Birmingham City have announced the news that 12 players will be leaving the club this summer.
This afternoon, the Blues posted on their official club website to reveal the news of their summer departures.
Ellie Mason, Gemma Lawley, Jade Pennock, Libby Smith, Katie Dungate, Louanne Worsey, Charlie Devlin, Abbi Jenner, Ivana Fuso, Choe Yu-ri, and Charlotte Clarke appear to be moving on this summer, according to reports.
St Andrew’s ahead of the Barclays Women’s Championship game between Birmingham City and Lewes – Twelve players to leave Birmingham City this summer
In 2024–2025, Birmingham City put up a good showing in the Barclays Women’s Championship, pushing for promotion until the very end of the season. At St. Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park, the Blues needed to defeat the London City Lionesses in their last match, but they lost 2-2, falling just short of promotion. The club will now be making some changes to its playing roster throughout the summer, as at least 12 players will be leaving.
“We would like to thank each player for their contributions during their time at the Club and we wish them every success in their future career moves,” stated Hope Powell, the Technical Director of Birmingham City, following the release of the team’s exit list.
Throughout the summer, Birmingham City will make more announcements on their team.
In other news:
Birmingham City struck gold with Birmingham-born ace that snubbed Everton for St Andrew’s
When Lee Carsley signed for Birmingham City in 2008, it was more than just a transfer; it was a homecoming.
Born in Birmingham, Carsley is a midfielder with years of Premier League experience. He decided to join his hometown team after a strong six-year stint with Everton.
It was viewed at the time as a major Blues coup, and looking back, it turned out to be a wise commercial move.
Carsley wasn’t a particularly showy player. Long-term objectives and striking abilities were not his strong points. However, his leadership, discipline, and consistency were what he brought to any team.
Birmingham needed that badly after being relegated from the Premier League in 2007–08.
| Lee Carsley career appearances (Transfermarkt) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Club | Years | Appearances |
| Everton | 2002/08 | 198 |
| Derby County | 1994/99 | 103 |
| Coventry City | 2000/02, 2010/11 | 77 |
| Birmingham City | 2008/10 | 53 |
| Blackburn Rovers | 1999/2000 | 52 |
The motivations behind Lee Carsley’s move
Given that the Toffees had qualified for European competition, many were surprised by his decision to leave Everton, where he was still a regular under David Moyes, for the Championship team.
However, Carsley’s motivations were not just professional. In addition to being able to be nearer to his family by returning to Birmingham, he made it apparent that one of his main motivations was to help his hometown team return to the Premier League. Birmingham meant business, and his signing made that clear.
Upon his arrival, he gave an explanation of his reasons for joining, stating that the club’s ambition was another factor.
He stated, as reported by the BBC: “I was offered a new contract at Everton once my current one expired, but I decided it was time to go on. I didn’t want to go to another Premier League team and fight with them; I just wanted a fresh challenge.
“I’ve left a club that’s going to be playing in the Uefa Cup again next season so it’s not something I’ve done lightly. Alex (McLeish) just came across to me as a winner and his visions for the club match my own.
“I’ll be putting everything into the next couple of years to make sure we get back in the Premier League.”
Leading the Birmingham City rebuild
Carsley immediately established himself as a vital member of Alex McLeish’s team during the 2008–09 campaign. After being appointed captain, he provided stability and order to the midfield. Even though he only managed to score two goals that season, his impact was more than his stats.
Carsley led a somewhat youthful Birmingham team through the difficult and attritional Championship thanks to his experience at the highest level. During that season, he played in 41 league games and helped the team finish second, which guaranteed them immediate promotion.
Because of his midfield presence, players like James McFadden and Sebastian Larsson were able to play more freely. Carsley maintained possession, broke up play, and kept things together. He was an inspiration off the pitch as well. His leadership helped to construct a cohesive, focused dressing room, and his professionalism and work ethic set the bar at the training ground.
During the 2009–10 season, when Birmingham returned to the Premier League, Carsley stayed with the team. In terms of appearances, he was less involved, but his backstage work was still significant.
Birmingham finished tenth in that season, above Carsley’s old team, Everton, by one spot. Veteran players like the midfielder helped establish the groundwork for this incredible accomplishment, even if younger players were more noticeable on the pitch.
Carsley’s playing time had diminished at the end of the 2009–10 campaign, and following a brief trial at Coventry City, he made the decision to retire in 2011.
His connections to Birmingham, however, went beyond that. After retiring, he transitioned into coaching and served as the club’s temporary interim manager in 2017.
That association, then, began with a homecoming and went through a lot of changes.
