Albion have unveiled ambitious plans to help their women’s team into the WSL top four – and bring them closer to Brighton.

Hope Powell’s side are a very respectable sixth in the top tier as they prepare to face bottom side Birmingham City at the People’s Pension Stadium today (2pm).

Their ambitions lie a little higher than that.

They have set out their goals for the next two years to take them towards their long-term top-four goal.

Their Women’s Football Strategy: Pathway Towards Top-Four document, published yesterday, covers player pathway, recruitment, performance and coaching, medical, wellbeing and marketing and communications.

The club are keen to strengthen links between the women’s and girls’ sections.

Michelle Walder, director and chair of the women’s board, said: “It’s been an absorbing process to be part of, involving lots of consultation with a wide range of stakeholders, both within the club and externally and the next two years promise to be an exciting journey for all involved.”

Albion will explore options for a long-term home ground for the women’s first team closer to Brighton and Hove than their current Crawley base.

The strategy involves helping players prepare for dual careers It also focuses on developing home-grown players who can compete in the WSL, increasing attendances and engaging with the club’s target audience.