Vice Chairman Mike Wiseman has today revealed how pleased he is that Gil Merrick's massive contribution to Birmingham City was recognised by the club in the final year of the Blues and England goalkeeper's life.

Merrick, who sadly passed away earlier this week, was alive to see the Railway Stand renamed in his honour and to be the first person inducted into the new Blues Hall of Fame at St. Andrew's, all in the last 12 months.

Mike, whose father Jack and grandfather David also served on the Blues board, said: "I was just so pleased that we were able to do all the things that we did in the last year to recognise his contribution to the club in terms of naming a stand after him and inducting him as the first legend into the new Hall of Fame at St. Andrew's.

"Only last Friday we had the Former Players Association dinner at St. Andrew's, Gil was in our thoughts right up to the day he died remembering what a great servant he had been to the club.

"There was a very close association with the family because my grandfather was involved with the FA when Gil was playing for England.

"And, of course, he was the manager when we won our only major trophy against the Villa.

"It's tragic that he's gone but I'm so pleased that he was made to feel welcome and special at the club in his final few years."

Mike recounted a meeting with Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson from last August in which the Old Trafford manager revealed just how highly Gil Merrick was respected during his playing career.

He explained: "When we played Sporting Gijon in pre-season, Sir Alex came to the game because he was en route to the Community Shield and, of course, we were playing Manchester United in the first game of the season.

"I spoke to Alex and he was telling me that his dad as a single man worked at the BSA factory in Birmingham and he became quite a big Blues fan and Gil Merrick was his favourite player.

"And Alex told me that after his father went back up to Scotland and had a family, one of the first games he took Alex to was Scotland versus England at Hampden Park, particularly so he could watch Gil play."

Blues boss Alex McLeish added his tribute to the former Blues goalkeeper today, saying: "He's a legend, revered by the Birmingham fans. Some of the older fans I've met have said he was the best goalkeeper they've ever seen.

"It was great that the club recognised him when he was still alive and we send our sympathies to Gil's family and, of course, the Birmingham fans who remember him and grew up in his era."