Burton Albion Ladies have their next league fixture this weekend, as they take on Doncaster Rovers Belles away tomorrow (January 26).
A club steeped in history amongst the womens' game, Doncaster Rovers Belles were originally known as the Belle Vue Belles, when they formed in 1969. They have won the Women’s FA Cup on six occasions, and have completed a league and FA Cup double on two occasions.
Their most successful spell came in the 1980s and 1990s, where they won the Nottinghamshire league eight times, the North East Regional League twice, the FA Women’s Premier League National Division twice as well as the aforementioned FA Cups.
And as the Ladies’ team approaches the match, manager James Billings says that the squad are aware of this history amongst their rivals and are excited to be playing a league fixture against them.
“It is a big game for us, because of the stature of Doncaster and the history of their club,” James said. “They have a lot of history behind them, in both the mens and women’s sides of the game, and Doncaster Belles is a big name in women’s football in particular.”
“It is exciting for the girls to play in a game against opponents of such prestige. But regardless of that, it is still a game that we are looking at trying to get something out of.”
With the bottom half of the FA Women’s National League being so tight, Billings has 'separated' the table in two and created a mini league as the teams in the lower half fight amongst each other at the start of 2020.
The Brewers will look forward to the return of Fiona Lane to the starting XI following her return from injury, but otherwise there is no change to the side as they approach their first away fixture of 2020.
You can watch the Brewers in action against Doncaster Rovers Belles tomorrow, 26 January, at Rossington Main FC, kick-off 2pm.