Birmingham City’s ambitious new ownership group has completed its takeover of the club’s women’s team, signaling a significant investment in the Women’s Super League 2 side. The acquisition, finalized on , sees Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) – a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management, the firm led by Blues chairman Tom Wagner – acquire a 97% stake in Birmingham City Women FC.
The remaining 3% has been secured by a consortium of “prominent female business leaders and global professional sporting icons,” a group that notably includes England women’s national team legend Karen Carney and three-time US Open tennis champion Kim Clijsters. This unique ownership structure blends financial backing with on-field expertise and a commitment to elevating the women’s game.
SCL initially gained a controlling share in the men’s Championship club in , before completing a full takeover last . This latest move demonstrates a clear intention to build a comprehensive and competitive footballing organization encompassing both the men’s and women’s programs.
In a club statement, Birmingham City emphasized that the deal “will elevate the focus on the women’s team” and “deliver on the stated ambition to compete at the highest levels in the women’s game.” Crucially, the club also confirmed that there would be “no immediate changes to staffing or football operations” following the takeover, providing a degree of stability during the transition.
Birmingham City chief executive Jeremy Dale hailed the acquisition as “a pivotal moment” in the club’s history. “Birmingham City has a strong heritage in the women’s game, competing at the highest levels and winning the FA Cup in ,” Dale said. “It has developed outstanding talents like Karen Carney, Kerys Harrop and Jess Carter, who have represented the women’s game with distinction. To now have Karen, along with Kim Clijsters and several other prominent women business leaders as investors is a pivotal moment for the club.”
The timing of the takeover is particularly noteworthy as Birmingham City Women currently sit in second place in Women’s Super League 2, vying for promotion back to the top flight for the first time since their relegation at the end of the season. The injection of resources and expertise from the new ownership group is expected to bolster their promotion push and lay the foundation for sustained success.
Carney’s involvement is particularly significant. A Birmingham City legend with 144 caps for England, her presence not only adds credibility to the ownership group but also provides a direct link to the club’s history and fanbase. Her experience as a player and pundit will be invaluable as the team navigates the challenges of competing at the highest level.
Clijsters’ participation further underscores the growing interest in women’s football from high-profile figures outside the traditional footballing world. Her success as a tennis player and her appointment as Honorary President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame in demonstrate her leadership qualities and her commitment to promoting women in sport.
The acquisition by SCL and the involvement of independent investors signal a broader trend of increased investment in women’s football. As the Women’s Super League continues to grow in popularity and competitiveness, clubs are increasingly recognizing the potential for both sporting and financial success in the women’s game. This takeover is likely to inspire other clubs to follow suit, further accelerating the development of women’s football in England and beyond.
While the club statement indicates no immediate changes to staffing or operations, the long-term impact of the takeover is expected to be substantial. The new ownership group has articulated an ambition to “go beyond anything that Birmingham City Women has achieved before – domestically and internationally,” and to create a new women’s stadium within the planned Birmingham Sports Quarter. These are ambitious goals, but with the backing of Knighthead Capital Management and the expertise of investors like Carney and Clijsters, Birmingham City Women are well-positioned to achieve them.
The focus now shifts to building on the team’s current momentum and securing promotion to the Women’s Super League. The new ownership group will be closely watching the team’s progress and their investment is likely to provide the resources needed to strengthen the squad and improve the club’s infrastructure. The future looks bright for Birmingham City Women, and the club’s fans will be hoping to see their team competing at the highest level for years to come.
