Birmingham City Women: A year of Amy Merricks but it all comes down to three matches
The latest from the Birmingham City Women camp as they prepare to begin their run-in against Durham
Birmingham City Women begin their end-of-season run-in this weekend against Durham.
Four weeks have passed since Blues drew 1-1 at Charlton and title rivals London City Lionesses have taken control of the promotion race in that time.
London City beat Newcastle United 2-1 on March 30 to move up to first in the Championship – and only one team will get promoted to the Super League.
Blues have to defeat Durham at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park on Sunday and Newcastle United to ensure that their fate rests in their own hands come the final day on May 4, when they host London City in B9.
Blues could be five points behind by the time they play Durham with London City in action at Southampton on Friday night.
Blues hoping for attendance boost
Blues Women are hoping for bumper attendances at St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park for their final two home fixtures.
This time last year Blues broke their record attendance with a crowd of 3,101 for a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.
Northern Irish forward Simone Magill said: “Home support is massively important. It’s a great feeling when you’re walking out to the crowd packed with Blues fans. When Shannon (Cooke) scored that unbelievable goal, the fans were incredible that day.
“We had an unbelievable performance and got the win that day, and the fans were in fine form and we need more of that.”
A year of Merricks
Head coach Amy Merricks celebrated one year in charge of Blues Women earlier this week.
Merricks was appointed on April 15, 2024 with the target of delivering promotion this season and, as mentioned above, Blues’ fate is still in their own hands.
Merricks was backed in January with the signings of Shannon Cooke on loan from West Ham, Australian star Emily van Egmond and Blues recently acquired World Cup-winning goalkeeper Adrianna Franch.
Blues have won 13 of Merricks’ 23 games in charge, drawing three and losing the other seven.
Those 23 games pale in significance to the next three, where everything will be decided.