Viking Supporters Co-operative
Viking Chat => Viking Chat => Topic started by: VivaRovers on May 13, 2013, 08:25:13 am
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This didn't really get the coverage it deserved at the time, probably due to the fact it broke the day before Rovers' game at Brentford, but as some will be aware, the FA has decided to demote the Belles from the Women's Super League without offering any reason as to why.
For those who weren't aware of this, more details can be found here; http://popularstand.wordpress.com/2013/05/13/the-belles-toll-on-the-fas-relegation-of-the-doncaster-belles/
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Reading this makes my piss boil. Why has there been no coverage on Sky sports? Or indeed by local news team?
Its a scandal and the FA need taking to town on this! :mad:
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Why has there been no coverage on Sky sports?
That I can answer... they only give a sh*t about sports they have the rights to. No money. No interest
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Instead of tweeting rubbish non-facts, why don't the DFP "sports journalists" get onto this story and do some digging with the FA?
That should keep them busy for a couple of days.
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I've sent a tweet out to one of the DFP guys, I agree this is something that they could really get their teeth into and gain some popularity with in the process.
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Nice one; thanks.
Obviously there are normally 2 sides to every story and I'd be very keen to hear the FA's point of view.
It just doesn't stack up though; why allow the Women's Cup Final at the Keepmoat & have all the relevant FA officials there a few weeks after this strange decision to exclude the Belles from the top division.
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Absolute disgrace. Admittedly I've only been to watch the Belles a couple of times but even so, reading that has really pissed me off.
Over 20 years in the top flight and relegated via a press release. How much more disrespect can the jokers at the FA possibly show. One thing is for sure, it wouldn't happen in the mens game.
This needs highlighting not just in the local press, but the UK press too
:headbang:
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The reply received from the DFP was: "We've contacted the FA - they're refusing to play ball. We'll keep trying."
Looks like they're on it then....
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What sort of crowds are the Belles pulling in?
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The Free Press have covered this (the article linked above quotes their coverage) and their Belles reporter Hayley Paterson has been pressing the FA for a response, but they still refuse to comment or clarify.
In regards to attendances; over the last two seasons they have fluctuated between 150 and 650. Not great, but certainly not the worst in the FAWSL
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I just dont get how they can do it or what its based on. You wouldnt get someone from the FA go to Aston Villa for example and just relegate them and replace them next season with Leeds.
Has this happend to any other clubs in the womens league?
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Why has there been no coverage on Sky sports?
That I can answer... they only give a sh*t about sports they have the rights to. No money. No interest
More likely it's been done to try and get Sky interested at all. It smacks of the ridiculous engineering that detached rugby league's top flight from the unglamorous rump.
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Televised FA Cup final at the Keepmoat - ideal opportunity for a few well placed banners publicising the situation :scarf:
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Televised FA Cup final at the Keepmoat - ideal opportunity for a few well placed banners publicising the situation :scarf:
This
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Televised FA Cup final at the Keepmoat - ideal opportunity for a few well placed banners publicising the situation :scarf:
I wonder if we (the club and its fans) did go down the road of creating bad press for the FA, there might be a backlash, eg no more U19 internationals or Women's FA cup finals at the Keepmoat
Shocking decision though in terms of its timing and logic. Seems like franchise football is alive and kicking in the women's game
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All being well there should be a banner at the Women's Champions League Final at Stamford Bridge next week
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Televised FA Cup final at the Keepmoat - ideal opportunity for a few well placed banners publicising the situation :scarf:
This
Yes, and no dig at anyone, but that required action rather than talk.
I'm not close enough geographically to get involved at that level, does anyone feel strong enough about this injustice and able to spare the time to organise something to raise the profile of this issue?
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Scandalous ... there should be lockout at the Womens FA CUP Final due to be played at Keepmoat or failing that a huge banner behind each goal proclaimiing .. FA RAPE the Belles !!!!!
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This is beyond belief, and the mainstream media need to wake up and shame the people responsible.
I thought that the FA had introduced new rules after they agreed the MK Dons franchise farce, whereby any team leaving their home area (eg temporary groundshare), had to return to their home patch within a time limit. Clearly not so in the women's game, if Lincoln can migrate to become Notts County.
It does raise the question of common rules applied across the football family. The FA should not be able to govern the womens game under different criteria to the men's game. The sporting integrity of football has been tarnished by grubby grovelling to money, and the logic is to keep "the likes of Doncaster" in their place by interfering with status by merit.
