London City Lionesses will be promoted to the WSL if they avoid defeat on Sunday Owned by a visionary businesswoman and one of the few independent women's football clubs not affiliated to a men's team London City Lionesses stand on the brink of history It will be a straight shootout for promotion to the Women's Super League between the Lionesses and Birmingham City on Sunday as the Women's Championship promotion race comes down to the final day of the season The Lionesses sit two points clear at the table summit and will be promoted to the top tier for the first time if they avoid defeat at second-placed Birmingham While it could become the biggest day in the club's short history for manager Jocelyn Precheur and owner Michele Kang "We have a long-term project here," Precheur said We have a long road but we will do it in two Maybe I look arrogant but Michele is very clear about the project We want to create a good club in England." who has played in four of Europe's 'big five' leagues and earned just shy of 200 caps for Sweden considers it one of the biggest games of her career "It feels like a final," Asllani told BBC Sport "These are the games you want to play It's a game between the two best teams in the league." Should they get over the line at the weekend the Lionesses will become the 20th different club to play in the top flight since its restructuring in 2011 How football tycoon gave Lyon a new lease of life Kang announces $50m for women's sport London City aim to reach WSL 'as fast as possible' Millwall Lionesses split from Millwall FC to become an independent and fully professional team In the following season the renamed London City Lionesses joined the Women's Championship It hasn't been smooth sailing for the Bromley-based Lionesses yo-yoing between second and eighth in the table during their first five seasons and going through five permanent managers - and three interims - prior to Precheur's arrival from Paris St-Germain in June 2024 in 2022-23 they did come within touching distance of promotion finishing in third position but only three points behind champions Bristol City Although they finished second the previous year the Lionesses reached the fifth round of the Women's FA Cup this season and last while they qualified for the Women's League Cup quarter-finals in 2023-24 Michele Kang (right) owns London City Lionesses marking the start of a new era for the club The South Korea-born American investor was inspired to invest in women's sport after meeting the World Cup-winning US women's national team in 2019 She has invested more than £40m in rugby and football the industry's first women's multi-club soccer ownership group and has built up a portfolio of women's football teams purchasing NWSL team Washington Spirit and French serial trophy winners Lyon Her objective couldn't be clearer: to make every team she owns champion of their respective league Kang's influence has been eye-catching who led PSG to the last four of the 2023-24 Women's Champions League and bringing in more than a dozen new players throughout this season The headline additions included veteran Sweden internationals Sofia Jakobsson and Asllani and five-time Women's Champions League winner Saki Kumagai Kang has relocated the club to Bromley and purchased the 28-acre Cobdown Park in Aylesford with the ambition of constructing a centre of excellence for women's and girls' football "It's great to have her [at our games] and when she's there The things she's done at this club and the other clubs is great," Goodwin said who was inspired to join the Lionesses after seeing the transformation at Washington Spirit Kang's biggest asset isn't her investment but her commitment to her vision "What she's doing is amazing and I hope it will inspire other clubs or other rich people to invest in women's football," Precheur told BBC Sport "We've heard many times in the past people who arrive [and say] we want to be promoted and play in the Champions League "You cannot realise how different it is if you haven't spoken with Michele She knows what she wants and when she says something It has to come from the top if you want to breed a winning culture." With Kang's investment and the flurry of new arrivals London City Lionesses were runaway pre-season favourites to secure promotion to the WSL Many expected them to win the Championship at a canter the promotion race has turned into a nail-biter Victory over Durham last week would have seen them crowned champions with a match to spare but they were held to a 1-1 draw – the second time this season Adam Furness' side have proved a thorn in the Lionesses' side after beating them 3-2 in November Sunderland and Charlton have also taken points off the league leaders who won last November's reverse fixture 2-1 The Lionesses have had to fight hard for their league-leading 13 wins with seven of those victories coming via a one-goal margin Sweden international Kosovare Asllani was one of more than a dozen new signings for 2024-25 Precheur believes it was disrespectful to the quality of the league to tout London City Lionesses as champions-in-waiting before a ball had been kicked "We identified four or five very good teams We identified Birmingham as a strong opponent and they confirmed the first feeling I had about them "We think with huge financial support We need to create a culture and so many things to have everything we need to perform consistently during the season but it's a lack of respect for the other teams It was a little lack of respect to think that it will be easy." 'One big push' - WSL promotion decider awaits fallen giants More on this storyGet the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Watch Arsenal in Champions League training before crucial semi-final with PSG - latest Stunning stats and 'Ronaldo behaviour' - is Yamal cut out to rival Messi Real seek to sign Alexander-Arnold for Club World Cup The final series of Man Like Mobeen has arrived John Simm stars in the provocative 90s drama Warm-hearted comedy with Ben Miller and Sally Phillips Follow two ambitious river restoration projects Who has made Troy's Premier League team of the week Is the risk that Mercedes took with Antonelli paying off Trailblazer Zhao set to take snooker to 'another level' in China 'Calamity keeper' or 'human wall' - which Donnarumma will Arsenal face Zhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights VideoZhao beats Williams in historic final - highlights Alexander-Arnold leaves as modern Liverpool great - but fans will feel hurt 'Scheffler and DeChambeau wins further raise US PGA excitement levels' Match-fixing scandal to Crucible champion - fall and rise of Zhao 'We need to take a look at ourselves' - Arsenal stalling at wrong time Europa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney VideoEuropa League 'papering over cracks' for Man Utd - Rooney Ask Me Anything the new BBC Sport service designed to serve you Bayern's 'James Bond' - how Kane clinched his first trophy Nine bolters with a shot of making the Lions squad How 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool VideoHow 'absolutely outstanding' Palmer 'destroyed' Liverpool Solskjaer on Besiktas Saints 'punch' favourites Leinster in game for the ages VideoVardy the best £1m ever spent - Shearer Poppy's tears Elton John & Happy Gilmore - McIlroy on Jimmy Fallon show Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - Birmingham Police are investigating after a homicide took place in the 300 block of 6th Avenue South Alley Homicide Investigation 300 block of 6th Avenue South Alley pic.twitter.com/oblSc2X8H5 officers responded to a call of a person shot at the 6th Avenue Meat & Grocery store Police found an unresponsive man - 60-year-old Frank Jackson of Birmingham - inside a vehicle Birmingham Fire and Rescue Service took Jackson to UAB Hospital Police say the preliminary investigation suggests the man was sitting inside his vehicle when a suspect fired gunshots into the vehicle and left the scene A person of interest was detained for questioning by homicide detectives as part of their ongoing investigation please call Birmingham Police at 205-254-1764 Get news alerts in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store or subscribe to our email newsletter here Homicide Investigation 300 block of 6th Avenue South Alley pic.twitter.com/oblSc2X8H5 A man who hit a 13-year-old girl while recklessly speeding Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.comand on Freeview 262 or Freely 565 Mervyn Boreland was sentenced to three years in prison at Birmingham Crown Court on May 1, nearly two years after the incident on Holly Lane in Erdington which left a 13-year-old girl with serious and life-changing injuries Boreland was recklessly speeding in Holly Lane and he hit a then 13-year-old girl as she crossed the road and then drove off without any concern for the pedestrian he had just hit Forensic examinations showed that Boreland was driving between 64 and 67mph despite Holly Lane having a 30mph speed limit The girl was taken to hospital with serious life threatening and life changing injuries An investigation was immediately launched by West Midlands Police to locate the car and driver with appeals issued for witnesses and CCTV enquiries carried out by officers The force said this led them to the identification of a black Volkswagen Golf with further enquires finding Boreland to be the driver of the car handed himself into custody and was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving a charge he pleaded guilty to at Birmingham Crown Court "Nobody can prepare you for that knock on the door "In what can only be described as a miracle "We are incredibly grateful to the emergency response teams that cared for her that day and the medical staff that supported her recovery She fought and continues to fight as hard as anyone we have ever met "Over the following months she has had to learn how to talk "Watching your child struggle every single day just to do the bare minimum that we take for granted is heart breaking "The pain felt when putting these memories into words is so deep Detective Sergeant Paul Hughes, from the West Midlands Police Serious Collision Investigation Unit, said: "Again, this is an example of showing that speeding has devastating consequences.  "Our investigations showed Boreland was travelling at over double the speed limit in a residential street, and then rather than stopping to help, he drove off. "No family should go through the devastation that this child and her family have gone through and still do to this day.  "The level of injuries sustained were catastrophic but thankfully we have seen an incredible fight to survive. “I have read the heart breaking Victim Personal Statement provided by what I can only describe as a strong and amazing young person and I would say to her, you are an inspiration to others and the courage and fortitude you have demonstrated is a shining example to us all.” #UpTheVilla '#' : location.hash;window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery = location.search === '' && location.href.slice(0 location.href.length - window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash.length).indexOf('?') !== -1 '?' : location.search;if (window.history && window.history.replaceState) {var ogU = location.pathname + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUQuery + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash;history.replaceState(null "\/news\/eds-academy\/aston-villa-man-city-fa-youth-cup-tv-listings-63882029?__cf_chl_rt_tk=xjUTMLuc8ibyIi8TMmNSc62XAm85csEvF3skZWg7JMY-1746534964-1.0.1.1-1fvuWVh8cgy0ZE6eeZnLE9DEoLXi1CQXaI589dkpU2I" + window._cf_chl_opt.cOgUHash);cpo.onload = function() {history.replaceState(null ogU);}}document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(cpo);}()); This blog has now closed. Follow our Tuesday Australia federal election 2025 live blog here for the latest results and reaction It must start with the raison d’être. Why do we have a Liberal Party and how is it relevant in 2025 and beyond? The broad church model of a party that successfully melds liberal and conservative thinking is clearly broken. The Liberal Party is not seen as remotely liberal and the brand of conservatism projected is clearly perceived as too harsh and out of touch. Quoting Theresa May to the UK’s Conservative party back in 2002, he wrote: “Our base is too narrow and so, occasionally, are our sympathies. You know what some people call us: the nasty party.” Australians still seek all of the freedoms that liberalism stands for. Freedoms of belief, worship, family, enterprise and ownership. Indeed, they embrace more freedoms than ever in a society where people enjoy more rights to equality of opportunity and exercise those rights through a wide diversity of social, family and business constructs. Yet in 2025 the Liberal Party is seen as grudging if not intolerant of the way some exercise those freedoms. He said the party needed to focus on women and called for the party to embrace gender quotas. He also called for the new leader to embrace citizen assemblies, reconcile itself on “budget sustainability, climate change and national security”, and embrace modern campaigning. The Liberal Party has failed to learn lessons from the past and if it fails to do so in the face of this result then its future viability to govern will be questioned. 4 May 2025With that we’re wrapping up the blog Several seats remained on a knife-edge on Sunday with the results in many contests too close to call but with Labor expected to also make inroads into the federal Senate; Anthony Albanese says he has received a number of texts and calls from world leaders after his election win; The treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has described the election result as beyond the party’s “most optimistic expectations”; The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has lauded federal Labor’s electoral win as “emphatic and historic”; The Nationals leader David Littleproud, who was re-elected easily, rejected a suggestion that the Coalition’s nuclear policy had anything to do with its defeat; Liberal moderate NSW senator Andrew Bragg says the Coalition’s road back to relevancy begins with “deeper understanding of modern Australia”; Labor MP Jeremy Laxale says there is one person to blame for the scale of the Coalition’s loss – Peter Dutton; Independent MP Zali Steggall said the Liberal party has lost its way and “abandoned the concepts of liberalism”; Coalition MP Keith Wolahan, who is likely to lose his seat, said releasing policies late in the campaign was a tactical mistake; Wolahan also said the party will need to “dig deep and think about who we are”; Independent senator David Pocock says he is “humbled” by the scale of the swing towards him in the ACT; Environment groups have taken a victory lap framing the Coalition’s crushing electorate defeat as the end of its nuclear ambitions The Marine Conservation Society says the Australian government must now do more to protect Australia’s environment. Updated at 09.44 CEST2d ago09.21 CESTOn X has shared this image from the American sports comedy-drama Ted Lasso Wilson is currently neck and neck with teal independent Zoe Daniel Wilson is hoping the postal votes get him over the line pic.twitter.com/ZLvkRXtrNl Updated at 09.25 CEST2d ago09.04 CESTSussan Ley pays tribute to Dutton says new Liberal leader will be chosen once all results are inThe acting Liberal leader has issued a statement saying the party was reflecting on the “results with humility”: I want to thank the many millions of Australians who voted for the Liberal Party (and National Party) and the thousands of volunteers who supported our campaign and deputy leader for the past three years I want to pay particular tribute to Peter Dutton and thank him for his 25 years of deeply valued service to our country He has been an outstanding Member of Parliament Harry and Tom all the very best for their future She said the parties’ thoughts were with the Liberal members who have lost their seats and the 150 candidates who ran across the country Acting Liberal leader Sussan Ley. Photograph: Jason O’Brien/AAPThe Liberal party would meet to elect a leader and deputy leader of the opposition once the full results are in. Finally, I thank our many dedicated Liberal and National Party members, Australia-wide, for supporting us so well during this campaign and at this time. Updated at 09.13 CEST2d ago08.54 CESTSimon Birmingham says modern Liberal party ‘not seen as remotely liberal’Former finance minister Simon Birmingham has taken to LinkedIn to call out the Liberal party model for being broken. Updated at 09.00 CEST2d ago08.31 CESTLiberals Against Nuclear calls on party to axe ‘disastrous’ policy The group of Liberal supporters who led a campaign against Peter Dutton’s signature energy policy have called on the party to drop the plan in the wake of the massive defeat. Liberals Against Nuclear spokesperson Andrew Gregson said: This result sees the Liberals facing a generational wipeout. Only significant and immediate change can chart a pathway back. Dropping the disastrous nuclear policy right now would demonstrate they are prepared to listen, learn and act. Saturday’s election results are simply the latest and most compelling evidence that the party faithful never signed up for nuclear and would not follow Mr Dutton down this path. If we continue down this path, we’re not just risking another electoral defeat – we’re risking the very identity of the Liberal Party as founded by Robert Menzies. Updated at 08.36 CEST2d ago08.19 CESTAmanda MeadeABC tops election night TV ratings The ABC was the most popular destination for election viewing last night with its top election program (between 8.30pm and 10pm) attracting a national average audience of 2.4 million viewers According to official ratings data from OzTAM the ABC’s broadcast and ABC iview audience dominated prime-time viewing with a free-to-air total TV prime-time share of 48.4% Seven News had 580,000 viewers and was the highest rating commercial TV station Seven says it was the first network to call the result, declaring prime minister Anthony Albanese the winner at 8.08pm Nine News was in third spot with 527,000 viewers The ABC News website and app had more than 5.7 million users across the day and almost 500,000 additional users via Apple News In a post to social media, Hill highlighted how the Liberal party had secured only 13 of the 37 seats won by the Coalition in the House of Representatives. The Nats and LNP are doing relatively well. Barnaby Joyce for Leader of the Opposition? Updated at 08.04 CEST2d ago07.52 CESTJoe Hinchliffe‘Women empowering women’ behind Labor’s success in Queensland Labor’s Anika Wells says gender played a “critical” role in the party securing its historic win at Saturday’s election alongside seven other newly elected Labor women from the sunshine state – including one senator and six likely to win lower house seats – the minister for sports and member for Lilley says the Albanese government inspired women to join and vote for them It is such a powerful picture that you see here but these women represent their communities saw themselves represented in what was the first ever majority women government and the first ever 50-50 male-female cabinet she saw the possibilities for someone like herself in that and she put herself forward in a situation that she may have never done before Comer and Wells is Brisbane’s Madonna Jarrett Griffith’s Renee Coffey and senator Corinne Mulholland In a post to social media, Daniel said it would be some days before the final count will be known. The result in Goldstein is obviously close and it will be some days before the result is confirmed. I again thank the voters of Goldstein for their support as well as the many volunteers who worked tirelessly on my campaign. This electoral race is personal for her opponent, Tim Wilson, who was quoted by The Age on Saturday night as saying he believed he would get over the line on postal votes which were being returned in his favour at a rate of two to one. Daniel is welcome to claim whatever she wants – it is the voters that will decide the result. It’ll be tight. The whole nation went in one direction. We went in the other direction. I’m pretty proud of that. Succour if I fail, but I genuinely think I’ll get there. Updated at 07.44 CEST2d ago07.32 CESTIndependents ‘can’t be ignored’ in coming parliament, Gee says Gee says the strong swing the independents received showed “people have had a gutful of the spin”. In the end there was just so much major party advertising from the Nationals. It was just an avalanche. And I think in a cost of living crisis, people were seeing those massive amounts of money being spent on TV, on signage, everything. And I think a lot of people in the end thought this is just obscene. And they were just seeing the same old soundbites coming in. And it wasn’t real and genuine community connection at the end of the day. And so I think that made the difference. I think we ran a very grassroots campaign. We ran it on the smell of an oily rag. And