2020–21 Birmingham City W.F.C. season

The 2020–21 Birmingham City W.F.C. season was the club's 53rd season in existence and their 10th in the FA Women's Super League, the highest level of the football pyramid, having been founding members of the league in 2011. Along with competing in the WSL, the club will contested two domestic cup competitions: the FA Cup and the League Cup.

Birmingham City
2020–21 season
ChairmanPanos Pavlakis
Head CoachCarla Ward
StadiumDamson Park, Solihull
FA WSL11th
FA CupQuarter-final
League CupGroup stage
Top goalscorerLeague: Claudia Walker (5)
All: Claudia Walker (8)

Carla Ward was appointed manager ahead of the new season on 13 August 2020, taking over from Charlie Baxter who had been put in charge on an interim basis following the departure of Marta Tejedor during the previous campaign.[1]

On 5 April 2021, it was revealed a formal letter signed by all Birmingham City players had been sent to the club's board with a list of complaints including concerns about working conditions, lack of gym facilities, medical support, travel provisions, squad size and part-time coaching staff which would contradict WSL licensing rules. Numerous requests by the squad to meet with the board had previously been rejected and there was a fear that the club was not committed to funding a full-time team for the following season with only three players under contract past June 2021.[2] The letter received support from the PFA as well as mass social media coverage from former and current players around the WSL.[3] On 8 April, the letter was addressed in a club statement with the board expressing their disappointment an internal issue was made public, refuting the factual accuracy of many of the points reported and citing the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as context for both the financial strain and practical difficulties with regards to providing adequate facilities but reaffirming they were still committed to supporting the team. The statement also confirmed a deal had been agreed to host the women's team's home games at the club's main St Andrew's stadium for the 2021–22 season.[4]

On 14 May 2021, Ward announced her resignation effective as of the team's final game of the season on 16 May.[5]

Squad

As of 23 April 2021.[6]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  ENG Hannah Hampton
2 MF  ENG Sarah Mayling
3 DF  IRL Harriet Scott
4 MF  ENG Ruby Mace[lower-alpha 1]
8 MF  ENG Mollie Green
9 FW  GRE Veatriki Sarri
10 MF  SCO Christie Murray
11 FW  SCO Abbi Grant
12 FW  IRL Ruesha Littlejohn
14 FW  ENG Emma Kelly
16 DF  ENG Georgia Brougham (on loan from Everton)
17 MF  ENG Heidi Logan
18 FW  ENG Claudia Walker
No. Pos. Nation Player
19 FW  ENG Lucy Whipp
20 DF  SCO Jamie-Lee Napier (on loan from Chelsea)
21 GK  ENG Imogen Maguire
22 MF  ENG Connie Scofield
24 GK  ENG Sophie Whitehouse
25 MF  NIR Rebecca Holloway
26 DF  ENG Lily Simkin
29 MF  ENG Ella Powell
30 DF  ENG Gemma Lawley
32 DF  ENG Abi Cowie
35 FW  ENG Emily Murphy (on loan from Chelsea)
GK  POL Daniela Kosinska[lower-alpha 2]
  1. Dual registration with Arsenal
  2. Dual registration with Stoke City

FA Women's Super League

Results summary

OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
22 3 6 13 15 44  −29 14[lower-alpha 1] 0 4 7 6 24  −18 3 2 6 9 20  −11

Last updated: 9 May 2021.
Source: FA WSL

  1. On 7 May 2021, Birmingham City were deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player in a draw against Reading on 25 April 2021.[7]

Results by matchday

Round12345678910111213141516171819202122
GroundAHHAAHAAAHAAHHHAHAHHAH
ResultLLLWWLWLLDLDLLLDDLDDLL
Position1011108776778899999991091011
Source:
A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss

