Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C.
Sheila Edmunds | ||
Chief executive | Chris Wood | |
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Manager | Amanda Greenslade | |
League | FA Women's National League Division One North | |
2023–24 | FA Women's National League Division One North, 7th of 12 | |
Website | http://www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk/belles | |
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Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies Football Club, previously Doncaster Belles, is an
.They are one of
History
Early years
The club was founded as the Belle Vue Belles in 1969, by
Sheila Stocks played for the club for 25 years, retiring aged 41 after the victorious
National dominance
The club reached the Women's FA Cup final for the first time in
That summer the
The following season's League was expanded to 10 teams, and in March 1993 newly promoted
In
Later years
After the Belles' second double in three years, long-serving manager Paul Edmunds considered retirement. He was persuaded to stay when three of the club's top players left for Knowsley United, who had reconstituted as Liverpool Ladies.
In 1997 manager
The next season began with an extensive recruitment drive; as England internationals
Doncaster Belles did receive an invitation to the 2001–02 Charity Shield, where they were beaten 5–2 by Arsenal at
During the 2002 summer break Doncaster Belles turned semi–professional[43] after securing a major sponsorship deal with Green Flag.[44]
Merger with Doncaster Rovers
The Football Association had promised to create a professional women's league in 2003 and wanted clubs to merge with professional male counterparts as part of that strategy.
John Buckley era
In June 2003 former Celtic, Leeds United and Doncaster Rovers footballer John Buckley took over as manager.[50]
Throughout his tenure at Doncaster Rovers Belles, Buckley placed a strong emphasis on youth development. This was partly because the club could no longer compete financially with rival clubs in the transfer market.[51] In the 2008–09 season, they finished fourth in the league. On 26 February 2009, the team played in the 2009 FA Women's Premier League Cup final but lost 5–0 to Arsenal Ladies.
The club was one of eight founding teams in the
In May 2012 the Belles reportedly agreed a three-year, six-figure sponsorship deal with Innovation Financial Services, a Bawtry–based company owned by ex-footballer Hugh McAuley & Doncaster businessman Stewart Groves. John Buckley explained that the sponsorship, the largest in the club's history, would allow the club to compete on a more equal footing with their WSL rivals.[53] That deal collapsed in 2013 with Innovation Financial Services ceasing to trade.[54]
Buckley left the club by mutual consent in September 2013, following the decision by the Football Association to demote the Belles from the top level.[55] In April 2014 Buckley revealed that he left because the board appointed Julie Chipchase as director of football behind his back. He roundly criticised the role played by vice chairman Alan Smart: "We were friends and I felt like he went behind my back. I won't engage with him again."[56]
Demotion
In April 2013 the Football Association announced that, as part of an FA WSL restructure and expansion,
The club appealed the decision and had the support of rival clubs. Arsenal Ladies'
Gordon Staniforth era
On 6 November 2013
Glen Harris era
In December 2014, former Lincoln Ladies manager, Glen Harris, was appointed Head Coach of the Doncaster Rovers Belles.[65] In 2015 the team finished as runners-up again, the time behind Reading, but promotion was secured due to expansion of the top division. The club announced investment plans in October 2015, code named "Project Phoenix", which encompassed a switch to full-time professionalism and the building of a new training ground in Bawtry.[66] Emily Simpkins signed a contract to become the club's first ever full-time professional player in November 2015.[67] By February 2016, seven more players had signed full-time terms. Joining Simpkins were: Rhiannon Roberts, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, Natasha Dowie, Becky Easton, Katrín Ómarsdóttir, Kasia Lipka and Carla Humphrey.[68]
Emma Coates era
Harris was released from his role as Head Coach in June 2016 and Emma Coates took over the managerial reins becoming the youngest manager in FA WSL 1 at the age of 25.[69] Under Emma Coates' management, the Belles bounced back from relegation to come second in the FA WSL Spring Series, a competition devised to bridge the gap between the 2016 summer season and the switch back to a winter season for 2017–18. Coates left the club in October 2017 to take a position working with England's youth teams.[70]
Neil Redfearn era
After a spell under Kate Rowson, the club appointed
Andy Butler era
Doncaster-born ex-Doncaster Rovers captain Andy Butler was appointed manager on 16 January 2020.[76] Andy Butler ended his term on 20 September 2022 after the game with Long Eaton [77]
Nick Buxton era
Following the resignation of Andy Butler, Nick Buxton (previously assistant manager) was appointed as manager. He lost his first two games in charge during the 2022–23 season.[78] After taking the team to its second-place finish in the 2022–23 season (for the second consecutive year) Buxton resigned on 5 June 2023 citing: "I have recently found it hard personally and mentally".[79]
Sam Winch era
Sam Winch was appointed as the new manager on 6 July 2023.[80] He was unhappy to be sacked after only 10 matches, describing the club's decision as "farcical".[81]
Ciarán Toner era
In November 2023 Ciarán Toner was appointed as the new manager.[82]
After just over a year in charge with Belles languishing almost at the bottom of Division One North in relegation place, Toner left the club by mutual consent.[83]
Amanda Greenslade era
In April 2025 Amanda Greenslade was appointed interim manager with only two games left in the 2024–25 season.
