The Belles statement!

[silent majority]

Team work at the top means Belles and Rovers have never been closer.

Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies FC and Doncaster Rovers FC I believe and others associated with the club have commented that there is a stronger working relationship than ever before, said Belles Vice Chairman Alan Smart.
 
The comments came after a small number of Belles fans were not allowed to take certain items into the recent Women's FA Cup match at the Keepmoat Stadium.
 
"We have a very close working relationship with Doncaster Rovers and are enjoying a better relationship than we've ever had with both the club itself and as our stadium landlords.   There is a mutual respect and a great deal of support behind the scenes from both parties.
 
"It is well documented that we have lodged an appeal into the FA's decision to place The Doncaster Rovers Belles into the second Tier of Women's Football and we have really appreciated the ethos behind the protests and are delighted by the way the town has rallied around us.”
 
“Ahead of the game we were mindful that it was an FA Cup final and not wanting to detract from the two teams who were playing and worked so hard to reach the final.  Prior to the game we held discussions with Doncaster Rovers staff to ensure that any protest that did take place wouldn't and should not detract from the showpiece event of the Women's football calendar.”
 
"Since the Rovers have taken over the management of the stadium we've benefited from renegotiated deals that have helped financially to support the Belles and have benefited from both marketing and strategic support."
 
"We are proud of Doncaster's fantastic stadium and we're proud that the Women's FA Cup final was being played at our home ground, Keepmoat Stadium, it was important to us that the focus of the day was about the spectacle of the Women's FA Cup.”
 
“We continue to wait for the results of the appeal - passed through to the FA and we are hopeful that we can be reinstated into the top flight division for 2014”
 
“We really appreciate the efforts of all concerned in raising the profile of our plight, the efforts of all involved have managed to raise the profile of the decision not just in this Country, but Internationally as well.”
 
The Club was originally formed in 1969 as The Belle Vue Belles by young women who were selling draw tickets on the terraces at Doncaster Rovers football matches. 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, more recently affiliation to the men's team has seen the club adopt Rovers and become Doncaster Rovers Belles Ladies FC.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Good to see a statement that answers some of the questions of some concerned.

[Al4475]

Agreed BFYP - it seems that DRFC were acting on the say-so of the FA! Also interesting to note that Alan Smart feels that the relationshop between the Belles and DRFC is stronger than ever!

Good luck to the Belles in their appeal, and massive congrats to Glen who's stood their corner brilliantly!

[Mike_F]

Interesting to note the "renegotiated rates, marketing and strategic support" since DRFC took control of the stadium. It demonstrates some of the "behind the scenes" support that DRFC are giving.

[bedale rover]

In recognition of glens work can we name a bar at KMS either vivarovers or popular stand