We are staying up, say we are staying up!
Doncaster Rovers Belles will remain in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands in the 2025/26 season after Barnsley FC Women withdrew from the league, leaving a vacancy at Tier 4.
The action prevents relegation for the Belles after a difficult 2024/25 season that had seen them dropped to the fifth tier.
The Belles had a tough season in 2024/25, finding themselves at the wrong end of the table after a string of inconsistent performances and close defeats. There were hints of talent, though, including a comfortable 4-0 final day win over Huddersfield Town.
Where there were minimal highs, there were plenty of lows, including a humbling 7-0 defeat away at Middlesbrough. However, the end result of relegation was because the club simply could not find any consistency over the course of the season. A rather disastrous run of defeats in the back half of the season in particular, ultimately saw them drop below the safety line.
Relegation seemed as good as done, adding to what has been a poor time for the once-upon-a-time dominant club in women’s football. But, the unexpected pull out of Barnsley FC Women from the structure of the FA Women’s National League for the new season has changed things. With Barnsley forfeiting their slot, the Belles have been given a lifeline and will stay in Tier 4.
The announcement provides hope to a club with such a long history in the women’s game, allowing them to restructure and rebuild on familiar ground. With the league allocations now decided, planning for next season can finally begin, giving Doncaster a chance to put a disappointing year behind them and look to improve.
One of the most historic women’s clubs in the football pyramid, Doncaster Rovers Belles, will look to make the most of this unexpected opportunity to stay up and once again be a competitive force in Tier 4.
The Belles weren’t the only South Yorkshire club to be given a reprieve, with Sheffield United also handed a lifeline by the FA.
- Read More – Sheffield United retain WSL2 status
