Welcome to the Rochdale Supporters Trust Website

The website is currently undergoing a revamp pending it's relaunch. Please keep checking back.

We will also inform you of the relaunch via various media outlets.

Dale Trust Poker Night (22 December 2008)

Dale Supporters Trust are delighted to announce that they will be holding a 'Poker Night' in the Dale Bar on Monday 19th January 2009. This will be the first of a series of Trust events in the New Year and we would like to welcome you to join us.

Entry for the evening will be £10 and half of all monies raised will go directly to Trust funds which in turn will benefit the football club. The other half of the entry fee will be divided between the players who manage to reach the 'Winner's Table' at the end of the evening with one lucky player walking away with the jackpot.

The jackpot for the evening will be dependant on the number of players so bring down some mates and have a great night with fellow Dale fans whilst trying to raise money for both the club and your wallet after the Christmas expenditure.

The event will start at 7:30pm and supper will be provided free of charge by the management and staff at The Ratcliffe.

See you there!

Paul Conway day members draw winners (3 December 2008)

Rochdale Supporters Trust is delighted to announce the winners of it's members draw for places at the Paul Conway benefit match.

Mark Sweetmore will be number two to Dale boss Keith Hill for the day whilst David Flitcroft will be assisted by Lynn Smith for this unique match.

The two 'director experience' packages were won by Ricky Sercombe and Alan Butterworth and both shall enjoy all the benefits usually reserved for the people at the highest level of football clubs.

The Trust would like to thank all who entered the draw and wish all the winners a fantastic day at this wonderful event for a much missed member of the Rochdale family.

Paul Conway Day - Exclusive draw for Dale Trust Members (1 December 2008)

Dale trust have an exclusive draw for Trust Members which means they can be a real part of the Paul Conway Day on Sunday 7th December.

The Trust sucessfully bid for not only two 'director experiences' for the day but also the two assistant managers roles for the benefit match that will take place meaning you could be sat next to either Keith Hill or David Flitcroft in the dugout.

4 lucky Trust members will be drawn to win these prizes and all that you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is to email your Name, Address and contact number to info@daletrust.org.uk with the subject title of Paul Conway Day. All entries must be received before 12 Noon on Wednesday 3rd December and the winners will be announced on this site on Wednesday evening.

If you have not yet joined the Trust for the 2008/2009 season you can still be entered into the draw if you sign up before Wednesday's deadline via our online form here Any new joining between now and then will automatically be entered into the draw so will not need to email us.

Tickets are also on sale in the club shop and the Dale Bar for the event that takes place after the game in the Ratcliffe Suite and are selling fast. Don't miss out on what should be a wonderful event in memory of a great man.

Forest Green Rovers Travel Information (21 November 2008)

Dale Trust has today been contacted by the Forest Green Rovers Supporters Trust who have advised us on some information that is required to Dale supporters travelling to the FA Cup second round game at The New Lawn on Saturday 29th November.

Visiting supporters are allocated the South Stand, which is an ALL STEATED COVERED STAND .

There is also the availability to transfer those who would wish to be classed as “Family Supporters” to use the south end of the Main Stand but entry will still only be available via the South Stand Turnstiles. This would be managed on the day by stewards and police, dependant on the numbers attending.

There is NO facility for this match for visiting fans to use any standing terrace.

Accordingly please note this to prevent any confrontation on attempting to enter the stadium.

Gillingham away commentary in Dale Bar (19 November 2008)

Dale Supporters Trust are hosting their first event since unveiling their new look board and invite you to join them. 

We will be providing full match commentary courtesy of the excellent Dale World commentary team from the game away at Gillingham on Tuesday 25th November for supporters who are unable to attend the match. Entry to the evening is completely free and food will also be provided at no cost to anyone attending.

There will be an opportunity on the night to join the large number of other Dale fans who have become Trust members as we aim to hit our target of 500 members for the 2008/2009 season.

Come down and enjoy the evening with fellow supporters as the players and the Dale World team look to provide us with another great nights entertainment.

The Dale Bar opens it's doors at 4PM and the match kicks off at 7:45PM.

Trust joins force with the club for Desmond's Christmas Toy Appeal (18 November 2008)

Rochdale Football Club are joining forces with the Supporters Trust in collecting new toys for this years Christmas Toy Appeal after a plea from Rochdale Infirmary. Similar requests have virtually fallen on deaf ears with many big organisations spreading very little festive cheer.

Hospital Play Specialist Louise Gallagher is looking to brighten up the lives of children who will be in the hospital over the festive period and has asked Rochdale Football Club for help.

