Trust in the Dale Wall!

Trust in the Dale Wall.

Now it’s your turn for another brick in the (Dale) Wall

There are many ways that Dale fans are raising additional and much needed funds for our Club. The Trusts Squad Builder fund, the forthcoming Curry Night, and Fans personal initiatives are just some, the recently announced “Expression Of Interest” to buy a small amount (25) shares being another.

There are also a number of initiatives run directly by the club too which also have the Trusts support but in this communication we are concentrating on just one, that being the Dale Fans Wall.

The Dale Fan Wall has been organised by Director Tony Pockney and it immediately attracted the attention and support of the Trust; indeed, we were determined to get in first, we nearly did too, beaten by some hardcore exile fans, but more about our plaques and the Dale heroes we have honoured later.

The Dale Fan Wall is a unique way to actually be part of the very fabric of the club, something that will be of permanency for a very long time, something that our children and grandkids will identify with but more tangibly, something that we can enjoy now with other Dale Fans. It’s a great photo opportunity backdrop, and is another great way to raise monies for the club. Panels 1 and 2 are now in place for you to see and panel 3 is filling up fast. And once these central panels are complete we still have space for 6 more.

Two examples from “The Wall” that are up now

We asked Tony for some more information and what he hoped it could achieve.

Firstly, he said “I wanted the Dale Fan Wall positioned near the players’ entrance, accessible to everyone, and we hope it will encourage our younger supporters to use the wall as a wonderful backdrop to the selfies they take with players as they arrive for a matchday”. He was unaware that most of the Trust board had already done that!

Tony said “it will be a stunning installation when full of personalised messages and Dale family memories. It is being built in 9 sections from zinc plaques, giving fans the chance to leave their long-term mark on the Club, to contribute to much needed Club funds and to show that they are part of Club history.”

The bottom line is the wall will generate £23k for the club if all 360 plaques get sold. 70% of all the revenue goes straight to the club. The current count is 89 plaques purchased (57/300 small and 30/60 large). This is a great start, but we need more fans to participate to realise the vision and reach the target. Tony advised us that as this wall get closer to selling out, he will be launching a separate memorial wall too, but first we need fans to sign up soon and together create a Dale Fan Wall full to the top of Dale Fan Memories.

Trust Board Member Charlie Stansfield with the first two panels that have been installed.

And so, to the Trust, what’s our plaque, well its plural as we decided on two plaques.

Our first choice is inspired by “Captain Fantastic” Gary Jones.

Above is our Trust Plaque For Gary Jones, its a double size plaque.

In his career Gary made 716 league appearances, more importantly 484 of those were for Rochdale, for whom he holds the all-time record for the most appearances. A true captain and leader who inspired all those around him, and, could he score? well click HERE and if you don’t want to watch the full seven minutes then move it on to 5.47!

Our second plaque was really quite easy, it’s not up yet but it will be soon, it is a double size like our Gary Jones plaque. It is no secret that we have a “GOAT” at the club, a previous captain in his own right, and the clubs leading goal scorer for the Dale, so it can only Ian Henderson! Ian’s plaque will be on the wall soon, keep an eye out for it.