Bethany Patrick is a football writer based in Manchester, UK.  

Her work focuses on the EFL, with particular interest in football governance, supporter culture, and fan experience and access.
 

Bethany is a director of the award-winning Sheffield Wednesday Women’s Supporters Group, where she works on fan engagement, strategy and campaigns for greater inclusion across the game.

She regularly represents supporters in governance spaces across Europe, including government panels and discussions around football regulation and the supporter's voice.
 

She has previously worked as a researcher for The Stretford Paddock and is a regular contributor to The Wednesday Week.

Birmingham City have been urged to part ways with Scott Wright in January.

A mutual contract termination is emerging as a potential solution to the winger's increasingly difficult situation at St. Andrew's.

The 29-year-old joined Blues from Rangers in August 2024, but injuries and increased competition for places have severely restricted his opportunities in the West Midlands.

Despite returning to Birmingham's 25-man Championship squad following Kanya Fujimoto's loan departure, Wright remains a long way from establishing himself in Chris Davies' plans.

With Knighthead Capital Management continuing to back Davies' ambitions of taking the club into the Premier League, difficult decisions will inevitably have to be made regarding players who no longer fit into the team's long-term plans.

Birmingham City must find Scott Wright a January exit after pundit's verdict

Football League World’s Blues fan pundit Jason Moore believes Wright's time at the club should come to an end when the January transfer window opens, having been surprised that the Scottish winger failed to secure a permanent departure during the summer.

Speaking to FLW, Moore questioned why the former Rangers player had remained at St. Andrew's despite his limited involvement under Davies.

"I'm astounded no one has taken him, because even at low-end Scottish level, he'd probably do a job," Moore said, adding that he did not believe Wright was good enough for the Championship.

The winger initially looked a promising addition after arriving for a reported £300,000 fee, scoring a stoppage-time winner on his debut against Wigan Athletic.

However, his Birmingham career has since been disrupted by a serious knee injury sustained against Reading in February 2025.

The setback ruled him out for the remainder of the club's record-breaking League One campaign, before a subsequent loan spell at Dundee offered little opportunity to rebuild his momentum.

Wright has made 24 appearances for Blues, scoring three goals and providing two assists, but has struggled to establish himself as a regular option.

Scott Wright faces uphill battle to break into Chris Davies' Birmingham City plans

Competition for attacking places has intensified considerably since Wright's arrival, leaving him with a difficult route back into the first team.

The club's decision to omit Wright from its original 25-man Championship squad underlined his position in the pecking order.

Although Fujimoto's departure subsequently created an opportunity for his reinstatement, that administrative change has done little to alter the winger's longer-term prospects.

Indeed, Wright's only senior appearance of the current campaign had come as a substitute in the Carabao Cup victory over Swansea City before his return to the squad list.

Otherwise, he has racked up 63 minutes with the Blues’ U21 side against Sutton United in the National League Cup.

Mutual termination could be Birmingham City's best solution for Scott Wright

Moore believes a January departure is necessary for all parties, suggesting that Birmingham should consider terminating Wright's contract by mutual agreement if a suitable transfer cannot be arranged.

"He's definitely going to be moved on in January for the sake of his career," the fan pundit said.

"Although, if he's not, there's a mutual termination as an option."

How should Birmingham handle the Scott Wright situation? Comment your opinion below!

Wright's contract is due to expire in June 2027, meaning the Blues could look to recoup some of their initial outlay before losing him for nothing further down the line.

A mutual termination would offer an alternative if no club is prepared to pay a transfer fee, although it would require agreement between the player and club.

Birmingham's ambitions are moving forward under Davies, and the increasing quality in their attacking ranks means some players will inevitably be left behind.

Wright's reinstatement to the squad may provide short-term cover, but it has done little to change the bigger picture.