BIRMINGHAM City Ladies FC manager Marcus Bignot has lost left back Michelle Hickmott to treble winners Fulham but swooped to make two signings of his own this week.

Hickmott stunned the club by accepting an offer from new Fulham manager Marianne Spacey to link up with the League, FA Cup and League Cup winners.

Mohammed Al Fayed's team have abandoned their professional status this season to go part-time and parted company with manager Gaute Haugenes as a result.

But with Blues operating on a strictly amateur status in the game's top flight, Hickmott opted for semi pro status with a club who can offer her European Cup football in the new season.

The former Blues regular will face a stiff task to oust Rachel Unitt and Rachel Yankey from Spacey's side and this week failed to make the final squad for the England under 19s European Championships squad to play in Germany.

Bignot moved swiftly to raid Vic Akers' semi pro Arsenal side for 18-year-old stopper Laura Husselbee.

Husselbee was a regular in the reserves as Arsenal finished second in the league last season and brings the Blues contingent in the England under 19s final squad to six alongside Katy Ward, Jo Potter, Faye Cardin, Eni Aluko and Beth Bailey.

The Redditch United-based tenants are now as well represented as Arsenal, who also boast half a dozen squad members.

Bignot has also signed 18-year-old striker Sarah Smith from Sheffield Wednesday after the Loughborough student overcame the foot injury which hampered her last season.

And he has signalled his intentions by chasing two more unnamed forwards from a rival top flight club.

Blues have arranged two pre-season friendlies at their adopted Valley Stadium home.

Millwall are the visitors on Sunday, August 3 with Blues at home to Bristol City the following Sunday.

And the Ladies kick-off their league campaign at home to Charlton on Sunday, August 17.