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Birmingham City won the women's FA Cup in 2012 and have been runners-up twice in the WSL Birmingham City's owners have completed the purchase of the women's team, with England and Blues legend Karen Carney part of several independent investors involved in the deal. Shelby Companies Limited (SCL) are a subsidiary of Knighthead Capital Management - an investment firm co-founded by Blues chairman Tom Wagner. They bought a controlling share of the Championship club in July 2023 before increasing that to a full takeover last November. They have now acquired a 97% stake in the women's side. The remaining 3% has been taken up by a group of "prominent female business leaders and global professional sporting icons" including 144-cap Carney and three-time US Open tennis champion Kim Clijsters. In a statement, , external the club said 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". They added there would be "no immediate changes to staffing or football operations" following the takeover. Birmingham chief executive Jeremy Dale called the deal "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 2012, " he 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. " Birmingham sit in the second automatic promotion place in Women's Super League 2 as they try to return to the top flight for the first time since relegation in 2021-22. Karen Carney won major trophies with Arsenal, Birmingham City and Chelsea in her playing career Champions League: Benfica v Real Madrid restarts after lengthy delay over racist allegation Real Madrid tie halted over Vinicius racism allegation Six athletes to compete under Russian flag at Paralympics How a sound effect became the ultimate movie in-joke The story of one of Scotland's most mysterious disappearances The hunt for the next superstar chef is on Valtteri Bottas prepares for his fresh start at Cadillac FA Cup heroes Macclesfield make memories to last a lifetime What has gone wrong for British short track speed skating? Nissanka ton sends Sri Lanka through & leaves Australia on brink. Video Nissanka ton sends Sri Lanka through & leaves Australia on brink 'We really messed up' - does European football need more balance? 'People shouldn't be dying just for existing' - Gauff on US issues Five talking points from round two of Six Nations Swearing, illicit filming & rule changes - what next in curling cheating row? Why first gold on snow has been just a matter of time 'India v Pakistan becoming a political rivalry rather than sporting one' Bankes and Nightingale win snowboard cross gold for Team GB. Video Bankes and Nightingale win snowboard cross gold for Team GB Eight-try France hammer Wales in Cardiff. Video Eight-try France hammer Wales in Cardiff 'Murrayfield pain will make England a better team' Nine medals up for grabs - Wednesday's guide A 'very special' FA Cup win and why managing Ronaldo is 'easy' Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.