I don't know if the Belles have considered the legality of the FA dictum. At the very least they are likely to suffer commercial loss through lower revenues, and reputational loss through automatic demotion.
How about raising the matter with Heather Rabbetts, the lawyer who used to be CEO with Millwall before joining the FA council. At least the Belles should press for a full explanation, and how the decision fits with the need of the FA to promote the participation of women in sport at all levels.
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If it's being expanded to two tiers, 18 in total, how is two banks of 9 not the obvious way for it to be set up?..
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This sort of thing frequently happens with emerging sports. Solihull used to have a top league ice hockey team (the Barons) which was attracted to Coventry when its new rink was built and effectively Solihull lost its top flight team.
Many years ago Doncaster had a top basketball team, the Panthers, who played in the top English league and were blessed with England internationals. Then, when more money came into the game, the team was replaced by the Sheffield Sharks.
The harsh reality is that when you introduce money into a sport the big boys become interested and the little guys get squeezed out.
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Could it be it never got any press due to fact that no one cares about the women's league. I mean its women's football the fa are just trying to generate more interest and I'm guessing the club that has been promoted has either more interest or better attendances
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VSC has very good contacts in the football world can we not do something constructive to help highlight this injustice and bring it to the full attention of the broader football community ( I have just paid my VSC membership btw)
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Could it be it never got any press due to fact that no one cares about the women's league. I mean its women's football the fa are just trying to generate more interest and I'm guessing the club that has been promoted has either more interest or better attendances
Or money.
City's women got the Belles' place.
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Do you think Radio Sheffield would be interested in this story.
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Could it be it never got any press due to fact that no one cares about the women's league. I mean its women's football the fa are just trying to generate more interest and I'm guessing the club that has been promoted has either more interest or better attendances
Or money.
City's women got the Belles' place.
A brand new team too I believe.
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Could it be it never got any press due to fact that no one cares about the women's league. I mean its women's football the fa are just trying to generate more interest and I'm guessing the club that has been promoted has either more interest or better attendances
Or money.
City's women got the Belles' place.
A brand new team too I believe.
Not quite - think they were in the Women's Premier League but certainly new to the Women's Super League.
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Isn't Rosie Winterton MP still involved with Rovers? She should have a word in Milliband's ear and raise it with the FA, Donny Belles being his constituency and all that.
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What do the Belles want us all to do.
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I'm afraid this Super League idea has been executed very badly. 8 teams in a league? Franchises? It's not the way to do things in football and it's hardly pulling the crowds in.
At least we still have a team - Lincoln have been told they're moving to (and transforming into) Notts County next season!
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Why has there been no coverage on Sky sports?
That I can answer... they only give a sh*t about sports they have the rights to. No money. No interest
More likely it's been done to try and get Sky interested at all. It smacks of the ridiculous engineering that detached rugby league's top flight from the unglamorous rump.
Given women's football has a contract with BT Sport, I think it's actually less likely to be that reason.
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This is an utter outrage. Comrades Unite! Everybody tweet Savage about this, for this weeks Savage says on bbc sport!
Every Rovers fan call 606 - to try and get this on the radio.
This story cannot lie.
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This is unbelievable. How can a team be relegated after just one game because the FA are greedy. Don't we have a court for abitration in sport. Any rovers fan a decent barrister willing to fight their case?
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The Belles proudly wear the red and white hoops with the Viking crest . We have got to help ! They drew with money bags Chelsea in the last game .. the FA has made a decision that is totally lacking in any sort of moral and sporting values .
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Agree its a mess, and devalues women's soccer.
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Belles game against Liverpool pospponed by the FA to protect the Keepmoat Pitch
http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/sport/football/belles/doncaster-belles-league-game-against-liverpool-is-off-1-5663646
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I assumed you all knew about this. The article I read confirmed that Belles were being replaced by Man City Ladies.
You can see they are trying to manipulate things to try and give the Women's Premier League more credibility by looking like the top of the mens Premier League.
Man City, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. No doubt Bristol Academy's days are numbered.
I'm sure it's all based on commercial reasons.
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This action by the FA is a disgrace. Like many on this forum I want to take some kind of action...getting more media attention would be great but I will be contacting both UEFA and FIFA - contact details available through their websites. It may not make a difference but at least it is some sort of action that I can reasonably take from here.
How does this kind of behaviour support the UEFA stand on Respect and Fair Play?
