England's second-largest city sometimes gets forgotten about these days, with the majority of English trophies going to the North West and London football teams these days. However, Birmingham has a rich footballing history with several teams competing at many levels of the sport. Expand the search to just outside Birmingham and the rest of the Midlands and you’ll find even more clubs. We’re focussing on football teams in Birmingham in this guide.
The city is home to prominent clubs playing at high levels, all with intriguing pasts and passionate fan bases.
| Club | Founded | Stadium | League (2024–25) | Major Honours / Profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa F.C. | 1874 | Villa Park (~42,900) | Premier League | 7× league titles, 7× FA Cups, European Cup & Super Cup (1982) |
| Birmingham City F.C. | 1875 | St Andrew’s @ Knighthead Park (~29,400) | EFL League One | 2× League Cups (1963, 2011); fierce “Second City Derby” rivals with Aston Villa |
| West Bromwich Albion | 1878 | The Hawthorns (~26,000) | EFL Championship | Historic club with FA Cup & League Cup wins; known for yo-yo between top two tiers |
| Birmingham City Women | 1968 | St Andrew’s (shared) | FA Women’s Super League | 2012 Women’s FA Cup winners; top‑half WSL regulars; linked to men's club |
Each club has its unique identity and honours that contribute to the city's dynamic football scene, a scene that can be dated back to the 1800s!
Aston Villa
Aston Villa, founded in 1874, is one of the oldest and most successful football clubs in Birmingham. They play their home games at Villa Park, a historic stadium located in the Aston area of Birmingham. With a capacity of over 42,000, Villa Park is known for its electric atmosphere, especially during derby matches and critical fixtures. It is also one of the oldest grounds still being used in top-flight football!
The club's kit colours are claret and blue, a distinctive combination that has become synonymous with Aston Villa. The home kit typically features a claret body with blue sleeves, while the away kits vary each season, often incorporating the club's traditional colours in innovative designs.
Aston Villa's honours list is impressive, reflecting their amazing history:
- They've won the English top-flight league title seven times, with their most recent triumph in the 1980-81 season
- Their crowning achievement came in 1982 when they won the European Cup, defeating Bayern Munich 1-0 in the final. This victory placed them among the elite clubs in European football.
- Additionally, Aston Villa has won the FA Cup seven times, the League Cup five times, and the Charity Shield once.
The club's recent history has been a rollercoaster, with periods of success and struggle. After being relegated from the Premier League in 2016, they returned in 2019 under the management of Dean Smith. In 2024, they qualified for the Champions League, Europe’s biggest and most prestigious league title.
Off the pitch, the club's commitment to community initiatives and fan engagement has strengthened their bond with the local and global fanbase.
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Aston Villa was formed in 1874 and were founding members of the Football League in 1888, now competing in the Premier League and the Champions League.
Birmingham City
Birmingham City, often referred to as "The Blues," is a club founded in 1875 and plays its home matches at St Andrew's, located in the Bordesley district of Birmingham. The stadium has a capacity of approximately 29,000 and is known for its passionate and loyal supporters who create a lively atmosphere on match days.
The team's kit colours are traditionally royal blue with white trim. The home kit is predominantly blue, while the away kit changes each season but generally contrasts with the home colours. Birmingham City's nickname, "The Blues," is derived from their iconic blue kit.
While many of the trophies in English football go to London or the North West, Birmingham City's honours include two League Cup victories, in 1963 and 2011. The 2011 triumph was particularly memorable as they defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the final at Wembley, Obafemi Martins scoring in the 89th minute, and securing their first major trophy in nearly 50 years. Although they have never won the top-flight league title, the club has a proud history of competing in the upper tiers of English football.
In recent years, Birmingham City has faced challenges both on and off the pitch. They have experienced fluctuations in their league status, and recently dropped into League 1, the third tier of English football. They will be one of the biggest clubs to play in this league.
The club's academy has produced several talented players, and their community outreach programs have made significant contributions to the local area, fostering a strong sense of unity and support among fans. Birmingham City is currently at a lower ebb than in previous decades, but the infrastructure is in place for the club to return, as well as a big football fanbase in the United Kingdom.
Birmingham was formed in 1875 as Small Heath Alliance, was renamed Small Heath in 1888, Birmingham in 1905, and finally became known as Birmingham City in 1943.
West Bromwich Albion
West Bromwich Albion, commonly known as West Brom or "The Baggies," is located in West Bromwich, a town just outside Birmingham. Founded in 1878, they play their home games at The Hawthorns, a stadium with a capacity of approximately 26,000. The Hawthorns is known for its tight, compact feel.
The club's kit colours are navy blue and white. The traditional home kit features blue and white stripes, while the away kits vary but often include the club's colours in different styles. The blue and white stripes have become a symbol of West Brom's identity, reflecting their long-standing heritage.
West Bromwich Albion's proudest achievements include:
⚽️ Top-Flight League Title
Won in 1919-20
🥇 FA Cup
Won 5 times, most recently in 1968
🏆One League Cup
Won in 1966
The club's honours reflect their competitive spirit and historic success in English football, though football clubs like Manchester are more likely to win the trophies these days.
In recent years, West Brom has been a yo-yo club, frequently moving between the Premier League and the Championship. Their most recent promotion to the Premier League came in 2020, but they were relegated again after just one season.
The club continues to strive for stability and success, focusing on building a squad capable of competing at the highest level.
Off the pitch, West Bromwich Albion is known for its strong community involvement and efforts to engage with fans, ensuring that the club remains an integral part of the local area.
Birmingham City Women
Birmingham City Women's Football Club, often referred to simply as Birmingham City Women, is a prominent team in English women's football. Founded in 1968, the club has grown significantly. They are one of the largest women’s teams when you account for history.
They also play at St Andrew's stadium, like the men’s team they’re affiliated with.
Birmingham City Women play in royal blue, the same as the men's team. The home kit typically features a predominantly blue shirt with white accents, blue shorts, and blue socks.
Birmingham City Women have a commendable list of achievements that highlight their success and growth over the years:
- In 2012, when they won the FA Women's Cup
- Birmingham City Women have consistently been competitive in the Women's Super League, often finishing in the top half of the table alongside clubs from London
- The WSL has teams from London, Bristol football teams, Manchester teams, and more, but the Birmingham City Women's team remains competitive.
Birmingham is a City of Football
Football is at the heart of the community in Birmingham, and the city is comparable to Manchester or Scottish cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow football teams. While Birmingham is also a big city for cricket and other sports, Birmingham's football scene is still massive. Each club has its unique identity, from Aston Villa's historic Villa Park and claret and blue colours to Birmingham City's royal blue kits and passionate fanbase at St Andrew's, and West Brom's iconic stripes at The Hawthorns.
Birmingham’s clubs play a key role in their communities, creating a sense of unity and pride among fans. Whether it's the excitement of a derby match or the thrill of a promotion chase, Birmingham's football teams continue to inspire and captivate supporters, making the city a hub of footballing passion.
Like London, there are a lot of clubs in the area. Nearby, there are other professional teams such as Walsall and Burton Albion, but these are not technically within the city of Birmingham.
Learn About Football With Superprof
Ready to learn more about football? If you’re keen to improve your football knowledge and your football skills, there are many tutors in the Birmingham region, north of the border in Glasgow or Edinburgh, another football hub.
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