Team: Doncaster Rovers Belles L.F.C.
Manager: Glen Harris (2nd season)
Stadium: Keepmoat Stadium Doncaster – capacity: 15,231.
Last Season: 2nd (FA WSL 2 – Promoted)
Captain: Leandra Little
FA WSL Continental Cup: Group Stages (Finished 3rd in group 2 behind Manchester City & Liverpool)
Key Transfers in: Natasha Dowie (Liverpool), Jess Sigsworth (Notts County), Anna Moorhouse (Durham WFC), Rebecca Easton (Liverpool), Katrin Omarsottir (Liverpool), Carla Humphrey (Arsenal – loan)
Key Transfers out: Bethany England (Chelsea), Lauren Cresswell, Jade Radburn,Sophie Stamp ( Hull City), Mollie Johnson, Lyndsey Cunningham ( Forest), Nicole Dale ( Aston Villa), Emily Roberts ( Notts County- end of loan)
Many Belles fans will feel justice has finally been served, following the infamous demotion of the historic Donny in 2013 (due to restructuring the league format and size), as Glen Harris’ side has climbed back into WSL 1. Losing out on the Champion status to Reading, having just pipped Donny to the post by goal difference, the Belles come into WSL 1 with an intimidatingly fierce squad. Star striker Courtney Sweetman-Kirk holds the golden boot in the FA WSL 2, with an incredible 25 goals last season, and Glen Harris has bolstered his squad further with an array of signings, proving Project Phoenix is well under way.
The switch to full-time professionalism in October 2015 has provided the team with a new training ground facility, and financial power. Marquee signing Natasha Dowie from Liverpool “is a significant statement of intent” said Glen Harris. The striker netted 14 times for Liverpool in 2015, and has just returned from a loan spell with Melbourne Victory.
“I want to win silverware. I’m a winner full stop. I’ve come to Doncaster to win things or to atleast challenge to the end” said Dowie, the two-time FA WSL 1 champion. Harris looked to Liverpool again, and strengthened the squad through signing Omarsottir and Easton. Omarsottir brings a wealth of experience to the club, boasting over 60 international caps and two FA WSL 1 titles, adding her combative drive to the midfield. Becky Easton joins the club through combining her playing duties whilst taking an assistant general manager role. The former Belles captain, 2000-2004, re-joined the club upon speaking to Glen Harris, realising the plans and ambition of the team.
Despite finishing second in the FA WSL 2, the Belles claimed the prestigious FA WSL 2 Club of the Year award, but losing star midfielder Bethany England is a huge blow to the club. The Belles propped up the head of the FA WSL 2’s top goal scorers chart, with Sweetman-Kirk leading the table, and England just behind the striker. The versatile attacker departs in club in lieu of Chelsea, but she won’t be leaving the Keepmoat stadium so easily. The Belles are being thrown right into the deep end, with their first game of the season at home to the reigning champions, Chelsea Ladies FC, on 24th March 2016.
Donny Belles will be hoping to keep their fantastic form going into the new season, having lost just once in the league last year. The ladies closed out the year in resplendent form, going ten games without a loss, winning six of them, and scoring 35 goals in the process.
The aptly named Project Phoenix, following Donny’s rise from the ashes back to WSL 1, has enabled the plans to build a multi-million pound state-of-the-art elite training facility specifically for the ladies. This is based around a development of a Centre of Excellence, to bring through the next generation of Belles stars, and to fine-tune the current crop. The funding has also enabled 10 players to be given full time professional football contracts, a first in the club’s history, presenting a clear drive and hunger to bring the glory days back to the Keepmoat stadium.
Player to Watch: Natasha Dowie.
Signing a two-time FA WSL 1 champion, an FA Women’s Cup champion, an FA Players’ Player of the Year and a Women’s Super League Golden boot winner can only lead to success. Dowie, 27, joins the Belles after netting 15 times with Liverpool last season, and provides a wealth of experience and talent to the team. The England international, scoring 5 times in 14 games for England, shall be hoping to form a formidable strike partnership with Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, and the Belles could be reaping the rewards if the two gel together.
“I want to bring lots of goals to the club this season. I’m a hard-worker who never gives up so I hope this will be appreciated by the players and fans” said the prolific finisher.
Prediction: One thing you can definitely predict from Donny Belles is goals. Sweetman-Kirk and Dowie definitely have the ability to produce goals, and with the added talent in the squad the service shall be provided. Even though the investment has given the club a major boost, it is definitely too early to be targeting the title. The squad depth and talent boasted by Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal will provide stiff competition to a growing Belles side, but also a great learning curve. The side should be pushing for a top half finish, if they can keep their big names healthy. Of course losing Bethany England is a blow for the club, but Dowie and winger Sue Smith (11 league goals last season) should be able to step up and fill the gap. Overcoming Sunderland will be the key to a top half finish, but Beth Mead, last years FA WSL 1 golden boot winner will be giving her all for the Lady Black Cats once again. The Belles will know they’re capable of this task, having beaten the Black Cats 3-2 last season at the Hetton centre in the continental cup – 4th.
Player Profile:
Player: Courtney Sweetman-Kirk.
Club: Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC.
What a breakthrough year for Courtney Sweetman-Kirk, 25, this has been. The star striker bagged her biggest brace of the season, picking up two awards at the FA Women’s Football Awards. The FA WSL 2 Players’ Player of the Year and FA WSL 2 Top Goalscorer has now signed a full time deal with the club, despite fierce interest from many FA WSL 1 rivals.
“It’s a dream come true to be signing a professional contract and it’s one of the best Christmas presents that I could have wished for,” said Courtney, when speaking on her new contract.
The former Notts County forward sealed the club’s promotion with a brilliant brace against the London Bees, which secured a top two finish for the South Yorkshire side.
Courtney, who won gold with the Team GB squad at the World University Games in 2013, worked her way up through the leagues, displaying her talent in the FAWPL with Coventry City Ladies, before securing a move to Lincoln Ladies. Featuring prominently in Lincoln’s cup run Sweetman-Kirk was gathering attention, but upon the relocation of Lincoln to Nottingham she realised her first team opportunities were limited. The Belles manager at the time Gordon Staniforth recognised this and swooped to sign the pacey striker from Leicester, and the rest is history.
Courtney had the choice of deciding between a full-time job as a Sport Development Officer at Warwickshire College and full-time professionalism for Donny, which was really a no brainer.
“I love the club and have always said from day one, [Doncaster] is where I have felt the most at home and I feel I owe them a lot for that,” said Courtney as she is delighted with her new deal.
The Lionesses continue their Euro 2017 qualification campaign, and Courtney is hopeful for an England call up.
“I have always said that representing your country is the biggest honour you could have and I always aim for that international call-up.
“Since Mark Sampson has been in charge he has shown that he picks player on form, so I would like to think if I have another good season, the right people will be looking,” said Courtney. If her great goal scoring form continues – 25 goals in 24 games, then it is only a matter of time for the England call up. The famous “salute” celebration shall definitely be making a return in the 2016 season.