I feel absolutely gutted for the Belles and furious at the way they have been treated.
Excellent initial editorial by the way.
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I think the treatment of the Belles and Lincoln Ladies has been nothing short of a disgrace. However, a few days ago the vice-chairman of the Belles was on Radio 5 Live and passed up a great opportunity to criticise the FA's decision, simply saying he wasn't happy with it. Not happy? He should have been f**king incandescent with rage!
Makes you wonder about the MK Dons move though. The FA have maintained that the decision to allow Wimbledon to relocate to MK was taken by an independent panel and so can't be laid at their door. But it makes you think that maybe they have a secret agenda on franchising.
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I've got to admit apart from ogling i'm not a fan of women's football,the only way i can see how they could have demoted them fairly,is if they did it on an average of their league positions,as they have struggled for a few years,this is another case of tradition not mattering any more,they surely deserve their place as one of the founding members,but then again if it was done like that Corinthian Casuals would be in the Premier league :laugh:,it seems really sad,the only way i could see things improving is when the club is stronger,somehow they could help them out like other men's teams do,also more of the two games on one day,and hopefully get a percentage of our fans watching bump their crowds up a bit,hopefully as the club gets stronger,The Dons and Belles will as well,very sad and unfair for them.
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I wonder in light of the FA`s lack of reasoning behind the decision there`s grounds for the Belles to sue the FA
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I've got to admit apart from ogling i'm not a fan of women's football,the only way i can see how they could have demoted them fairly,is if they did it on an average of their league positions,as they have struggled for a few years,this is another case of tradition not mattering any more,they surely deserve their place as one of the founding members,but then again if it was done like that Corinthian Casuals would be in the Premier league :laugh:,it seems really sad,the only way i could see things improving is when the club is stronger,somehow they could help them out like other men's teams do,also more of the two games on one day,and hopefully get a percentage of our fans watching bump their crowds up a bit,hopefully as the club gets stronger,The Dons and Belles will as well,very sad and unfair for them.
Sorry but hat argument makes no sense whatsoever.
It is like saying to Rovers after 1 game in next seasons championship. We are going to demote you as you don't have big enough gates so we will promote Sheffield Utd instead.
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We (Mustangs) were due to play a home game on the 26th on Pitch 2 but the FA have told us we couldn't use any part of the Stadium on that day...so we've rescheduled.
How about all 40 of our lads invade the pitch in our kit...i've got some spare helmets if anyone wants to join in !
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What i was saying Wellred is if this decision is final maybe having some our fans bump up the crowd will make them stronger,because surely some will start going to a game or two,traditions don't seem to mean anything these days,as a founder member surely they should be in it,when most people think of women's football the first name mentioned is the Belles,maybe not as much as years ago,but they the starting point of women's football,it smacks of being money related as always,totally wrong,if enough protested maybe something could be done wrong,you can't lay down and take a decision like that!!
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It's f**king outrageous, but typical of the spineless FA Kitsons. The Belles were and are one of the ground breakers in women's football. And to be kicked down a division to let Manchester City in is outrageous. City should have entered into the second tier and fought their way up.
It's a sad contrast to over here in the States, where they have just set up the first US women's soccer league, and my city, Portland, has the Portland Thorns, who are going great guns and getting crowds of 15,000+.
Surely this cannot be legal?
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I think we all know that nothing will change the FA's decision although we should pursue every possible angle to shame the FA.
The FA is run by the Premier league for the Premier league. It won't change as long as they are in Murdoch's pocket.
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This is scandalous and the FA should not be allowed to get away with it.
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Seriously pissed at this.
DRFC fans should attend the Women's FA Cup Final en Masse with every type of protest banner imaginable (personally I think the FA were responsible for Dobby's death)
Ridiculous but could DRFC register the girls and field them in the FA Cup? We never do 'owt in that anyway!
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I just wrote to the FA. We'll see what response I get (if any).
Someone should start a FB group.
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http://www.thefa.com/News/2012/dec/fa-wsl-applications-2014.aspx
Found that. Applications marked on both financial and commercial considerations. For me, it looks like a place in the top league is for sale.
Anyway, let's get behind the Belles! Give the FA the embarrassment of relegating a club finishing mid-table or better!
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I think the biggest disappointment for me here, is just how few people knew about it before I flagged it up.
If folk want to get behind the Belles cause then one of the best and easiest thing they could do is go along and support them at their games.