"We are desperate for Christmas presents to give out on Christmas Day to the children," said Louise. "We have approached many of the big supermarkets and businesses in Rochdale and although I know they probably get many requests for charitable donations, I have to say I was somewhat surprised by the lack of response.

"We aren't doing this for ourselves, we are doing it for the children, I thought that was what Christmas was all about."

We are sure, with your help we can make Christmas a little easier to bear for the children so we are asking for your help. We are collecting new toys or donations in the club shop up until Wednesday 12th December 2008 before visiting the hospital on Friday 14th December where Desmond will hand over the gifts donated by Rochdale AFC Supporters.

Trust teams up with The Ratcliffe in aid of Paul (11 November 2008)

Rochdale Supporters trust has linked up with The Ratcliffe Bars and Function Suites in an effort to raise money for the family of Paul Conway.

The Trust will be selling tickets for the must attend 'Paul Conway Benefit Day' on Sunday 7th December via it’s match day desks in Studds Bar and Dale Bar on home match days of Rochdale AFC. Tickets are also available in the Rochdale AFC club shop and in the Dale Bar itself during the week.

The evening will begin with a Meat and Potato Pie hot buffet before a performance by popular Irish band The Rascals.

A presentation to players involved in the match day experience package will then take place as well as a series of auctions which include signed shirts from the following clubs -

Hull City
Blackburn Rovers
Bolton Wanderers
Stoke City
Everton
Manchester United (Champions League Final shirt - Moscow 2008)
Celtic
Leeds United
Manchester City (Robinho)
Liverpool (Robbie Keane)
Tottenham Hotspur

There will also be a unique number of auctions taking place that will appeal to all Rochdale fans. These include -

A meal with management team Keith Hill and David Flitcroft*
A chance to be serenaded by Dale player and ex-Pop Idol semi-finalist Adam Rundle*
A meal for two at award winning Rochdale restaurant Nutters
A meal for two at The Crimble, Bamford
A meal for two at the Asia Indian Restaurant


Also on the night will be the chance to bid for Michael Plant (qualified Chef with 10 years experience and proprietor of Baguettes Sandwich Company) to prepare a 6 course meal for six people in their own home* as well as the chance to bid for Rochdale AFC kitman Jack Northover to perform the ‘half monty!’*

Events including the ‘Guy Proctor Spoons Challenge’* and ‘Heads and Tails Bingo’ will also take place before The Rascals again take to the stage.

There will then follow a rendition of Paul’s favourite song ‘American Pie’ performed by Ciaran Toner (guitar) with Adam Rundle and Clark Keltie providing the lead vocals. The rest of the squad and staff of Rochdale AFC will provide the backing vocals and this performance will be available as a video to be downloaded via Dale World for just £1.

It promises to be a great event and a fitting tribute to a much loved member of the Rochdale family and you are urged to secure your tickets quickly as this will surely be a popular event for all Dale fans.

Doors open for the afternoon/evening event at 4pm and tickets are priced at just £12 each.

*These items are now being auctioned before the evening and bids are now being taken for these prizes here These auctions will close on Tuesday 18th November at noon.

Exclusive offer for Dale Trust Members (11 November 2008)

Dale Trust would like to remind it's members that they are entitiled to an exclusive offer at one of Rochdale's finest eating establishments.

Join Dale Trust and your membership allows you to take up our superb deal with The India Lounge restaurant at Spotland Bridge.

Simply produce your current Dale Trust membership card at The India Lounge and you can get 10% off your bill!*

*Please note this offer is only available in the Restaurant and not on take away food. It can also not be used in conjunction with any other offer or any other special events e.g. Christmas Day, Valentines Day etc..).

Trust calls EGM (7 November 2008)

Dale Supporters Trust is hoping to spend £3,000 on Rochdale Football Club shares as part of the club’s capital share issue.

To do so we require the support of our members and the Trust has called an emergency general meeting for members to vote on the proposal to buy more shares.

The EGM will take place on Saturday 22 November in Studd’s Bar, after Dale’s home game with Luton Town.

The Trust board feels that the purchase of shares is the best use of our funds so that we can increase our influence within the club and bolster our position as one of the club’s largest shareholders outside of the boardroom.

Dale Trust is fully supporting the club’s capital share issue, in which the club is making 100,000 shares available for sale. The club wishes to expand its shareholding amongst a greater number of individuals and we think that the Trust can do this by buying shares itself, on behalf of our members.

The supporters trust calls meetings of its members on all proposed on all major purchases.

