Chelsea Noonan helps Birmingham City back to the top: It wasn’t smooth sailing but our character persevered

For Cork native Chelsea Noonan, helping guide Birmingham City Women back to the top flight of English football has been the reward for nearly two years of hard work, resilience and belief.

Douglas woman Noonan, who serves as assistant head coach at the club was part of the staff team that secured promotion back to the Women’s Super League after a dramatic and emotionally charged campaign.

“It’s a massive honour for me personally to be part of a club as successful as Birmingham City. Since I joined back in July 2024, the ambition has always been to return the club to the top flight of English football, where it belongs.” 

That ambition was clear from the outset. Backed strongly by the club’s owners, Birmingham’s women’s side had been building steadily toward this moment. Promotion and a championship title were the culmination of a project four years in the making.

“The club and owners have really backed the women’s team over the past few years and that has shown this season in particular. There are people who have worked tirelessly over those years for this moment — not only to be promoted, but to be crowned champions.” 

The success was especially sweet after last season’s heartbreak. Birmingham narrowly missed promotion on the final day, a disappointment that became fuel for the campaign ahead.

“Last season, we missed out on promotion on the final day which was tough to take, but it created this motivation within the group to succeed no matter what this year. As a coaching group, the response was clinical.

“There were ups and downs throughout the season. It wasn’t as smooth sailing as we would have liked, but the character in the group persevered.” 

COMEBACK TRAIL

One of the defining moments came in March after a 2-0 away defeat to Newcastle left Birmingham trailing league leaders Charlton Athletic by nine points.

“There was definitely a period in mid-March where people would have doubted us but football always has some surprises.” 

On the final day, Birmingham travelled to face Charlton knowing everything was on the line. A composed 2-0 victory sealed promotion and completed a remarkable turnaround, finishing two points clear.

Alongside Crystal Palace, Birmingham secured automatic promotion, while Charlton now face a play-off against Leicester City.

For Noonan, the campaign also represented another major step in a rapidly developing coaching career.

“It’s a huge opportunity, one that every young player or coach would aspire to. Coaching in what is, in my opinion, the pinnacle of women’s football — the best league in the world.” 

Noonan joined Birmingham after spending a year in Melbourne, Australia, and says the experience at the club has accelerated her development.

“We have a really strong staff group spanning medical, performance, nutrition, psychology and data analytics, all led by head coach Amy Merricks.”

Working under Merricks and alongside technical director Hope Powell has been invaluable.

“The experience I’ve gained from each individual has been huge for my own development.” 

Though living away from home is never easy, Noonan says Birmingham has become a second home.

The people at this club have made Birmingham feel like home, which I’m very grateful for.” 

The club also carries strong Irish ties, something Noonan has embraced. Irish internationals Lucy Quinn and Lily Agg have been part of the squad, while former Republic of Ireland captain Louise Quinn remains connected to the club following retirement.

Birmingham has a rich history in the women’s game, as founding members of the Women’s Super League in 2011 and winners of the 2012 FA Women's Cup Final a year later.

“They are a historic club in the women’s game. Now we want to build again.” 

Promotion is only the beginning.

“We won’t be satisfied with just surviving in the WSL. We want to be competitive across all fixtures and competitions.” 

AMAZING

With interest reportedly growing in Noonan’s coaching services, her next move remains undecided.

“Of course I’d love to stay at Birmingham and take that next step with this group, but I have a few offers on the table that I’m currently exploring.” 

For now, though, the Cork woman is allowing herself a brief pause after a landmark season.

“It’s time to put the feet up for a few weeks and reflect on what has been an amazing year. Hopefully I’ll get home and catch up with family and friends before the madness starts again.”