Results

6 September 2020 1 Brighton & Hove Albion 2–0 Birmingham City Crawley
14:00
  • Connolly 58'
  • Kaagman 60'
Report
Stadium: Broadfield Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Rob Whitton
13 September 2020 2 Birmingham City 2–5 Manchester United Solihull
14:00
Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy Oliver
4 October 2020 3 Birmingham City 0–1 Chelsea Solihull
14:30 Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Abigail Byrne
11 October 2020 4 Reading 0–1 Birmingham City Reading
14:00 Report
Stadium: Madejski Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Sarah Garratt
18 October 2020 5 Bristol City 0–4 Birmingham City Bath
14:00
Report
Stadium: Twerton Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Stacey Pearson
8 November 2020 6 Birmingham City 1–2 West Ham United Solihull
14:00
Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Richie Watkins
14 November 2020 7 Aston Villa 0–1 Birmingham City Walsall
14:30
Report
Stadium: Bescot Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Rebecca Welch
6 December 2020 8 Arsenal 3–0 Birmingham City Borehamwood
14:00
Report
Stadium: Meadow Park
Referee: Cristiana Hattersley
13 December 2020 Birmingham City P–P Everton Solihull
14:00 Stadium: Damson Park
Note: Postponed due to waterlogged pitch[8]
20 December 2020 Birmingham City P–P Manchester City Solihull
14:00 Stadium: Damson Park
Note: Postponed due to waterlogged pitch[9]
10 January 2021 9 Tottenham Hotspur H–W Birmingham City Canons Park
14:00 Stadium: The Hive
Note: Postponed due to Birmingham player shortage.[10] On 18 March 2021, an independent tribunal awarded three points to Tottenham after Birmingham were deemed to have breached Rule 11.3.18. in failing to fulfil the fixture. No scoreline was specified.[11]
17 January 2021 10 Birmingham City 0–0 Brighton & Hove Albion Solihull
14:00 Report Kerkdijk  64' Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Helen Conley
20 January 2021 Birmingham City P–P Everton Solihull
19:00 Stadium: Damson Park
Note: Rescheduled from 13 December 2020 due waterlogged pitch. Postponed due to waterlogged pitch.[12]
24 January 2021 11 Manchester United 2–0 Birmingham City Leigh
12:00
Report
Stadium: Leigh Sports Village
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Stacey Pearson
7 February 2021 12 Everton 1–1 Birmingham City Liverpool
14:00
Report
Stadium: Walton Hall Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lisa Benn
10 February 2021 Birmingham City P–P Aston Villa Solihull
18:00 Stadium: Damson Park
Note: Postponed due to frozen pitch[13]
28 February 2021 13 Birmingham City 0–4 Manchester City Burton upon Trent
14:00
Report
Stadium: St George's Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Helen Conley
Note: Rescheduled from 20 December 2020 due to waterlogged pitch. Venue changed by WSL Executive Operations Committee after Damson Park was deemed not to meet requirements.[14]
7 March 2021 14 Birmingham City 0–4 Arsenal Burton upon Trent
14:00
Report Stadium: St George's Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Jane Simms
Note: Venue changed by WSL Executive Operations Committee after Damson Park was deemed not to meet requirements.[15]
11 March 2021 15 Birmingham City 0–4 Everton Burton upon Trent
19:00
Report
Stadium: St George's Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lisa Benn
Note: Rescheduled from 20 January 2021 due to waterlogged pitch. Venue changed by WSL Executive Operations Committee after Damson Park was deemed not to meet requirements.
17 March 2021 16 West Ham United 2–2 Birmingham City Dagenham
19:30 Report
Stadium: Victoria Road
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Stacey Pearson
28 March 2021 17 Birmingham City 1–1 Bristol City Solihull
16:00
Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Kirsty Dowle
4 April 2021 18 Chelsea 6–0 Birmingham City Kingston upon Thames
12:30
Report
Stadium: Kingsmeadow
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Jane Simms
25 April 2021 19 Birmingham City 1–1 Reading Solihull
14:00
Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lucy May
Note: On 7 May 2021, Birmingham were deducted the point earned from this game having fielded Ruesha Littlejohn in error, thinking the player had served her league suspension in the FA Cup game seven days earlier. The club were also fined £400 and Littlejohn was forced to serve a one match ban.[7]
28 April 2021 20 Birmingham City 1–1 Aston Villa Solihull
18:00
Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Jane Simms
Note: Rescheduled from 10 February 2021 due to frozen pitch
2 May 2021 21 Manchester City 4–0 Birmingham City Manchester
15:00
Report Stadium: Academy Stadium
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Emily Heaslip
9 May 2021 22 Birmingham City 0–1 Tottenham Hotspur Solihull
14:30
Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Lisa Benn

