Doncaster Rovers Belles lay foundations for the future

Belles boss Andy Butler passes on his wisdom. Photo: Heather King

The club are also planning to start a new Wildcats centre, creating a pathway from the age of five to the first team.

Having a reserve team and clear development pathway are both key minimum requirements when applying for a FA Women’s Championship licence.

The Belles lost their main sponsor and entire senior squad after winning FAWSL2 in 2018 and subsequently nosedived into the fourth tier of the women’s game.

Club Doncaster chief executive Gavin Baldwin said last year he thought it was ‘reasonable and attainable’ to target a return to the second tier.

But, although there have been signs of encouragement under new boss Andy Butler, it is likely to be a long term process – having finished last season just above the FAWNL Division One Midlands drop zone.

“We’ve seen players in the past that have reached the age of 16 and then left us once they have finished in the RTC,” Belles chief executive Russ Green told the club’s official website.

“Now by having that development side in place it gives them the option to stay with us and we can build around those girls.

“We have also recently had our application for a development side to be entered into the FAWNL Reserve league accepted for next season, so there is now a clear pathway right through the system from five through to the first team.

“The plans that we have in place mean that once we get back to playing football this will be an exciting time to be a part of the Belles.

“We want to produce players here at the Belles for the first team and grow from within. That would be massive for a club like us.”

He added: “The RTC [Regional Talent Club] here at Doncaster Rovers Belles has gone from strength to strength, and we are looking to build on the work that the Chantelle Haigh and her excellent team have put in so far this season with the creation of a new Wildcats centre to introduce young girls into football in Doncaster at an earlier age.

“The under-10 taster sessions proved to be really popular and we got some great feedback from it too.”