The Trust 2024 AGM will take place on Saturday 9th November in the Dale Bar – doors open 10.30am to start 11am. If attending, it would be appreciated that we commence promptly to allow us to complete all matters in hand, as the Dale Bar will be used by the public before the game. All members should already have received the necessary information concerning the meeting, and we look forward to seeing as many members as possible able to attend. If, however, this is not possible, it would be appreciated if you could please tender your proxy vote, either by post or email, to be received no later that Tuesday 5th November at 5pm.There was a meeting between the Trust and Club Directors held on Thursday 24th October. Below are the minutes, including responses to questions received from fans prior to the meeting.

The Trust introduced the new recruits to the Board – Ruby Loynd, Harry Holt, Jake Dowd (apologies) and Emma Loynd (volunteer looking after coach travel). The Club was represented by Simon Gauge and George Delves, with apologies received from Tony Pockney and Richard Knight

Simon opened the meeting by providing an update on future changes to the format of AGM’s. This will comprise a corporate/business agenda only to meet the essential requirements of an AGM, rather than in the past, incorporating a fans forum element, available to shareholders only. A Fans Forum will take place, at a date following the AGM, attendance to which will be open to a wider audience than shareholders only.

Andy’s Mans Club
We have been approached by the above, a men’s suicide prevention charity to allow it to set up a table in the Dale Bar/Ratcliffe Suite to encourage anyone troubled to meet with others sharing the same feelings at regular meetings, in a non-judgement way and benefit from knowing #ItsOKToTalk. The Trust requested that we can do this with the support of the Club and Simon agreed that the Community Trust would be the most suitable means to express support, included with all the other aspects of service to the community.

PSA Testing
This was carried out previously at the stadium on matchdays through the Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal, resulting in levels of results requiring follow up action. The Trust is investigating the funding associated with testing and, costs permitting, intend to plan a suitable date for it to take place. The facility used previously was the Study Centre and this should be available for future use.

The Trust will continue to offer additional aspects of welfare, and is aware that the two highlighted above are male gender based, and there needs to be projects concerning female welfare to receive attention and develop. All these activities reflect the desire of the Trust and Club to extend the facilities to the wider community and not restricted to only those involved/interested in football.

Fans Focus Groups  
Feedback from those attending the most recent one held on Thursday 17th October in the 1907 Lounge, incorporating face-to-face and YouTube was that it was the most suitable option to utilise in the future. The fact that the meeting was recorded meant that those unable to attend/watch live on the evening were also included.

Questions submitted

1. A question was submitted regarding the granting of the Golden Share to the Supporters Trust by the Ogden Family, and the reason for the delay in it being confirmed. Simon Gauge confirmed that the only reason for the delay is the need for it to be incorporated into the long overdue revision of the Articles of Association of the Club being undertaken at present. This should be completed in the next couple of weeks, and then circulated to shareholders to consider and be included in the agenda for this year’s AGM, the date for which will be announced soon.
2. Several members questioned whether the sale of tickets for the FA Cup home draw against Bromley would allow a “priority period” for season card holders to purchase, before open sale. However, this was confirmed earlier in the day of the meeting, with the web site announcing the “priority period”, with the Trust receiving assurance that this facility to prioritise season card holders would continue to apply for all future cup ties, irrespective of opponent faced, whether home or away.
3. Compliments were made regarding the improvement in the standard of the kiosk catering. However, comments were made about the speed of delivery due to producing the food, and lack of product availability at the Smith Metals and Main Stand outlets, and this will be followed up with the caterers.
4. Harry Holt asked if the Trust can utilise the scoreboard to promote coach travel, and it was agreed that this was possible by contacting Greg (Media) with details for the information to be processed in time for the relevant matchday. We can also use the Club website to provide the link to our web site to reach a wider audience. The Trust also plan to utilise the many local community online facilities available to promote activities undertaken which will assist in raising the Club’s profile.

The Trust providing coach travel continues with booking for the latest trip to Wealdston on Saturday 16th November now open. Full booking details are available via our website and media channels, £35 each with the coach leaving the stadium at 9am, and we advise you book now to guarantee your seat.

Finally, with regard to the vacant position of Trust Chair, we suggest that in the short term, we take time to review the situation, and make it an item for discussion at the AGM, to be held on Saturday 9th November. In the meantime, we shall continue to operate the day-to-day operation of the Trust by spreading the workload over existing Board members.

Up the Dale
Murray

At the latest Club Board meeting held on 17th October, a significant  proposal was made by Jamie Willoughby, supported by the Ogden Family and the Club Board. The proposal made was for the creation of a facility, (call it a “Board” for present) – completely independent of the Club, and designed to introduce independent input into the current decision-making process by the Club, directly affecting the many and varied groups to whom these decisions refer. Several clubs already operate similar concepts – for example Leicester City., Stockport, Wrexham and others, all named differently, but all concentrating on providing independent input in the decision-making process regarding their clubs’ day-to-day operational activities.