Colours and crest






The club's traditional colours are yellow and blue.[84] This was originally chosen in homage to the legendary Brazilian national team that won the 1970 FIFA World Cup.[85] Following the link-up with Doncaster Rovers in 2003, the team wore Rovers' red and white hooped shirts with black shorts. They reverted to yellow and blue in 2014.
In 2019 the Belles renewed their links with Rovers under the auspices of 'Club Doncaster' and reinstated a red and white home kit.[86] President Sheila Edmunds recalled that the club's first-ever kit had been red and white, and stated: "My passion has always been the yellow and blue because there's history behind that but as long as we have both colours in our home and away kit then I'm happy with that."[87]
Rivalries
Doncaster Rovers Belles enjoy a longstanding rivalry with
During the 2000s Doncaster Rovers Belles contested regular
After being relegated to the FAWNL National Division One Midlands,
Stadium
On 5 July 2024 Doncaster Rovers announced that The Belles would return to their main home ground of Eco-Power Stadium from the 24/25 season in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.[92]

When the English women's football setup was nationalised in 1991, the Belles became the first team to play their home games in a professional
In November 1997 long-serving secretary Alan Burton told The Times that after their spell at Belle Vue, the Belles had "left suddenly, under a bit of a cloud." At that stage, there was no connection at all between the Belles and Doncaster Rovers. The women's club were annoyed that Rovers had kept postponing Belles matches at short notice, ostensibly in order to save the Belle Vue pitch. According to Burton this caused the Belles a substantial loss of fan support.[93]
In 1999 the club announced proposals for a purpose-built stadium at Toll Bar.[94] The following year Doncaster Council granted the club a lease of some land in the area.[95] The £1.6 million project was intended for the FA's launch of a professional women's League in 2003.[33]
For many years the team played at the Welfare Ground (53°32′04″N 1°03′24″W / 53.53444°N 1.05667°W), home of
Between 2007 and 2018 the home of Doncaster Rovers Belles was the
After withdrawing their application for the
From the

In popular culture
A BBC television documentary screened in January 1995, called The Belles, featured the squad winning and then celebrating their double win the previous Spring.[103] However, the 'work hard, play hard' ethos revealed in the film did not find universal favour and the club was censured by the FA. Team captain Gillian Coultard felt the film led to her being controversially stripped of the England captaincy in the run-up to the 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The following year a book entitled I Lost My Heart To The Belles told the story of the club's
In 1998 the BBC television drama series Playing the Field began. Directly inspired by Doncaster Rovers Belles,[105] it was written by Kay Mellor, starred James Nesbitt and Ricky Tomlinson, and ran for five series' until 2002.
Players
- As of 5 January 2024.[106]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Former players
English Football Hall of Fame
The following have played for Doncaster Rovers Belles and have been inducted into the English Football Hall of Fame :
Players
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Last updated: 18 January 2020.