There next game is this coming Saturday against Everton; 6pm at the Keepmoat. Free entry if you take your own bell! (https://twitter.com/donnybelles/status/333932056646144000/photo/1)
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I think the biggest disappointment for me here, is just how few people knew about it before I flagged it up.
If folk want to get behind the Belles cause then one of the best and easiest thing they could do is go along and support them at their games.
There next game is this coming Saturday against Everton; 6pm at the Keepmoat. Free entry if you take your own bell! (https://twitter.com/donnybelles/status/333932056646144000/photo/1)
.........however, you WILL be arrested for indecent exposure if you think your "sense of humour" will get you in for free!
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I hadn't heard before this thread .. and it's true best way to help help is to support .. . However if lack of media attention is compounded by shrugs of the shoulders then the FA will get away with this . Having read the rules that are set out for the Women's game it's true that they can virtually decide who they want in the top league irrespective of performance on the field . It's just in cases like this when the general footballing public just has to react.As always what is needed is a champion of the cause... either a politician .. a famous personality ... Claire Balding for example would be ideal!
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Clare Balding? Aye, she knows how to get it in the box.
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Dear Mr. Button,
Thank you for contacting the Football Association.
The adjudication process will remain confidential between the involved parties as the information is sensitive. Below are the four main criteria by which the process was conducted.
1) Financial and business management
2) Commercial sustainability and marketing
3) Facilities
4) Players, support staff and youth development
The future of The FA WSL from 2014 forms a key part of the overall objectives of ‘Game Changer’, The FA’s new five year plan. This also includes the creation of an Elite Performance Unit, growing player participation and a new individual commercial strategy for the women’s game.
We do appreciate all of the feedback we receive from supporters. This feedback is collated and used to build a picture of public opinion and is subsequently fed back internally within the organisation. Please rest assured your comments will form part of this feedback process.
Best wishes,
John Stanley | Customer Relations
The Football Association
Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, HA9 0WS
Postal address: Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ
T 0844 980 8200 (option 3) | F 0844 980 0666 |
www.TheFA.com/Feedback
**If you wish to reply, please click on the link below to go to the contact us form**
http://www.thefa.com/feedback
From: Mark Button [mailto:mark_button67@yahoo.com]
Sent: 13 May 2013 20:25
To: Info
Subject: Shame on you for your treatment of Doncaster Belles
The the esteemed gentlemen of the FA,
I know money drives everything in football nowadays, but the demotion of Doncaster Belles to the second tier on Women's football in England, so that moneybags Manchester City can take their place, is absolutely disgusting. A team that was one of the pioneers of English women's football and they are relegated by a press release. What happened to league status being on merit? Surely any 'new' clubs should enter the team at the bottom and work their way up on merit? Apparently that doesn't apply any longer – and money talks. As usual. Yet another example of the FA not having the courage of their convictions.
The Football Association: Supporting Football since 1863 (as long as the money's right)
I expect nothing will happen.
Shame on you from top to bottom.
Mark Button
Portland, Oregon.
This communication contains information which is confidential, which may be privileged, and which is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient please note that any distribution, disclosure, use or copying of any part of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error please notify us by return email or by telephone on +44 (0)844 980 8200 and delete this communication and any copies of it. The FA Group (which for the purpose of this communication means The Football Association Limited and its subsidiary companies including Wembley National Stadium Limited, National Football Centre Limited and FA Learning Limited) does not warrant that this email is free from error, viruses, malware, data-damaging material or other defects, or is compatible with your equipment or fit for any purpose. The FA Group may monitor, intercept and block emails addressed to its users or take any other action in accordance with its email use policy.
Statements or opinions may be expressed in this communication that are personal to the sender and do not necessarily represent the views of The FA Group or any member of it. Unless expressly stated otherwise, no member of The FA Group shall be bound by any contract or obligation purported to be created by this communication.
This communication has originated from the communications system of The FA Group.
The Football Association Limited (Company number 77797), Wembley National Stadium Limited (Company number 3388437) National Football Centre Limited (Company number 2523346) and FA Learning Limited (Company number 04249339) are all registered in England and Wales, with their registered office at Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London HA9 0WS. For The FA Tel: 0844 980 8200. http://www.thefa.com. For Wembley National Stadium Limited Tel: +44(0)844 980 8001 http://www.wembleystadium.com.
So there you have it....