I think that people could see in communities around our region that we were genuinely trying to offer alternative policies and actually help people and make life better for the people that we represent. Gee said he did not believe the Labor majority would dilute the power of the crossbench and that, in fact, he expected a “very dynamic crossbench”. I think the fact that the independents have been returned with such decisive results, I think adds weight to the voices that we bring to the parliament, because we’ve shown that we can stand up to the mightiest of machines and that we can defeat them, and that we will not be ignored and we can’t be ignored. Updated at 07.41 CEST2d ago07.29 CESTFormer Nationals MP predicts party will have leadership challenge soon Andrew Gee says the failure by the Coalition to provide any real details of its nuclear plan particularly in communities like Lithgow where it wanted to build them contributed to their defeat as it left people guessing whether it was “fact or fiction” the Coalition didn’t tell the people of Lithgow that they were actually planning to store the nuclear waste in Lithgow And then when I actually got that information out of it you can store it in Coke cans,’ and all this sort of stuff like little is this a real policy or is it not a real policy the National party will be expected to have a leadership challenge the National party had a good campaign and everything’s hunky dory But the reality is the challenge will be on if the numbers are there Goodwin’s stunning long-range strike and a Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah header put the visitors 2-0 up and Birmingham, backed by a club-record crowd of 8,749, knowing they had to win to be promoted, fought back valiantly in the final 27 minutes through Emily van Egmond’s header and Cho So-hyun’s volley – four minutes from time – to set up a frantic finish but the visitors clung on to the draw they needed to clinch top spot. Lionesses will be the WSL’s first independently run club and the wealthy American businesswoman has made no secret of her intention to turn them into a Champions League force She was front and centre in the team’s celebrations even carrying the trophy on to the pitch before it was presented and stood side-by-side with the captain Kosovare Asllani as the Swede hoisted the silverware a delighted Kang told TalkSport: “When I first came to England and bought London City a lot of people were concerned for me and were saying: ‘How can she do this you need a men’s team to draw the brand power fanbase and resources – an independent team can’t do it.’ Well Her cash injection in the past two transfer windows in particular brought the English women’s second tier into uncharted territory and therefore it was perhaps fitting that it should be Goodwin the division’s record signing – purchased for a fee believed to be in excess of £100,000 from Sheffield United – who played a key role in this promotion decider The 22-year-old former Aston Villa forward She produced a goal-of-the-season contender to open the scoring skilfully evading two challenges before launching a powerful strike from long range that flew into the top corner After the game a beaming Goodwin told Sky Sports: “I can’t believe it I don’t think I’ve ever scored a goal like that in my life.” who also owns the record eight-times women’s European champions Lyon and the NWSL side Washington Spirit was in the executive boxes at a noisy St Andrew’s sitting near to Birmingham’s owner Tom Wagner in what was a clash between the second tier’s two big-spending promotion rivals with the league’s chief executive Nikki Doucet and chair Dawn Airey also in attendance The game was the first in the history of the English women’s second tier to be broadcast live by Sky Sports such was the magnitude of the occasion with promotion on the line and viewers were rewarded with a box-office finale as Birmingham pushed for a winner in 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time Both teams had efforts cleared off the line in a tense first half with firstly Boye-Hlorkah denying Van Egmond before Birmingham’s Rebecca Holloway did well to hook away a Boye-Hlorkah effort at the other end Goodwin also forced Adrianna Franch into a fine low save before the break Boye-Hlorkah headed inside the far post from a corner before Van Egmond gave the hosts’ hope from close range and then the substitute Cho had them believing After his team survived 10 minutes of stoppage time looked emotionally drained when speaking to reporters and said: “It means a lot I was so satisfied to give her [Kang] this gift because people cannot really realise what she’s doing right now for women’s football Free weekly newsletterNo topic is too small or too big for us to cover as we deliver a twice-weekly roundup of the wonderful world of women’s football As her teammates danced and sang on the pitch the Republic of Ireland left-back Megan Campbell You’ve got a fantastic owner in Michele Kang who wants to promote the women’s game and do what she can for it and when you’ve got someone like that in charge Falling tree limbs in Birmingham kills one person AL (WBMA) — A large police presence is on the scene of Carlos Avenue Southwest in West End Birmingham Birmingham City Council has confirmed it still intends to go ahead with plans to introduce temporary sites for travellers amid a number of unauthorised encampments in city parks The authority has said it wants to introduce a “negotiated stopping” pilot programme which would involve an unused piece of land being used by those in the travelling community for “short term stays” The proposals came amid the council’s ongoing difficulties with its transit sites which are authorised areas where travellers can be directed to when in the city They typically provide hard standing for holding caravans a secure boundary and basic sanitary provision But due to factors such as repeated vandalism and unauthorised encampments the council’s two operational transit sites have often been closed Amid this backdrop, caravans have been spotted at a number of city parks in recent weeks, including Kings Heath Park and Swanshurst Park, near Moseley and Billesley. cabinet member for housing and homelessness confirmed this week that potential sites for the “negotiated stopping” pilot were still being identified and will be taken forward for consultation “The council are looking to progress a negotiated stopping procedure to enable the identification of specific sites to direct gypsies and travellers to for short term stays,” she said “Council officers are working to identify potential sites to be taken forward for consultation with local ward members communities and businesses where the sites are being proposed “Consultation feedback will inform the final list of sites to be taken forward for a 12-month trial period.” She added that Leeds City Council operate a successful negotiated stopping scheme A council report recently acknowledged that the existing provision in Birmingham does not meet the “minimum pitch provision needs” of the travelling community It added there is no allocated budget for the management of the existing transit sites The council is therefore pushing ahead with the ‘negotiated stopping’ trial to see if it could help improve the situation It said earlier this year that it will make sure that it has taken “everyone’s views into consideration” regarding the pilot and added there are also plans for “community cohesion” ‘Powers hampered by lack of available transit sites’ The council report said that from 2018/19 to 2022/23 502 unauthorised encampments were recorded in Birmingham – 78 per cent on publicly-owned land it said: “The use of unauthorised encampments presents significant costs to the council both in terms of managing and moving on sites and remediation to damage and refuse left following an encampment.” On what affected the ‘longevity’ of any encampment had to consider the welfare of anyone who lived in the area the available powers are hampered by the lack of an available transit site to direct encampments to,” it continued The report added that the ‘negotiated stopping’ approach was “favoured by Gypsy Traveller communities as it provides a balanced and sensitive approach” and “offers more flexibility” “The council will need to assess the success of adopting the negotiated stopping approach before it can be embedded more broadly as a way forward,” it added Week 6 of the 2025 UFL continued with a doubleheader on Sunday, concluding with the Birmingham Stallions (4-2) playing host to the San Antonio Brahmas (1-5) at Protective Stadium on FOX US EditionUK EditionScottish SunIrish SunSearchMy Account London City Lionesses have secured promotion to the Women's Super League for the first time following a dramatic four-goal thriller with Birmingham clinched the Women's Championship title by drawing 2-2 against the Blues at St Andrew's on Sunday they prevented their opponents from leapfrogging them into top spot on the final day Birmingham had needed to beat London City in order to snatch the title and a place in next season's WSL Goals from Isobel Goodwin and Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah put the visitors 2-0 up they could only salvage a point through Emily van Egmond and Cho So-hyun's strikes The men's team had already won League One with a record-breaking points tally to return to the Championship having been aided by the financial backing of Americans Tom Wagner and Tom Brady. NFL legend Brady issued a rallying cry to Birmingham fans ahead of the clash, as he said on X: "One game, one win, and they’re promoted to the Women’s Super League. "They’ve worked so hard all year long for this moment, and now it’s time for us to show up.” "Let’s help them lift that trophy and bring home some hardware of their own." it is London City's billionaire owner Michele Kang celebrating after buying the club last summer She added the newly-promoted side to her existing portfolio of clubs London City will now be the only fully-independent club in next season's WSL but always trying to be realistic and I'm just so beyond excited for our players but I think it was good for overall fans to get excited about women's football and how exciting the game could be "So the fact that it was also on Sky and BBC The match was the first Women's Championship fixture ever to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Kang added: "When I first came to England and bought London City a lot of people were very concerned for me that how could she do this "There's no men's team