Source: list of NFM Hall of Fame inductees
Current board and coaching staff
Job title | |
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Chief executive |
Sheila Edmunds
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Club president |
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Manager |
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Assistant manager |
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Goalkeeping Coach |
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Physio |
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Regional Talent Centre manager |
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RTC technical director |
Honours
Doncaster Rovers Belles won two of the first three National Division titles in 1992 and 1994. They have also finished as runners-up on seven further occasions; in 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2002 and 2003.
The
The club has been less successful in the
Doncaster Rovers Belles also competed for the
Domestic
League
- FA Women's Premier League National Division (National Tier 1):[note 1] 2
- FA WSL 2(National Tier 2): 1
- 2017–18
- North East Regional League:[note 1] 2
- Nottinghamshire League:[note 1] 11
Cups
- FA Women's Cup: 6
- 1993–94
Doubles
- ^ FA WSL in 2010, it was the FA Women's Premier League National Division. The FA only took over the direct running of the domestic league structure from the WFA in 1993.
See also
- List of women's association football clubs in England and Wales
- Women's football in England
- List of women's association football clubs
Notes
References
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- ^ Davies 1996, p. 19
- ^ Davies 1996, p. 22
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- ^ "1992–1993". The Owl Football Historian. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2010.
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- ^ "1993–1994". The Owl Football Historian. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
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- ^ Davies 1996, p. 68
- ^ Davies 1996, p. 8
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- ^ "1994–1995". The Owl Football Historian. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
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- ^ Leighton, Tony (26 August 2001). "Arsenal see off Belles again". BBC Sport. Retrieved 27 October 2011.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. London. Retrieved 31 October 2011.
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- ^ Leighton, Tony (17 February 2002). "Belles upset Arsenal". BBC Sport. Retrieved 7 September 2011.
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- ^ Leighton, Tony (15 August 2002). "To pay or not to pay". BBC Sport. London. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ Cocozza, Paula (19 August 2002). "Women's football". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 19 September 2011.
- ^ a b Cocozza, Paula (6 January 2003). "Women's Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ "Belles and Rovers finish level". Doncaster Free Press. 27 March 2002. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ "The Rovers/Belles merger". DoncasterRovers.co.uk. 11 July 2003. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ Cocozza, Paula (14 April 2003). "Women's Football". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 March 2012.
- ^ "Relegation saved Belles from folding". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Ex Rovers Star is New Belles Boss". Doncaster Free Press. 19 June 2003. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ Cocozza, Paula (11 October 2004). "Belles return to form". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ^ "Lincoln Ladies FA Women's Super League bid success". BBC Sport. 22 March 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2010.
- ^ Hoden, Liam (24 May 2012). "Financial boost for Belles". Thorne and District Gazette. Archived from the original on 24 February 2014. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
- ^ "Buckley Leaves The Belles". 29 September 2013. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
- ^ "Doncaster Belles: Buckley exits club after a decade at helm". South Yorkshire Times. 30 September 2003. Archived from the original on 4 March 2014. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
- ^ Paterson, Hayley (6 April 2014). "Doncaster Belles: 'I had to leave the club I loved' – John Buckley". Doncaster Free Press. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (26 April 2013). "Manchester City to compete in WSL top tier after restructure". BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 April 2013.
- British Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
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- ^ Bateman, Peter (28 May 2013). "FA try to silence Doncaster Belles Cup final protest". When Saturday Comes. Retrieved 28 May 2013.
- ^ Currie, Jo (3 June 2015). "Relegation 'saved' Doncaster Rovers Belles from folding". BBC Sport.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers Belles: Gordon Staniforth appointed head coach". BBC Sport. 6 November 2013. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
- ^ "Gordon Staniforth resigns as Doncaster Belles boss". BBC Sport. 30 October 2014.
- ^ Paterson, Hayley (6 November 2014). "Doncaster Belles: 'My job became impossible', says former chief Gordon Staniforth". Doncaster Free Press.
