Akers - Belles' plight is blow for the game

By Matt Fortune

Arsenal Ladies could hit the final nail in the coffin of Doncaster Rovers Belles when the two sides meet on Sunday at Boreham Wood FC.

The Belles are the oldest club in the women’s league but face bankruptcy after the recent loss of a major sponsor. Such is their financial plight, Doncaster may even be forced out of business before the weekend fixture with Arsenal.

Speaking exclusively to Arsenal.com, Ladies manager Vic Akers expressed his sadness at their situation and called for stability in the game to avoid any further loss.

“Obviously it is a big blow to the game,” he said. “Losing Charlton a year or so ago, and now potentially this. I feel sad for them. They are one of the biggest clubs, one of our arch-rivals if you like, and when I started they were the team to beat, like Arsenal are now.

“They’re a good club, a well-run club and have just got back on their feet and all of a sudden they have this. It is a real disappointment for them. The side have had a good start to the season, losing only once. It is a blow to a game overall and one it cannot stand up to.

“Unfortunately though I think it is where women’s football is at the moment, it is not in the best of conditions and it needs to be addressed. I think the whole issue around the country needs to be stabilised.”

Arsenal and England Ladies captain Faye White was similarly disappointed at the situation.

“Since I have been playing Doncaster have always been a major name in the women’s game,” she said. “When I first started they were one of the top teams to beat, always up there around the top of the league. They have always been a self-sustaining club. It would be a big shame not to see them within the game anymore.

“When you hear about any team struggling, especially one that has done so well raising their own funds, people in the game speak about it. It is a big shame because on some fronts, of course, the game is growing but then you hear this news and it is disappointing.

“The perception of the game, the amount of interest from people that want to play, those taking it up, is all really positive and on the increase. But there has always been problems with facilities, sponsorship and even the local support at the games.

“For people that have been around the game for a while will know about Doncaster and will understand the sense of occasion that the game could be. We know players and people behind the scenes who have worked incredibly hard to sustain it.

“It will be a real shame if that is not able to continue.”

[Friday, September 05, 2008]

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