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Women's football: Doncaster Belles demotion 'scandalous'
By Tony Leighton Women's football reporter

The Football Association's decision to drop Doncaster Rovers Belles into the second tier of women's football from next season is "morally scandalous", says the boss of a rival club.

The FA has decided Manchester City will replace the Belles in the top flight.

But Arsenal's general manager Vic Akers said: "Donny have the support of all the league's current clubs.

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

The Women's Super League (WSL), which is run by the FA, will expand to two divisions from next season, with newcomers Manchester City Ladies joining seven other teams in FA WSL 1.
Doncaster Rovers Belles

Formed in 1969 as Belle Vue Belles, becoming Doncaster Belles in 1971
One of the founding members of national Premier League in 1991
They completed the league and FA Cup double in 1991-92 season without losing a game
Completed another league and FA Cup double in 1993-94
Teamed up with the men's team in 2005 to become Doncaster Rovers Belles and share stadium
Became one of eight teams in FA WSL as top tier moved to summer in 2011
Finished second from bottom in both seasons so far
Demoted to FA WSL 2 for 2014 season, with club appealing decision

Having finished second from bottom in the first two WSL seasons, Doncaster will drop down a division to FA WSL 2 and compete against nine other sides.

But Akers, who along with Birmingham City chairman Steve Shipway represents the clubs on the WSL committee, said: "When they made their announcement, Donny had played only one match of the [current] season.

"To relegate them after 90 minutes is a joke - it's kicking them out.

"If you're talking about relegation then you should also talk about promotion, and Manchester City didn't win the Premier League [the level below the WSL], they finished fourth.

"Sunderland won it for the third year in a row and yet they'll be in the WSL's second division next year. It seems to me it's more about money than football."

Finance is one of several criteria, among them club structure, coaching set-up and playing standard, that the FA takes into consideration when handing out what are effectively WSL franchises.

The FA is making no comment about the situation surrounding Doncaster - the only club to have been continuously in the top flight since a national league system was formed in 1991 - until the club's appeal against the decision is completed, probably in early June.

Akers, who in 1987 founded the Arsenal women's team and as manager led them to prominence, added: "When we started, Donny were the premier women's team in the country. What's happening to them now is unjust."


http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22694564

Saw this earlier. Bit cheeky really.

Is it just me or are cute female footballers sexy as fuck?

Like for example if you were a 7 and u play footy semi pro or pro whatever yr easily an 8 or 8.5 right?

Discuss please.

Those boots are made for fucking. Etc...

TBF if there was an article that warrants us being slagged off, this could be It, at face value seem that we are taking the piss??

Would be nice to get SoF's view on it as there could or could not be more to it than what that article says??

Can I just explain the truth of this as the BBC has forgot to add bits in. There was always going to be restructure of the WSL after the first three years, the restructure meant that there would be a two tier league WSL 1 and WSL 2. All teams in England were invited to bid to take part in gaining entry to the two leagues. This ended with a presentation to the FA. All teams had the same opportunity to put there case forward that included infrastructure, facilities, finances etc. We all thought we were heading to WSL 2 but the FA decided that WSL 1 was the league they wanted City in. This was the FAs decision not City's ,the FAs.

City bid has coincided with the women's team moving with the men's teams etc over to the new training complex. The teams home games will played on the new site in an new purpose built stadium. What were City meant to do when asked to do a presentation, lie about things. We have an amazing base and infrastructure what I believe will take City ladies team to the very top in this country. People say the English premier league is dominated by one team or the Scottish well the women's game is the same in the UK, Arsenal win 90% of the majors in this country, isn't it about time their supremency was challenged?? There are major changes ahead for City ladies and its likely that a lot of the people involved now will no longer be there but in the long run this team will challenge for major honurs in the women's game. I am confident of that.

DoomMerchant wrote:Is it just me or are cute female footballers sexy as fuck?

Like for example if you were a 7 and u play footy semi pro or pro whatever yr easily an 8 or 8.5 right?

Discuss please.

Those boots are made for fucking. Etc...

M'n'm peanut butter and blatant flattery ... Get over it, mate. You got too much facial hair for Andy.

Seems a little naughty really but if it advances the game then there's room for debate and merit in what has been proposed.

The league is stagnant with the same old winnng the majority of tournaments, maybe this will bring some incentives and a possibility of some real challenge.

Women can't play footy......



Jokes.

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Women can't play footy......



