The Trust are delighted to announce that the Exiles Day for the 2018/19 season will take place when we host Southend on the final home game of the season.
One of the successes of the Dale Trust has been the creation and growth of the Exiles. Many fans grew up watching the Dale but life in all its twists and turns took them away from Lancashire hills. The Exiles day allows fans from afar to meet up once a year and enjoy splendid hospitality provided by the club. We had 120 Exiles sign up last season and around 40 attended the match against Portsmouth, a 3-3 draw which preserved a ten-year unbeaten Exiles run. The management team, directors and playing staff can be relied upon to make appearances for chats and photo opportunities.
The designated Exiles match for 2018/19 is the game on 27 April 2019 against Southend United. Boxes are booked and we can accommodate up to 50 guests, all of whom must be Trust members. Those of a certain vintage will recall another last home match of the season against Southend. We can’t promise a repeat of 1968/69 in terms of securing promotion but we can assure anyone who joins us of a memorable day out. We also get to nominate the man of the match and as it’s the last home match of the season, attendees can join in with end of season presentations after the match.
We hope to add to the day’s festivities by getting a former Dale great or two in for the day. This has been welcomed by Trust members when we did similar with the Matchball Sponsorships last season, and we hope it has the same impact with our Exiles.
Ian Goodwin, the Trust’s Exiles co-ordinator, hopes to see old and new friends in April. He is also looking at the possibility of an away fixture where Exiles might meet up.