Stories from the Vaults: Graham's Story
Birmingham Municipal Bank (BMB) holds a special place in the city’s history, not just as a financial institution but as a source of skilled workers. One of the many fascinating stories to emerge from ex-employees is that of Graham Bowden, a former bank employee whose experience at BMB was intertwined with Birmingham’s rich footballing heritage.
Graham worked at BMB from 1967 to 1976, and like some of his colleagues, he took on a match-day job at Aston Villa Football Club. The meticulous care and accuracy required in banking made BMB employees highly sought after for roles demanding speed and diligence, such as counting cash and tickets and manually operating the turnstiles at Villa Park.
During the 1970s and 1980s, many of the turnstile operators at the Witton Lane Stand were, in fact, BMB employees. Graham himself began working at the turnstiles at the age of 20, and continued for approximately ten seasons. He recalls fond memories of his time there and ensuring smooth entry into the stadium for supporters. A photograph from 1971 captures Graham alongside at least four other BMB colleagues (in a group of Villa Park gatemen), a testament to the strong connection between the bank and the club.
Some colleagues took on jobs at St Andrews as well, the home of Birmingham City Football Club, but Graham remained true claret and blue. The Witton Lane Stand was later renamed The Doug Ellis Stand. Around this time, Aston Villa was experiencing a resurgence in form, climbing back from the lower leagues and making their mark on European football. This period culminated in the club’s famous European Cup victory over Bayern Munich in 1982, a moment etched in football history. During Graham’s tenure at Villa Park, entry to the ground was still a manual process, with attendants collecting tickets and cash at the turnstiles, far removed from today’s digital ticketing systems.
His story offers a unique glimpse into a bygone era, highlighting the unexpected ways in which BMB staff played a role in the city’s sporting culture.
Photograph by Terry Weir (1971), the official photographer for Aston Villa Football Club.
Do you have any memories of Birmingham Municipal Bank or Aston Villa during this time?
You can email your memories to the Unlocking the Vaults project to: unlockingthevaults@contacts.bham.ac.uk.
We’d love to hear your stories!