury

BIRMINGHAM City have been told to enjoy and embrace their European adventure, which kicks off in Madeira on Thursday.

Blues play CD National in the play-off stage of the Europa League, their first foray into such Continental competition for 50 years.

After the nightmare of Premier League relegation combined with Blues’ money woes, European commitments have been viewed as an inconvenience in some quarters, especially should Chris Hughton’s side progress to the group stages.

The Championship campaign and trying to win promotion is the be all and end all.

But not in the view of former player Mick Rathbone, who predicted that Blues could compete on domestic and foreign fronts.

Rathbone, who has just written a candid and highly-entertaining memoir after 35 years in football, said some of his favourite memories from Everton were from Europe.

Sheldon-born Rathbone spent eight years at Goodison Park as head of medicine.