Month: June 2013

Doncaster Rovers Belles

Silenced Belles; On the FA’s Rejection of the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal

by glen wilson10 Comments on Silenced Belles; On the FA’s Rejection of the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal
Silenced Belles; On the FA’s Rejection of the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal

Eight years ago I was elected as a Student Union officer. A month into my role the University reneged on an agreement to allow our Freshers Fair to be held in the Sports Hall – the only suitable venue – as they wanted to expand their enrolment process. I did my research, I sourced the numbers and equipment involved in each event, I scoured plans and timetables for the entire university, and I went to a meeting with a pro-vice chancellor ready to put across a very valid alternate option that satisfied both parties. Said Pro-Vice Chancellor, presumably having not expected a new officer to be so prepared and logical – let alone the Sports Officer – lost patience and became more and more exasperated before eventually yelling “You’re missing the point, this is already happening”. Continue reading “Silenced Belles; On the FA’s Rejection of the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal” →

Doncaster Rovers Belles

D-Day at the FA; On the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal

by glen wilson3 Comments on D-Day at the FA; On the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal
D-Day at the FA; On the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal

Hopefully this will be the last piece I write about the Doncaster Belles which doesn’t have a football match as its focus. With a bit of luck it will also be the last time I have the cause to write the word ‘relegation’ in inverted commas too. Today, following an adjournment a fortnight ago, the Belles will have their appeal heard by the FA, it is D-Day, the ‘D’ being for decency, as this will be the last chance to resolve this issue within the confines of football governance. Continue reading “D-Day at the FA; On the Doncaster Belles’ Appeal” →

football writing

Rovers’ 2013-14 Fixtures Released

by glen wilson1 Comment on Rovers’ 2013-14 Fixtures Released

doncaster belle vue fixturesThe 2013-14 Football League fixtures are announced in the next few hours, always a fascinating day, not simply to see how the season will take shape, but also marvel at how much news agencies and official club websites can pad out what is in effect the publication of a list into a ‘news’ story. But as 24 hour rolling television news has shown us, its not necessarily about being right, just making sure you’re first with the breaking story. So to that end, we’ve got in quick, and the fanzine is delighted to bring you our own breaking news before it happens with our do-it-yourself fixture announcement news piece. Here you go… Continue reading “Rovers’ 2013-14 Fixtures Released” →

history

Seasons in Retrospect; 1973-74

by popular STAND fanzine2 Comments on Seasons in Retrospect; 1973-74
Seasons in Retrospect; 1973-74

In popular STAND this season we serialised Ray Jest‘s detailed account of the 1973-74 season. Unfortunately, due to print deadlines and copy space we omitted to bring you the concluding part, and so to address that issue we now present the feature in full. Sit back, light up a Woodbine and crack open a Party Seven, here is Ray’s account of Rovers’ 1973-74 season. Continue reading “Seasons in Retrospect; 1973-74” →

football photography

How I watched football 2012-13

by glen wilson11 Comments on How I watched football 2012-13
How I watched football 2012-13

I’m not a photographer. I don’t even own a camera. So this is neither a portfolio nor an exhibition. But I do like photos, so when attending matches last season I made an effort to take at least one, using just the camera on my phone and the instagram app. These are they; a collection of images representing all the football I saw between July 2012 and May 2013. Only one game is missing – Doncaster Rovers’ 2-1 win at Crewe in April – as I had my phone stolen on the morning of the game, but the rest are all present and documented below, some it has to be said, much better than others. Continue reading “How I watched football 2012-13” →

Doncaster Rovers Belles

Appeal of Belles; The Road to Wembley

by glen wilson4 Comments on Appeal of Belles; The Road to Wembley
Appeal of Belles; The Road to Wembley

Later today, at an undisclosed time, representatives of the Doncaster Belles will be at Wembley to have their appeal against arbitrary ‘relegation’ from the FA Women’s Super League heard by the Football Association. After twenty-two years, the Belles’ status as the only ever-presents at the top-tier of women’s football comes down not to a football match, but to folk in suits with laminated security passes bearing three lions. Whether the Belles are succesful in their appeal or not, seeing a sustainable and historically important football club’s status and future settled in this manner cannot  be for the good of the game in any sense. Continue reading “Appeal of Belles; The Road to Wembley” →