Hello everybody, hope you’re looking forward to Saturdays game v Doncaster Rovers.
SATURDAYS MASCOT
Emma Lee Risby, today’s mascot is 11 years of age and is currently studying at Falinge High School.
She was awarded the Rochdale Childer Award, an award which recognises a child’s endeavours and achievements, in March 2014 for her excellent performance, and her constant caring and helpful attitude whilst attending St Patrick’s Primary School.
In April of this year Emma had 17cms of her hair cut off and donated, along with money raised through sponsorship, to The Little Princess Trust which arranges for real human hair wigs to be manufactured for children who have lost their own hair through chemotherapy treatment for cancer, and is intending to grow her hair again for a repeat donation to the charity. (For further details of this charity please see
http://www.littleprincesses.org.uk/about-us/
Emma’s hobbies include baking, animal care, music, walking, and of course football!
An avid fan of Rochdale AFC Emma attends many games and is a particular fan of defender Rhys Bennett.
BIRTHDAY BOY
Harry Hobson is going to be joining our Saturday Club today with his friends celebrating his eighth birthday.
Harry is a massive Dale fan, likes playing football, computer games and riding on his scooter. He attends St James Primary School in Wardle and he loves spending time with family and friends.
HALF TIME CHALLENGE MATCH
Today we welcome Holy Trinity and St Bartholmews Primary Schools to Spotland and hopefully we will witness another classic 7-a-side game like the Bridge v Roach spectacular for the Preston North End match.
FOOTBALL LEAGUE TRUST-KINDER+
St Annes High School overcame other local High Schools to lift the Trophy which will see them representing Rochdale AFC at Regional Finals in the New Year to determine a Northern representative for the Grand Final to be played at Wembley prior to the Johnstone Paints Trophy Final in March 2015.
Today, we have invited St Annes plus Whitworth High School, who were runners up, to be presented with Trophies and Medals at half time.
Well done to both sets of girls for this fantastic achievement.
ROCHDALE LADIES UNDER 15’s
The girls have settled in extremely well under the coaching of Jordan and James supported by Siobhan and recently enjoyed a tremendous 1-1 draw against third placed Denton with Niamh Chapman scoring for the Dale.
With several players never having been involved in structured football this is excellent working progress-this time next year we are expecting to be fielding under 10’s, 12’s, 14’s and 16’s which will be an unbelievable step forward for us.
OCTOBER HALF TERM HOLIDAY COACHING
The courses proved extremely popular again with 132 boys and girls taking advantage of multi sports coaching by Trust staff over the week long half term holidays.
An added bonus was the presence of several Dale players at the three venues spread round Rochdale.
Calvin Andrew and Matty Lund took part in a passing session at Soccer Factory, Steven Dawson and Josh Lillis entertained attenders at Wardle Academy whilst Matty Done and Olly Lancashire demonstrated basic football skills at Siddal Moor Sports College.
All the children were presented with a complimentary ticket for the match against Preston North End on the following Saturday, which proved to be a fantastic performance and result.
The week followed on again successfully from the summer holidays showing the popularity of these courses and obviously the way Dale are playing at the moment with the resulting league position encourages youngsters to get involved with our activities. The presence of the players is a massive bonus for us with parents complimenting about the way they interacted with the boys and girls and I can only thank Keith and his management team for allowing us access to them.
Award winners:
Soccer Factory
Most Improved: Ella Turner, Luca Santiago
Star Performers: Oliver Buck, Ben Beresford
Skills Winners: Ewan Lawless, James Topham
Personalities: Luke Turner, Jake Storey
Wardle Academy
Most Improved: Jack Parr
Star Performer: Luke Harrison
Skills Winner: Alex Harrison
Personality: Thomas Clegg
Siddal Moor Sports College
Most Improved: Kayden Bell, Flora Ribgy
Star Performers: Joseph Armstrong, Mason Slinger
Skills Winners: Carlton Lawless, Luke Davies
Personalities: Maxim Greenwood, Rehana
For Information about any of the above, please visit the Club’s Website (Club-Football in the Community/FITC-find out more) or ring me on 01706 643836 or 07958593121.
Alternatively follow us on facebook Dale in the Community Trust/twitter DaleInTheCommunity