Veteran goalkeeper and Droitwich Spa FC director David Stockdale was invited onto the hugely popular Under the Cosh football podcast to discuss his career to date.
Under the Cosh, co-hosted by award-winning writer Chris Brown and former football professionals Jon Parkin and Chris Brown, quizzed Stockdale on his rise from non-league to the top-flight, as well as his more recent exploits, namely the ill-fated move to Birmingham City in 2017.
After a successful three-year stint with Brighton & Hove Albion, culminating in automatic promotion to the Premier League in 2016/17, Stockdale was enticed to Birmingham with the lure of a three-year contract.
Stockdale revealed the long-term deal at the West Midlands club was ideal for personal reasons, ensuring he didn’t have to uproot his family, with his daughter’s education at a critical point.
What he couldn’t have countenanced was the off-field chaos that was to ensue at St. Andrew’s. Ownership issues, coupled with financial budget constraints imposed for breaching the EFL’s Profitability and Sustainability rules saw the Blues become a very different club – one that didn’t want Stockdale on their books.
Stockdale was treated badly by Birmingham’s controversial Chinese ownership
Stockdale spoke about his time at Birmingham at length. He revealed that the club’s CEO had repeatedly tried to force him to rip up his three-year contract to try and save the club some money.
The CEO “ostracised” Stockdale – a Championship promotion-winner two years previous – to the point that he was made to train with the U23s, effectively banishing him from the senior fold.
Stockdale added that his hometown club, Leeds United, were also interested in signing him on loan, with a commitment to buying him providing the Whites won promotion to the Premier League.
Unfortunately for him, the Blues pulled the plug on any deal and the rest is history.
Leeds went on to get promotion and have since stabilised in the top-flight.
Although this season has been rather more tumultuous, with the latest Premier League prediction surveys showing that they’re likely to avoid relegation by the skin of their teeth.
So, does Stockdale regret making the move to Birmingham?
Not according to this podcast.
In fact, Stockdale said that the experience “humbled him” and made him a stronger person.
Birmingham’s loss was Droitwich Spa FC’s gain, with his time living in the area enticing him to join the club’s board of directors in January 2019.
Stockdale also rediscovered his love for playing the game during a loan spell at League One Wycombe Wanderers under boss, Gareth Ainsworth.
He would then sign on a permanent basis but for a mere fraction of the wages he was getting at Birmingham.
Stockdale insisted that he wasn’t driven by money and his Indian summer at Adams Park is testament to that.
Stockdale is currently in another League One promotion fight with Sheffield Wednesday, with the 37-year-old now the Owls’ second-choice keeper behind Cameron Dawson.
