Alex Govan has today described his former Blues team mate Gil Merrick as 'Mr Birmingham City'.

Ex-St. Andrew's winger Govan played in the same side as Merrick for five years during the mid-1950s.

The 80-year-old Scot told bcfc.com: "As far as I am concerned there is only one way to describe Gil and that is as Mr Birmingham City.

"Of all the goalkeepers I have played with during my career he was definitely number one. In my opinion the 50s team Gil was part of was the best Blues side ever.

"He will be missed by all."

Another Blues winger of that era, Gordon Astall, echoes those comments, saying: "Gil was an absolutely smashing bloke."

Astall was at Blues for eight years between 1953 and 1961 so he also played under Merrick when the goalkeeper turned his hand to management.

"Gil and I got on well, although it changed slightly when he became the boss," he laughed.