Jokes.

Neither can many blokes. They talk a good game though.



Jokes.

I feel invigorated.

Beefymcfc wrote:Neither can many blokes. They talk a good game though.

Jokes.

I feel invigorated.

Haha I know I can't play these days.

Sister of fu wrote:Can I just explain the truth of this as the BBC has forgot to add bits in. There was always going to be restructure of the WSL after the first three years, the restructure meant that there would be a two tier league WSL 1 and WSL 2. All teams in England were invited to bid to take part in gaining entry to the two leagues. This ended with a presentation to the FA. All teams had the same opportunity to put there case forward that included infrastructure, facilities, finances etc. We all thought we were heading to WSL 2 but the FA decided that WSL 1 was the league they wanted City in. This was the FAs decision not City's ,the FAs.

City bid has coincided with the women's team moving with the men's teams etc over to the new training complex. The teams home games will played on the new site in an new purpose built stadium. What were City meant to do when asked to do a presentation, lie about things. We have an amazing base and infrastructure what I believe will take City ladies team to the very top in this country. People say the English premier league is dominated by one team or the Scottish well the women's game is the same in the UK, Arsenal win 90% of the majors in this country, isn't it about time their supremency was challenged?? There are major changes ahead for City ladies and its likely that a lot of the people involved now will no longer be there but in the long run this team will challenge for major honurs in the women's game. I am confident of that.

That's the point though, the BBC has forgot to add bits in, or more than likely purposely left out the bits. Why let the facts get in the way of a sensationalist story. This will end up being a City ruining football story.

Also, I see the Arsenal General Manager sticking their nose in.

Arsenal have NO right to complain about how get into a higher division. Just look back in their history (the men's team this is) to how they were promoted from the Second Division to the First Division (where they've remained ever since). Obviously it was many years ago now so we're just supposed to forget about it.

It does seem a bit cheeky what has happened here, but the FA has made its decision, and is the one, therefore, who is responsible.

Sister of fu wrote:Can I just explain the truth of this as the BBC has forgot to add bits in. There was always going to be restructure of the WSL after the first three years, the restructure meant that there would be a two tier league WSL 1 and WSL 2. All teams in England were invited to bid to take part in gaining entry to the two leagues. This ended with a presentation to the FA. All teams had the same opportunity to put there case forward that included infrastructure, facilities, finances etc. We all thought we were heading to WSL 2 but the FA decided that WSL 1 was the league they wanted City in. This was the FAs decision not City's ,the FAs.

City bid has coincided with the women's team moving with the men's teams etc over to the new training complex. The teams home games will played on the new site in an new purpose built stadium. What were City meant to do when asked to do a presentation, lie about things. We have an amazing base and infrastructure what I believe will take City ladies team to the very top in this country. People say the English premier league is dominated by one team or the Scottish well the women's game is the same in the UK, Arsenal win 90% of the majors in this country, isn't it about time their supremency was challenged?? There are major changes ahead for City ladies and its likely that a lot of the people involved now will no longer be there but in the long run this team will challenge for major honurs in the women's game. I am confident of that.

Very impressive but you can't be introducing facts to a debate when there is a good whinge going on so stop it. Have to ask though whether "supreMENcy" was a Freudian slip?

Not so much of a Freudian slip - more of a clear fekking deliberate spelling error :-)

Sister of fu wrote:This was the FAs decision not City's ,the FAs.

That's quite obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence from the way I read the article.

It's a real shame that it's Doncaster Belles who lose their place to us. They were the idealistic model for women's football in the early-mid 1990s, dwarfing other teams' -and often the Women's FA Cup Final's - attendances and setting up a true semi-pro atmosphere with strong support from both the local community and the mens' team/club (which was a separate entity until only 4-5 years ago, I think).

I seem to remember in the early post-takeover years that SoF criticised the lack of interest/help offered by the men's club. Amazing how this has changed in such little time to warrant us being awarded a top-flight place.

Sister of fu wrote:All teams had the same opportunity to put there case forward that included infrastructure, facilities, finances etc. We all thought we were heading to WSL 2 but the FA decided that WSL 1 was the league they wanted City in.

The teams home games will played on the new site in an new purpose built stadium. What were City meant to do when asked to do a presentation, lie about things. We have an amazing base and infrastructure what I believe will take City ladies team to the very top in this country. People say the English premier league is dominated by one team or the Scottish well the women's game is the same in the UK, Arsenal win 90% of the majors in this country, isn't it about time their supremency was challenged??

