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News
As reported previously, with the restructuring of the Board having taken place, and the various activities included in the work of the Trust having been tasked to specific Board Directors to administrate, rather than summarising them here, full details of the work currently undertaken is provided under the specific headings below.
However, it may be that you believe there is an aspect or aspects of the Board’s activities not currently undertaken by us that you consider relevant for inclusion and reporting back to Members. If so, please do not hesitate to contact us at:
info@daletrust.co.uk or murray@daletrust.co.uk |
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Trust on the Board
The Fans Forum in January has proved to be significant for the amount of information provided to the fanbase, a summary of which provided by me would prove to understate the level of detail to do it justice. Whilst not wishing to avoid providing a report from this “Trust on the Board” section, may I suggest that the most appropriate way to be fully up to date with all the information concerning the current situation and plans for the Club can be viewed within the full video of the Forum (Link), including the initial plans for the Club Advisory Board, the slides used for that part of the forum demonstration can be found HERE
However, should you require any additional information or clarification on any aspect of the presentation, as always, please contact me at murray@daletrust.co.uk, along with any issues, suggestions, or complaints you would wish me to address on your behalf. I shall do my best to represent you with the Club and report back to you.
Up the Dale
Murray
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Daves View On The Month
Dave Earnshaw. Director with Responsibilities for Youth Inclusion and
Daletrust Acting Liason Officer with BOGS
Update: the new members of the board are bringing lots of new energy to the Trust and more recently one of the newbies, Ruby ran a very successful youth competition. She has been working closely with the club and our web/welfare officer Bob M. I’m sure she will tell you in more detail so I won’t be saying any more! I would though like to say a big well done to Ruby and James who supported her on the day. You will see his work in supporting Ruby in capturing the event with the club and players on our social media soon.
Jake has developed some new logos which will form part of the new social media changes which you will be seeing in the coming months, it’s great to have youth on board giving the Trust new impetus.
I have been liaising with the club about potential fundraising and we are looking to set up a meeting with the club and representatives from the Ogden team, this will be done in conjunction with BOGS and their representative Matt Devine. This will be something we hope to be able to explain in more detail once we have held the meeting with the club but it will be looking at the current squad builder and seeing how this looks going forward. It’s likely the current squad builder fundraising will be brought to an end.
Once we have had the meeting we will look at getting people involved to move into concluding the options that are discussed with the club and its representatives, and just for information, the reason it has taken what appears some time to pull the meeting together has purely been down to getting those involved to be in one spot at the same time, something which is close to actually happening!.
So watch this space as the timing to bring us all together is proving a bit of a challenge with everyone’s availability and some people taking annual holidays but, be assured it will be taking place but may take a few weeks.
Dave
Up the Dale keep the faith |
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Youth Matters…
Ruby Loynd. Inclusion Officer
2025/26 onwards
As we start to look into the 2025/26 season, the Trust has been exploring different ways that we can help grow the connection between the club and the younger fans.
One of these things that has come up in conversation would be creating a Discord server for all of the Dale fans aged Under-18.
This is something that we feel would be a great addition to the fan base. There are lots of examples of Football Clubs and Companies that use Discord as a way of communication such as Manchester United and schools.
During the off-season, we are going to look at the possibilities of this platform whilst ensuring that we can maintain as much safeguarding and moderation as possible taking place.
Safeguarding everyone is our main priority.
We have to make sure that this platform will be a safe space for all involved.
Anyone seen to be breaking rules or causing offence in any way would be removed and banned from the server.
If you or your child have any questions or suggestions regarding the server then please don’t hesitate to contact me on my email, ruby@daletrust.co.uk.
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2025/26 Kit Design. HadYour Say?We have had several emails from members and fans with opinions on future designs for the next seasons kit. All were helpful and a couple had some great illustrations and one in particular which certainly was “original” in its thinking and may well feature in leisure wear. To those that did respond take a big thank you from not only the Trust but the club to.
Andy Duff, club Director for Commercial activities reported at the recent fan’s forum (here if you have not seen) that they had held some initial talks with kit supplier O’Neal’s and hopefully would have some initial concepts back for mid-march. Rest assured, once we are in a position to bring some firm ideas to the membership, we will involve all and seek further opinion
Below are this season’s designs, how will they evolve for next year’s kit now remains to be seen.?
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From Emma’s Desk
Travel Co-ordinator Emma Loynd.
