BCLFC

Laura Bassett replaced Kelly Smith early in the second half as England recorded a 6-1 win over Belarus on 8 May to keep the Lions on course to qualify for the 2009 finals of the European Championship.  The next three planned matches are all away from home.  Meanwhile, Chelsea Weston and Kerys Harrop recently returned from a successful three matches with England’s U19s.   Chelsea played in the 7-0 win over Poland and the 4-0 win over Belgium while Kerys made her England debut in the 1-0 win over Iceland.   This means the U19s have qualified for July’s European Championship.  Any England appearance can only come after a tremendous amount of hard work on the player’s part and we congratulate Laura, Chelsea and Kerys on their achievements.  If you are aged 8 to 16 and have ambitions to play for England, why not come to the Centre of Excellence Open Day on 31 May and find out more about the possibilities?

Birmingham City Ladies drew 1-1 with Bristol Ladies on Thursday, 1 May and notched an impressive 6-1 victory over Charlton Ladies on Sunday, 4 May.  The next and final match of the season is against Chelsea Ladies on Sunday, 11 May at 2 p.m.  at Stratford Town Football Club, Knights Lane, Tiddington, CV37 7BZ. We are very grateful to the management of Stratford Town F.C. for providing their facilities at this stage of the season.  Entry, as usual, is £3 for adults and free for children - hope to see you there!

The Centre of Excellence is recruiting coaches for the 2008/9 season currently.  If you are interested in becoming a coach or assistant coach, please follow the links for further details.  Please see the article below if you are interested in the players “Open Day”.

If you are aged between 8 and 16, whatever your ambitions in football (e.g. playing for England, in the Premiership or with others of the same ability) it will be worth your while coming to Birmingham City Girls Centre of Excellence Open Day at Moor Lane (B6 7AA) on 31 May.  Read on for full details, including how to reserve your place - we look forward to seeing you there!

Birmingham City Ladies are one of the top ten Ladies Football Clubs in the country and currently require a manager for the First Team.

Applications in the first instance to the Chairman, stating relevant experience and qualifications, are to be received by Friday May 2nd.

E.mail - steveshipway@showpax.com

Post - Birmingham City Ladies FC, 26 Monks Road, Binley Woods, Coventry, CV3 2BS

The goalkeepers made contrasting critical contributions as Birmingham again bloodied the noses of an Everton side littered with England internationals and on course for another second-place finish.  Wood deservedly had the final say as Birmingham posted their second league draw against Everton, the only side bar Arsenal Mo Marley’s team have dropped points against this season.  (read more)

Remember the Presentation night is on Friday, 23 May 2008 at Tally Ho - further details to follow!

An outstanding performance by Kerys Harrop in the match against Arsenal at Redditch did not go unnoticed by Hope Powell, who was watching from the Director’s box.  Kerys has earned her first England call up to take part in the UEFA European Women’s U19s Championships in Belgium from 20 to 30 April alongside England U19 regular, Chelsea Weston.  The youngsters of Knowle and Birmingham, who were applauded by Hope after their half-time match, can be full of aspiration as Kerys started as an U10 and Chelsea an U12.

Birmingham City secured their place in the Premier Division with a 4-0 victory at already relegated Charlton. Sally Lacey scored two minutes into the game, and Laura Bassett doubled the lead with a 41st minute penalty. In the second half Chelsea Weston extended the lead on 62 minutes, and Sinead Wade added her first of the season in the 90th minute.
Next Sunday Birmingham travel to Everton for their final away game of the season before completing their fixtures with three home fixtures.

…Laura Harvey has announced that she will be stepping down as First team manager at the end of the season - see Fairgame for full story.  The club would like to thank Laura for the enormous commitment and time she has given to this role and other roles over the years.  Laura’s commitments elsewhere, including with England’s U17s, were a major factor in her decision and this move has left a major opportunity for another manager.