Odin Bailey opens up on Birmingham City 'brick wall', his nightmare transfer and St Andrew's hope

Odin Bailey has had a whirlwind two years since taking the decision to leave Birmingham City and forge a career away from his boyhood club.

Back in the summer of 2022, after eight substitute appearances and four loan spells, Bailey arrived at the conclusion that he had to spread his wings. He admitted defeat in his quest to become a first team fixture at St Andrew’s.

“It was very difficult (to leave),” Bailey said in conversation with the Keep Right On Podcast. “The fact it was so difficult and I still went ahead with it shows my mind-frame and where I was. I felt like I was running into a brick wall towards the end. It doesn't matter what I do, I'm never going to get an opportunity. In fairness, it could have just been me getting frustrated in wanting to play first team football. In the end I just thought it was the best decision for my career to go out and sign somewhere and prove myself and people wrong.”

By Bailey’s own admission, his first season away from Blues – whom he represented for 15 years from academy to first team level – was an unmitigated disaster. Salford City wasn’t all it was cracked up to be for Bailey.

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In Neil Wood, Bailey found a head coach who used him sparingly to say the least. In the background Bailey was coming to terms with fatherhood and dealing with the trauma of losing his friend Cody Fisher, who was stabbed to death in Digbeth nightclub Crane on Boxing Day in 2022.

“Last season was a nightmare if I’m being honest, on and off the pitch,” he began. “I’d just had my little one – which isn’t a nightmare, it’s one of the best things that has happened to me – but everyone knows the pressures that come with having a child and the responsibility. Your life flips upside down. Not long after having the little one I started coming out the team.

“Cody Fisher, who got stabbed in Birmingham, I was very close with him. So there were a lot of things on and off the pitch, some family issues as well, which left me in a state almost like depression. Looking back now I would say I probably was depressed.

“I fell out of love with football to be honest with you. I wasn’t playing, I was just training every day. I wasn’t making match day squads and I was just getting the old chestnut from managers when you’re not playing. It ended up being a really bad move.”

Bailey feared becoming one of the number of talented youngsters who fall by the wayside. He continued: “At the start of this season I knew I had to leave, not only for my mental health but for my career as well. Having one season not playing is bad enough, but if it ends up being two seasons before you know it I could be in the National League or even falling out of football.”

Stockport manager Dave Challinor offered Bailey a lifeline. A line was drawn in the sand and Bailey moved to Edgeley Park in the hope of helping Stockport improve on their fourth-placed finish in League Two.

“One of the main reasons why I was so eager to join Stockport is because the trajectory the club has been on in the past few years is astonishing. If you spent five minutes at the training ground you would never think it was a League Two club. The training facilities are unbelievable.

“I know how Birmingham is and it’s very similar to the set-up in terms of staff and training pitches. The set-up is very good and it’s not something I’ve seen from a League Two club before.”

Stockport are no longer a League Two club. They will play against Blues in League One next season after storming to the League Two title, leaving Hollywood-backed Wrexham in their wake.

Bailey’s performance as one of two attacking number eights in their midfield was significant. For the first time in his career, Bailey reached double figures for goal contributions – three goals and eight assists in all competitions.

Now that he has redeemed himself and rejuvenated his career, Bailey is counting down the days until June 26, when EFL clubs will discover their fixture lists. His eyes will be drawn to one match in particular.

“I would love to play against Birmingham. I love playing at St Andrew’s, it’s a great stadium full of great fans. I’d love to go back there and when I do, hopefully I will get a warm reception.”