Welcome to February!
Matches available to book NOW are:
- Southend United FC, Saturday 15th February, 08:00 departure and £35.00 per seat.
- Halifax Town FC, Wednesday 19th February, 17:30 departure and £10.00 per seat.
A statement will be released by the Trust in the next few days regarding all the away matches for the remainder of the season.
Thank you again for all your fabulous support.
It’s great to see both regulars and new fans using the coach service.
Let’s keep this going as we move towards the latter end of the season!
Emma
Full details including how to book can be found HERE on the Trust website. |
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| Time To Meet New Trust Board Director, Vince Ashall
The Trust are delighted to welcome to its board Vince Ashall. Vince is well known among Daleys and the club as well. His skill set enhances the Trust as we move forward with exciting times under our new club owners, as usual we asked Vince to write a few words about himself, here is what he had to say…
“Currently season ticket holder and shareholder who has been following the Dale since the early ‘60s as evidenced by my favourite player being Ted Burgin – Dale’s goalkeeper in that League Cup Final for you younger ones! Also a keen supporter of Springhill Hospice; undertook its Three Reservoir ramble last year which was reported on the Trust website HERE .
In more recent times who can forget Hendo’s goal against Leeds and that FA Cup tie against Spurs? My favourite player of modern times has to be Gary Jones. Unforgivable that he was let go when he was. Been a member of the Trust since its formation. My background is in payroll and pensions which has given me a keen eye for detail that hopefully will be useful to the Trust board.” |
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Welfare.
Our welfare team continue to work closley with those members and fans who have needed our support and help, sometimes at moments of personal loss, a usual we maintain total confidentiality.
We continue to work for our members especially with mental issues which are often complex and disabling.
Our colleagues in the Community Trust at RAFC have an initiative which we, the Supporters Trust welfare team support whole heartily and it is the “Extra Time Programme”Did you know In England, 24% of over 50’s often report feeling lonely some of the time, whilst 7% feel lonely often; which can have a significant negative impact on wellbeing and quality of life.
The Community Trusts Extra Time program helps tackle issues such as loneliness and social isolation, as well as helping to increase participation in physical activity among the senior community. Our friendly and welcoming team provide a range of activities to get involved in, take a look at our sessions on offer below, and read more about this on the Community Trust site HERE.
The Dale Supporters Trust’s counsellors support this initiative and will, if required, assist members and fans alike get an introduction to the program and are happy to liaise for you with the Community Trust project leaders. Contact the Trust in confidence on
info@daletrust.co.uk. |
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From The Trust Web Site.
 Following the recent fans forum we posted a general summary and link to the video taken on the night, you can see that HERE.
What we did not post were the slides used by Jamie (Willougby) the representative for the Ogdens and a member of the management group. We did not have them at the time of posting but Jamie has kindly sent them through, so, as a marker for what is being discussed we post them here now for members and fans alike to refer to. To see the full post click HERE
Ian Goodwin, our Exiles Co-ordinator, noted that a good number of Exiles cheered the Dale on to victory at Worthing recently, much to the delight of Worthing-based Stuart Clarke. Needless to say Stuart stood in the away end!
Ian reminds Exiles that bookings are now well into double figures for the annual Exiles home match at the Crown Oil Arena for the match against Aldershot on 29 March 2025. Willie Burns, who played for the Dale between 1989-91 and a popular previous guest, will be joining Exiles again. The club have not charged us for the hospitality box in recognition of the loyal support offered by Exiles over the years. There are still plenty of tickets available with reduced prices for concessions and season card holders. More details on the website HERE but Exiles can jump in and book directly on the link below.
This season’s Exiles Day is on 29 March 2025: Secure your places now!
Everyone was relieved that the recent Oldham game was played. None more so than Noel Micallef’s party from Malta as this was their second attempt to watch the match. It’s a long way to come for a postponement and you have to admire their dedication. Here they are, all smiling (before the match!), from left to right: Ivan, Kieran, Cleaven, Jerome, Charles and Noel. Given Saturday’s showing against Ebbsfleet, they are probably pleased they didn’t make a week of it!
Below, are some further items in no particular order from the Trust website in January.
January 2025 Fans Forum
As most will have seen, the club’s successful fans forum last night (Thursday 25th Jan) was followed by the official Club site publishing the video (in full) which was videoed live on the night of the forum. It has subsequently been reproduced across various social and fanzine sites. For those who have not seen it, you can access it HERE.