in England You need a men's team to draw the brand power we're proof that with the proper investment and focus All 12 clubs in this season's WSL are affiliated to a current Premier League side were formed in 2019 after breaking away from Millwall Lionesses Kang will be aiming to avoid repeating the outcomes for the last two clubs promoted to the WSL Bristol City and Crystal Palace have both failed to avoid immediate returns to the second tier since 2023 She has backed former Paris Saint-Germain manager Jocelyn Precheur to steer London City to safety the fact that I brought Jocelyn as our head coach we were actually building for sort of the mid-tier WSL team we still have a lot more to do in terms of roster and all that But we were always building from day one at a minimum mid-tier WSL team so that we don't follow that pattern that you get promoted and the next year you get demoted our sporting director and recruiting directors are meeting actually nine o'clock in the morning tomorrow to plan for the next season And we've got an exciting plan ahead." Kang also invested heavily in the playing squad including the signing of Swedish international Kosovare Asllani The London City captain has hailed their owner when no one in the football world where I'm from because I think when you have the right investment we have Michele that has the ambition of creating a winning team and giving us the best resources Real Madrid and AC Milan before joining London City The WSL winner also has 196 caps for Sweden and has appeared at the last three Women's World Cups Whether you’re trying to soothe your sinuses or want something sweet locally-sourced honey across Greater Birmingham Foxhound Bee Company is well-known in Alabama beekeeping circles—not just for honey but for its mission to support new and experienced beekeepers small-batch honey harvested right in Hoover unfiltered and rich with seasonal flavor from local blooms Rock Ridge Bees is a family-owned operation passionate about sustainable beekeeping which means it retains all the natural enzymes and pollen It’s a go-to for folks who want a truly raw honey experience This Central Alabama classic has been bottling pure golden goodness for decades rich and free from additives or processing With a focus on sustainable practices and hive health Central Alabama Honey and Apiary offers raw wildflower honey from bees that forage throughout Chilton County The honey is bottled in small batches and sometimes includes unique seasonal varieties Chelsea Bee Company is a small Alabama-based honey producer known for its local Though specific nectar sources aren’t publicly detailed making it a great option for those seeking local honey with a regional character This multi-generational family operation produces honey from bees that roam throughout St R & L Honey Farms has “Honeybee Lady Soaps & Beyond,” and sells creamed honey Red Bird Produce in Avondale isn’t just about veggies—they also have local honey at their shop The honey is a great hidden gem south of Birmingham This veteran-owned company is a staple at Birmingham’s Pepper Place Market and surrounding shops around Birmingham The honey is known for its clean taste and clarity harvested from hives placed across Central and East Alabama Eastaboga also offers beeswax products and honey infusions like cinnamon and jalapeño Fun fact: Back Forty Brewing Company uses Eastaboga Honey to make their classic Truck Stop Honey beer Hewett’s Honey offers a variety of honey sizes and Located in Duncanville took up beekeeping as a hobby in the 1970s and started selling honey in the 1990s made with ground almond shells that work great as an exfoliator We Three Beeks is a Birmingham-based honey producer that offers raw unfiltered honey harvested from hives placed across Central and East Alabama Cold Creek Honey Company is a family-owned business producing 100% raw now a small apiary with hives across North Alabama Bee Creek Farm is a family-owned operation located in Shelby County specializing in raw honey and creamed honey products Bee Creek Farm produces a variety of flavored creamed honeys They also offer gift baskets and honey-packing supplies I picked up some of the cinnamon honey for myself Whether you’re fighting off spring allergies or just looking to drizzle something delicious over your toast supporting local beekeepers is a win-win for your health give it a try and visit a market or two—your sinuses (and your taste buds) will thank you Did we miss any of your local favorite honey spots? Let us know @Bhamnow and we can update our list All content on this site is Copyright ©  Rushing Waters Media LLC/Bham Now 2016-2025 — The Birmingham Police Department's Special Enforcement Division made 56 arrests between April 28 and May 4 as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance public safety and reduce crime across the city The arrests were part of targeted enforcement initiatives conducted by the department's Special Operations Bureau The enforcement efforts resulted in 23 felony arrests and 33 misdemeanor arrests Officers conducted 261 traffic stops and issued 242 citations with two being stolen and subsequently recovered Narcotics seized during the operations included 64.9 grams of crack cocaine The department also seized $3,618 in currency "The Birmingham Police Department is working tirelessly to fight crime and keep neighborhoods safe," said Sergeant Laquitta Wade "We appreciate the continued support of the community and thank you for standing with us." — A man is in the hospital following a shooting near Legion Field The incident occurred in the 100 block of 4th Court West was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries Authorities have not confirmed if any arrests have been made in connection with the shooting The rats in Britain’s second city have feasted and multiplied This article appeared in the Leaders section of the print edition under the headline “Something rotten” Discover stories from this section and more in the list of contents But a patch-up job would be cheaper than politicians think China has a new chance to call America’s bluff The relief they are banking on needs to come fast It would then have every right to strike back Interpretability techniques are powerful, but must be used with care with NFL legend and minority owner of the club Tom Brady watching on Birmingham, having already clinched the League One title were expected to wrap up a momentous double in the Vertu Trophy a competition which is largely comprised by teams in English football's third and fourth tiers they were brushed aside by the unfancied Peterborough who are 16th in League One with 47 fewer points than Birmingham Harley Mills opened the scoring after 15 minutes with a sublime free-kick before another stunning strike -- from captain Hector Kyprianou -- doubled Peterborough's advantage they could not break down a stubborn defence and Peterborough became the first team in the competition's history to lift the trophy in back-to-back years Hector Kyprianou celebrates after putting Peterborough 2-0 up at Wembley Stadium. Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty ImagesBrady, who entered a partnership with Birmingham owners Knighthead Capital Management in 2023 jetted in to watch the game in London and delivered a rallying cry to the team beforehand In a video on Instagram the seven-time Super Bowl champion and three-time NFL MVP said: "There's a moment in every player's journey when everything Having already been confirmed as League One champions after Wrexham, co-owned by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, dropped points on Saturday, Birmingham can set their sights on the Championship -- one tier below the Premier League -- next season Wrexham will hope to join them, with a one-point advantage over Wycombe Wanderers for the final automatic promotion place Reform and the Tories are rubbing their hands with glee as residents once again pay the price for the disarray of the city’s Labour council I was recently standing on a picket line at Birmingham’s largest waste depot with a case of deja vu. “We are massively underfunded. It does need changing,” Lee, a bin worker and union rep, told me. But the council’s current offer to end the strike isn’t good enough We’ve been here before. In 2017, during seven hot and smelly summer weeks similar interviews were conducted in the same spot and images of sky-high mounds of uncollected rubbish were beamed out of Birmingham That dispute was almost the same as the one we’re living through now: the council wants to get rid of a role that poses a hefty equal pay risk workers in other parts of the council on a similar grade don’t get the same pay or perks which means they can make costly claims for compensation via unions or no-win Although the problem reared its head eight years ago it wasn’t properly addressed – those strikes ended with essentially the same role in place but under a different name The failure of Birmingham’s leaders to get to grips with the situation is a symptom of the council’s deeper disarray. As far as dysfunctional families go, Birmingham Labour is up there with the House of Windsor Consumed by infighting and intermittent grabs for power from within its ranks the group often seems so focused on internal strife that the business of running the city comes second a Labour council improvement board (CIB) report found the group was “divided” with “briefing against colleagues” commonplace apparently blissfully unaware the authority was about to be plunged into chaos given how unstable it made the council appear the Labour government in Westminster hardly seems interested in Birmingham and its opponents are rubbing their hands with glee at the chance to make an example of the city with a dispatch on fly-tipping from Handsworth for GB News Strolling around one of the city’s more deprived neighbourhoods he pointed enthusiastically at the “hoards of filth” and discarded “soiled underwear” Even those of us frustrated with Labour will find little solace in such opportunism We are used to being ridiculed in Birmingham to opening social media and seeing countless memes declaring our city is a “shithole” I don’t know anyone who cares too much about that on a personal level – the Brummie disposition is typically light and self-deprecating is a functioning city that is a pleasure to live in not politicians falling over themselves to use us as their football adopted in the mid 19th century when we were regarded as a municipal powerhouse and “the best-governed city in the world” it feels as if we are going round and round in circles Kate Knowles is editor of the Birmingham Dispatch This comes as bin strikes enter a fifth week as a major incident is declared by the city council Reporting from a collection point in Billesley BBC Midlands' David Lumb described the stench as "thick in the air" Asked about residents' hopes that there could be a temporary halt to the strike action Unite regional officer Zoe Mayou said "not for now" The union representing striking workers says the council is forcing some staff on to pay levels barely above the minimum wage - the council maintains it has made a fair and reasonable offer Meanwhile, a neighbouring council has said it will help clear the backlog of waste in Birmingham. 