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To be honest I stopped reading at point 2. After that you just know they may as well have sent you a link to Harry Enfield as Loadsamoney.
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Email sent to the FA from Dischuffed of Bristol.
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Dear FA,
I see you have chosen to relegate Doncaster Rovers Belles based on money not football. Whilst I understand your desire to get money into the womens game, surely the clubs with money would be able to make their case on the pitch? Promotion/relegation in football should always be on merit not on committee decisions. Maybe you'd like to introduce this new system of yours into the Football League or FA Cup so that teams judged by you to be more worthy are promoted or get byes into later rounds?
To be frank, what you are doing with this decision stinks. Doncaster Rovers Belles were one of the founding forces of womens football in this county. Maybe their finances aren't what you're looking for, but maybe they are good enough despite this and you will learn from this embarressing mistake.
The FA is supposed to be forward thinking. This decision of yours puts you right back in the seedy smoke filled rooms of yore. I hate to think what other plans you have up your sleeves for football in this country.
I played against the Belles when I was young back in the 70s. The spirit of that team is legendary, its has guts and passion. Football success is not just about who has the most money - haven't you learned that yet? They had the TV program "Playing the Field" based on them - something that has probably done more for womens football than the FA has ever done.
I hope you can reverse your decision and make the league system work on merit not this embarressing plastic model designed by men in offices in London.
Chris Wilkinson
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I meant to add - please people send them emails, this is an important case not just about the Belles, or Donny. Its as important as the Wimbledon/MK debacle. If they get by with this, who knows what they will start doing in the mens game.
info@thefa.com
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I assumed you all knew about this. The article I read confirmed that Belles were being replaced by Man City Ladies.
You can see they are trying to manipulate things to try and give the Women's Premier League more credibility by looking like the top of the mens Premier League.
Man City, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, Arsenal etc. No doubt Bristol Academy's days are numbered.
I'm sure it's all based on commercial reasons.
Remember Fulham Ladies,did'nt they reach the top through Al-Fayed's money,but then he pulled the plug and they dropped away since?Seems moneys talking to FA again.Sometimes they make me sick.
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It would strengthen the argument if fans of other clubs registered their disgust as well
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It would strengthen the argument if fans of other clubs registered their disgust as well
Agreed, thats very important. I wonder what the Manc City fans would say about participating?!
Someone asked what is it that the Belles want? Do they want to be involved with making a point? If so, it may be best to wait and see what they could suggest for the VSC to help them with. It would be good to have a statement covering the specific issue of the Belles but also linking it with a general point about the FA getting away with this that relates to the whole game, mens and womens.
Between us we could then post it on other clubs forums etc.
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Below are the four main criteria by which the process was conducted.
1) Financial and business management
2) Commercial sustainability and marketing
3) Facilities
4) Players, support staff and youth development
So, nothing to do with (and here are my own 4)...
1) Tradition - one of the founder members of the English womens league and a recognised club (as the Belle Vue Belles) since 1969
2) Performance - finished 7th in the past 2 seasons. NOT the worst team (Liverpool) who the FA are NOT demoting (probably because they are Liverpool).
3) Development - The FA are demanding that local junior sides have girls teams in order to maintain their Charter Standard. What message does an arbitrary demotion of one of the biggest names in Women's football send out to these girls playing the game?
4) Parity - would this be tolerated in the Men's game? Not a chance. In the modern game, Clubs have always had performance on the pitch as the only barometer of whether they "deserved" to play in a league or not (the only exception was teams being relegated from the old bottom division, yet even this required re-election by their peers, not faceless beaurocrats in the FA).
I like my 4 reasons better than Mr Stanley's.
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The FA are entitled to set their own criteria for what is essentially a members club, provided that any rules they set (however irrational), are lawful. The Belles need to take legal advice on the decision, and perhaps consider if the FA are supporting a restraint of trade.
On the other hand, did the Belles put in a good application on the basis of the criteria, and have they made their best case?
If the Belles are a seperate company and organisation from Rovers, would it not be best to apply as "Doncaster Sporting", or as DRFC Ladies, to gain from the association.
Part of the reason for bringing sporting interests in Donny under one umbrella was to increase their collective strength as a group. Belles score well on facilities, compared to Prem clubs who play their games at lower league grounds, so the EXCUSE the FA are using is probably organisational, and most likely "financial and business".
If Belles could show that they were a self funding element of the DRFC business plan than Gavin has talked about, then the FA have the rug pulled out from under them. That is probably what the others are up to, the Belles and Lincoln have been left behind.
