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Doncaster Rovers Belles: Founder of the Women's Super League's unexpected relegation

Posted : 26 April 2023
They were more than just any club; they were the only team to have consistently competed in the women's top level since the establishment of a national league system in 1991, having won the FA Cup six times and twice.

However, as part of a restructuring to divide the league into two categories, Manchester City, who had never before played in the WSL, were to take their position in the top flight.

"Donny have the support of all the league's current clubs," said Arsenal's general manager Vic Akers at the time.

"I've spoken to all seven and we all feel what the FA has done is unjust - in my opinion it's morally scandalous."

An impartial commission that evaluated clubs on their ability to continue their financial operations helped the FA select which teams should compete in each league.
Doncaster was initially placed in WSL2, but has subsequently fallen through the ranks.

Doncaster appealed, supported by other WSL teams, but was denied by the FA saying: "The decision by the selection panel not to offer the club an FA WSL1 licence was due primarily to them being unable to satisfactorily meet minimum facility requirements, alongside further concerns on their commercial and marketing strategies."

Former England captain Gill Coultard, who played for Doncaster for 24 years, said: "We had never seen that in football. I was gobsmacked, it was a total shock to women's football.

"The mood was disbelief, just asking 'why?'

"They wanted to attract clubs linked to Premier League sides, I think. Does Doncaster go next to Arsenal? No it doesn't. The club didn't have a leg to stand on financially."

The paradox was that for years, Doncaster and Arsenal had been two of England's top women's football teams.

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