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Special night celebrates 45 years of 2 ToneFans at the event featuring Pauline Black and Horace Panter say their love of 2 Tone has endured. Can mayor hopefuls win young voters on social media?First time voters tell the us what they think of the mayoral social media campaigns. Car's crash into home captured on CCTVThe vehicle drives through a junction before the crash and two people flee the scene. Goose gives chase to canal path pedestriansThe reactions of the belligerent goose's victims are described as "priceless". 'I'm never going to get over something so horrific'Cody Fisher's girlfriend Jess Chatwin says she will never be able to move on from his murder. 'It was evil and inhumane to kill Cody'Tracey Fisher describes her son as a man who excelled in football and lived life. Unite leader says ‘partial deal on pay protection for a few’ was overwhelmingly rejected in vote Negotiations between the council and Unite which is representing the striking workers and refuse workers have been on indefinite strike since 11 March On Monday, workers were balloted on a “partial deal on pay protection for a few” Workers voted overwhelmingly to reject the deal describing it as a “totally inadequate” offer that still included substantial pay cuts It said the offer also failed to address potential pay cuts for 200 drivers Graham said: “The rejection of the offer is no surprise as these workers simply cannot afford to take pay cuts of this magnitude to pay the price for bad decision after bad decision.” She called on the government to intervene and bring stakeholders together to end the strike, as well as “urgently consider Unite’s proposal for debt restructure at Birmingham city council and other local authorities” “Unite has set out simple and reasonable steps to the council to resolve these issues It is important to remember that this dispute is not about a pay rise it is about preventing serious pay cuts,” she said a Conservative MP whose Aldridge-Brownhills constituency is in the Walsall borough which she referred to as “squeaky blinders” She said: “This really shows yet again Labour-led Birmingham council and this Labour government are failing residents and our region Earlier on Monday, the government said military personnel with “operational planning expertise” had been brought in to help the council clear rubbish from the streets. Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, said: “There’s no boots on the ground, let me be very clear. We’ve deployed a couple of army logistics to help with the logistical operation of clearing up the rubbish. “We’ve got over two-thirds of the rubbish cleared off the streets now … I’m very pleased about that. The kids are off school, obviously it’s Easter holidays, we want that rubbish cleared.” In March, the Labour-run Birmingham city council declared a major incident after 17,000 tonnes of uncollected rubbish were left on the streets, with striking workers being blamed for holding up bin lorries on the picket line. The council said 1,500 tonnes of waste a day were now being cleared, with about 100-120 refuse collection vehicles out every day, prioritising 15 of the worst-affected wards. The dispute centres on the council’s decision to cut a role from its waste service, which the union says will leave a number of workers with an £8,000-a-year pay cut. The council has repeatedly disputed this figure and said only 17 workers would be affected. It also said all workers had been offered alternative jobs on the same pay grade in other areas of the council, as well as the opportunity to train to become a driver. A spokesperson for Birmingham city council said: “It is incredibly disappointing that despite several weeks of extensive negotiations, Unite have rejected a second offer of settlement. However, our door remains open. “The council must deliver improved waste services for our citizens, who simply deserve better. We must also guard against future equal pay claims, and while we have sought throughout the negotiations to protect pay for individuals, Unite’s proposals focus solely on retaining a role that does not exist in other councils and represents an equal pay risk for Birmingham.” London City Lionesses promoted to WSL on final day London City Lionesses earned promotion to the Women's Super League for the first time despite title rivals Birmingham City coming from two goals down to force a thrilling draw on the final day of the Championship season A remarkable campaign came to an epic conclusion as the top two in the second tier met at St Andrew's where Birmingham needed to win to take the only promotion spot Championship top scorer Izzy Goodwin broke the deadlock for London City two minutes after half-time with a brilliant strike cutting in from the left wing before firing into the top corner right-footed from 25 yards The match appeared to be going only one way shortly before the hour when Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah - who had cleared a Birmingham effort off the line in the first half - headed in following a corner But Emily van Egmond bundled in from close range to pull one back for Birmingham before Cho So-hyun forced a grandstand finish with a skilfully executed volley with four minutes to go which means their stint in the second tier will continue into a fourth season 'We are only going up' - London City in WSL to stay WSL promotion shootout as London City face Birmingham Ambitious Lionesses recruit Asllani and ex-PSG boss Promotion represents vindication for wealthy Lionesses owner Michele Kang who took over in summer 2024 with the ambition of reaching the top of the women's game in England After hiring former Paris St-Germain boss Jocelyn Precheur and making several statement signings - including former WSL winner Kosovare Asllani - they have made the first step It also means Lionesses will become the first ever independent women's club Lionesses finish two points clear of Birmingham at the top of the Championship and they will replace relegated Crystal Palace in the WSL for 2025-26 "Since the beginning of the season it was tough "Maybe people think with money it wields say to build a team without financial support we could not do everything but there were a lot of things to do "Being promoted after just one season is amazing and completely outstanding It was tough and I also want to recognise the performance of Birmingham because it is a little unfair to be honest in a game like this to see we only have one team promoted because I think both teams needed to be promoted." Izzy Goodwin scored her 16th league goal of the season to put London City Lionesses ahead with two high quality teams meeting and so much on the line Birmingham kicked off as joint highest scorers in the Championship London City were unbeaten in their 10 previous games but they started slowly against a Birmingham side who had triumphed in their three previous meetings A tense first half saw both teams have efforts cleared off the line Emily van Egmond saw her header blocked in the 13th minute by Boye-Hlorkah who was brought into the starting XI by Precheur after being benched for last week's draw against Durham Then shortly before the break at the other end Boye-Hlorkah capitalised on an error by home goalkeeper Adrianna Franch only for Rebecca Holloway to make a last-ditch hooked clearance But Goodwin provided a moment of individual inspiration for her 16th goal in 20 Championship games and it set up Lionesses to complete their promotion mission Boye-Hlorkah and Van Egmond traded goals before Cho made it particularly nerve-jangling with Birmingham's equaliser But the WSL founder members and former Women's FA Cup winners must wait for their return to the top flight Birmingham defender Rebecca Holloway made a last-gasp goalline clearance in the first half It will be fascinating to see how Lionesses who have no affiliation with a men's club They will be facing 11 sides backed by associations with men's Premier League and Championship teams London City have hefty backing of their own from Kang's Kynisca Sports International group which also owns Women's Champions League semi-finalists Lyon and American heavyweights Washington Spirit this is the latest step in a remarkable journey for London City since they were born in 2019 out of a breakaway from Millwall Lionesses They have several recognisable names in their squad and are planning a world-class and female-centred training facility at Cobdown Park in Kent the promoted team have gone straight back down from the WSL - Bristol City in 2024 and Palace this year bucking that trend is their next challenge but they have made no secret about having loftier ambitions than that Chantelle Boye-Hlorkah celebrates scoring the second goal which proved crucial for Lionesses Head here to get involved Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page To load Comments you need to enable JavaScript in your browser The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made substituted for Louise Quinn at 86 minutesNumber 24 substituted for Cho So-Hyun at 75 minutesNumber 10 substituted for Lucy Quinn at 56 minutesNumber 26 London City LionessesManager: Jocelyn Prêcheur Wilde Match OfficialsReferee: Stacey FullicksAssistant Referee 1: Daniel SykesAssistant Referee 2: Phoebe HornerFourth Official: Amy FearnMatch StatsKey (WBMA) — A man is dead after a shooting in Birmingham Monday afternoon The Birmingham Police Department said the incident happened in the 300 block of 6th Avenue South alleyway around 12:15 p.m Police said officers responded to a call of a person shot they discovered 60-year-old Frank Jackson unresponsive inside a vehicle Birmingham Fire and Rescue took the man to UAB Hospital Police said he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival Police said their early investigation suggests the man was