There is only one place to start this month’s newsletter, with Sir Peter Ogden’s visit for the first time to the Crown Oil Arena.
Simon Gauge had kindly allowed the Trust board to make a presentation to Sir Peter after the man of the match award and we were delighted to make Sir Peter, Lady Margaret, Cameron, Edward and Tiffany honorary life members of the Trust, joining a highly exclusive club of just one previous life member – Bob Herdman. Sir Peter receives from the Trust Chair his certificate of Honorary Membership to the Trust. One of only four ever conferred in all of the Trust’s 21 years of existence.
We also presented a signed copy of Chris Fitzgerald’s latest book – Into the Unknown, which is available to purchase from the club shop.
It was an absolute pleasure for me personally to have lengthy chats with Sir Peter, Cameron and Edward, but also to see just how approachable they all are, dealing with all approaches from fans with pleasant alacrity and enthusiasm. The future of our club is in the greatest of hands.
BOGS
Our good friends at BOGS continue to discuss ways in which they can help raise funds for use by the club. An amazing team effort has raised £26k this year, with BOGS accounting for around 40%. A meeting is being suggested to discuss the future of this magnificent initiative and the Trust will publicise plans when they are agreed.
Long-term fan Geoff Kindon, who first suggested the name of Sir Peter to the Trust, has been involved with a TV documentary partly filmed at the Crown Oil Arena, centred on Tony Collins. The production company have screened a draft version to Sky executives and they have agreed, provisionally, to screen a 30-minute version sometime in October. One issue the producers have is about the quality of images and film from those days and have asked that we appeal for fans to look through their archives for good quality images of:
AWAY COACH TRAVEL
We can provide away coach travel at very affordable prices thanks to a generous subsidy from the Ogden family.
September coach travel is detailed at the link: https://www.daletrust.co.uk/2024/08/september-coach-travel/
August had great a take up, with Boston and York both sold out, and Yeovil had 40 fans travel.
RESERVED SEATING
The Trust was able to take up, on all fans’ behalf, the issue of the reserved seating not being identified as they had been traditionally. Andy Duff immediately responded to our email and agreed for the Trust to purchase and apply Reserved stickers, which a team of 11 volunteers did on Friday in around 2 hours.
Hopefully, no errors were made and all fans were accommodated as they would expect at the Woking game.
We also took the opportunity to give Cloughie a spruce-up.
It was another great example of the club listening and responding to concerns raised by the Trust and the spirit of cooperation that can deliver results when necessary.
Thanks to all involved, including Jan in the ticket office and Kevin for providing tools and equipment.
FOOTBALL
Not to mention the important bit, with so much else going on, but how encouraging has this start been, culminating in an outstanding performance against in-form Woking?
Onwards and upwards.
Up the Dale.
George
Up the Dale.
Trust on the Board.
The start of the League fixtures has certainly provided a well-deserved level of positivity, ably assisted with the most recent performance against Woking last Saturday, gaining us 4th position in the league. However challenging the season ahead proves, these performances to date have shown the squad have the ability and commitment to challenge and meet them. The win against Woking coincided with the visit by the Ogden family, Sir Peter, his sons, Cameron, and Edward, and Fred, his grandson. They were certainly impressed, as we all were, with the result and the atmosphere the whole event created, and really appreciated the reception they received from the fanbase when they were introduced on the pitch prior to the game. At the post-match presentations in the 1907 lounge, they also took the opportunity to mingle and chat with the fans present, and be presented with mementos of the day on behalf of the Supporters Trust. (see George’s report for details).
Off-the-field activity within the Club’s operational activities continues to focus on achieving our demanding ambitions, which are worth repeating:
To gain promotion to the EFL within three years
To achieve sustainability within five years, with or without success on the field
To significantly increase the social value to the local community, via the club and the Community Trust.
We are under no illusion of the level of effort required in achieving each of these ambitions, and they will only be achieved by the combination and support which the fanbase has shown through the recent difficult times, which can now be directed to assist in achieving the positive objectives which now present themselves.