League table

Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification or relegation
8 Tottenham Hotspur 22 5 5 12 18 41 23 20
9 West Ham United 22 3 6 13 21 39 18 15
10 Aston Villa 22 3 6 13 15 47 32 15
11 Birmingham City 22 3 6 13 15 44 29 14[lower-alpha 1]
12 Bristol City (R) 22 2 6 14 18 72 54 12 Relegation to the Championship
Source: FA WSL
Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored.
(R) Relegated
Notes:
  1. On 7 May 2021, Birmingham City were deducted one point for fielding an ineligible player in a draw against Reading on 25 April 2021.[16]

Women's FA Cup

As a member of the top two tiers, Birmingham City will enter the FA Cup in the fourth round proper. Originally scheduled to take place on 31 January 2021, it was delayed due to COVID-19 restrictions.[17][18] Due to the delay, the competition only reached the fifth round before the end of the season. It resumed at the quarter-final stage the following season on 29 September 2021, at which point Scott Booth was Birmingham City manager.

18 April 2021 Fourth round Birmingham City 5–1 Coventry United Solihull
14:00
Report
  • Stevens 90+2'
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
16 May 2021 Fifth round Birmingham City 3–2 Southampton Solihull
12:30
Report
  • Morris 84'
  • Pusey 87'
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
29 September 2021 Quarter-final Birmingham City 0–4 Chelsea Birmingham
19:45 Report
Stadium: St Andrew's
Referee: Elizabeth Simms
Note: Managed by Scott Booth

FA Women's League Cup

7 October 2020 Group stage Blackburn Rovers 0–1 Birmingham City Bamber Bridge
19:45 Report
Stadium: Irongate
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
9 December 2020 Group stage Birmingham City 0–0
(5–6 p)
Leicester City Solihull
14:00 Report
Stadium: Damson Park
Attendance: Behind-closed-doors
Referee: Sarah Garratt
Penalties
Note: Rescheduled from 18 November 2020 following positive COVID-19 test by Birmingham player.[19]
      Pos Team Pld W WPEN LPEN L GF GA GD Pts Qualification LEI BIR BLB
      1 Leicester City 2 1 1 0 0 5 2 +3 5 Advanced to knock-out stage 5–2
      2 Birmingham City 2 1 0 1 0 1 0 +1 4 Possible knock-out stage based on ranking 0–0
      3 Blackburn Rovers 2 0 0 0 2 2 6 4 0 0–1
      Source: thefa.com
      Rules for classification: 1) Points; 2) Goal difference; 3) Number of goals scored; 4) Number of wins; 5) Head-to-head record

      Squad statistics

      Appearances

      As of 29 September 2021

      Starting appearances are listed first, followed by substitute appearances after the + symbol where applicable.

