Birmingham City Women: ‘One big push’ to WSL return for fallen giants

Birmingham narrowly missed out on an immediate return in 2023 but finished fifth last season, with Ross admitting they have struggled to adapt at times to their status as a big fish in the smaller Championship pond.

“We’re a bigger scalp,” he says. “And with there being so few teams you can’t lose many games, there is little room for error.

“It’s nerve-wracking – some games we have run away with it, but others we have been superior and haven’t taken chances.

“I’m a nervous watcher anyway, but I was less nervous in the WSL than the Championship because we should be doing well.”

A turning point towards the success of this season has been, like rivals London City, new American ownership and serious investment.

While Michele Kang’s leadership of Lionesses has caught the eye, Birmingham owner Tom Wagner attracts fewer headlines but is proving similarly effective and shows how far they have come since the squad sent a letter to the board complaining about conditions for the team in 2021.

Investment in the women’s training facilities and an expanded playing squad has allowed Birmingham to compete. Like the men’s team, who took League One by storm this campaign, relegation may have been a blessing in disguise.

“Having a fuller squad is massive,” says Harrison-Murray, one of several survivors of the relegation season still playing for Birmingham.

“It means after the international break when players are tired, we still have fresh legs.

“Just having that full circle support of the women’s side is massive, to help us make that next step into the WSL and stay there.”

“Without any shadow of a doubt we are in a healthier state now,” adds Ross.

“Crowds are far bigger now than in the WSL. There is a whole new feeling around the club – playing at St Andrews helps, there’s a fan park outside on matchdays, lots of things aimed at families and kids, lots of food, like a family fun day.”