Taken from the Trust Newsletter due to be published on 12th May 202 penned by our Trust Director.
After so many previous reports containing false dawns and negativity, this report is the easiest one I have had to write since representing you on the Board.
The statement issued earlier by the Club contains full details of the introduction of the Ogden Family into the Club, but I felt it important for myself, representing the Trust on the Club Board, having been involved in meetings, alongside George, our Chair throughout the start of the meetings with the Ogden Family, to strongly endorse the start of this new and positive era, which promises the sustainability we have all strived so hard to attain for so long, now having been achieved.
The Club Board will consist of Cameron Ogden as Co-Chairman, alongside Simon Gauge as Co-Chairman, with Jamie Willoughby and Adam Saul (both of whom work for the Ogden Family business), as Directors. They will be joined by existing Directors Richard Knight, Tony Pockney, Guy Courtney, and myself.
Jan Wormald has stepped down from the Board, and, in addition to the tribute paid by the Club in its statement, and I, on behalf of the fanbase, should like to thank Jan for his contribution, and in addition, as with Jamie Sarsfield, who stepped down recently, and, as importantly, the Directors who continue to serve on the new Club Board, deserve everyone’s gratitude for the financial sacrifices made by all, enabling us to survive till now to be able to take this positive step forward, with such credible partners, whose sole intent is to provide the opportunity to ensure our future sustainability.
A vital aspect of the share allocation detailed in the Club statement is that Cameron, Edward and Tiffany, the children of Sir Peter and Lady Ogden, have jointly committed that, any profit ever made out of the purchase of these shares would be held for the sole benefit of the Rochdale AFC Community Trust.
Another vital commitment announced by the Ogden Family is their intention to introduce a Golden Share to be held by the Dale Supporters Trust. For those not fully aware of the benefits within this facility, Google “Golden Share in Football”, which is available within the Fan-Led review article.
Cameron Ogden stated: “I am delighted to join the Board of Directors as Co-Chairman of this great Club.
“Our family has a deep connection to Rochdale, and we envision the Club as becoming an integral part of the local community.
“We do not underestimate the challenges that lie ahead, and we will be working tirelessly towards achieving our ambitions.”
The key aspirations are:
- To make the club sustainable in five years, with or without sporting success.
- To achieve promotion to the EFL in three years.
- To significantly increase the social value that it brings to the local community, via the Club and Community Trust.
The hard work on these aspirations has already begun, including some hard decisions to be made to cut further costs, and the Club see the route to sustainability primarily being through revenue generation. The successful candidate for the newly created position of Director of Commercial Operations has been appointed, and joins at the start of June, responsible for driving this vital aspect of this operation.
Season Cards go on sale on Monday 20th May, with details following soon, and the Trust would encourage existing Season Card holders to renew, and those not currently Season Card holders to consider purchasing. Reluctantly, although a price increase has had to be applied following several years of price freezes, they should still represent amongst the most competitive in the league.
On the footballing side, the Club strongly believe in stability and building on the foundations of last season. It sees Jimmy McNulty at the centre of its ambition to return to the EFL in the coming years, and is working closely with him on a footballing plan together to achieve this.
Regarding aspirations on the community front, the Club’s immediate focus is to support and work closely with the Community Trust, to help achieve mutual goals. The main focus is on developing a Community Sports Hub and a business plan that can offer social mobility through education, alongside the sporting opportunity which the Club can offer.
There will soon be the opportunity for the fan-base to meet the new Board in the format of a Fans Forum to take place in the coming weeks. This will provide the opportunity for the Board to relate in more detail to the fan-base the Club’s future plans to achieving its objectives.
Finally, as I always end my report – the Trust being represented on the Club Board is to act on your behalf, so please contact me on murray@daletrust.co.uk with any suggestions, views, questions and I’ll certainly take them up on your behalf and report back to you.
In the meantime, after all the negative, threatening challenges we’ve faced for so long, let’s look forward, support and enjoy the positive challenges now presented.
Up the Dale
Murray