      No. Pos Nat Player TotalFA WSLFA CupLeague Cup
      AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
      1 GK  ENG Hannah Hampton 2302100+1010
      2 MF  ENG Sarah Mayling 213180230+10
      3 DF  IRL Harriet Scott 2302001+1010
      4 MF  ENG Ruby Mace 1321122000
      8 MF  ENG Mollie Green 21211+612120
      9 FW  GRE Veatriki Sarri 310+112000
      10 MF  SCO Christie Murray 20215+12200+20
      11 FW  SCO Abbi Grant 400+200+1010
      12 FW  IRL Ruesha Littlejohn 1101100000
      14 FW  ENG Emma Kelly 1908+801020
      16 DF  ENG Georgia Brougham 2301901+1020
      17 MF  ENG Heidi Logan 10000+1000
      18 FW  ENG Claudia Walker 25820+15221+11
      19 MF  ENG Lucy Whipp 24012+802+1010
      20 DF  SCO Jamie-Lee Napier 23117+212020
      21 GK  ENG Imogen Maguire 00000000
      22 MF  ENG Connie Scofield 1006+20001+10
      24 GK  ENG Sophie Whitehouse 20002000
      25 MF  NIR Rebecca Holloway 26020+10301+10
      26 DF  ENG Lily Simkin 00000000
      29 MF  ENG Ella Powell 00000000
      30 DF  ENG Gemma Lawley 902+302020
      32 DF  ENG Abi Cowie 10000+1000
      35 FW  ENG Emily Murphy 1338+310+2200
      GK  POL Daniela Kosinska 10000010
      Joined during 2021–22 season but competed in the postponed 2020–21 FA Cup:
      1 GK  IRL Marie Hourihan 10001000
      4 DF  IRL Louise Quinn 10001000
      8 MF  SCO Lisa Robertson 10001000
      11 FW  ENG Jade Pennock 10001000
      14 MF  IRL Jamie Finn 10001000
      22 FW  IRL Eleanor Ryan-Doyle 10001000
      23 FW  IRL Emily Whelan 10001000
      Players who appeared for the club but left during the season:
      4 DF  SCO Rachel Corsie 9171001+10
      7 MF  NIR Chloe McCarron 1204+600020
      23 MF  ENG Destiney Toussaint 801+50001+10

      Transfers

      Transfers in

      Date Position Nationality Name From Ref.
      21 August 2020 MF Christie Murray Liverpool [20]
      28 August 2020 MF Chloe McCarron Linfield [21]
      6 September 2020 MF Destiney Toussaint London Bees [22]
      7 September 2020 MF Mollie Green Manchester United [23]
      7 January 2021 FW Veatriki Sarri Sheffield United [24]
      16 January 2021 FW Ruesha Littlejohn Leicester City [25]
      30 January 2021 GK Sophie Whitehouse Tottenham Hotspur [26]

      Loans in

      Date Position Nationality Name To Until Ref.
      28 August 2020 DF Rachel Corsie Utah Royals 15 January 2021 [27][28]
      4 September 2020 DF Georgia Brougham Everton End of season [29]
      4 September 2020 DF Jamie-Lee Napier Chelsea End of season [30]
      7 October 2020 GK Daniela Kosinska[lower-alpha 1] Stoke City End of season [31]
      16 January 2021 FW Emily Murphy Chelsea End of season [32]
      2 February 2021 MF Ruby Mace[lower-alpha 1] Arsenal End of season [33]
      1. Dual registration

      Transfers out

      Date Position Nationality Name To Ref.
      28 May 2020 MF Brianna Visalli Houston Dash [34]
      1 June 2020 DF Adrienne Jordan OL Reign [35]
      4 June 2020 DF Freya Gregory Aston Villa [36][37]
      MF Abbey Jones Aston Villa
      7 June 2020 MF Olivia Rabjohn Aston Villa
      10 June 2020 GK Alexandra Brooks Blackburn Rovers [38][39]
      19 June 2020 MF Chloe Arthur Aston Villa [40][41]
      MF Lucy Staniforth Manchester United [40][42]
      30 June 2020 DF Kerys Harrop Tottenham Hotspur [43][44]
      MF Laura Brown Aston Villa [45]
      FW Missy Goodwin Aston Villa [46]
      1 July 2020 FW Rachel Williams Tottenham Hotspur [47][48]
      15 January 2021 MF Destiney Toussaint Coventry United [49]
      23 April 2021 MF Chloe McCarron Glentoran [50][51]

