Timothy Belin
@timothybelin.bsky.social
Birmingham Legion beat writer | Freelance Sports Writer | Soccer enthusiast
https://linktr.ee/timothybelin
https://linktr.ee/timothybelin
This is a win-now team fans can genuinely be excited for:
Koleilat (26); McCartney (27), Paterson (30), Kavita (32), Daley (24); Antwi (26), McIllhatton (27), Shashoua (26); Saucedo (29), Damus (26), Pasher (31)
Subs: McMullen (24), Washington (27), Vassell (28), Tregarthen (25)
Koleilat (26); McCartney (27), Paterson (30), Kavita (32), Daley (24); Antwi (26), McIllhatton (27), Shashoua (26); Saucedo (29), Damus (26), Pasher (31)
Subs: McMullen (24), Washington (27), Vassell (28), Tregarthen (25)
February 5, 2026 at 4:40 PM
This is a win-now team fans can genuinely be excited for:
Koleilat (26); McCartney (27), Paterson (30), Kavita (32), Daley (24); Antwi (26), McIllhatton (27), Shashoua (26); Saucedo (29), Damus (26), Pasher (31)
Subs: McMullen (24), Washington (27), Vassell (28), Tregarthen (25)
Koleilat (26); McCartney (27), Paterson (30), Kavita (32), Daley (24); Antwi (26), McIllhatton (27), Shashoua (26); Saucedo (29), Damus (26), Pasher (31)
Subs: McMullen (24), Washington (27), Vassell (28), Tregarthen (25)
Alternatively, I also typed up the full transcript for you to read. Up on my Substack now ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...
open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...
Every word Jay Heaps and Nick Hall said on the head coach's appointment, the ambitions for the season and improving the fan experience at Protective Stadium
Here's every single word the Three Sparks' recently named head coach and president said as they met the Birmingham media for the first time since their respective change in roles
open.substack.com
January 24, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Alternatively, I also typed up the full transcript for you to read. Up on my Substack now ⬇️
open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...
open.substack.com/pub/timothyb...
14. As part of that same idea, the North Concourse will feature a lot of regular activations similar to what we saw at the end of last season, with inflatable and mini-fields for 3v3/4v4 play. They want it to feel like a soccer festival where fans can gather and enjoy community.
January 23, 2026 at 8:17 PM
14. As part of that same idea, the North Concourse will feature a lot of regular activations similar to what we saw at the end of last season, with inflatable and mini-fields for 3v3/4v4 play. They want it to feel like a soccer festival where fans can gather and enjoy community.
13. The club wants to give the stadium a “fuller” atmosphere to combat the empty seating, hence the supporters groups being moved to the West Stand. The idea is to have fans be more compact to give the impression there’s more people there and improve atmosphere.
January 23, 2026 at 8:17 PM
13. The club wants to give the stadium a “fuller” atmosphere to combat the empty seating, hence the supporters groups being moved to the West Stand. The idea is to have fans be more compact to give the impression there’s more people there and improve atmosphere.
11. Ticketing has a project “Win back” targeting people who no longer come to games, understanding why that’s the case and trying to get them to return.
12. They recognise that starts with the on-field product, but also want to do more in-stadium for fans to enjoy the day out.
12. They recognise that starts with the on-field product, but also want to do more in-stadium for fans to enjoy the day out.
January 23, 2026 at 8:17 PM
11. Ticketing has a project “Win back” targeting people who no longer come to games, understanding why that’s the case and trying to get them to return.
12. They recognise that starts with the on-field product, but also want to do more in-stadium for fans to enjoy the day out.
12. They recognise that starts with the on-field product, but also want to do more in-stadium for fans to enjoy the day out.
10. Season ticket sales are looking good at the moment, and the front office has put a focus on getting into the community. They feel people enjoy the games, but too many still don’t know they’re going on. They want to be Birmingham’s go-to weekend activity.
January 23, 2026 at 8:17 PM
10. Season ticket sales are looking good at the moment, and the front office has put a focus on getting into the community. They feel people enjoy the games, but too many still don’t know they’re going on. They want to be Birmingham’s go-to weekend activity.
8. The friendly against Nashville was part of the deal to sell them Matthew Corcoran last season.
9. The club is viewing this as a statement game to set the tone ahead of the new season, selling it as a “reset.” With higher attendance expected, they want to retain those fans.
9. The club is viewing this as a statement game to set the tone ahead of the new season, selling it as a “reset.” With higher attendance expected, they want to retain those fans.
January 23, 2026 at 8:17 PM
8. The friendly against Nashville was part of the deal to sell them Matthew Corcoran last season.
9. The club is viewing this as a statement game to set the tone ahead of the new season, selling it as a “reset.” With higher attendance expected, they want to retain those fans.
9. The club is viewing this as a statement game to set the tone ahead of the new season, selling it as a “reset.” With higher attendance expected, they want to retain those fans.
7. There’s an added focus on data-driven individual programs for each player this year. It’s not just about team improvements, but also finding incremental ways every player can raise their game that result in better performances for the side.
January 23, 2026 at 8:17 PM
7. There’s an added focus on data-driven individual programs for each player this year. It’s not just about team improvements, but also finding incremental ways every player can raise their game that result in better performances for the side.
6. That culture starts with Heaps. He said he’s a very passionate and driven guy, and that’s what he wants to see from players, playing with their hearts on their sleeves and giving everything for the badge every time they take the field.
January 23, 2026 at 8:17 PM
6. That culture starts with Heaps. He said he’s a very passionate and driven guy, and that’s what he wants to see from players, playing with their hearts on their sleeves and giving everything for the badge every time they take the field.