Premier League promotion a 'standout' for Johnson

Blues legend Michael 'Magic' Johnson has been reminiscing about the club's 2002 promotion to the Premier League in Steve Bruce's first season in charge.

Birmingham City finished fifth in the First Division to qualify for the play-offs, and after drawing 1-1 after extra time against Norwich City in the final, Blues won the tie on penalties 4-2 to be promoted.

"It probably goes down as one of the most standout moments of my career," Johnson told BBC Radio WM as part of their 'Legends interviews' feature.

"We all knew what it meant to the city. The club had been starved of Premier League status."

Until 2002, Birmingham City had never played in the Premier League. Under Bruce's predecessor Trevor Francis, they reached the play-off semi-finals in three consecutive seasons prior to the 2001-02 season, but never made it further.

"To arrive at the amount of play-off semi-finals that we did and then we did it under Steve in his first season. We realised that we've got to get this over the line," said Johnson.

The former centre-back believes Birmingham City players past and present have to earn support from the Blues fanbase, support which undoubtedly had a positive influence on the team that day in 2002.

And having spent eight years at the club from the age of 21 to 29, Johnson understands what it takes to keep Blues fans onside.

"They want to see blood, sweat and tears. They want to see hard work, they want to see that never-give-in attitude - and if you give them that, then they can forgive [mistakes]."

Listen to the full interview with Michael Johnson and more Blues on Sounds.