Birmingham City L.F.C.

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Birmingham City
Logo
Full name Birmingham City Ladies Football Club
Nickname(s) The Blues
Founded 1968
Ground The Valley Stadium, Redditch
(Capacity 5,000 (400 seated))
Chairman Flag of England Steve Shipway
Manager Flag of England Laura Harvey
League Premiership
2006-07 Premiership, 7th
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
Home colours
Team colours Team colours Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
 
Away colours

Birmingham City L.F.C. is an English Women's football club, who whilst have the same name, are not affiliated with Birmingham City F.C.. They play their home games at The Valley Stadium, the home of Redditch United F.C.

Contents

[edit] History

The club was formed in 1968 by a group of female fans, local friendly matches up until 1970. They joined the Heart of England League in 1970, and played in the league until 1973 when it underwent a major restructure, and become known as the West Midland Regional League in 1974. Birmingham were successful during this period, winning these leagues five times burring the entire 70's and 80's (1971/72, 1974/75, 1976/77, 1987/88, 1988/89) among other trophies.

Birmingham ran into difficult times in the 90's, with many staff and player changes. It was decided that they would create an academy of young players, which would go on and player for the senior team to try and regain stability.

In 1998/99 Birmingham were promoted to the newly created Combination League and, in their first season, won the league, thus gaining automatic promotion into the National Northern Division. After two seasons, Birming gained promotion in to the top flight of women's football, by joining the FA Women's Premier League.

The academy had began to produce player for the first team at this point, and Laura Bassett became the first Birmingham City Ladies player, from the academy or otherwise, to receive a full England cap.

Birmingham signed a lot of big name players, including Rachel Yankey and Alex Scott, for the 2004/05 season, and finished fourth. However, Birmingham City L.F.C. ran into financial problems in the off season, and had to let a few major players go before the start of the 2005/06 season, which they finished in sixth position.

Also in 2005, the club's junior sides joined the newly-formed Centre of Excellence league in the Central Warwickshire area.

[edit] Current squad

No. Position Player
1 Flag of England GK Susan Wood
3 Flag of Trinidad and Tobago DF Michelle Archer
4 Flag of England MF Sally Lacey
5 Flag of England DF Stephanie Samuels
6 Flag of England DF Laura Bassett (captain)
8 Flag of England MF Heather Scheuber
9 Flag of England FW Amy McCann
10 FW Maria Ballard
11 Flag of England FW Marie Gauntlett
12 DF Jennifer Lowe
No. Position Player
15 DF Jemma Butler
16 Flag of England MF Becky Hall
18 Flag of England DF Chelsea Weston
19 FW Kirsty Robson
20 Flag of England MF Precious Hamilton
21 Flag of England MF Kerys Harrop
22 Flag of England MF Kate Ward
23 Flag of England MF Danielle Bird
24 Flag of England MF Penny Andrea
25 Flag of Wales DF Sophie Trigg

(As according to the Birmingham City L.F.C. official website)

[edit] Honours

  • Heart of England League: 1
1971/71
  • West Midland Regional League: 4
1974/75, 1976/77, 1987/88, 1988/89
1998/99
2001/02

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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