sitting inside his car when an unknown suspect fired into the vehicle and left the scene Police said a person of interest was detained for questioning If you have any information on this incident you can contact Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777 — A utility worker was killed while performing powerline repairs in Birmingham on Saturday morning was working in the 1900 block of 21st Avenue South when he was struck by a falling tree The incident occurred at approximately 10:21 a.m. and Duffie was pronounced dead at the scene 15 minutes later Duffie was employed by Utility Line Construction Services a company contracted by Alabama Power to repair powerlines damaged by a recent severe storm The Birmingham Police Department is investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInBIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - A man contracted by Alabama Power that died Saturday has been identified was killed by a falling tree while making power line repairs just before 10:30 a.m an employee of Utility Line Construction Services was pronounced dead on the scene in the 1900 block of 21st Avenue South Birmingham Fire and Rescue crews said Saturday that one other person was injured and taken to a local hospital There is no word on the person’s condition A dog kennel owner has been handed a 10-year ban after allowing dogs in her care to suffer Natalie Bailey, of Copthorpe Road, in Great Barr, who ran a private boarding kennel in Birmingham admitted a series of animal welfare offences against three dogs Bailey was investigated by the RSPCA investigators after concerns were raised by a member of staff at a vet when a bulldog was brought to the building in a suffering state The concerns were raised about the mistreatment of the dogs at the private kennels in Cookset Lane A staff member at the vet said that the English bulldog was bought in by a woman who was 'very panicked' and 'had blood over her arms' The staff member said: "A woman arrived at the clinic very panicked and had blood over her arms "She said that she had picked her dog up from the boarding kennels and that she thought she was dying I went straight out to the car and there were two bulldogs in the back seat she felt cold and was severely underweight The owner explained that the dog had been at a kennel for several weeks while she moved house The staff member said: "The owner explained to me that the dogs had been at a boarding kennel for several weeks whilst the owner was moving house "She said had been sent some photos while they were boarding The owner then went on to say that she rang the kennels as she was worried that they may have run out of food "The woman at the kennels said that they were fine the owner felt this was strange and so took a bag of food around anyway she found the dog in this condition so collected her straight away and brought her straight down to us." Rochea suddenly collapsed and had to be put to sleep with consent from her owner A female Staffordshire bull terrier-type dog named Brindy was also found to be suffering when she was presented in an emaciated state with the dog showing a history of vomiting to a different vet practice She was being cared for by Bailey while her owner was in hospital who investigated for the animal welfare charity said: "Owners entrusted Bailey with their pets expecting a level of care which they sadly did not receive.” was also found to have been left in a crate for a long period causing it to suffer scalding due to standing in urine and faeces Beau had also been found not to have been given appropriate food and kept in an unclean environment The 31-year-old was banned from keeping animals for 10 years after pleading guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Acts of 2006 and was ordered to carry out 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days when she was sentenced at Birmingham Insense Supervision court on April 10 Multiple reports have emerged of trees being downed in East Birmingham due to severe weather conditions heavy rain and strong winds are believed to be the cause of the damage A similar situation was reported on Robinson Drive Efforts are underway to confirm more details regarding the incidents at both locations — The Children's of Alabama Indy Grand Prix has returned to Barber Motorsports Park bringing a wave of excitement and international attention to Birmingham which kicked off with the first round of practice Friday is expected to draw even more than last year's 80,000 attendees "We've never been to an Indy Car Race...never been to Barber Motorsports praised the venue's intimate atmosphere "I like this race venue because you can get more up close with the teams ensuring there's something for everyone I was a little hesitant because you know we've got a young one it's very easy the fans are great," he said The weekend is not only about racing but also about raising funds for the Children's of Alabama the state's only free-standing pediatric hospital A portion of all race ticket sales will benefit the hospital along with proceeds from a $5 Ferris wheel ride and a 5K race The main event is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. — No one was injured after a house fire broke out in the 500 block of North Drive near the Roebuck Springs area when reports of heavy smoke prompted a swift response from fire personnel Birmingham Fire and Rescue personnel say firefighters managed to control the blaze within minutes The home was occupied at the time of the fire The cause of the fire is currently under investigation — A 34-year-old Birmingham man died early Sunday morning following a single-vehicle crash on the 1700 block of Tallapoosa Street Jason Albert was a passenger in the vehicle when it collided with a utility pole at approximately 4:33 a.m. according to the Birmingham Police Department Albert was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:57 a.m Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the crash Aston Villa is upgrading its stadium facilities and launched one of the best fine dining restaurants in the West Midlands Ask anyone from the West Midlands about the best things about their region and at some point they will mention the food Birmingham and its surrounding areas are home to some of the most iconic restaurants in the UK Just look at the wealth of Michelin stars that have been bestowed on the region in recent years - from two stars at Opheem in Birmingham city centre to long-standing food heroes Simpsons in Edgbaston which has held the one star coveted accolade since 1999 Now our football teams are upping their food game with Aston Villa seemingly knocking it out of the park at its revamped Legends Lounge at Villa Park We were invited to try out the new fine dining experience at the historic stadium which has been home to the Premier League Club since 1897 I was intrigued by the new offering which ‘is redefining matchday dining’ with an exclusive seven-course tasting menu showcasing the best of modern British cuisine We arrived at Villa Park three-and-a-half hours ahead of the early Saturday evening match against Newcastle - kick off was 5.30pm - and the Legend’s Lounge was open to guests from 2pm Claret and blue clad fans were gathering as we arrived - families and friends were strolling through the legendary stands momentous statues and glorious slogans emblazoned on the walls of the terraces The atmosphere was electric amid the gleaming lions from the club badge standing tall atop the stadium gates It was so impressive to see so many youngsters accompanying their parents proudly passing on the joy of following their team With access to the Legends Lounge 3.5 hours ahead of kick off we had plenty of time to get started on those seven courses We gained entry through the MacGregors Suite at the Trinity Stand and were given a warm welcome from everyone we met More than 42,000 fans were attending the game and staff calm and friendly as they guided us to our luxury destination on the second floor The Legends Lounge is a beautiful restaurant offering panoramic views overlooking the pitch Natural lighting from the football field and exterior woodland flooded through the stylish venue where sun rays bounced off golden decor and furnishings and gleaming glasses and silverware creating a stunning spectacle TV screens showing the latest football action around the stadium were tastefully located at various points through the restaurant where Villa heritage was seamlessly celebrated amid the luxury including a quote from Dough Ellis saying: “Villa Park’s setting in the heart of Birmingham is a testament to the club’s roots and its bond with the local community it stands as a beacon of pride for both the club and the city.”  As soon as we were seated our table host introduced herself to us and offered us a drink while we settled into our comfy seats The tasting menu comes with wine pairing and Champagne but it’s just so hard to say no to a glass of Champagne while my fellow dining partner opted for a pint of Poretti lager Fresh flowers adorned the table along with a Programme for the game - and a boxed gift from the newly revamped Villa Shop It was a charming Villa pen set in a claret wallet with blue lining But we weren’t here for the presents - we were here for the food And we were pretty confident that we weren’t going to be disappointed I’m not the biggest fan of football although I do follow the game and am proud of our region's iconic teams But I am a fan of food and like nothing less than exploring new dining experiences far and wide From The Wilderness in the Jewellery Quarter to Adams in Birmingham centre to Herbert’s Yard in Longbridge and ‘the Best Pub Pie Ever’ at the Inkwell in Lichfield - I’ve managed to scoff my way around a fair bit of the West Midlands in all sorts of venues We kicked off with canapés - a Black Olive muffin with natural yoghurst and Isle of Wight tomato with confit garlic bruschetta crispiness of the bruschetta was an especially sensational joy to bite into which blended perfectly with the accompanying pairing of La Cuvee NV We were definitely onto a winner - and the match hadn’t even started I had to keep reminding myself that I was in a football stadium - this was luxury fine dining far away from match day pies I had always associated with soccer Although we did get a gentle reminder as each plate of food was elegantly served in dishes emblazoned with a gold Aston Villa crest It wasn’t long before we were tucking into course number two - our pre-starter of White bean and spinach soup with basil perfectly