Birmingham City fan Barry Austin 'too fat' for Wembley Cup Final seats

Feb 13 2011 by Adam Aspinall, Sunday Mercury

Birmingham City's biggest fan Barry Austin is set to miss their date with destiny at Wembley – because he is TOO FAT to fit in the seats.

The 40 stone man mountain has been a life-long Birmingham City supporter and used to be a season ticket holder at St Andrews, where he had to purchase two seats to accommodate his enormous girth.

But now Barry fears health and safety rules could see him miss the League Cup Final at Wembley against Arsenal in a fortnight.

The Solihull-based Blues nut, 42, said: “It would be a dream come true to see my team run out at Wembley, but I know from previous experiences that I just would not fit in the seats.

“I’ve inquired in the past and the moment I mention my size they spew the Health and Safety legislation at me.

“I had the same problem when Blues got to the Millennium Stadium in 2001. But this is Wembley – and it might be a once in a lifetime chance for a Blues fan like me.”

The last time Birmingham City made it to Wembley was in 1956, when they lost 3-1 to Manchester City in the FA Cup Final.