Trust Newsletter – July

Trust news

Trust On the Board

I should like to start this report on the decision by members to continue to be represented by a Director on the Club Board for a further two years, and for me to be chosen, (as if you had a choice from those applying!!) Seriously, as I said when I applied to be re-elected, time and effort can now be spent more productively in attending to much more positive matters, instead of the considerable effort required in attending to the negative and damaging events faced over the last two years not of our making, of which we are all too aware.

This coming season represents the unknown challenge of competing in the National League, but challenges experienced during the Club’s history are nothing new, and alwaysfaced with the positivity which is the Rochdale way. The National League will represent changes to the way we operate, and the Club will continue to provide details of how these changes will impact on the coming season.

The Open Day held on Saturday, was well attended, in spite of the weather, featuring the kit launch, meeting with the players, activities and presentations featured by the Community Trust, collection and applications for Season Cards, and the prize draw to include all applications received by noon. Quick plug regarding Season Cards and the real value and benefits they represent, including the vouchers. They also represent an important aspect of the income to the Club at this time of the year, prior to the season commencing, so, why not take advantage of the savings to be made, whilst contributing to the Club. I spoke to several members/supporters on the day who were either collecting/applying for Season Cards, and/or purchasing kit, and there was, as you would expect, the feeling of looking forward to the new season, irrespective of the challenges it represents.

We now look forward to the fixture list being released this Wednesday, with the first league game on Saturday 5th August, and the first of our pre-season friendlies, starting with Radcliffe FC on Tuesday 12th, Chorley FC on Saturday 15th, Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday 22nd – all away from home, and the final game at home against Bradford FC on  Saturday 29th.

Finally, and I know I repeat this with each report, but the only objective in having Trust membership of the Club Board in the first place, and should be the only reason I have been elected, is to represent Trust membership. Whether if be questions, views, criticisms, or suggestions, these can only be represented if you contact me to take these matters up on your behalf. There’s no point in not taking advantage of the most important benefit membership provides, and, surely has to be the reason for the vote by members to continue for the next two years

So contact me on the new email address of murray@daletrust.co.uk and I shall continue to represent you to the best of my ability, as I have over the last two years, and return to you with an update.

Up the Dale

Regards
Murray

Membership News

Membership for the coming year is now open, we have had a good response from existing members renewing but equally pleasing is the new members who have signed up, we look forward to meeting you all over the next season.

Membership figures so far, and its early days still
Adults              102
Exiles  (Adult ) 71 ( 55 in the UK and 16 overseas)
Juniors              202 (12’s and under 109, 13’s and over 93)

Though we set membership for Adults at £5 and Under 16’s free, there is a facility when subscribing to make a donation on top of the subs, so far we have had a staggering £345 donated, a big thank you from the Trust for that generosity.

To date we have 735 lapsed 2022/23 season members, a figure in reality we know will reduce very quickly and with live games coming soon the Trust desk in the Dale Bar is the place to renew if more convenient.

We have now taken stock of the new membership cards, and we have started work on sending them out to everyone who has renewed.

Adult membership is £5 and under 16’s is free, you can sign up your children, grand kids and mother in law should you wish on the same online form.

For those wishing to renew on line use this link HERE
Any problems the contact us on info@daletrust.co.uk
Dale trust web site www.daletrust.co.uk

Scott Goulding- membership officer
Renew on line at https://www.daletrust.co.uk/adult-exile-membership/

Member Engagement

We now have for the first time a full twelve month programme of fan engagement working with the Club. This will be added to following the release of the fixtures during the next week.

The Fans Forum scheduled for later this month may need rearranging. We will update members as soon as we have a date in place for it.

Former Players Association

The Rochdale AFC Former Player’s Association are looking to add to their current database. Over 60 former Dale players are enrolled in the Association, with many returning to the Crown Oil Arena this season as guests of the club. Last season, players such as Shaun Reid, Paul Butler, Gareth Griffiths and many more were invited to be a guest speaker in the club’s hospitality lounge before a match.

Keith Hicks, former Dale defender and Head of Community Trust for over 30 years, is appealing for more of our ex-players to join “We have a strong database of former players already but are always on the lookout for more. Those who have been guests of the club this season have spoken highly of their visits and are eager to return. We are also looking at organising other events such as sportsman’s dinner, golf days and re-union dinners. The Former Player’s Association is a great way to ensure the club remain connected with those who have served the club, as well as allowing supporters to reminisce on days gone by”

Any former players who are interested, or if supporters know of a former player who may not already be involved, should contact Keith/Shiv on formerplayers@daletrust.co.uk

Easyfundraising

One of the biggest fundraisers through Easyfundraising comes from home and car insurance. I think its fair to say that most people these days will use a comparison website when their insurance comes up for renewal, and if you do, its highly likely that you will be using one of the websites listed below when doing so.

As you can see from the image, these are huge donations and as always is the case with Easyfundraising, it does not cost you a penny more to start your search through them.

You need to be registered with Easyfundraising before you start, so if you’ve not done so, you can join the other 346 Dale supporters by doing so here.

