1969 The Belle Vue Belles

In 1969, Sheila Edmunds (back row third from left) and other young women were selling draw tickets on the terraces of the then home of Doncaster Rovers (Belle Vue), when they decided to form the Belle Vue Belles Football Club.

Little did they know that, back in 1969, they (the founding members), had formed what was to become one of the most successful women's teams in the history of ladies football. They have won the FA Cup 6 times and reached the final a further 7 times in their 40 year history. No other club has matched this record.

This is Sheila's story (40 years of The Doncaster Rovers Belles), a tribute to her and the other founding members who formed the greatest ladies football club in the history of of the game. It is testimony to Sheila's dedication to the sport and the club, that she still works for the Doncaster Rovers Belles as the Club Welfare Officer to this day.

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!

The Belles tasted 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 along the way!

1977 Townsend Cup Winners

1978 Squad

1978 FA Cup Winners

1983 Squad

1983 FA Cup Winners

1987 Sheila's Testimonial

1987 FA Cup Winners

 

1988 FA Cup Winners

 

1990 FA Cup Winners

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!

1991-92 First Season In Women's National Premier League

1993 FA Cup Final Squad

1993-94 League & Cup Double Squad

1994 FA Cup Winners- The Edmunds Family

1995-96 Squad

1996 I Lost My Heart To The Belles- Book written by Pete Davies based on the club

1996 Playing The Field- TV Drama by Kay Mellor also based on the club

1997 Squad

1998 Squad

2002 FA Cup Final Squad

2003 Ex-Doncaster Rovers winger John Buckley takes over as the club's Manager

In 2005 we formalised a partnership link with Doncaster Rovers, which enabled us to play a number of our games at Belle Vue and also use the excellent training facilities at Cantley Park. We changed our name again to finally become know as the Doncaster Rovers Belles.

2006 Sheffield & Hallamshire County Cup Winners

2006/07 Squad

We worked along side Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster Lakers Rugby Club and Doncaster Council on the development of the new community stadium now used by all three clubs. The new stadium was completed on schedule and within budget in December 2006. This now provides us with a permanent base. We are the only Premier League club to have opportunity’s to play matches in a brand new 15,000-seated community stadium.

2007 Keepmoat Stadium pictured with the men's Johnstone's Paint Trophy

2008 Squad (Sheila in the background)

2008 Sheila Receives The FA Special Acheivement Award From Sir Trevor Brooking

2008 Sheila Receives The Torch Trophy Trust Award From Prince Edward

2009 Squad

2010 Squad

Overall the club continues to grow, keeping pace with the significant growth in women’s football and maintaining our position as one of the major forces in the glorious game, further claiming that Doncaster Rovers Belles is the home of women’s football.

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