The FA want a self perpetuating elite, like in the Prem, and can't be bothered by events on the pitch, so come up with a buy-your-way-in scheme for the wealthy. They are beneath contempt.
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Here's my response to their response...
John
Thank you for your reply.
What astounds me is that the FA can apparently give no substantial reason for the demotion of the Belles other than, it would seem, financial. What is also worrying is that players only come in at number four in your list of criteria.
Manchester City women had an average season and yet are deemed to be worthy of an elite place. That's like promoting Leeds United, Forest, Wolves, Derby, Sheffield Wednesday etc to the Premier League on the basis of their name and fan base, regardless of their league position.
There's no 'game changer' here…. A real game changer would be, for once, the FA putting the spirit and history of the women's game first, rather than an attempt to create yet another elite group of big name clubs, to the exclusion of the likes of Doncaster.
I assume by the statement that "the adjudication process will remain confidential between the involved parties as the information is sensitive" translates to financial deals being struck.
What would happen if "the likes of Doncaster" gain promotion? Will they be denied promotion as they don;t fit into your 'elite' template?
The whole thing stinks of cronyism, corruption and is, sadly, typical of the beautiful game,
Mark
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Good points Albie.
And Rob, I much prefer your four points. This certainly would NOT be tolerated in the men's game. So are the FA being covertly sexist?
Bunch of w**kers.
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E mail to FA .
I join a growing groundswell of indignation at your very subjective decision to demote Doncaster Belles in favour of foreign owned Manchester City . Surely overarching rquirements of our governing body must be openness , honesty and ethical and sporting values. Our youngsters in the community of Doncaster as in most football loving communities need to be able to TRUST the VALUES . Please review your decision and please be aware how deeply such decisions wound the game at large in this country . Our children need to believe football is not just for and about highly paid players playing for rich clubs.
Brian Grainger.
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Dear Mr. Button,
Thank you for contacting the Football Association.
The adjudication process will remain confidential between the involved parties as the information is sensitive. Below are the four main criteria by which the process was conducted.
1) Financial and business management
2) Commercial sustainability and marketing
3) Facilities
4) Players, support staff and youth development
The future of The FA WSL from 2014 forms a key part of the overall objectives of ‘Game Changer’, The FA’s new five year plan. This also includes the creation of an Elite Performance Unit, growing player participation and a new individual commercial strategy for the women’s game.
We do appreciate all of the feedback we receive from supporters. This feedback is collated and used to build a picture of public opinion and is subsequently fed back internally within the organisation. Please rest assured your comments will form part of this feedback process.
Best wishes,
John Stanley | Customer Relations
The Football Association
Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, HA9 0WS
Postal address: Wembley Stadium, PO Box 1966, London, SW1P 9EQ
T 0844 980 8200 (option 3) | F 0844 980 0666 |
www.TheFA.com/Feedback
**If you wish to reply, please click on the link below to go to the contact us form**
http://www.thefa.com/feedback
From: Mark Button [mailto:mark_button67@yahoo.com]
Sent: 13 May 2013 20:25
To: Info
Subject: Shame on you for your treatment of Doncaster Belles
The the esteemed gentlemen of the FA,
I know money drives everything in football nowadays, but the demotion of Doncaster Belles to the second tier on Women's football in England, so that moneybags Manchester City can take their place, is absolutely disgusting. A team that was one of the pioneers of English women's football and they are relegated by a press release. What happened to league status being on merit? Surely any 'new' clubs should enter the team at the bottom and work their way up on merit? Apparently that doesn't apply any longer – and money talks. As usual. Yet another example of the FA not having the courage of their convictions.
The Football Association: Supporting Football since 1863 (as long as the money's right)
I expect nothing will happen.
Shame on you from top to bottom.
Mark Button
Portland, Oregon.
This communication contains information which is confidential, which may be privileged, and which is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not an intended recipient please note that any distribution, disclosure, use or copying of any part of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error please notify us by return email or by telephone on +44 (0)844 980 8200 and delete this communication and any copies of it. The FA Group (which for the purpose of this communication means The Football Association Limited and its subsidiary companies including Wembley National Stadium Limited, National Football Centre Limited and FA Learning Limited) does not warrant that this email is free from error, viruses, malware, data-damaging material or other defects, or is compatible with your equipment or fit for any purpose. The FA Group may monitor, intercept and block emails addressed to its users or take any other action in accordance with its email use policy.
