'I believe that as a nine-year-old I can bring a fresh approach': Young Telford fan applies for Birmingham City job
When Birmingham City FC sacked Harry Redknapp as manager a nine-year-old football fan from Telford decided to step up to the pitch.
The club sacked Redknapp following six straight defeats in all competitions and Lee Carsley has been appointed as Birmingham City’s caretaker manager.
But after hearing the news about Redknapp last week, nine-year-old Dillon Michael Francis sent a letter to the club to apply for the top job.
The youngster is a Birmingham City season ticket holder and regularly attends matches with his grandfather Michael Francis, who helped him with writing his job application.
In the letter, the youngster from Lawley wrote: “After seeing the adults not doing a very good job as manager, I believe that as a nine-year-old I can bring a fresh approach to your club.
“I have all the attributes that I believe will bring me and my beloved club success if I am chosen.”
He goes on to say that he plays for Dawley Wanderers FC in two positions – wide right midfield and goalkeeper.
Dillon also says that he successfully built a winning Birmingham City side on FIFA 17, adding: “If I am the successful candidate I must point out that attending training during the week may be slightly difficult due to my school studies, and also due to my lack of a driving licence.
“Granddad may not always be able to bring me.
“However I am sure we can work around this problem. Finally if I am chosen you will always get 100 per cent from me and I am sure I can take my beloved club to the top of the footballing world where it belongs.”
His grandfather Michael, aged 63, of Hilton Close, Stirchley, has been a life-long supporter of Blues.
He said: “Dillon is mad on football.
“He’s had pictures taken with all of the players. When their manager got sacked he said he was sure he could do better. I helped him with his application and thought, just as a bit of fun, I would send it off to the club.”
Birmingham City FC has thanked Dillon for his application and said the board of directors had noted with interest his “impressive CV”.
A spokesman for the club said: “Whilst we are not in a position to offer Dillon an interview on this occasion (we would feel pretty bad about taking him out of school, to be honest, and asking his granddad to drive him over) we will certainly keep his letter on file.
“Everybody at the club would like to thank Dillon and his family for their interest and support and maybe one day in the future we will indeed welcome him as our manager or even player – Keep Right On.”
