Layla Banaras has become the first woman of South Asian heritage to represent Birmingham City F.C. during the club's professional era.

The 16-year-old stepped onto the pitch at the weekend as a substitute in the 78th minute of the Blues' 4-0 win against Huddersfield Town in the Vitality Women’s FA Cup.

The teenager joined the Blues eight years ago, and has gone from strength-to-strength under the tutelage of individuals like former manager Carla Ward and current gaffer Darren Carter, who had nothing but praise for the young baller after she helped to secure Birmingham's place in the FA Cup's Fourth-Round.

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"I said before she went on that she has earnt the chance," Carter said in his post-match interview. "Ever since she stepped up and trained with us day-in and day-out, you've seen that she has got stronger and more confident, and she deserved that...her attitude has been brilliant and she totally deserved to get on the pitch."

Banaras was named on the bench for the first time in her senior career back in November, when Birmingham took on Bristol City in the Barclays Women’s Championship, an opportunity awarded to the versatile midfielder after captaining Birmingham's U16 Academy Team last season and impressing with her performances in the club's Development Team, too.

The youngster has both English and Pakistani heritage, and has spoken openly about wanting to encourage more young Muslim girls to take up football. Back in 2021, Banaras worked with her childhood club to create nutrition guides and daily planners to support players fasting during Ramadan.

The future of English football is bright with the likes of Banaras leading the charge. Not only will the game have a generation of elite athletes at the helm, but it will also have individuals who understand the power and responsibility they have to make the game a more progressive and inclusive one.