Centre-back Izzy Trevillion was part of the Belles academy 10 years ago when the demotion occurred. Now 20 and a first-team player, she says there is still an added weight which comes with the Belles name.
“There is a bit of added pressure because we came from the top of the top, literally one of the most known women’s clubs in the country,” she says.
“We are now quite a young side and everyone wants us to get back up to that top league. We have to make that happen.
“I used to watch them, being from around the area, there were always big crowds, a really good atmosphere. I was in the development squad and sometimes we linked up with them.
“The level they played at was phenomenal, it was so good to watch and it put in our head what we wanted to become.”
Team-mate Izzy Gigg says: “When we go to away games, sometimes we have more fans than the home team do. It’s not daunting but it makes you realise we have a name and a legacy.”
Gigg, an 18-year-old midfielder, says she was not fully aware of the Belles’ history when first joining but has been inspired to drive them back up the league.
“Realising they were in the WSL, and one of the biggest in there, it is frustrating to see where they were then, where they are now and how hard it is to get back up there,” she says. “It feels unfair.”
Yet for all the anguish, Belles are still going – no mean feat, given women’s football is littered with clubs who have fallen by the wayside.
“It has been unfortunately downhill, but the club has consolidated and is still there,” says Coultard. “It has done 50 years and is still close to a lot of people’s hearts.”
Now aged 59, she says she still has hope that “before I go, they will be back in the WSL”.