Guardian writers’ predicted position: 12th (NB: this is not necessarily Tom Garry’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips)
Last season’s position: 1st (WSL2)
Prospects
Founding members of the Women’s Super League at its 2011 inception, Birmingham have returned to the top flight after a four-year absence, securing promotion as WSL2 champions on the final day last season. Following a productive summer transfer window, the Blues appear equipped to mount a credible survival bid—and potentially surprise a few established sides—while off the pitch they stand as the best-prepared of the three promoted clubs to entrench themselves in the division.
Forwards Lily Crosthwaite and Wilma Leidhammar, along with defender Neve Herron, are all 23 and poised for further development. Birmingham have also bolstered the squad with proven WSL quality, notably former Brighton goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley and centre-back Millie Turner.
Inconsistency nearly derailed their campaign last term; they won the most matches in WSL2 yet suffered six defeats. They ultimately delivered under pressure, propelled by Leidhammar’s impact following her club-record January arrival, erasing the memory of missing out on promotion on the final day in 2023-24. Nevertheless, Birmingham remain far from the era when they contested the top-tier title, and their opening two away fixtures—against Manchester City and Chelsea—present a daunting start. Home games against fellow newly promoted sides Crystal Palace and Charlton arrive relatively early and could prove pivotal for building momentum.
Off-field picture
The women’s team was acquired by the club’s ownership group in February, with Shelby Companies Limited—an affiliate of Knighthead Capital Management—holding a 97% stake. The remaining 3% was purchased by a group of investors including former England midfielder Karen Carney and four-time Grand Slam tennis champion Kim Clijsters. The club appears financially stable, backed by ambitious owners determined to re-establish the 2012 FA Cup winners as a consistent, competitive WSL presence. They train at the recently refurbished Knighthead Performance Centre, located at the former Wast Hills training base shared with the men’s team, which now features a new gym among extensive upgrades.
The manager
Amy Merricks has been at the helm since April 2024. A UEFA Pro Licence holder, she was 30 upon her appointment. Her coaching background includes roles within the England youth setup, as well as spells at Gillingham, Millwall, and Brighton, where she served as interim manager on three occasions.
Star signing
Birmingham have recruited international experience, including Canada defender Marie Levasseur from Montpellier, but their two most significant coups are Turner and Lisa Naalsund, both arriving from Manchester United. The pair were starters in United’s 2024 FA Cup triumph and featured in a Women’s Champions League quarter-final as recently as April. Naalsund is set to become a midfield linchpin; the 39-cap Norway international participated in last year’s European Championship.
Stat attack
Birmingham topped WSL2 last season despite leading neither the scoring nor defensive charts. They did, however, lead the division in “big chances”—Opta’s metric for opportunities where a goal is reasonably expected. While replicating that volume in the top flight will be significantly tougher, the underlying attacking process appears sound.
Set for a breakthrough
Excitement is building around another new arrival, 19-year-old French youth forward Chancelle Effa Effa, who joined from Le Havre this month for a fee understood to be approximately €120,000 (£100,000). She broke into Le Havre’s first team at 15 and has netted 17 times in 28 appearances for France’s Under-17 and Under-19 sides, playing a key role in their 2023 Under-17 European Championship victory.
What they say …
“We know it’s going to be a massive challenge, but it’s a challenge that, as players, you thrive upon. As long as we can take that togetherness, that relentlessness, into the games, I’m sure we’re going to be just fine.” – Chelsea Cornet.
Where are they playing their home games?
Birmingham host their home fixtures at St Andrew’s, the women’s team’s base since 2021. A club-record women’s attendance of 8,749 was set there on the final day of the 2024-25 season. Long-term, the club has unveiled plans to construct a dedicated women’s stadium as part of a wider ‘Sports Quarter’ development, which also encompasses the proposed 62,000-capacity men’s Powerhouse Stadium, an indoor arena, training facilities, and a new railway station.
