Birmingham City Football Club will rename the Railway Stand the Gil Merrick Stand for the start of the 2009/10 season.

The introduction of the Gil Merrick Stand is to celebrate one of Blues' greatest ever players and managers. The goalkeeper, who made 551 appearances for the club between 1939 and 1960, was a pivotal figure during the most successful period in Birmingham City's history.

The announcement is part of the New Year, New Start campaign orchestrated by the board of directors in January, with one of the pledges to bring more of the club's history back to St. Andrew's. The Gil Merrick Stand will house pictures of the Sparkhill-born shot stopper's career along the concourses for supporters to enjoy.

Once Merrick hung up his playing boots in 1960 he turned his hand to management, and guided Blues to a League Cup final victory against Aston Villa in 1963.

David Gold, Chairman of Birmingham City FC, said: "We are honoured and privileged to be able to dedicate the stand to Gil.

"Bringing the club's history back to St. Andrew's as part of the pledge is very important to me. The renaming of the Railway End is a great way to do this."