Statements or opinions may be expressed in this communication that are personal to the sender and do not necessarily represent the views of The FA Group or any member of it. Unless expressly stated otherwise, no member of The FA Group shall be bound by any contract or obligation purported to be created by this communication.
This communication has originated from the communications system of The FA Group.
The Football Association Limited (Company number 77797), Wembley National Stadium Limited (Company number 3388437) National Football Centre Limited (Company number 2523346) and FA Learning Limited (Company number 04249339) are all registered in England and Wales, with their registered office at Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London HA9 0WS. For The FA Tel: 0844 980 8200. http://www.thefa.com. For Wembley National Stadium Limited Tel: +44(0)844 980 8001 http://www.wembleystadium.com.
So there you have it....
It looks like the reply to the email is a bog standard dismissive reply, here`s my reply from the FA, a word for word copy
Thank you for contacting the Football Association.
The adjudication process will remain confidential between the involved parties as the information is sensitive. Below are the four main criteria by which the process was conducted.
1) Financial and business management
2) Commercial sustainability and marketing
3) Facilities
4) Players, support staff and youth development
The future of The FA WSL from 2014 forms a key part of the overall objectives of ‘Game Changer’, The FA’s new five year plan. This also includes the creation of an Elite Performance Unit, growing player participation and a new individual commercial strategy for the women’s game.
We do appreciate all of the feedback we receive from supporters. This feedback is collated and used to build a picture of public opinion and is subsequently fed back internally within the organisation. Please rest assured your comments will form part of this feedback process.
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Lets see if Brian G gets the same response.
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Lets see if Brian G gets the same response.
Rob I`ve took the liberty of suggesting your 4 point criteria to them in my response
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Cheers Filo. I doubt Mr Stanley will lose too much sleep tonight.
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response to my above E mail ....
Dear Supporter,
Thank you for contacting The Football Association.
We will endeavour to respond to your query as soon as possible. However, please note that due to the large amounts of queries that we deal with it may take up to 5 working days to be dealt with.
Kind regards,
Customer Relations Team
The FA Group
Wembley Stadium, Wembley, London, HA9 0WS
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I might send them an email pretending to be a filthy rich Arab wanting to start a new women's team in London and playing all their games at Wembley, employing loads of foreign coaches, PR consultants, marketing men, a director of football and a team composed wholly of overpriced, overrated foreign imports. Only condition is that we are placed directly into the Premier League...
That should get the bent, greedy bas**rds salivating!
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I have reiterated the content of my E mail to the FA in a similar e mail to Matthew Hancock , Sports editor of the Observer newspaper ... I added the following final paragraph ,
Your newspaper and the Guardian have often helped just causes in sport and more importantly , highlighted injustices too. It is very difficult both for the Belles and for Doncaster Rovers to rebel against their own governing body . We fans are outraged at the decision and by the lack of transparency surrounding the reasons for the decision . Please help .
Brian Grainger , a Doncastrian football fan .
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My e-mail to the FA
(I hope the Belles don't mind a little creative cutting and pasting from their website's history section.)
From: G Raw
Sent: 14 May 2013 21:33
To: info@thefa.com
Cc: contact@theifo.co.uk
Subject: Doncaster Rovers Belles
Dear Sir/Madam
I would like to report the worst possible case of discrimination ever perpetrated in English football. Namely the demotion of Doncaster Rovers Belles from the top tier of the Women's game after only one game. This would never have been considered in the men's game and as such is sexist.
Just a brief history lesson for you:
The Doncaster Rovers Belles were originally formed in 1969 as the Belle Vue Belles by young women who were selling draw tickets on the terraces at Doncaster Rovers. They started out by playing local small-sided games but within a short period of time they found themselves venturing outside of Doncaster, where the Belle Vue part of the name had no meaning. In 1971 the club changed their name and became known as the Doncaster Belles!
After Championship success in the regional leagues (12 out of 13 in the Notts League and 2 from 2 in the North East League) in addition to many tournaments and Cup successes the Belles became founder members of the National League in the 1991/92 season - where they completed the League and F.A. Cup double without conceding a game!
In the 17-year history of the National League set-up, Doncaster Belles completed the double once more and in this Championship have finished second four times and third twice.
In 2005 they formalised a partnership link with Doncaster Rovers, which enabled them to play a number of their games at Belle Vue and also to use the excellent training facilities at Cantley Park.
