CITY of Birmingham Rockets captain Martyn Gayle sets the scene for Saturday’s vital match against Derby Trailblazers in Nechells. Victory would seal the Rockets’ place in the NBL Division One play-offs and make sure the continues to make progress.
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IT really is going to be a huge game on Saturday night when we aim to clinch that play-off place.
But whatever happens, the message from this season is that basketball in Birmingham is back after a season of progress.
We host the Derby Trailblazers in Nechells and we want to pack the place out with our supporters. Hopefully, the atmosphere in there will be incredible.
There’s a Kids for a Quid family ticket as well, because we want young fans to get into basketball as well as backing us on the night.
Derby have been one of the better sides in the league this season, but the fans can help us – they’re like our sixth man sometimes this season. They can bring us to another level.
Getting to the play-offs has been a target for us as a growing club that’s aspiring to do great things in this country. And now we need to start making movements towards the top.
We had a good season last year in the top flight, but I think this season, if we can make the playoffs – and make some noise there – would be fantastic for everyone.
Another great offer from @cobrockets for young people to see the 1st team play for £1!
Head to https://t.co/XdnlWDXACm to secure a seat! pic.twitter.com/DTq5XtBnwC
— KESSP.COM (@KESSPB) April 1, 2025
We had a weekend off last week and the other results went our way. So we know we can lose to Derby and still qualify. I think there’s a couple of results that we’ll know before we even start. But it’ll still be all to play for.
I’m a former Trailblazer myself. I played there from 2008 to 2012, and I still remember a lot of the people that are part of the club now.
It’s all love when I play against them, but Rockets want that result now. We still have things that we want to get accomplished this season.
Our previous game saw us lose to a Worthing side that are fighting for survival in a relegation battle – and it showed on the day.
But we didn’t prepare well enough in my opinion. That’s a mentality thing, in terms of individual preparation for the players.
We need to listen to the coaching staff in terms of what they’re asking of us, and asking us to do our homework as a team, as players, as individuals.
🗣️ “THE PLAYOFFS ARE ALIVE!”
Relive the dramatic end to our last home game, that crucial 75-74 win against London, as we prepare for another epic showdown this Saturday night!
🎙️ @Thecricketconn1 #WeAreRockets pic.twitter.com/yKErYKOMay
— City of Birmingham Rockets (@cobrockets) April 3, 2025
We need to do a better job of getting that done, and I’m sure we’ll see an improvement on that this weekend.
But I think we’ve shown that progress on and off the court has been made – in terms of the sponsorship that we get and the following from people, now they understand that it wasn’t just a one time thing.
We’re actually trying to make Birmingham basketball good again – and something to be proud of. It’s been infectious. Now we’ve got teams like BCU that have won Division Three. They’re going to be in Division Two next year and they’re fighting for recognition in the Birmingham area. So I think as a whole, as a city, everything is on.
The junior programmes and the women’s programmes are better. There’s a general atmosphere that is more of a positive one. I think Birmingham basketball should be and will be back to where it was.
Whatever happens on Saturday, that’s the message.
