Page 7 - Women's Soccer Scene Issue No.16 2020-21

JULIE CHIPCHASE

The sad news reached the women’s football
community this week of the passing of Julie Chipchase
at the age of 60, following a short illness.
Julie’s name will always be synonymous with
Doncaster Belles, from the time she joined the club as
a player in the 1970s. She became a regular member of
the side which dominated women’s football in England
for over a decade, before moving into coaching,
initially with the reserve team. Two years later she
took over the first team and was at the helm for six
years, before moving on to take over the manager’s job
at Leeds United in 2003, where she stayed for a further
six years.
She worked for the Football Association as a
County Coach Developer, which included delivery of
the FA’s Coach Education courses, CPD events and
developing the FA’s tutor workforce, whilst developing
and supporting coaches. She also worked with England
at Under-15, Under-17 and Under-23 level.
In 2013, Julie returned to Doncaster
Rovers Belles as Director of Football and as a
member of the board, where she stayed for the
remainder of her life.
Fondly known as ‘Chippy’ throughout the
women’s game, Julie was a pioneer of the
women’s game and well liked and respected by
everyone she met. She is a huge loss to women’s
football and will be sadly missed by everyone.
Photos courtesy of Julian Barker:
Top right - in action against Millwall Lionesses in October 1992;
Right - with Chris Wright and Sheila Edmunds;
Below - celebrating the double in 1991-92;
(Front row, first left)

news@womenssoccerscene.co.uk Issue no. 16 - 6 May 2021