Trust Board Meeting

The Trust Board met on Monday. The agenda for that meeting was:
1) Membership
2) Preparation for meeting with the Club
3) Trust Preparation for new season
4) Questions
5) Safety / Stewarding
5) Follow up to Supporters Meetings
6) AOB

Next meeting date: 31st July 2023

Share Purchases

We have taken exactly £400 this month through donations by Trust members with the sole purpose of purchasing futher shares in the Football Club. We will make this transaction at the end of August along with any funds that we take in for share purchases during that month.

As always, a massive thank you to all supporters who continue to make monthly donations for share purchases.

If you would like to make a small monthly donation for share purchases, you can do so by visiting here.

Pre-season v Chorley

Dale supporters have been invited to visit the Colliers’ Arms before our trip to Chorley this month:

“Just a quick note to you and your fellow Rochdale Supporters. The Coliiers Arms on Moor Road in Chorley ( 5 mins walk to ground) are asking if your supporters would like them to put some FREE food on prior to the pre season match v Chorley

The pub has a massive beer garden , BT Sport’s , Sky Sports , pool table and new Duke Box . It has housed many away  teams visiting the area ”

More info on this pub can be found at : https://www.facebook.com/ColliersChorley/

Trust Diary

Saturday 1st July – New kit on sale
Wednesday 5th July – Fixture Release Day
Tuesday 11th July – Radcliffe (a) – Ground Guide
Saturday 15th July – Chorley (a) – Ground Guide
Saturday 22nd July – Bradford PA (a) – Ground Guide
Thursday 27th July – Fans Forum
Saturday 29th July –  Bradford City (h)
Saturday 5th August – First game of the season

Questions – General

Q) When considering outside bids to attain control of the Club as a whole. What criteria would the Trust for any decision to support it?
A) Any support would come from the membership. Should anyone come forward, we’d be looking at an initial meeting with anyone who came forward to be followed by a public meeting for all supporters to attend to meet and listen to any prospective investor. We’d then look to follow up on any questions before putting a vote to the membership. When we put that vote, we would ask it as a straight question – we wouldn’t urge the membership to vote any particular way. We have previously asked our membership about an investor and the return was over 90% in favour of someone coming in so it’s not coming from a hostile / hands off aproach.

Q) Just wanted too ask what the supporters trust actually does,and is their a way of getting involved, taking into consideration I can no longer work ,so not much money available?
A) Now there’s a million dollar question. The short answer is that as an organisation, we act on behalf of the Supporters in the best interests of the Supporters, the Club and the wider community. As a Trust Board, we meet monthly but there’s rarely a day where there isn’t something taking place. It is our intention to work more with the fanbase this season and advertise more for volunteers for specific activities throughout the year.

For general enquires, email info@daletrust.co.uk

Questions – Trust Director

If you have any questions, views, criticisms, or suggestions that you would like me to take up on your behalf, send me an email murray@daletrust.co.uk

Murray Knight

Questions – Matchday

Email your questions on anything “Matchday” to matchday@daletrust.co.uk

Match Day support is now available to you from Charlie and Dave from the Trust. They welcome all feedback, positive and negative and will liaise with the club on your behalf. Had an issue at the ground or want to pass on positive news? Tell us. We now have a dedicated email: matchday@daletrust.co.uk. If you contact the club directly, please add Dale Trust into your email so we can offer support.

Finally, to help us help you, when you do write to us, please give us as much information as possible. We find that some of the topics we are asked to raise are anecdotal, and not with any specifics, it helps us to get answers if you can cite examples that we can quote. If email is not your thing, then any issues or concerns  can be raised at any home game at the Trust desk which is in the Dale Bar. The desk is usually staffed by at least two board members who will be able to help.

Questions – Commercial

If you have any concerns regarding the Club Shop, Matchday Hospitality, half time nibbles etc , or any thing else commercial then email commercial@daletrust.co.uk. Bob and Jane monitor this email and will get back to you on any concern or issue you may have

The email above is one of several new ones which the Trust has initiated as part of our drive to ensure our members get information and questions answered as soon as is possible. BUT, PLEASE BE SPECIFIC…….To help us help you, when you do write to us, please give us as much information as possible with any examples we can quote. We find that some of the topics we are asked to raise are anecdotal, and not with any specifics, it helps us to get answers if you can cite examples that we can quote.

Finally as mentioned elsewhere, if email is not your thing, then any query you have can be raised at any home game at the Trust desk in the Dale bar. The desk is always staffed by at least two board members who will be able to help.

Questions – Fan Liaison

For any supporters of other clubs ahead of their trip to the Crown Oil Arena and to offer any feedback following the game email fanliaison@daletrust.co.uk

Work in Progress

We are looking at putting a ground guide together for the Crown Oil Arena in time for the new season. With so many teams making their first visit to Rochdale, the ground will be a new ground for many supporters, and we want to go above and beyond to make these supporters welcome and encourage them to attend. Our plan is for this to follow a “Trip Advisor” approach by containing within it comments from supporters who have visited to give it an authentic approach. This will be ready in time for the new season.

We continue to work on the feedback received at the Supporters’ Meetings as part of the preparations for the new season. Unquestionably, the meetings proved to be fantastic examples of fan engagement but as we have said all along, they are meaningless unless they are acted upon. So far, we have published our actions on the Trust, the National League and the questions regarding any potential takeover.

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