ROVERS GET NOD AT LAST TO TARGET SUPER LEAGUE SPOT
BLACKBURN Rovers head into today’s Premier League Northern Division top-table clash at Middlesbrough with manager Gemma Donnelly’s long-held ambition of promotion to the Super League in their sights.
Rovers are behind leaders Boro only on goal difference and with two games in hand.
With the season almost half way through, a victory for Donnelly’s side would put them firmly in pole position to win the league. “We’ve smashed our short-term target this season,” she said. “And we’ve gone 14 games unbeaten in all competitions. So, we’re in a very positive place and I believe we’ve got the calibre of players to win the league.
“Not that I’m expecting an easy game at Middlesbrough. They’ve done really well so far this season after getting promoted, maintaining the form that took them up. But I’m confident we will have a positive outcome.”
Reaching the Super League would be sweet indeed for Donnelly, who five years ago had her dreams shattered when the women’s team at Ewood Park decided against applying to become one of the WSL’s founding members.
“It was so disappointing to be part of the consultation process for the formation of WSL only to be told we wouldn’t be applying,” said Donnelly, currently in her third season as manager but her 12th year with the women’s side.
“Blackburn Rovers have always been supportive of women’s football,” she added, “but they dictate the ladies’ team’s future and there were various reasons for their decision.
“Since then, though, we’ve
forged a really strong link with them. Our foundations as a women’s team are stronger and, at a recent meeting with the club, I was given the go-ahead to submit an application to join the Super League if we win the Northern Premier and meet all the WSL criteria.”
While the EFL Championship side of Rovers is under constant fire from supporters unhappy with owners Venky’s, the women’s operation is flourishing with Donnelly at the helm.
“I don’t personally know the club owners,” she pointed out, “but my dealings with the men’s club are very positive. I know there’s negativity from some supporters, but there are so many good things being done at the club.
“The boys and girls academies are both going strong, for example, and the production of talent within the club is very impressive.” That development is recognised by WSL champions Manchester City.
Two of City’s most exciting youngsters, midfielder Keira Walsh and striker Georgia Stanway, were recruited from Blackburn, leaving Donnelly with mixed feelings about transfers in the women’s game.
“It’s great to see girls progress,” she said, “but we invest a lot of money in development and then get nothing when players are signed by WSL clubs. The FA has to look at creating a compensation package for clubs like us.
“We lost another couple of players in the close season, but fortunately we’ve retained a large proportion of last season’s team and the players we’ve added have fitted in really well.
“Now, hopefully, all our hard work is about to pay off.”