Although Birmingham maintained their First Division status, the board of directors asked Gil Merrick to resign as manager.[1] He had been with the club for 25 years as player – he was first-choice goalkeeper for 14 years and, as of 2012[update], he held the club's appearance record – and manager, having led Birmingham to the 1961 Fairs Cup Final in his first season and to victory in the 1963 League Cup Final to win the club's first and, until 2011, only major trophy.[2] In June, Nottingham Forest's trainer-coach Joe Mallett was brought in with responsibility for "team affairs, including team selection". He was formally appointed manager early in the 1964–65 season.[3]
Twenty-five players made at least one appearance in nationally organised first-team competition, and there were fifteen different goalscorers. Forward Mike Hellawell played in 42 of the 44 first-team matches over the season, and Bertie Auld finished as leading goalscorer with 10 goals, all scored in league competition.
Pos = League position; Pld = Matches played; W = Matches won; D = Matches drawn; L = Matches lost; F = Goals for; A = Goals against; GA = Goal average; Pts = Points
Source for lineups, appearances, goalscorers and attendances: Matthews (2010), Complete Record, pp. 362–63.
Source for kit: "Birmingham City". Historical Football Kits. Retrieved 22 May 2018.
Specific
^"Birmingham City ask Merrick to resign". The Guardian. 29 April 1964. p. 16. Yesterday Mr W. Adams, the secretary of Birmingham City, issued the following statement: 'Mr Gil Merrick met the board this morning who notified him that changes and complete reorganisation of the club were to take place, and asked him to resign. To this Mr Merrick agreed.'
^"Sports news in brief: Association Football". The Guardian. 22 June 1964. p. 10. J. Mallett, Nottingham Forest's trainer-coach, has been appointed to a similar position at Birmingham City. He will be in charge of team affairs, including team selection. Matthews (1995), p. 62.
^"Hellawell out". Birmingham Post. 5 October 1963. p. 25. Birmingham City, at home to Everton, also make one change, Farrell coming in at outside-right in place of Hellawell, who has influenza.