The objective to be attained is for these various groups to be represented on the “Board”, considering how current  decisions and/or proposals for change affects each specific group in different ways and suggestions as to how they may be made more appropriate in satisfying their specific requirements. By providing this inclusion in influencing decision-making in this way, it should provide the positivity to not only assist in improving working relationships with the Club and the current fanbase, but also assist in substantially developing its growth, the achievement of which is so critical to our Club’s long-term sustainability.

(Specific details on the establishment of the “Board” will follow.)

Finally, please remember, my only objective as the Trust representative on the Club Board is to act as a voice for the fanbase, so please submit any questions, comments and suggestions for me to relay to the Board to be taken into consideration?
Please contact me at murrayknight@daletrust.co.uk and I shall do my best to represent you and report back.

Up the Dale
Murray

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The new youth board members are all getting settled in and becoming a very active and energetic part of the Dale Trust. I believe you will see this coming through at various levels and events in the coming months.
Harry with his designs and enthusiasm is to be cherished. Ruby is a remarkable young member, she shows maturity beyond her years and the work she’s doing in getting the younger members of our community involved is excellent, so watch this space.
Jake is settling in and is going to be taking up additional responsibility on our Facebook front so I will be interested to see how you feel about the changes he’s got planned.
Thanks to Harry and James for their contribution to the recent YouTube Live event regarding the Commercial Focus Group (See HERE)
Let’s hope we can build on what the Trust felt was a successful first event in conjunction with the club at the recent commercial focus event.
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On an additional note, as the present liaison between the Trust and  BOGS here is a quick update.
The trust had a recent positive meeting with the group before our home game against Halifax and I believe this will start to show a more formal structure in the coming weeks which will help progress this relationship to another level.
The Trust has worked closely over the past year with BOGS as we both strived to add to the Squad Builder Fund.
All of this goes to strengthen the trust and help build on what we already do in representing our members in the best possible way we can.
Up The DaleDave E

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Keith Hicks. Trust Director – Co-ordinator for the Trust FPA

Thanks go again to the Trust Director and manager of the Trust FPA Keith Hicks for organising former players to attend and support the club’s social scene on Matchdays. The Trust and the FPA have been providing guests for the club for many years now all with great success so it was great to meet Former Player Tom Kennedy at our recent FA Cup match against Bromley.

Here is all the info about the day including some interesting stats on Tom.
So, as we said, Tom Kennedy was the latest ex-player to entertain diners before kick-off for the FA Cup tie at the Crown Oil Arena against Bromley, he commented that it was great to be back and that he thoroughly enjoyed the day out except for the result.
Tom was born in Bury, their father being Keith Kennedy, who played for Bury while his uncle, Alan Kennedy was a defender for Newcastle United and Liverpool.

DOB: 24th June 1985
Dale debut: 11th August 2007 v Peterborough United 0-3
League Appearances: 184, 9 goals (three spells)
Other Clubs played for: Bury, Leicester City, Peterborough United, Barnsley, Blackpool, and AFC Fylde.
Honours: 2008/9 PFA Team of the Year & Football League Two, 2009–10 Football League Two again.

Tom at Rochdale AFC.
He made his debut for Rochdale after leaving Bury, in the opening game of the season on 11th August 2007 in a 0-3 loss against Peterborough United, quickly becoming a first-team regular in the left back position

Website: www.rochdalefpa.com,
Facebook: Rochdale Former Players Association
Email: formerplayers@daletrust.co.uk
or  Keith.hicks5@outlook.com
And also on the DALETRUST website HERE.
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It is all arranged and it is “Waggons Roll” for the
16TH November Wealdstone FC away.
Depart Crown Oil Arena at 9 am Cost £35.00 per personHow To Book.
To reserve your place please email Emma, Trust Travel Coordinator on travel@daletrust.co.uk

Once acknowledged please use the details below to pay 

1) Book by paying by bank transfer: Use details below;
Account name: Rochdale Supporters Club Ltd   (this is a business account not personal)
Sort Code     08-92-9
Account Number 65130258
In the reference section please add your “name -game”, eg,  D Morris-Wealdstone
(Please send a copy/Screen Shot of your remittance to Travel@daletrust.co.uk) Please use this email only for your travel arrangements.
2) Club shop: Cash only Weds pm – Saturday
3) Trust desk: Card or cash on matchdays.

Booking Cut Off Times;
Planning and booking the coach is done in advance BUT we need to advise the travel company and our accompanying stewards the day before.
“Please note that unless specified, reservations for travel will generally stop being taken at 5 pm on the previous Thursday if it’s a Saturday game and 5 pm on the previous Sunday if it’s a Tuesday game.”

Scott Goulding

Here’s the November membership update for the current 2024-25 season.
The data provided only includes online membership
A reminder that last season we were just 320 from smashing our membership, sadly that was disappointing as it was our lowest membership in three seasons.Well, moving forward focusing on the current season, which we’ve already had a very positive interest/response so far online and that’s even before I process the Trust Desk forms. A reminder our 2024-25 membership window officially opened in the Summer (1st July – parallel with our financial year 1/7 to 30/6).