      References

      1. "Carla Ward appointed Women's Head Coach". Birmingham City Football Club.
      2. Garry, Tom (5 April 2021). "Special WSL report: Birmingham Women hit out at club for 'preventing us doing our jobs'". The Telegraph.
      3. "Birmingham City Women: PFA supports players over complaints to club board". Sky Sports.
      4. "Club Statement: Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      5. Garry, Tom (14 May 2021). "Carla Ward resigns as Birmingham City Women manager". The Telegraph.
      6. "Women's Team". Birmingham City Football Club. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
      7. "Blues Women deducted one point". Birmingham City Football Club.
      8. "Birmingham against Everton postponed". BBC Sport.
      9. "Birmingham-Man City falls victim to weather". BBC Sport.
      10. "Birmingham's game at Tottenham Hotspur called off due to injuries". www.eurosport.com.
      11. "Spurs vs Birmingham Independent Tribunal Verdict". Birmingham City Football Club.
      12. "Birmingham v Everton in WSL postponed". BBC Sport.
      13. "Second City Derby: Postponed". Birmingham City Football Club.
      14. "Pitch problems for Birmingham Women force FA to step in and move game". The Guardian. 26 February 2021.
      15. "Venue Change: Blues Women v Arsenal". Birmingham City Football Club.
      16. "Blues Women deducted one point". Birmingham City Football Club.
      17. "The Women's FA Cup Season 2020–21 List of Exemptions" (PDF). thefa.com. The Football Association. 10 August 2020.
      18. "Women's FA Cup to remain suspended during coronavirus lockdown". Sky Sports.
      19. "Club Statement: Player tests positive for COVID-19". Birmingham City Football Club.
      20. "Christie Murray joins Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      21. "Blues bag McCarron". Birmingham City Football Club.
      22. "Toussaint in at Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      23. "Mollie Green signs for Blues". Birmingham City Football Club.
      24. "Veatriki Sarri signs for Blues". Birmingham City Football Club.
      25. "Ruesha Littlejohn Signs". Birmingham City Football Club.
      26. "Sophie Whitehouse Signs". Birmingham City Football Club.
      27. "Rachel Corsie joins Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      28. "Corsie's Birmingham City loan cut short". BBC Sport.
      29. "Brougham returns to Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      30. "Napier signs for Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      31. "Birmingham City confirm signing of former Villa goalkeeper on dual registration terms". FAWSL Full-Time. 8 October 2020.
      32. "Birmingham loan Chelsea's Murphy". BBC Sport.
      33. "Ruby Mace joins Blues". Birmingham City Football Club.
      34. "Dash sign free agent midfielder Brianna Visalli". www.houstondynamo.com.
      35. "Jordan leaves Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      36. "Gregory leaves City". www.newschain.uk.
      37. "Freya Gregory joins Aston Villa". Freya Gregory. 4 July 2020. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
      38. "Brooks to leave Blues". Birmingham City Football Club.
      39. "Brooks makes Rovers return!". www.rovers.co.uk.
      40. "Lucy Staniforth and Chloe Arthur to leave Blues Women". Birmingham City Football Club.
      41. "Chloë Arthur signs for Villa Women". www.avfc.co.uk.
      42. "Man Utd Women sign midfielder Lucy Staniforth". www.manutd.com.
      43. "Kerys Harrop set to leave the Club". Birmingham City Football Club.
      44. "Kerys Harrop completes move to Spurs Women". Tottenham Hotspur.
      45. Frith, Wilf (9 February 2022). "Laura Blindkilde Brown commits to Aston Villa Women until 2025". SheKicks.
      46. "Goodwin: I Could Not Wait To Join The Foxes". www.lcfc.com.
      47. "Williams leaves Blues". Birmingham City Football Club.
      48. "Rachel Williams signs for Spurs Women". Tottenham Hotspur.
      49. "Destiney Toussaint Departs". Birmingham City Football Club.
      50. "Chloe McCarron departs". Birmingham City Football Club.
      51. "NI midfielder McCarron joins Glentoran". BBC Sport.
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