Birmingham City Ladies FC 2007-08 Season

National Premier League: 9th.
League Cup: 3rd round; Watford a. 2-3
FA Cup: 6th round; Arsenal a. 1-5

Highlight:
1-0 win at Chelsea.

Low Spot:
2-3 defeat at Watford in the League Cup.

Good:
Heather Scheuber
Scheuber is a fine all round midfielder who continued to develop well during the 2007-08 season. Very astute and creative in her distribution Scheuber also knows where the nets are and could well be an important talent in the near future.
Danni Bird
This left sided attacking midfielder always offers a threat. Her crossing ability is dangerous in open play and from set pieces and she also packs a powerful shot in her left foot. Hopefully there is more to come from this gifted player over the coming seasons.

In Brief:
After narrowly beating Watford in their opening game of the season Birmingham suffered four straight defeats and were always struggling at the wrong end of the table from then on. Two draws against the powerful Everton side demonstrates that there is no lack of ability in the Birmingham squad but consistency remains elusive.
There was a disappointing exit from the League Cup at the hands of Watford and simply disappointment at drawing Arsenal yet again in the FA Cup.

Birmingham City Ladies FC were formed in 1968 by female supporters of Birmingham City FC who wanted to play themselves.

Initially the team played only friendlies but in 1970 they joined the newly formed Heart of England League.

In 1972 the club won that league and in 1974 they joined the West Midland Regional League.

Birmingham City Ladies were champions of that league on five occassions (1975,77,88,89 and 94).

They also made it to two FA Womens Cup semi finals (1974 and 88).

The club had begun to struggle by the early 1990's but the establishment of a junior set up helped them continue and then flourish.

In 1998 Birmingham City Ladies joined the newly formed Midland Combination League and won this competition in its' inaugral season.

In 2000 Birmingham City Ladies FC were promoted to the Premier League North, winning the competition in their second season to progress into the National Premier League proper.

In this season, 2002, the club also made it to the final of the Premier League Cup only to lose 7-1 to the full time professionals of Fulham Ladies.

This remained a fine achievement considering the average age of the team at this time was only 18 and included an exciting 15 year old prospect, Eniola Aluko.

Birmingham City Ladies looked well equipped to progress from this foundation.

In the 2003 European under 19 championships no team provided more England squad members than Birmingham City Ladies and they also provided one quarter of the England squad for the 2005 European Championships.

After that tournament, however, Birmingham City FC pulled out their financial backing of the Ladies team, placing the clubs' immediate future in jeopardy.

The club has managed to stay in business but not before almost all its top players had left for other clubs, leaving the side desperately short for the current campaign.

The club has managed to improve the playing squad since the summers' exodus but face an uphill struggle to avoid relegation from the Premier League.

One player who stayed after the European Championships is the teenage winger Karen Carney, scorer of England's last minute winner against Finland in that tournament.

Birmingham City Ladies FC have bolstered their squad with the acquisition of Danielle Bird, a promising youngster, and possess a gem in former Arsenal forward Ellen Maggs who possesses a wealth of top flight experience despite only being in her early 20's.

They also boast a fine defender in captain Laura Bassett, a woman on the fringe of the England side who was the first player from the club to win a full cap.

The club also have the highest profile manager in the Ladies game in Marcus Bignot, a regular first teamer at QPR.

The club play their home games at Redditch FC and offer an excellent official website, which could be improved by a little player info but is otherwise top notch.