Birmingham partnership with English soccer club brings international attention

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A partnership between Birmingham and a British soccer club is introducing Alabama to a global audience and even bringing new visitors to the state.

The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitor’s Bureau is now the official U.S. tourism partner of the Birmingham City Football Club in England.

“The goals are to put Birmingham, Alabama in an international scene,” said Dan Williams, president and CEO of the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Lynda and Peter Courts are from Birmingham, England. They’re in the United States to support their country in the World Cup and made it a point to visit Birmingham, Alabama because of what they experienced back home.

“There was the Vulcan mascot who was walking around the pitch, and we were like... what is that thing,” Lynda Courts said.

Soon after seeing the promotion and the Visit Birmingham logo on their favorite team’s jersey, Lynda and Peter decided to add Birmingham, Alabama to their World Cup trip.

“Once we’d seen that and we realized we were coming over for the World Cup, we had to put in a trip to Birmingham, Alabama,” Lynda Courts said.

The Courts’ said they enjoyed their stay and made it to a Legion FC match.

“We sort of say we’re from Birmingham in England and I show them the blue shirt and my Visit Birmingham t-shirt and they’re like, tell me more,” Lynda Courts said. “Everyone is really, really friendly.”

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