January 3, 2026
Cheltenham Town Women have confirmed the signing of goalkeeper Poppy Irvine on loan from WSL2 side Birmingham City.
The 19-year-old links up with the Robinesses squad before Sunday’s clash against Real Bedford at Kayte Lane.
Irvine signed her first professional contract with parent club Birmingham in March last year and spent the first half of the season on loan at Northern Premier Division Side Sporting Khalsa. Although she is only a teenager, Irvine has featured in several first-team squads for Blues and won the Under-21s Players’ Player of the Season in 2023/24.
On making the temporary switch to Cheltenham, she said: “I’m really excited, they seem like really nice girls. I know Tom (Davies), he’s a great coach. I’m just excited to get started and see what I can bring to the team. I’m excited for this because it’s a different league, which means new challenges.”
Talking about her experience at Birmingham and Sporting Khalsa, Irvine stated: “The keepers I work with at Blues are really helpful and are great keepers, so just watching and learning off them, and then just being around Tier Three with Sporting Khalsa helps.”
With little time to settle in before the Robinesses return to FAWNL Southern Premier Division action, Irvine’s focus is already on the challenge ahead.
“It’ll be a good game, we’ll see what they’re about and see how we play as a team. Everyone will be up for the challenge.”
