Doncaster Rovers Belles’ legendary striker Karen Walker says she cannot wait to see what the future holds for the club she loves following their game-changing plans.
The former Doncaster skipper enjoyed a stunning 20-year career during a vintage, trophy-laden period for Belles which also saw her net 40 times in 83 appearances for England.
And as the historic Belles prepare for life back in the top-flight this year, Walker told the official club’s website she was delighted with the team’s remarkable turnaround following their ill-fated campaign in 2013.
“I was heart-broken when they went down. I’d spent 20 years at that club and to see them suffer so much really broke my heart,” the prolific forward said.
“It didn’t feel right to me to not have Belles in the top-flight. They need to be there, competing for trophies and playing against the best – that’s how I know them to be.
“Slowly but surely they’re getting back to where they should be and they’re now in the league where they belong.
“Now they need to consolidate. They need to build on what they have and remain in this top league to attract even more new players and be able to compete once again.”
Walker, who lives in Hull, added that she was excited by the club’s Project Phoenix plans which will see a state-of-the-art training facility built in Doncaster and professional contracts handed to 10 Belles players.
“We would’ve loved to have played at a training facility like that. I saw the plans and I just thought ‘Wow!’. I loved training as much as I loved playing so to have that type of facility and also be full-time would have been a dream come true for me. I was delighted for the club and everyone involved because they deserve the best,” she added.
Karen Walker was speaking to the club’s official website (www.doncasterroversbelles.co.uk) during a special guest speaking event alongside Belles duo Sue Smith and Gill Coultard called ‘She Kicks Back’. The event was held at Cask Corner, in Doncaster, and hosted by‘She Kicks’ and podcast ‘Women’s Soccer Zone’.
Pictured – Gill Coultard, Sheila Edmunds, Karen Walker, Sue Smith.
SHE KICKS – the online community for women’s football