To assist in achieving these objectives, the Trust will support the Club in representing the fanbase in as many ways as possible, but can only do so if they are made aware of how this can be achieved. The objective in the Trust having a Director on the Club Board is for your questions, comments, and suggestions to be taken into consideration, and to do so, it’s easy, all you have to do is please contact me on murray@daletrust.co.uk to represent you with the Club and report back to you.
Murray
Away Coach Travel.
We are now taking bookings for all of the below.
Saturday 7th September – Aldershot £35.00 10:30 am Departure COA
Saturday 21st September – Eastleigh £35.00 8am Departure from COA
Tuesday 24th September – Hartlepool United £25.00 4pm Departure COA.
Departure times from the coach provider for each journey are above. Any unexpected changes will be notified direct to those who book.
You can book by paying by bank transfer:
Account name: Rochdale Supporters Club Ltd (this is a business account not personal)
Sort Code 08-92-99
Account Number 65130258
In the reference section please add your “name -game”, eg, D Morris-York
(Please send a copy/Screen Shot of your remittance to Travel@daletrust.co.uk)
Club shop: Cash only Weds pm – Saturday
Trust desk: Card or cash on matchdays
To go along with our service, we have published a “Code Of Conduct” for all patrons who wish to travel, it’s a common sense guide to help all enjoy the experience but it does have restrictions which we will rigorously apply so please familiar yourself with it, this can be downloaded in word format from our website HERE, we have also included it at the end of this newsletter.
Finally
The Trust wish to thank the Ogden family for their generous financial contribution to this venture without which this service would not have been possible.
Youth Matters.
Just in case new members missed my post in last month’s newsletter I have left it in below so to introduce myself to any new members who have joined since, Scott tells me there have been many new applications which is great.However, since last month I have progressed several ideas which I share now.
But first of all, I would like to thank everyone for such a warm welcome, both online in the club shop and at the various meetings.
On a very positive note, I am currently arranging a meeting with Big Jim regarding a future event which would include himself, players and younger RAFC fans. I managed at the recent fans forum to engage Big Jim in a conversation where I explained my role and what I wanted to get the Trust to be involved with, his patience, understanding and advice were extremely helpful and I found him very supportive
Please keep an eye out for any news regarding this.
I am also looking shortly to meet with the club board or appropriate representatives to discuss how parents of young children can be more involved with the club.
One thing I feel strongly about is making sure teenage girls like myself feel safe when coming to COA, even on their own like I do.
Feel free to contact me to discuss any of these items at info@daletrust.co.uk, or in the club shop before a home match from noon until kick-off
and now, here is my bit from last month’s edition.
Hello, my name Is Ruby.
I have recently joined the Dale Supporters Trust board as a youth ambassador and hopefully will become a full-voted member at the next AGM. I would like to bring a young person’s perspective to the overall growth of both the trust and the relationships with the club. By doing this, I would love to become a familiar face that your people feel comfortable speaking to regarding the trust and/or the club.
Following the fans forum in July, I was introduced to our head coach, Big Jim. I had explained to Jim my role within the trust, and he was very pleased about this. Jim has said he would love to stay in regular contact and be involved in as many ways as possible, something I will be taking him up on.
Please don’t hesitate to talk to me at any time. I’ve volunteered in the club shop before home games and also can be found at the trust desk when its my turn to be on duty.
Looking forward to seeing and meeting you all!
Ruby Ruby Lyond
Trust Youth Ambassador
I can be contacted at the trust at any time on info@daletrust.co.uk
Former Players Association
Richard Jobson was the guest of honour at hospitality before the Dale v Woking match on Saturday, entertaining diners with stories about his nine Clubs’ career including Rochdale plus Burton Albion, Watford, Hull City, Oldham Athletic, Leeds United, Southend United, Manchester City and Tranmere Rovers.
Described by Keith Hicks as probably the nicest professional footballer ever, so how was he a central defender???, Richard commented afterwards: “Many thanks for organising everything for this afternoon’s match. My friend and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and the result and performance were excellent. Please pass our thanks onto everybody at the Club for looking after us so well”
During the pre-match dinner, Richard described how he joined Dale from Tranmere Rovers in the 2001/2 season helping us to qualify for the division three playoff Semi-Finals in his first season at Spotland, sadly, it resulted in a 3-4 defeat on aggregate over the two legs to Rushden & Diamonds.