We (Trust) received several questions for the forum, all of which were presented and addressed on the night. We wanted to allow those members and fans who did send questions to peruse the video first before we followed up with them. Read our full article HERE
Should the Trust continue to run the Travel Coach to Away games?
This is the question which is slowly becoming the one question that will need answering very soon!
Members and fans alike are aware that the Trust was asked by the club to take over the running and organising of the official coach for away games. Away travel has always been a feature for many fans and a trip to an away game on the club Sharabang was tradition. Pre-season the question was continually being asked and the Trust agreed, with the support of the Ogden family to organise the coaches which in recent times performed poorly financially. Read the full article HERE
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Members John Hartley and Karen Chorlton present (Eventually”) the November and December Player Of The Month Awards.
Eventually, we got to present the awards and read the full story of why it took so long HERE
The Trust supports the initiative taken by Rochdale AFC and the rest of the National League 72 football clubs when they took the unprecedented step of supporting a letter to the English Football League (EFL) Board requesting a vote to create three promotion places into their league. The Trust feels that this initiative is an important step in developing a keener and more exciting league. Read the full story HERE
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Former Players Association
From the desk of Keith Hicks.
January Newsletter-Former Players Association.
January saw little action from Former Players Association input at hospitality due to the lack of home games played at the Crown Oil Arena including Altrincham, Stockton and Boston United.
For the game against Yeovil Town, Lee McEvilly provided much fun for diners prior to kick off as he spoke of his three spells at Rochdale back in the early 2000’s after he was signed by John Hollins from Burscough for a fee believed to be around £15,000 plus a sell-on clause, making his debut in the Third Division against Kidderminster Harriers, replacing Clive Platt in a 1-4 defeat.
“My memories at Dale are special to me and always will be being my first Professional Club. Fans were fantastic to me even when playing against Rochdale, giving me a great reception, that means a lot to me and always will, that’s why I come back to watch whenever I can”
He spoke of life after football, where he has set up a parcel delivery business which is going well with the intention to ensure that it continues
Later, he pulled 50/50 draw winners at half time after a rousing reception for the Dale
Tuesday 28 th January against Boston United was particularly disappointing as Aaron Wilbraham was actually at the Crown Oil Arena when the game was postponed, ready to reminisce about that most important equalising goal against Newcastle United in the FA Cup plus other memories of his time at Dale, again to be followed by half time 50/50 draw duties.
Aaron’s and Lee’s stories plus other Dale legends can be found on www.rochdalefpa.com
Next month starts with flat cap derby against local rivals from Oldham Athletic with the presence of Matt Gilks, who played 176 Football League appearances including 47 clean sheets for Dale before moving on to Norwich City followed by stints at numerous other Clubs plus three appearances for Scotland.
Ex-Dale players are invited to hospitality through the Rochdale Former Players Association in partnership with Rochdale Supporters Trust.
The Former Players Association was launched in conjunction with the Supporters Trust and aimed at anyone who has played at least one first team game for the Club and looking to reunite those who have worn the Dale shirt over the years. We are committed to promoting both the Club and Supporters Trust to raise the profile of both Organisations thus building the fan base at Rochdale AFC.
For anyone wishing to learn more about the FPA, visit www.rochdalefpa.com |
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Are You A Former Dale Player?
Then get in contact with Keith, details at end of the article..
We are looking to add to our current database. Over 60 former Dale players are enrolled on the Association with many returning to the Crown Oil Arena last season as guests of the Club for hospitality appearances. Players such as Shaun Reid, Paul Butler, Gareth Griffiths and many more were invited to be guest speakers in the Club’s 1907 lounge before home matches.
Articles about ex-Dale players and further Information on the Rochdale AFC Former Players Association (FPA) including hospitality, appearances plus players’ memories can be found on:
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Exiles
Trust exiles besides this newsletter, also have their own newsletter personalised by our Exile Co-Ordinator Ian Goodwin.
This focuses more on the life of the exile world and is usually published a week or so before the main Trust edition. Ian’s writings are often witty, extremely erudite and a jolly good read. So not wishing to deny all our members a glimpse here is the link to the recent publication, it’s worth a look!
Exiles also have their own dedicated WhatsApp group, its moderated by Ian and is for all fans that come under the exile scheme, basically those not locally resident, UK-based and abroad.
