Exiles co-ordinator Ian Goodwin interviewed Noel Qawqaw Micallef (aka Maltese Dale) for last month’s Exiles newsletter and a version is below. Exile Geoff Cheetham was inspired by this and wants to raise funds for an Exiles Flag to display in the stadium. Watch out for more news very soon.
Eagle-eyed Exiles who have watched recent matches on iFollow may well have caught a glimpse of the marvellous flag, pictured below, which currently adorns the stadium. As you can see it merges the Rochdale AFC crest and the Maltese cross. I caught up with Noel, the man behind the idea, and asked him about his affection and support for the Dale.
You live in Malta so how come you support the Dale?
I have always lived in Malta but my Uncle George Mallia, my mother’s brother, lived in Littleborough and he sometimes watched the Dale sometimes (although, whisper it quietly, he was in fact a Burnley fan). When I visited him in 1994, he told me about Rochdale football club so that kindled my interest.
When did you first watch the Dale?
It was not until 2011 that I watched my first match: Rochdale vs Charlton Athletic. I also managed to go on a tour of the stadium, where I visited the players’ dressing room and the hospitality area. I really enjoyed the atmosphere in the football ground and so I kept coming back!
What keeps you coming back?
There are many football fans in Malta but Rochdale as a club is not well known. Malta, as you know, was awarded the George Cross in World War Two and we therefore love a gutsy underdog so I guess I was drawn to the Dale, a brave club often battling against the odds. I also get a great welcome every time I come and have met some lovely Dale fans that I keep in touch with on social media. I have also managed to bring other friends and family along and we always book a hospitality package so we can contribute to the club’s revenue. Up to the beginning of 2020, I have watched the Dale thirteen times. Highlights have been the FA Cup match against Spurs in 2018 and last year’s Carabao Cup game against Manchester United. The last games that I managed to attend before the pandemic were the 1-2 defeat at MK Dons (my first away game) and the 2-2 home draw against against Gillingham. I also joined the Dale Trust in 2017 as it’s another way to keep connected with the club.
Tell me about the flag
Malta may be a small island but we are pressing for the top spot of the Exiles overseas league table and I suggested to my friends that we should do something to make even more of an impact at the Crown Oil Arena. We came up with the idea of the flag and I really think it works. I am very grateful to Cleaven, Josef, Anthony, Stephen and Charlie who all gave money for the flag. Below is a photo of me (on the left) in the club shop with David Smith Markl at the Gillingham match. With me (left to right) are Charlie, Stephen, Martin, Cleavan and Josef. We hope that the roll out of the vaccine goes well and that we can all see the flag in person before too long.