Other memories revolved around his time under Steve Parkin and John Hollins plus some of the more colourful players at the Dale at that time before retiring from football six days before his 40th birthday, by this time he was one of the oldest players in English professional football.
He succeeded Nick Cusack as Chairman of the Professional Footballers (PFA) Association in November 2002, remaining in the post until he retired as a player, then joined the PFA staff as a Senior Executive in the Player Management Department.
Richard’s full career story can be found on www.rochdalefpa.com
Ex-players lined up for September so far are Mark Hilditch for the Tuesday match against Maidenhead United on 10th September followed by Shaun Reid/Steve Whitehall, yet to be confirmed, when Dale play Solihull on Saturday 14th September with Scott Warner making the final appearance of the month when Braintree Town visit the Crown Oil Arena on 28th September.
Former Players Booked For the Season
September
10th Tuesday Maidenhead United Mark Hilditch
14th Saturday Solihull Moors Scott Warner
More Information about the Former Players Association can be found on: Facebook-Rochdale Former Players Association or Website-www.rochdalefpa.com
As we come to an end of the first month of the season, I mentioned in my last update that we are looking to recruit a new member to the team and Ruby is now on board and has put her introduction in the last newsletter.
We are still still trying to increase our board youth board members to help and we are currently talking to a young person so watch this space.
You will start getting updates from Ruby as part of this newsletter. I’m sure you are all going to like Ruby and her enthusiasm.
That’s all from me this month
Thanks
David
Trust Board member with responsibilities for youth and matchday matters.
Membership
As of the last newsletter I was away and Bob from the Trust board was covering for me whilst I had my jollies abroad. During that time we had nearly a hundred applications for membership and as I write this our Malta Branch has begun renewing for the season, you can see more about Malta Dale Supporters Club HERE . Big shout out to Malta co-ordinator Noel Qawqaw Micallef who we all know will be trying to ensure Malta has the largest overseas contingent of supporters.
Membership hopefully will continue to grow as the season progresses and we are on target again with subscribing members for this season. As usual membership queries/questions can be sent to me at either membership@daletrust.co.uk or info@daletrust.co.uk
Sincerely Scott
Scott Goulding
Membership officer.
Dale Trust member and Dale supporter Vince Ashall takes on Springhill’s Annual “Three Reservoir Ramble”
Vince has been a Dale Trust member since its inception in 2004 assisting with data analysis and giving advice on matters various. Like many families, he has seen the tragedy and sadness that terminal illness can bring and understands the powerful benefit that Springhill provides to families and individuals when the crossroads of change is being made.
So, Vince, who admits that he has just nudged past 70 will embark on the 12 km walk which starts at “The Oxford” on Whitworth Road then Hamer Pasture and Brownhouse Wham to Watergrove and back.
Vince will be with other walkers and support workers many of whom share sadness and tragedies in their lives but all of whom give thanks to the wonderful caring work that Springhill has given and brought to the community. You can read the rest of this article HERE and why this walk has meaning to Vince and his family.
Cancer will be beaten. Trust Board members, members and fans alike if this story resonates with you maybe consider a donation.
We (Trust) were asked recently why we had not posted the Gilmour story as reported on the Club’s official featuring the financial support the Trust had given (HERE) to get his contract extension over the line especially as he is our award-winning player! (HERE)
Well, firstly it was not just the Trust who were behind the monies raised but others which we will come to later.
It seems many months ago now, late one Thursday in winter that members of the Trust Board left a meeting with the club directors, it was a dismal day in many ways, if American tumbleweed grew here then it would have been whistling and blowing through the car park reminiscent of a ghostly western film where hope had all but gone and Armageddon was on the way, and in many ways for us all (club, Trust, fans) it was, we were broke, income streams so vital were drying up and deadlines of going to a wall were being looked at in only a few months.
The sums needed were out of our range, but as a fan-led organisation, we felt we had to get ready somehow, either to get us past the forthcoming months or for an even worse unthinkable scenario.
Several things then started to happen. The Trust board met and after some tweaking from fan involvement our Squad Builder (SB)fund came into existence (HERE) we also had a Fighting Fund (FF)
Within a few days, a phenomenal response saw over 6K with two remarkably large donations to this day we are still in awe.
