Doncaster Rovers Belles FC

Doncaster Belles are surely the best known of all England’s womens football teams and are perhaps the only surviving team who retain an identity distinctively their own.

Even though the Belles are linked in many ways with Doncaster Rovers, an association confirmed again recently, the womens team has long been recognised for its own achievements and continue to maintain a place among the countries’ elite, in itself a fantastic achievement.

Doncaster Belles were formed in 1969 by a group of women who sold Golden Goal tickets for Doncaster Rovers.

The team quickly became successful in various local tournaments and dominated the Notts League for over a decade from the late 1970’s.

The Belles dominated the FA Womens Cup for over a decade also, appearing in eleven out of twelve finals between 1983 and 1994, winning the trophy on six occassions (1983,87,88,90,92 and 94).

The first of these victories came at the expense of St Helens 3-2, but perhaps the clubs greatest moment was its last success in 1994.

The Belles’ 1-0 victory over Knowsley United made them double winners, alongside their one and only National Premier League title.

This made up for the double disappointment of the previous year when they were runners up to Arsenal Ladies in both competitions.

It is an increasing challenge for Doncaster Belles to retain their place at the forefront of the womens game but so far they have managed to do so even if the winning of trophies now seems increasingly unlikely.

The club did manage to reach the FA Womens Cup finals of 2000 and 2002 but lost on both occassions, putting up an especially fine display in 2002 before going down 2-1 to the professionals of Fulham Ladies.

The Belles have lost several international players during the past few seasons to richer clubs but have one member of the current England squad in their ranks, Vicky Exley, and the Scottish international Pauline Hamill.

The club run flourishing youth teams for all ages from under 10’s and provide excellent coverage and information on their own website.