Neve Herron wins Wsl 2 Rising Star after Birmingham City title

Neve Herron won the wsl 2 Rising Star award on Monday after helping Birmingham City earn promotion to the top tier as champions. The Birmingham defender played in 21 of the club’s 22 games, then used the spotlight to push for more money in north east women’s football.

Herron and Crosthwaite in WSL 2

Herron and Lily Crosthwaite were both named in the WSL 2 Team of the Season. Crosthwaite also won the WSL 2 Player of the Season award. Birmingham City finished above Palace, and the awards package gave the club a clean sweep of the league’s individual recognition.

Sunderland to the Midlands

Herron said she has been in the Midlands for three seasons after leaving Sunderland following a four-year stay between 2019 and 2023. She said, “I moved away and sacrificed a lot - but I was excited to see what I could achieve.” Her move has already taken her from a regional pathway into a promotion-winning squad.

She also said, “Since I moved away from Sunderland and had a new challenge, a new experience, I've been able to excel.” That is the friction in her story: talent can travel, but she said the north east still leaves too many players unseen and short on opportunities.

North East investment

Herron said, “There is a lot of talent in the north east that goes unnoticed. It's only going to get better with the development of Newcastle and Sunderland being taken over [by new owners Bay Collective].” She added, “Hopefully it helps to encourage to put more money into women's football to support the growth of players there. We don't just want one part of the country to grow.”

She also said, “I'm ready for a new challenge and the WSL. It was always an ambition of mine. Sometimes there's not as many opportunities in the north east.” Birmingham’s promotion gives her that chance, and the next step for readers is the top tier itself, where her minutes, role, and level will be judged against stronger opposition.