During these heady days, which if we are being honest still felt as if the grim reaper was still hovering another group of fans pushed on by the inspiration of Mark “Willy” Williams came into the frame. Mark’s concerns, like us, led him to dream up, instigate and with the now-established “crew” bring BOGS (Bring or Goodbye Sale) into being.
Following a meeting with the Trust ( see HERE) where hopefully our skill base was able to assist theirs, the Trust set about facilitating as much as possible
BOGS are a group of fans who also thought outside of the box, we are not sure what box they originally used! but by bringing their brand of entrepreneurship to the idea of “Bring and Buy (or auction! ) they have since played a huge part in raising the figures below and with it being 40% of the monies raised and used so far it has to be seen as simply amazing”
The Trust has published every month the fund totals, we still do but have not done the season’s opening update as we wanted to post the above first, and we wanted to do it on the opening home game of the new season.
This brings us to the opening line of the article, “Why have we not posted on the award-winning Gilmour story and our contribution, and the answer is simple. We are still pinching ourselves over what has happened to the club over the last six months, from gloom to boom, well at least getting boom in our sights.
Pinching ourselves as the club for us was gone as we knew it, but now…
Pinching Ourselves that our new owners are the Ogden family!
And pinching ourselves that we have never really appreciated the amazing gestures from Chairman, Simon Gauge and Richard Knight without both, we would not have a club for the Ogden’s to renovate, those thanks need to be said now, thank you.
So here we are, new season, new hope and the continuation of working with good friends again.
The Trust continues to operate in all of its established areas, representing fans, liaison with club officials, running the away coach (Big shout here for the Trust chair GB and generosity of the Ogden Family) and to all of its board members who continue in all of our specialist areas which you can read about on our web and in our newsletters and other social media sites. The workload behind the scenes is quite amazing but worthwhile.
And the Gilmour story, well it’s everyone’s story isn’t it, we made it happen, and we Daleys have much to be proud of. From the Trust and BOGS, thanks one and all
And so to the figures you wanted.
As at 7th August 2024
Total SB £25,813.33 of which BOGS is £10,501.10 (40.68%)
Total FF £1025 of which BOGS is £40
Donations made for East and Hayes – 2023/24 £9,500
Donation made for Gilmour (Contract Extension) – £16,000
Total £25,500
Balance £313.33
Donations made through the Club and held in the Club bank account – £638.85
Total Fund Balance £952.18 (As of 23/8/24)
Not bad is it?
Join Our Sky Super Six Mini league…..ITS FREE!
Hi from our Membership Secretary and Super Six Admin.
Since we set up another Super 6 Prediction League 24/25 for our trust members, from the back of the success of our Euro FF league we have seen many members and fans sign up to become top dog in our own league.
So, if you have not signed up for the 2024/25 Super 6 why don’t you join our FREE to enter Dale Trust members mini-league “Dale Trust Prediction League 24/25″?
Last Season we had over 60 members competing for the converted title of “Super Predictor 2024-25” and you will win an engraved cup for your mantlepiece.
Joining the league couldn’t be easier. Simply use the link below, and you’ll be automatically added after entering the game. https://super6.skysports.com/play
You will need a league code for the Trust which is
League Code: MYAVBT
It is easy, our exile officer Ian Goodwin made it look so last season!! So follow his tips!
So here are the top 12 in the league so far, with plenty of time left, come and Join me, Ian and the rest and try and become “DaleTrust Super Predictor for season 24/25”
Scott Goulding
DALE TRUST
Questions – Fan Liaison
Since the August Newsletter was published we have had meetings with the club on matters various.
We had an enormous mailbag about the seat reservation stickers or lack of them (now rectified see George’s comments above) and many of the questions and queries we get are dealt with usually within a couple of days.
Murray, our director on the club board picks up many of them and resolves most quickly, others need either research or a meeting with the appropriate person at the club. Other questions we receive are taken to our regular meeting with club directors and the Trust, these we will publish in regular reports on the website, recent examples can be found HERE.