preparing us for our oncoming trip outdoors to our padded stadium seats to watch Villa take on Newcastle The kitchen just kept on scoring with the arrival of course number three - our actual starter - a Pork cheek croquet The crispy coating encapsulated the moistest morsels of meat with delicious mellow flavours enhanced by the sharpness of the pickle and delightfully contrasting with the smoothness of the remoulade Laurent Perrier Champagne added another sweetly sparkling depth to the dish We were soon onto our fish course (this is number four Now this was actually my favourite dish of all It was Poached lobster with Yellow pepper emulsion It was as luxurious as it sounds and as pretty as a picture with a rainbow of colours filling the plate an exquisite experience of meaty fish empowered with protein and nutrients Burgundy from France with its silky texture and fresh apple-y aromas enhancing the goodness Well I can assure you that course five was also a triumph - a fantastic seasonal dish of lamb Our pairing wine was a bold and beautiful Rioja Gran Reserva 2018 Sierra Cantabria from Spain with a hint of coffee amid the fruity Now you may not be surprised to hear that at this point we did take a bit of a break from wining and dining before we continued our feast It was time to soak up more of the atmosphere in the restaurant as the stadium filled up with fans ready for their team's latest clash on the pitch Each guest in the Legend’s Lounge has a bespoke pin badge for the game We were also advised that we could take a blanket into the stadium to keep warm if we wanted We had great seats - padded no less - overlooking the centre of the pitch Ahead of the sporting action we tucked into two more courses Pre-dessert was a refreshing Rhubarb and custard ice cream Our actual dessert was a magnificent Easter Chocolate mousse I’ve never eaten Kataifi before - the shredded sweet pastry looked and tasted fabulous - I loved the texture and its strawlike features Our pairing wine was Tokaji Late Harvest 2022 But the pre-match live music and pyrotechnics were exhilarating We retreated into the Legend’s Lounge for a bit more food - and drink This time we were served Mini ox cheek suet pudding with a glass of Poretti (we could have chosen other drinks) It was the comfort food I needed as I discovered a new passion for my home city’s Premier League team It wasn’t long before we were back outside cheering - and the goals just kept coming Our celebrations didn’t stop in our stadium side seats We returned to the Legends Lounge where we were invited to stay for another 1.5 hours after the match We ordered a post drink tipple and were served up our fine dining finale - a cheese board with Lancashire Black Bomber Aston Villa certainly know how to entertain with quality food and service with an exceptional fine dining experience - one of the best in the West Midlands which boasts some of the best restaurants in the UK You can find out more information about the Legends Lounge at Villa Park here: Legends Lounge at Villa Park  Bull Ring in Sedgley(Image: Google)A man and a woman have been arrested after two police officers were assaulted outside a pub in Sedgley Police were called to reports of a disorder outside a watering hole in Bull Ring at around 11.15pm yesterday attacked two officers as they attempted to detain him READ MORE: Birmingham's viral police officer whose knife chase was viewed by more than 1 million He was arrested on suspicion of assaulting emergency workers Police said a 49-year-old woman who was "interfering" was also arrested on suspicion of obstructing an officer A West Midlands Police spokesperson said: "We have arrested a man and a woman after two of our officers were assaulted outside a pub in Sedgley. "We were called to reports of disorder outside a pub in Bull Ring, Sedgley, at around 11.15pm yesterday (Sunday), and on arrival, officers tried to establish what exactly was happening. "A man assaulted two officers as they attempted to detain him, and he was subsequently arrested for assaulting an emergency worker. "While officers were trying to detain the man, a woman was interfering and stopping officers from arresting him, and she was arrested for obstructing a police officer. "Both officers are well and have no injuries. "The man, aged 54, and the woman, aged 49, both remain in custody for questioning. "We're appealing for witnesses or for anyone with any information to please contact us via Live Chat on our website, or by calling 101, quoting log number 4662 of May 5." Information can also be passed on anonymously by calling Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Two men were arrested across Birmingham on suspicion of theft after a motorbike was stolen and items taken from a car The arrests of a suspected motorbike thief and a man suspected of stealing from a parked car took place over the last week in the Jewellery Quarter and on Soho Road. The first incident saw two men in crash helmets allegedly steal a motorbike on Legge Lane on Thursday afternoon (May 1) after breaking its steering lock Two suspects were chased by officers on patrol The other incident involved a man reportedly being spotted by a passer-by reaching into a parked car on Soho Road The passer-by had taken a video of the incident with officers identifying the suspect and arresting them on Saturday A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Great work by our officers led to the arrest of a suspected motorbike thief and a man suspected of stealing from a parked car as our work to tackle vehicle crime in Birmingham continues "Two men in crash helmets were seen stealing a motorbike after breaking its steering lock on Legge Lane in the Jewellery Quarter last Thursday afternoon who were flagged down by a member of the public but the other was arrested and later charged a passer-by filmed a man reaching into a parked car on the Soho Road and a wallet with £200 cash before leaving the scene "Officers viewed the video and identified as suspect who was arrested and charged with theft on Saturday (April 26) "We work hard to tackle vehicle crime in the West Midlands and bring offenders to justice From a hospital bed in Russells Hall Hospital in November 2024 with a mild heart attack to completing the Birmingham Half Marathon 4 May 2025 for Prostate Cancer and Action Heart Mark Sinclair said: "Thanks to the support from my Dudley Parkrun family and also Russells Hall Hospital and New Cross Hospital coronary care and post coronary care units." Birmingham City Council is planning to push ahead with controversial plans to introduce parking charges at three beauty spots despite backlash from residents The crisis-hit council passed through another painful budget earlier this year which included an enormous wave of ‘savings’ and cuts to services, as well as a council tax hike for a second successive year A consultation was held recently on the plans which showed a “significant proportion” were not in favour of the proposed parking charges the Labour-run council is planning to proceed with the proposals – albeit The report states that for Lickey Hills Country Park 919 respondents of the consultation (78.4 per cent) felt access to the park should remain free that figure was 120 respondents (65.9 per cent) while for Sutton Park it was 2,741 respondents (68.2 per cent) Acknowledging the opposition to the proposed charges the council report continued: “The introduction of parking charges is often controversial and unpopular as users are asked to pay for something that has previously been free the projected income from parking charges still falls short of the cost of maintaining the three parks in question “Therefore it is deemed reasonable to ask park users to contribute financially to the upkeep and maintenance of these parks “Despite the introduction of parking charges there will still be a requirement for financial support from the council’s general fund to maintain and manage these parks.” It went on to say that charges across “destination sites” throughout the UK have become common practice The report said: “In the vast majority of cases parking charges for these sites have been in place for several years “Introducing charges on Birmingham’s sites will be in line with national best practice to offset the cost of maintaining these destination sites.” It added that there was more support for revised parking charges which were lower than the consulted ones “This support for reduced parking charges was echoed by the feedback from park stakeholders who argued if the introduced parking charges are lower (than the consulted charges) it will minimise the negative impact on the trade of businesses within the parks,” it said “Reduced charges are more popular amongst consultees and whilst that would imply an income deficit we expect the visitor numbers to increase (with less displacement parking) at such levels as to mitigate the impact.” Both the original and revised proposed charges for each of the parks can be found below: The cost of the annual parking permit price to be determined 365 days a year); a 30-minute ‘grace’ period is proposed in addition 365 days a year); a 30 minute ‘grace’ period is proposed in addition the cabinet has been recommended to note the results of the consultation and approve the proposed changes It’s also been recommended to approve free parking permits for park volunteers and delegate to the relevant cabinet member the decision to proceed with the Sheldon Country Park and Sutton Park charging schemes This would be following the completion of the formal Traffic Regulation Order process Cabinet were also recommended to delegate to the cabinet member the decision to introduce a scheme for charging and enforcement at the Lickey Hills site utilising private parking arrangements Asked about the proposed parking charges earlier this year council leader John Cotton told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “It’s important we look at all options for raising income I know sometimes these things can be unpopular and create challenges “But I think we’ve also got a responsibility to look at every opportunity we have to generate income to bring the budget back into balance.” the cabinet member for environment and transport at the council said last year that Birmingham had “fantastic” green spaces across the city including major parks with “great facilities” “But we need to be able to maintain them for the benefit of everyone,” he said in a statement Providing insight on the city council’s financial position external auditors recently highlighted several