Those wishing to join the WhatsApp group, just click on the link https://chat.whatsapp.com/HHhzjSjR041CD4TJeFdqnW |
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Trust Facebook On Facebook.
Jake Dowd. Trust Facebook Editor
The Trust has many news outlets besides its website www.daletrust.co.uk
One of our most used sites is the Trust Facebook page. Recently it became apparent that we need to carry out upgrades and maintenance.
Our FB update will feature new profile pictures with the logo in the banner, and change the bio to have more appropriate links which we feel will sort out the page to represent a more modern feel. Maybe looking at when to post, involving our analytical software and adding to the posts instead of just a link. Investigating the time of day may also improve engagement. We believe it’s because there are so many posts multiple times a day people won’t see it as much so maybe doing posts every 2 days unless it’s an important announcement. |
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| CAN YOU HELP UPDATE OUR CARD READERS.
IPhone or Android Phone x 2 needed!
Trust needs a couple of old (can be battered and cracked) iPhone 7 or 8’s (A small fee may be possible)
We appreciate that this ask may be difficult especially as many people still use and are satisfied with their iPhone 7 or 8.
But the Trust is hopeful that there may be one or two sitting unused after their owner has upgraded, especially as we are on to version 16 now.
Why do we need them?
The Trust Zettle card reader machines which we use for taking payments for all things that we do require the Zettle app to work on phones that have a minimum operating system which is higher than ios 12.9, sadly the units we use now can not be upgraded to work with the new app, and our only remaining phone gave up the ghost the other day.
Ideally, we would need the phone be reset to factory default, that is, the owner’s Apple ID used to reset and clear the phone. If you have your Apple ID it takes seconds.
Must it be an iPhone?
We’ll no, an Android smartphone will do but it has to be within the last five years as the same thing applies regarding the operating system version, but if you have one then again if it can be reset to factory default then great.
If you can help. Then see any Trust desk member on duty or email bob@daletrust.co.uk and we can have a chat. |
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| Trust Diary
All fixtures and recent results can be found HERE
Scheduled Meetings
Thursday 27th February 2025 Club Board Staff Reps & Dale Trust – meeting five
Thursday 27th March 2025 Focus Group – Season Cards
Thursday 24th April 2025 Club Board Staff Reps & Dale Trust – meeting six
Thursday 29th May 2025 Focus Group – 25/26 Matchday experience |
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Fixtures and Results
(With Thanks To Greg and The Club Website)
With fixtures and games being subject to the weather, cup wins and opponents’ commitments it is important to stay up to date with new dates and times along with already established fixtures.
You can do that HERE. This link is updated regularly. by the club media team. |
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Questions – General
The Trusts policy is and has been for many years to respond and acknowledge within few days to emailed questions, queries and concerns and if an immediate answer is not available then follow-up work will be carried out and answers will be provided.
Your questions etc are an important part of our daily work, our case book is proof of that.
We have access to club at all levels, we work closely with (besides our members and the fan base) the FSA (Football Supporters Association) fellow Trusts at clubs both in and out of the national league and via our website and various social media channels aim to keep members and fans in general alive to issues current.
We receive in general questions, queries and concerns in two ways. Face to face at the Daletrust desk which is situated in the Dale Bar before any home game (unless stated prior) and secondly via our email channels. Depending on what is asked depends on who takes responsibility, primarily issues relating to club concerns are handled by our Trust Director who through our internal channels keeps all board members appraised. This though is not exclusive. Trust directors are engaged with several Trust initiatives/projects which involve working with either the club management executive, Club Board or the Senior management team so the flow of information can and does include live questions which we have taken from the membership.
Contacting the Trust, or a particular person at the Trust is easy and if your question regards a welfare issue and private then just ask for a member of the team to get back to you in person. If you want to contact a Trust director specifically, then just mark your email for the attention of said person.
Of course, the Trust desk prior to home games is a great way to make contact, on average we deal with about 8 to 10 specifics each game.
Contact Details
Main Trust Email; info@daletrust.co.uk
This can be used for all queries and questions
Club concerns; murray@daletrust.co.uk
Use where a specific club concern needs addressing.
Youth Issues mailto:youthmatters@daletrust.co.uk
For all youth initiatives and enquiries.
Matchday concerns fanliasion@daletrust.co.uk
For anything fan-centric arising from a game (Home or away)
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