On 6 November 2013 Staniforth was announced as FA WSL club Doncaster Rovers Belles's new head coach. He would work under director of football Julie Chipchase, who said the appointment was made only after "a rigorous interview and practical coaching assignment". Staniforth led the team to five straight wins in his first five league games in charge and the Belles lost only one league match all season but finished behind Sunderland. On 30 October 2014, he resigned as Head Coach at the club, disgruntled at scything cuts to the club's playing budget.