- ^ "Doncaster Belles: Glen Harris appointed new Belles manager". Doncaster Free Press. 8 December 2014.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers Belles to go full-time with new training ground". BBC Sport. 7 October 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ Ellis, Adam (7 December 2015). "Simpkins first Belle to commit full-time". The League Paper. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ Goodwin, Paul (11 February 2016). "Revealed: Doncaster Rovers Belles' eight full time players". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ^ "Emma Coates: Doncaster Rovers Belles coach appointed as manager". BBC Sport. 22 June 2016. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers Belles: Boss Emma Coates to leave for England job". Doncaster Free Press. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "NEW: Belles appoint new manager". Doncaster Rovers Belles. 29 December 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "Brilliant Belles celebrate title win with three points". FA WSL. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
- ^ "Statement: League application". Doncaster Rovers Belles. 7 December 2017. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
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- ^ "Buxton Appointed". Doncaster Rovers Official Site. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ "Bucco Resigns". Twitter. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 17 June 2023.
- ^ Jones, Steve (6 July 2023). "Doncaster Rovers Belles appoint new management team as another staff member departs". Doncaster Free Press. National World Publishing. Retrieved 8 October 2023.
- ^ Jones, Steve (16 October 2023). "Axed Doncaster Rovers Belles boss Sam Winch hits back at club over 'farcical' sacking". Doncaster Free Press. National World Publishing. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ Jones, Steve (12 November 2023). "Grant McCann's former Northern Ireland teammate named new Doncaster Rovers Belles manager". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
- ^ Goodwin, Paul (4 April 2025). "Doncaster Rovers Belles manager departs with club on brink of relegation". Doncaster Free Press. Retrieved 7 April 2025.
- ^ "Doncaster's Blue and Yellow Army". Doncaster Free Press. 27 April 2009. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 7 August 2011.
- ^ "CLUB: New Badge Unveiled". Doncaster Rovers Belles. 27 January 2015. Archived from the original on 29 January 2015. Retrieved 29 January 2015.
- ^ "Belles release 2019/20 kits". Doncaster Rovers F.C. 20 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ "Belles revert to red and white". Doncaster Rovers Belles. 12 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ a b Leighton, Tony (15 January 2007). "Belles ring changes at new home". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ Gadjil, Anjana (May 2003). "Independent Women? Not At Donny Belles". China Club Football. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (14 January 2007). "Football: Grounds for hope at Donny". Sunday Mirror. Retrieved 18 January 2011.
- ^ Leighton, Tony (30 January 2010). "Doncaster Belles' fortunes revive as they look for Super League spot". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 January 2011.
- ^ "Belles to call Eco-Power Stadium home once again in 24/25". Doncaster Rovers Official. Retrieved 8 July 2024.
- ^ Powell, David (15 November 1997). "Belles ring out over Doncaster once more as Rovers lose their way – Football" (reprint). The Times. NewsBank. p. 33. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
- ^ "CHERIE BLAIR BACKS BELLES' STADIUM BID". Doncaster Free Press. 21 October 1999. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ Fifield, Dominic (1 April 2000). "Belles prepare ground for their own Vue". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ Davies, Pete (1 September 1996). "Season to attract crowds for Arsenal's ladies man". The Independent. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ Cocozza, Paula (19 August 2002). "Women's football". The Guardian. Retrieved 2 January 2011.
- ^ "Belles Ring in the New". Doncaster Free Press. 21 September 2000. Retrieved 5 August 2011.
- ^ Leach, Esther (23 May 2010). "Doncaster Belles in a League of their own". Yorkshire Life. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ "Countdown to Super League!". Doncaster Free Press. 6 January 2011. Retrieved 15 November 2010.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers Belles to play 2018/19 home games at Rossington Main". Doncaster Free Press. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
- ^ "Doncaster Rovers Belles to play 2022–23 home games at Thorne". 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
- ^ Smith, Giles (8 January 1995). "Sport on TV: Women on upswing as Belles have a ball". The Independent. Retrieved 8 February 2011.
- ^ Wainwright, Martin (28 April 2000). "Belles sing out". The Guardian. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ "Sheila Edmunds – 40 Years of the Belles". Doncaster Rovers Belles. Archived from the original on 31 August 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2010.
- ^ "Belles News". Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C. p. 20. Retrieved 5 January 2025.
- ^ "Belles 2021–22 board and coaching staff". 10 February 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
- ^ "Who's who | Doncaster Rovers". www.doncasterroversfc.co.uk. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
Bibliography
- ISBN 0-7493-2085-0.