So, I am happy to confirm we are already up to an impressive 694 members (26% of Dale’s average home league crowd this season so far), however, we will see an even larger membership increase once the Trust Desk forms are processed.

Here’s the full breakdown, for your reference:-
Member Summary – 2024/25 Totals
Adult: 276
Exiles: 233 (England 151; Overseas 82)
Junior: 185 (12’s & under – 97; 13’s to 16’s – 88)
Total: 694
Renewing: 640
New: 54
Total: 694
Renew online at https://www.daletrust.co.uk/adult-exile-membership/ 

Trust in Us
Scott Goulding – membership officer

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Help the Trust fund its projects, and help the Trust assist its members.

If we said you could get the Trust free money we think you may be interested!

Well, you can and it won’t cost you a penny.

If you buy goods online, and by goods it includes everything including holidays, car insurance, amazon and many many more organisations, most have subscribed and for you, the buyer, once you have registered with Easyfundraising it becomes incredibly simple.
So far, we have raised £9200 through Easyfundraising just through ordinary online shopping. Rather than the usual waffle, the bits you need to know are:

Our big donations can be found here
If you want to know more then please get in touch with us either at the Trust Desk or via email at info@daletrust.co.uk

Help the Trust help its members.

Bob and the Welfare Team
Andy’s Mans ClubFeatured recently in our newsletters and on our website the Trust is pleased to have been asked to provide supportive assistance to this excellent and vital organisation. The Trust board along with the club board acknowledges the vital work that andysmanclub is doing, indeed the local group is focused and based at the COA with meetings every Monday night, You can find out more on andysmanclub, their work and how to get in touch by reading a recent Trust article HERE

PSA Testing
This was carried out previously at the stadium on matchdays through the Barry Kilby Prostate Cancer Appeal, resulting in levels of results requiring follow-up action. The Trust is investigating the funding associated with testing and, cost permitting, intends to plan a suitable date for it to take place. The facility used previously was the Study Centre and this should be available for future use. Further information when we get it. If you want to read about the PSA test, what it entails and the fact that it might just save YOUR life then click HERE

The Trust will continue to offer additional aspects of welfare and is aware that the two items highlighted above are male-gender-based, appreciating this we are now focusing on potential projects concerning female welfare issues, and again we hope to have more information on this soon.
All these activities reflect the desire of the Trust and the Club to embrace the Ogden mission of “A wider Community”  and not be restricted to only those involved/interested in football.

Welfare. The Trust has a small team who look after the welfare of our members. It can be “needed” support at times of illness, life changes or even just signposting to a correct place, the team can help by being there for our members, providing support and a listening ear. Help is ongoing and is always available . Though we don’t have a panacea for everything we are here to listen and help where possible, and please note, regardless of this months topics the Trust is here for male and female members, the team is mixed and if its a female team member you want then just ask.

#ANDYSMANCLUB   The Trust has recently supported a vital charity and mental health organisation called Andysmanclub. With the Rochdale hub based at the COA on Monday nights this essential organisation is there providing support. Local facilitator Derek Robinson “we want to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health and create a judgment-free, confidential space where men can be open about the storms in their lives. We aim to achieve this through weekly, free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups for men aged over 18.” Read more HERE The Trust and Club have assisted  Andysmanclub and there is now an awareness desk at home games either in the Dale bar or at the Trust Desk.

For more info have a look HERE on our web site.

It is now four years since the Club in conjunction with the “Barry Kilby Prostate Test initiative” ran the re-testing service. It was a chance for male fans to address the thorny issue of Prostate Problems and a potential early diagnosis of Prostate Cancer by getting a PSA test. Results at the time found several who needed to consult their doctor with some urgency and a large group who needed to be extra vigilant. It was in all a successful initiative and saved lives. The Trust is hoping to raise awareness again with a future initiative but in the meantime, we have put back the information about the Prostate PSA test under the welfare tab again including information onProstate cancer focusing on the vital need to get a test as part of your routine lifestyle

We know blokes tend shy away from seeing their GP if they can.
Don’t,
As you get older it is something every man needs to be aware of.
Partners, if your chap ignores this, then you don’t, Ok!

The annual Exiles day at the Crown Oil Arena is confirmed for 29 March 2025 for the match against Aldershot.  Ian Goodwin will be letting Exiles know further details in this month’s Exiles newsletter.  The day is always a fun-packed one and the Trust board and club work together to put this event on.  It’s great for exiled supporters to catch up with each other and there is that remarkable unbeaten run of home Exiles fixtures to preserve!

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Wealdstone Coach Booking Now Open

Coach reservations and bookings for the Wealdstone  away game on
Saturday 16th November is now open
Coach Departs 9 am COA
Cost £35.00

All Booking and Reservations
travel@daletrust.co.uk

The Trust actively seeks questions from its members and tries to respond within a couple of days, if only to acknowledge your mail while we source an answer from the club or other agencies.