Birmingham City L.F.C.

Birmingham City
Full name	Birmingham City Ladies Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Blues
Founded	1968
Ground	The Valley Stadium, Redditch; (Capacity: 5,000 (400 seated))
Chairman	Steve Shipway
Manager	Laura Harvey
League	FA Women's Premier League National Division
2008-09	5th, FA Women's Premier League National Division
Home colours	Away colours

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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.

[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 begun 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.

Birmingham against Bristol Academy, 2006

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	GK	Susan Wood
3	DF	Michelle Archer
4	MF	Sally Lacey
5	DF	Stephanie Samuels
8	MF	Heather Scheuber
9	FW	Amy McCann
10	FW	Maria Ballard
11	FW	Marie Gauntlett
12	DF	Jennifer Lowe