All I can say to this is that one day similar reasons will be offered to prevent the 'big teams' being relegated from the Prem in the men's game. In my opinion, a team should have to earn its place. Placing the teams with the best infrastructure (i.e. most money) in the top league, where attendances, prize money and sponsorship are obviously going to be higher, kind of stinks.

What are the rules with relegation, by the way - is it one-up-one down, or something else (playoffs, etc.)?

BlueinBosnia wrote:

Sister of fu wrote:This was the FAs decision not City's ,the FAs.

That's quite obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence from the way I read the article.

It's a real shame that it's Doncaster Belles who lose their place to us. They were the idealistic model for women's football in the early-mid 1990s, dwarfing other teams' -and often the Women's FA Cup Final's - attendances and setting up a true semi-pro atmosphere with strong support from both the local community and the mens' team/club (which was a separate entity until only 4-5 years ago, I think).

I seem to remember in the early post-takeover years that SoF criticised the lack of interest/help offered by the men's club. Amazing how this has changed in such little time to warrant us being awarded a top-flight place.

Sister of fu wrote:All teams had the same opportunity to put there case forward that included infrastructure, facilities, finances etc. We all thought we were heading to WSL 2 but the FA decided that WSL 1 was the league they wanted City in.

The teams home games will played on the new site in an new purpose built stadium. What were City meant to do when asked to do a presentation, lie about things. We have an amazing base and infrastructure what I believe will take City ladies team to the very top in this country. People say the English premier league is dominated by one team or the Scottish well the women's game is the same in the UK, Arsenal win 90% of the majors in this country, isn't it about time their supremency was challenged??

All I can say to this is that one day similar reasons will be offered to prevent the 'big teams' being relegated from the Prem in the men's game. In my opinion, a team should have to earn its place. Placing the teams with the best infrastructure (i.e. most money) in the top league, where attendances, prize money and sponsorship are obviously going to be higher, kind of stinks.

What are the rules with relegation, by the way - is it one-up-one down, or something else (playoffs, etc.)?

I think you might find this an interesting read BiB

http://www.nonleaguematters.co.uk/forum ... t_id=3506;

formation of leagues has never been fair....

So reading that article, they restructured the leagues 1 game into the season?

Usual FA balls up springs to mind - from start to finish.

BlueinBosnia wrote:

Sister of fu wrote:This was the FAs decision not City's ,the FAs.

That's quite obvious to anyone with a modicum of intelligence from the way I read the article.

It's a real shame that it's Doncaster Belles who lose their place to us. They were the idealistic model for women's football in the early-mid 1990s, dwarfing other teams' -and often the Women's FA Cup Final's - attendances and setting up a true semi-pro atmosphere with strong support from both the local community and the mens' team/club (which was a separate entity until only 4-5 years ago, I think).

I seem to remember in the early post-takeover years that SoF criticised the lack of interest/help offered by the men's club. Amazing how this has changed in such little time to warrant us being awarded a top-flight place.

Sister of fu wrote:All teams had the same opportunity to put there case forward that included infrastructure, facilities, finances etc. We all thought we were heading to WSL 2 but the FA decided that WSL 1 was the league they wanted City in.

The teams home games will played on the new site in an new purpose built stadium. What were City meant to do when asked to do a presentation, lie about things. We have an amazing base and infrastructure what I believe will take City ladies team to the very top in this country. People say the English premier league is dominated by one team or the Scottish well the women's game is the same in the UK, Arsenal win 90% of the majors in this country, isn't it about time their supremency was challenged??

All I can say to this is that one day similar reasons will be offered to prevent the 'big teams' being relegated from the Prem in the men's game. In my opinion, a team should have to earn its place. Placing the teams with the best infrastructure (i.e. most money) in the top league, where attendances, prize money and sponsorship are obviously going to be higher, kind of stinks.

What are the rules with relegation, by the way - is it one-up-one down, or something else (playoffs, etc.)?

This is where it’s flawed. As far as I am aware no one is getting relegated or promoted and the reason behind this is money. Some teams that are in WSL 2 would not be able to afford to play in WSL 1 as there is a significant cost difference. I think you need around £30,000 for WSL 2 up front which the FA match and then you need a min of £70,000 for WSL 1 again which the FA match. I will get this clarified though.