The Trust held its annual Exiles Day at the Portsmouth Match on 8th April.
There were 39 Exiles in attendance, and a duck.
People travelled from all over the UK to be there, but the furthest distance travelled was by an Exile from Nigeria. Amazing stuff !!
Our Exiles range from mere babes in arms, up to a very impressive 91 ½ years young.
It is good to see so many returning faces each year, and also to meet new Exiles who were attending for the first time.
We were treated to a splendid buffet meal, pitch side photo opportunities, a Dale related quiz, an interactive map to see where everyone had come from and a visit from several of the playing squad before the game. Highlight of the afternoon was a visit from Keith Hill who posed for photographs and chatted to the Exiles.
The Trust raffled off a Rochdale shirt , signed by all the first team players, and this raised a very commendable £175 for Trust funds. The winner of the Raffle was John Dolan from Edinburgh .
After a highly entertaining and exciting game, the Exiles were invited to choose their Man of the Match, selecting Brad Inman as a well- deserved winner. The Award was presented in the Lounge after the game by Lawrence Flood with his increasingly famous duck.
We look forward to hosting the Exiles Day again next year, and would like to thank Frances and all the staff at the club for helping to make it a big success. I’d also like to thank the Trust volunteers who worked so tirelessly to help host the event.
Although we so nearly won the match , we are proud to have maintained the Trusts unbeaten run at Exiles matches, which now stretches back many years. It must be the duck !!!