With the Trust desk being in operation again in the Dale Bar before each recent home game, we have been able to take many questions and provide answers on the spot, so please feel free to approach us and if we can help, then we will.
All email correspondence to date has been answered and where necessary followed up, but if we have missed something please get back to us.
All of our reports in this edition of the newsletter cover most of what has been asked and we publish all meeting minutes along with any liaison work with the club on the website www.daletrust.co.uk
To emphasise again, transparency is key to what we do, please at any time feel free to contact us by email or in person info@daletrust.co.uk fanliaison@daletrust.co.uk
Meeting with Club Directors & Officials
All our meeting minutes are posted when agreed on our website.
Our recent 29th August meeting minutes can be found HERE
Trust Diary
1) Fixtures: For September 2024 onwards and all results click HERE
2) Trust Board Meeting: 4th September 2024 (If the date passed by the time of publication meeting minutes will be posted on our website
3) Quiz Night and Race Night to be announced later in the year
4) Trust Desk. Every home game including video relays.
Fans Meeting and Focus Group Dates
To date, we have published our schedule of dates allocated for our meetings with the club..
They are subject to change should it be required but any changes will be announced on the Trust Website.
Dates for the forthcoming months are below. Thursday 26th September2024 Focus Group – Volunteers
Thursday24thOctober 2024 Club Board Staff Reps & Dale Trust – meeting three
Thursday28th November 2024 Focus Group – 25/26 Playing Kit, Merchandise, etc
Thursday19th December 2024 Club Board Staff Reps & Dale Trust – meeting four
Thursday30th January 2025 Fans Forum
Thursday27th February 2025 Club Board Staff Reps & Dale Trust – meeting five
Thursday 27th March 2025Focus Group – Season Cards
Thursday 24th April 2025 Club Board Staff Reps & Dale Trust – meeting six
Thursday29th May 2025 Focus Group – 25/26 Matchday experience
These meetings, all starting at 7 pm, will be available to attend on Microsoft Teams. To register, please email office@rochdaleafc.co.uk.
September Fixtures
Saturday 7th
Aldershot Town
A
Tuesday 10th
Maiden Head United
H
Saturday 14th
Solihull Moors
H
Saturday 21st
Eastleigh
A
Tuesday 24th
Hartlepool United
A
Saturday 28th
Braintree Town
H
Trust Board Meeting
Next meeting date: 4th October 2024
Agenda: To be announced.
Any member wanting to ask the board a question or table a question/query then emailinfo@daletrust.co.uk and the board will add it to their agenda.
Coach Travel: Code Of Conduct
A reminder for those wishing to use the Trust Organised coach Travel.
We have a Code of Conduct (August 2024) which will assist with the running of the coach travel and is for the enjoyment of all using this service, it is important to implement this code of practice.
This coach travel code of conduct is operated on behalf of the Dale Supporters Trust by all officers and volunteers involved in providing the service.
Please assist the Dale Supporters Trust to continue to provide the service by adhering to these requirements.
You can read the Code Of Conduct HERE
And Finally
There is always one! Or in the case of the Trust, TWO!
Since the Trusts logistics officer moved on to other things the Trusts resident “Photo Bomber” position has been vacant. Until now that is!
Two of our members, one being our membership officer Scott Goulding and the other a senior member and mentioned in the Chairman’s remarks, Geoff Kindon decided they wanted selfies with our distinguished guest, in Geoff’s case we can fully understand, he and Sir Peter attended the same school in Rochdale, though we understand Geoff had a couple of years on Sir Peter, In Scott’s case he was starstruck and being a serial “Let’s Get A photograph” man, it was inevitable.
Sir Peter, snapped by Trust “Photographer” Dave Earnshaw with Big Kindo”
And here is the inevitable
For those who don’t know, Scott is the one on the left!
The Trust would like to say a big thank you to
The Ogden’s
and in particular Sir Peter for being a jolly good sport in tolerating the Hollywood photographic hysteria from fans
who should know better!Thank You for putting up with us all, we will behave next time.
Trust on Social Media
Click on the links below to follow us on our social media channels
Sir Peter receives from the Trust Chair his certificate of Honorary Membership to the Trust. One of only four ever conferred in all of the Trust’s 21 years of existence.