They worked along side Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster Rugby League Club, Doncaster Athletics Club and Doncaster Council on the development of the new community stadium now used by all four clubs. The new stadium was completed on schedule and within budget in December 2006. This now provides the Belles with a permanent base. They are the only Premier League club to have opportunity’s to play matches in a brand new 15,000-seated community stadium.
In March 2009 they were named as one of the eight members of the inaugural FA Women’s Super League due to start in March 2011. At the time they 'believed the Super League will be the key platform to drive the women’s game forward in England.'
The Super League concept was developed to enable players in this country to earn a good living from the game whilst allowing Super League clubs to develop new revenue streams and support for women’s football.
The Belles for The Community initiative was launched November 2009, becoming Britain’s first social enterprise delivering community, social, health and educational services with female sport as a focal point. This launch was based on extensive research amongst a large number of community organisations and agencies within Doncaster and South Yorkshire and it has certainly raised the profile of the Belles significantly. It has also demonstrated the importance of opening up women’s football to the community and to become more than ‘just a football club.’
In turn maintaining their position as one of the major forces in the glorious game, further claiming that Doncaster Rovers Belles is the home of women’s football.
Unfortunately in one crass ill thought out financially driven decision you the FA have discarded 44 years of history of women's football in this country for the want of creating an elite closed shop of franchises in your new top flight , once again alienating the real football fan.
Please reconsider this decision and reinstate the Belles to their rightful place at the top of the women's game in this country.
Gavin Raw
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This needs kicking upstairs to Millband, Winterton et al, and the Doncaster council. The more I have through about it, the angrier it makes me.
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Angry from Portland writes... :)
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A suggestion, based on what PDX writes above.
Copy all correspondence to your MP, with a request that they ask a PQ (parliamentary question) on the issue.
If they do this, Secretary of State for Sport has to reply, so he will put the FA on the spot to provide an answer. Once that is on the public record, the FA are defending against the wind.
People might raise different aspects of the sorry debacle, but for me the important question is why the FA, if they are a body in receipt of public funds, will not explain the detail of the selection process in an open and transparent way.
Not only are the Belles being disadvantaged, but no-one can see the evidence upon which they are being treated so poorly.
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Further to the replies above, I exchanged a couple of emails with the Belles' Chairman yesterday and they are putting together an appeal against the decision.
To help give weight to this appeal I'm in the process of setting up an online petition so there is a measurable form of discontent. I'll post a link when it's done.
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They should go and see if the can get compo like sheff utd did with west ham
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Maybe our new Mayor could sort it for us, she's sure she can create jobs, stop the closure of public amenities and overturn the so called bedroom tax so overturning this decision would be a doddle! :cool:
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Maybe a protest should organised at the Women's FA Cup final. There'd be no better time to get the FA to listen than at one of their flagship events.
COME ON YOU HOOOOOPS!!!! (of either sex) :scarf:
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Someone said earlier that it was partly down to them wanting filled stands with excited fans or words to that effect so it'd look better on tv.
Think we know what's coming..
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That was one of the things I picked out from the FA's document on conditions clubs had to meet, which I put out on twitter. In all honesty, the only thing I can spot which counts against the Belles from the whole document is the Belles' attendances.
So if you want to help and support their cause, the best thing you can do is go to Saturday's game and vote with your feet as it were.
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Here's an E maal I just received .. there is an open invitation t everyone to express their views albeit in the local press only here.
Hi Brian,
I'm a sports reporter and have been covering Doncaster Rovers Belles this season.
I gather you've been trying to get your views out into the national media regarding the ridiculous decision to relegate the Belles. I grew up with the Belles as a player and am absolutely outraged!
I wondered if you could write a letter for us to use in the Doncaster Free Press please?
Also, if others would like to get in touch - pass on my details.
They can also address letters either via email or: Hayley Paterson, Sunny Bar, Doncaster, DN1 1NB.
Let me know what you think.
Hayley Paterson
Senior sport and news reporter
Doncaster Free Press, Selby Times, South Yorkshire Times, Epworth Bells and Goole Courier
01302 347256
Follow me on Twitter @HayleyP_11 and @DonnyFreePress
Johnston Press plc Registered in Scotland no. SC015382
Registered Office:108 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS
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Brian, I can`t see an email address on there anywhere
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here you are Filo
haley.paterson@doncastertoday.co.uk