issues including the equal pay debacle demand led pressures and the disastrous implementation of a new IT system Labour politicians have also pointed to the impact of funding cuts over the past decade or so This was my first time running Great Birmingham Run and it was the most amazing experience I’ve already decided I want to do it again next year The atmosphere was incredible and I ran the whole way on adrenaline and excitement I think It’s actually the best run I’ve ever done The finish line was the most incredible moment More than 16,000 runners (or walkers) have signed up for either the half marathon or the 10k events in a bid to raise money for worthy causes Participants have been assigned different coloured waves to stagger the start times EAD MORE: Great Birmingham Run 2025 this weekend - times, route map, parking and road closures All participants will begin in Centenary Square before making their way around the city past various landmarks A number of road closures are in place - full details of which can be found here Whether runners take on the 10k or the half marathon all participants will cross the finish line at Smithfield where an 'carnival' event village has been set up for people to celebrate their achievements Participants will be able to access their results via the Great Run website once they've finished Send them in to us by emailingharry.leach@reachplc.com And follow our live blog below for the latest updates on today's events Thank you for joining our live updates from the Great Birmingham Run More than 16,000 runners and walkers took part in the half marathon or the 10k event today- and the city was buzzing with cheers Well done to all the runners who took part. You can read more from today, including the best times, here. “We’re proud to see runners of all abilities coming together – many raising vital funds for charity – and showing such determination, spirit, and pride. “A huge congratulations to everyone who took part – your efforts have been nothing short of heroic. We can’t wait to welcome you all back next year!” Comments16:44Naomi DeSouzaAll roads back open All roads are back open now and traffic is easing. Live traffic system INRIX said: "Traffic easing, The Great Birmingham Run which has now ended on Roads from Broad Street (Birmingham) to Edgbaston (Edgbaston). All the closures have been lifted." Comments15:46Harry LeachRound-up of special day in BirminghamThere have been some joyous scenes and many achievements in Birmingham today - and the weather held up nicely. Congratulations to everyone who took part! Looking to see if you can spot yourself in our photo gallery? Or want to know who achieved the best times? Here's a round-up of today's events: Comments15:27Naomi DeSouzaBest times - full list AJ Bell has shared the times of the top finishers for the half marathon and 10k. Read the full list here. Comments15:11Harry LeachAnother PB in the bagKevin Cobane is "chuffed" after setting a new PB in his half marathon today Birmingham Half Marathon completed and finished and managed to run a new PB for me… chuffed with that! Thanks #GreatBirminghamRun for putting on another fantastic event and see you next year @Great_Run pic.twitter.com/noBPtXGG8P Comments15:02Harry LeachUpset as Greggs closed Today was almost perfect But two Greggs being closed has certainly put a downer on the day Always a smashing event run by the @Great_Run company. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Only downside was that two of the @GreggsOfficial in Birmingham are closed so I couldn’t use my voucher I won for my post run snack :-/ I didn’t have time to get to the others on the high street. Comments14:40Harry LeachPraise for paramedics West Midlands Ambulance Service has praised members of its Hazardous Area Response Team who smashed today's Great Run Incredible @WMASHART! A huge congratulations from all of us at #TeamWMAS! https://t.co/0AOIuTYTlh Comments14:30Harry LeachMedal around the neck......and a beer to finish Well done sir on completing your half marathon Great Brum Run pic.twitter.com/eWHo0Bzkwp Comments14:20Harry LeachA well-deserved pizza What better way to celebrate Could potentially swap the water for a beer After finishing @Great_Run Birmingham, do you think it’s too early to have a pizza at 9:30am? pic.twitter.com/A9Q4tJuDxO Comments14:14Naomi DeSouzaCouple cross finish line in the sun Dominic de Souza and Tiah Hind at the finish line which had a carnival atmosphere. The couple, who ran the half marathon for the first time, said the vibes were "incredible" Comments14:11KEY EVENTRunners gallery now live - spot yourselfOur runners gallery is now live, spot yourself in the pictures below. Comments14:06Naomi DeSouzaRunners treated to scenic views More than 16,000 runners (or walkers) signed up for either the half marathon or the 10k events in a bid to raise money for worthy causes. Runners were treated to scenic views across the city incuding the Jewellery Quarter. Comments13:57Harry LeachHow to get your resultsYou can access your results by visiting the Great Run website and using your race number Click here to visit the website and for more information. Comments13:32Harry LeachFancy a FREE bath bomb?Lush is giving away a FREE bath bomb and a solid magnesium massage oil bar (worth £16.50 in total, we're told) to half marathon runners. All they have to do is head to Lush on New Street during the shop’s opening hours, today or tomorrow, and show their medal to a member of staff. Comments13:20Harry LeachTopless crew run for testicular cancer charityA topless crew running to raise money for The OddBalls Foundation - a charity raising awareness of testicular cancer - have been praised as 'ballsy' by event organisers We see you! Shout out to everyone running for @OddBallsFDN today That was errr… ballsy pic.twitter.com/WNWXRqUXP9 Comments13:04Naomi DeSouzaFirst time was 'most amazing experience'BirminghamLive's What's On Lead Megan Archer-Fox flew through the 10k race this morning and shared her thoughts on the "most amazing experience." Megan's partner David and sons Corey, 4, and Connor 2, were there to cheer her to the finish line. This was my first time running Great Birmingham Run and it was the most amazing experience! I’ve already decided I want to do it again next year. The atmosphere was incredible and I ran the whole way on adrenaline and excitement I think. It’s actually the best run I’ve ever done! The finish line was the most incredible moment, I had such a huge smile on my face. Comments13:02Harry LeachNew PBs - well done!PBs are being smashed left right and centre AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run today! Both smashed it with PBs! @MattHattDesign pic.twitter.com/LjUOdjWD1L Comments12:52Naomi DeSouzaWest Midlands Ambulance crews over the line!They’ve only went and DONE IT! The crew from @OFFICIALWMAS have absolutely smashed today’s AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run and finished with a heroes welcome in Smithfield! The team completed the race is 02:36:05 - unbelievable achievement! pic.twitter.com/SP5SFYPwD1 Comments12:33Harry LeachBishop runs impressive time Bishop Michael ran the half marathon in an impressive one hour and 36 minutes Bishop Michael ran the Great Birmingham run in 1:36.25Thank you everyone who donated and supported Thrive Birmingham. Well done Bishop Michael! pic.twitter.com/iP44BmLdDg Comments12:32Naomi DeSouzaPB for LDR reporter Alex Brock Some more times rolling in just now, our local democracy reporter / speed demon Alex Brock achieved a personal best for the 10k of 1:07:45. Well done Alex! Comments12:21Harry LeachHow to get your resultsYou can access your results by visiting the Great Run website and using your race number Click here to visit the website and for more information. Comments12:10Naomi DeSouzaThere's some fancy costumes out thereWe've seen some pretty impressive costumes out there Many of you have gone with the May the fourth theme The runners are strong, and so are the costumes Everyone bringing the Force (and the fancy dress) at the AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run today! Keep going everyone! THIS IS THE WAY…to the finish line pic.twitter.com/BeP7OyrlEr Comments12:09Harry LeachCostumes steal the show There are certainly a few Star Wars fans out there today Comments11:19KEY EVENTOfficial times in from top finishers Stunning times from the half marathon's top finishers Amazing times from our top finishers at today’s AJ Bell Great Birmingham Run! Top 3 Mens: 10KJack Gray - 00:29:48Corrin Leeming - 00:30:48Tesfay Teweled - 00:31:26 pic.twitter.com/1pgrKlNxl6 Comments11:10Naomi DeSouzaBirminghamLive staff smashing itA couple of BirminghamLive reporters are out smashing the tarmac this morning and doing a brilliant job of it! Local democracy reporter Alex Brock has just flown past Holliday Street. Our What's On Lead Megan Archer-Fox is also doing a fine job of the 10k. Well done to all involved, it's a great atmosphere out there. Comments11:03Naomi DeSouzaMale half marathon winner was "flying"Absolutely FLYING!Wow, what an amazing performance from our male AJ Bell #GreatBirminghamRun half marathon winner!Congratulations Alexander Lanz, with a time of 01:08:01 - that was amazing! pic.twitter.com/cGbCHPD7HZ Comments10:42Naomi DeSouzaFirst female half marathon winner crosses the lineA huge congrats She’s only gone and SMASHED it!We have our AJ Bell #GreatBirminghamRun female half marathon winner, with a time of 01:21:18!Congratulations Georgie Campbell! pic.twitter.com/RWVtLan6Yf Comments10:33Harry LeachDarth Vader crosses the finish line Darth Vader has crossed the finish line. The force is certainly strong with this one. Comments10:33Naomi DeSouzaWhat an atmosphere Birmingham is doing what it does best this morning We've just been cheering runners on through the Jewellery Quarter and spirits are high There's a drag queen belting out ABBA scores of cheers from friends and families and lots of runners pounding the pavements looking ready for the challenge an educational nonprofit started by Birmingham hip hop legends Shaheed and DJ Supreme fresh off their historical debut with the Alabama Symphony Orchestra and new track Play Ball will lead a Hip Hop Workshop for youth and families that dives deep into the power of storytelling It's a positive hip hop party and birthday celebration for the legend Willie Mays Let’s honor the “Say Hey Kid” with the rhythm of the streets and the spirit of culture For More Information about KRU and Willie Mays Day:  Copyright 2025 City of BirminghamPowered by Interpersonal Frequency