 He scored on his return to first team duty in December 1977, and for the remainder of his Birmingham career he was virtually ever-present.It was due in no small part to Gallagher's partnerships with the likes of Kenny Burns and Colin Todd in the Birmingham defence that the club kept its First Division status for all but his last season with them.In 1980–81 he helped them gain promotion back to the top flight, from which they had been relegated the previous year, and was awarded a testimonial match against Aston Villa in recognition of ten years' service.