Birmingham City Women were founded in 1968 by a group of female supporters, initially playing local friendlies before joining the newly formed regional Heart of England League in 1970.
During the early 1900’s they made their way up the pyramid to the national league, earning promotion to the FA Women’s Premier League national division by 2002. However, they lost the FA Women’s Premier League Final to Fulham at the end of the 2002/03 season. This sparked a lot of fight with Birmingham City as they became a semi-professional club only a few years later in 2009. This semi-professional league status landed them a part of the founding eight teams in the Women’s Super League’s (WSL) inaugural season back in 2011. That first season Birmingham City became FA cup winners, lifting the trophy after beating Chelsea 3-2 in a penalty shootout.
They were a staple within the WSL, continuously placing top 3 within the league for the first few seasons, and even making it to the UEFA Women’s Champion League Semi-Finals in 2013-14. Birmingham City held a mid table spot during the league for many years before finishing 4th in the table in 2018-19, with Ellen White their top goal scorer. Unfortunately, the following seasons saw the club suffer from under-investment and complaints regarding players’ working conditions. They finished 11th in the table for two consecutive seasons before being relegated to WSL 2 at the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Despite this relegation over the past 4 seasons they have been working their way back up the table. Last season, they successfully secured promotion back to the WSL for the 2026/27 campaign, ending the season on a massive high by topping the table with 44 points. With the top three teams competing for promotion, it came down to the wire between Crystal Palace, Charlton Athletic and Birmingham City, creating a dramatic end to the season.
Notable players from the 2025/26 season included Shannon Cooke, Martha Harris, Rebecca Holloway, Lily Crosthwaite, Neve Herron, Wilma Leidhammar, Rebecca McKenna, Chelsea Cornet and Océane Hurtré, who all played their part in Birmingham’s successful campaign. Herron was named the WSL 2 ‘Rising Star’ for the season, while Crosthwaite picked up the club’s 2025/26 Player of the Season award.
Birmingham City Women have an undeniable legacy, with a number of past and present Lionesses featuring in the team over the years. Some notable players who have gone on to enjoy successful careers on some of the world’s biggest stages include retired England stars Karen Carney and Ellen White, as well as Mary Earps. In addition, current England internationals Hannah Hampton and Jess Carter both spent time at the club earlier in their careers.
Other international stars who have played for the Blues include Republic of Ireland international Lucy Quinn and former Blues captain Christie Harrison-Murray, who earned 82 caps and scored five goals for Scotland. Jamaican international Rebecca Spencer also impressed at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, helping Jamaica reach the Round of 16 for the first time in their history.
Notably, many of these players began their journeys with the Blues before going on to represent their countries and win major silverware, including the UEFA Women’s European Championship, Women’s Finalissima and SheBelieves Cup, alongside numerous domestic honours later in their careers.
In 2015, Karen Carney became the first female footballer to be inducted into Birmingham City’s Hall of Fame. Honoured in the Legends’ Lounge at St Andrew’s, Carney sits alongside Blues icons including Trevor Francis, Kenny Burns and Christophe Dugarry.
“I’ve got blue in my veins and heart and to be up there is incredible and I’m extremely proud of this football club and I’m extremely proud to be a Birmingham City fan.” – Karen Carney
Solihull-born Karen Carney is a born-and-bred Blues fan who first became involved with the club as a mascot at eight years old, before joining Birmingham City at the age of 11. She went on to play for and captain the club, but her connection to Birmingham City has always extended beyond her playing career as a lifelong supporter.
For Carney, whenever she attends a game or finds herself back in Birmingham, “I just feel at home.” That connection runs throughout her family, who have all been lifelong Blues supporters.
With a big season ahead of them, Birmingham City FC have made some massive summer signings, adding strength, character and immense experience to the team. The Blues completed two major signings, with Millie Turner and Lisa Naalsund both leaving Manchester United to join Birmingham City on three-year contracts. The pair also announced their engagement on social media over the summer and will bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the squad.
Both players were part of Manchester United’s FA Cup-winning squad in 2024, with Naalsund providing two assists in the final to help secure the trophy. Turner, meanwhile, brings plenty of leadership experience to the Blues, having captained Manchester United on several occasions towards the end of her eight years at the club, as well as Bristol City during the 2017/18 campaign. Both arrive with plenty of experience at the highest level, including featuring in Manchester United’s UWCL campaign last season.
In addition, Birmingham City have made two new signings from Montpellier, Jade Rastocle and Canadian international Marie Levasseur. The pair both featured in the French Première Ligue last season, helping Montpellier to a top-six finish. Rastocle and Levasseur will add further strength and experience to Birmingham City’s defence, and it will be interesting to see how they are used by the coaching staff this season.
Birmingham City have also strengthened their goalkeeping options with two new signings, including Katie Startup from Manchester City. Startup began the 2025/26 season on loan at Everton before being recalled by City, where she finished the campaign as part of the squad that won a domestic double, lifting both the Women’s Super League and Adobe Women’s FA Cup. Having previously worked with Head Coach Amy Merricks, Startup already has that familiarity and will bring further quality and competition to the squad.
“Having worked with Katie previously, I know exactly the qualities she’ll bring to this football club. She’s a dedicated professional, a brilliant teammate and someone who is always looking to improve.” – Amy Merricks (BCWFC Head Coach)
Meanwhile, Birmingham City Academy Pathway graduate Sophie Baggaley returns to her childhood club after spending the last three years with Brighton & Hove Albion, where she made 42 appearances and was voted the Seagulls’ Players’ Player of the Season in her debut campaign. Having previously represented the Blues and knowing what it means to play for the club, Baggaley returns with significantly more experience, bringing plenty of WSL knowledge and valuable leadership qualities to Birmingham’s goalkeeping department.
With Birmingham City starting their Barclays Women’s Super League campaign against reigning champions Manchester City, it will be interesting to see how the newly promoted side hold their own back in the top flight. Birmingham will have to adapt quickly to the quality of teams if they want to establish themselves in the WSL beyond the 2026/27 season.
Games against fellow promoted sides Crystal Palace and Charlton Athletic will also be ones to watch, with Birmingham having faced both regularly during their time in WSL 2. Those familiar opponents will now meet again at a higher level.
Another exciting fixture will be the derby against Aston Villa. With both Birmingham clubs now competing in the WSL, the rivalry adds another interesting storyline to the season and should produce some fiercely contested games.
Birmingham City Head Coach Amy Merricks has spoken about the team’s pre-season preparations ahead of their season opener. Alongside several new signings, the Blues have also strengthened their coaching staff as Merricks finalises her team.
Merricks will continue to work alongside Assistant Head Coach Jay Bradford-Ogle and Director of Women’s Football Hope Powell, with Mark Beard and Ben Chapman also joining the coaching staff. Beard arrives as Assistant Head Coach, while Chapman takes up the role of Goalkeeper Coach, with both bringing extensive experience to Birmingham ahead of their WSL return.
https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/womens-news
https://www.bcfc.com/pages/en/womens-news
https://www.onherside.co.uk/fa-women-s-super-league
https://blueswomensg.co.uk/notable-players/
https://www.thefa.com/news/2015/mar/15/karen-carney-inducted-in-birmingham-hall-of-fame
