Belles have joined forces with local men's team Doncaster Rovers, who have just earned promotion back to the Football League, but even though their name will change, the club insist they'll be as independent as ever.

"Rovers are not financially supporting us at all, we are free-standing as far as our financing and decision making goes," explained Doncaster Rovers Belles general manager Mick Abrahams.

"We have joined parties to aid the programme for a new stadium and our merger will hopefully help secure the stadium. We think it is good for the town, it will increase our supporter base and we feel it will increase the profile of Doncaster in general. We think it is good for all parties."

The merger of the teams took place at the end of last season and was the result of months of discussions between the two clubs. The proposed stadium - a 16,000 all seater - would be shared by the teams upon its completion in 2005.

This season will see Belles playing eight games at Belle Vue, while their remaining fixtures will be played at their regular Brodsworth Welfare FC ground.

And there are further commercial and playing advantages that will benefit the Belles as they strive to bolster their high profile postion both on and off the pitch, as Abrahams explains: "We are moving our club shop into their club shop for the start of the season so all our products can be bought there. We are also using Cantley Park - Rovers' brilliant training facility during pre-season and we are using their corporate venues for our games as well."

The merger comes at a time of change at the famous Yorkshire club. Not only will they be playing eight games at a new home ground, they also have a new manager and are trying to recruit new players to the club. John Buckley was recently revealed as the new boss and he has impressive credentials as an 'A' License coach and being on the coaching staff at Hull City. He is also a former Doncaster Rovers winger so he will be returning to Belle Vue this season.

Abrahams said: "John Buckley will continue working in some guise for Hull City and he also does some scouting for Aberdeen but we have come to a good agreement with him. We hope he can take us one step further.

"It is an exciting time. We are talking to one or two players that we are in negotiation with to join us but we are still discussing terms."

With all these positives moves, the Belles will be looking to get back to winning ways after finishing second in the league for the last four years. They will also be looking for their first major trophy since the 1993-94 season, something not lost on the general manager: "We are looking for silverware this season, that is all we need. We have got the brand, we are still the most famous women's football club. I even had an application from a guy in Australia for the manager's job! He took the Australian team to the 2000 Olympic games and he was looking to try to get a job with us."

So the Belles will be hoping to replicate their recent off-field success on the pitch and if the playing staff at the Belles have the drive and determination that has been shown off the pitch over the years then they could well be unlocking their trophy cabinet once more come the end of the season.

by Ben Rice