Trust members are requested to bring their 2008/09 membership cards to the meeting, for voting purposes. If members are unable to attend, they can submit their vote ("YES" or "NO") using reference "EGM VOTE" including name & address, either by e-mail to info@daletrust.org.uk or by post to Dale Supporters, PO Box 1907, Rochdale, OL16 9EX by Thursday 20th November to be included in the voting procedure essential to accept/reject this proposal by the Trust board

NB: Under 16's are NOT entitled to vote at all meetings and elections in accordance with the constitution.

Dale Trust smashes membership record (7 November 2008)

Dale Trust has, just three months into the season, smashed its all-time membership record.

The Trust now has 407 members, beating our membership record of 401 during the 2005/06 season, and we are hoping to increase that number over the coming months as we build towards our 500 target. The more members we have, the more sway we hold with the club’s board.

Trust Membership Officer Scott Goulding was delighted that the Trust had broken its membership record.

“I now firmly believe Dale Trust, with one of the biggest shareholders outside the boardroom, has rapidly moved forward as a supporters body and organisation since its formation in January 2004. This amazing membership figure has been achieved in just three months of the season and is a positive recognition of the role fans feel the Trust can play in furthering Rochdale AFC in its seven year plan.

“Indeed, at the last Fans Forum, Director Andrew Kelly urged as many fans to join the Trust as possible as he, along with the club, feel that a strong Trust with a large membership can be harnessed to good effect to help the club achieve its aims, and in particular aid any initiatives that the club might need assistance with amongst its fan base. Added to that the Trust has regular contact with the club’s Board of Directors and the Trust feels it can have more of an input into ideas that effect the fans if the Trust can boast greater numbers amongst its ranks.  

“Finally, we, as the Dale Trust board, are not complacent, as we are still hoping to try and break the 500 membership barrier this season, which would represent about 20% of our hardcore support."

With the new Trust board now in place the Trust is ready to push things forward for the coming season and they now have more contact with the club’s board than ever before.

The Trust is now relying on its members to talk about what they want from the Trust over the rest of the season. The Trust will always be there to represent the fans and strengthen the link between club and supporters.

To join the Trust or to re-new your membership from last season, visit one of the Trust desks in Studds or the Dale Bar on home match days or visit here and download a membership form. 

Dale Trust 2009 Calendar (7 November 2008)

The Dale Trust are pleased to report that work is now complete on the Dale Trust 2009 calendar.

The Trust have been busy approaching local businesses to sponsor each month and Forest Finance, PUBlications, Dunphy Ecclesiastical, www.rochdaleafc.com, Boro Bathrooms, The Church Inn, The Cemetery Hotel, The Dale Bar, Springcourt Autos, Wyatt Morris Golland, Samson Cast Stone and The India Lounge have sponsored all 12 months.

A real boost was provided when the RRG group on Edinburgh Way stepped into act as overall sponsor of the calendar. This sponsorship was netted by The Trust’s new fundraising officer David Gartside who has contacts in the motor industry.

Such has been the excellent support from the local business community the Trust are delighted to announce that this year’s calendar will be on sale soon at just £4, some £6 cheaper than the calendar produced last year by the club.

The theme for our 2009 calendar is iconic moments from our past to be re-lived on the relevant month’s page. Luckily there are only 12 months in a year and it still took some filling!

The calendar will go on sale at the FA Cup away tie at Barnet and will then be available from the Trust Desks in Studds and Dale Bar before home games. You can also reserve a copy by e-mail by contacting us at info@daletrust.org.uk  

We would also urge supporters to patronise all sponsors where possible and we would like to thank DY Sporting and the club’s programme editor, for assistance in providing images.

Buckley voted Ernie Cooksey Player Of The Month for September (5 November 2008)

Youngster Will Buckley has been voted as the Ernie Cooksey Player Of The Month for September after a series of fine displays from the wing. Click here for the full article.

Dale Supporters Trust AGM Report 2008

Dale Supporters Trust welcomed in a new era at their recent AGM as they unveiled the new board to Trust members.

The new board members will be helping to move the Trust forward within the next few months with more events and increasing the Trust’s profile within the club, the supporters and in the media.

There are now 12 members of the Trust board as well as Murray Knight who performs the role of secretary (non-voting). Ian Bailey is the Trust chairman, with Michael Shepherd as treasurer.

The results of the recent election were announced at the AGM and Francis Collins, Scott Goulding, Jarrod Flett, Mohammed Rahman and David Gartside were all welcomed onto the board.

Trust Secretary Murray Knight announced that David Coupe wished to step down from the board to allow Kelvin Finan to join the newcomers. Murray said: “We’d like to thank Dave for his hard work and I think it’s excellent of him to give up his place on the board to allow someone on who can get to meetings and give a more hands-on approach and he wishes it to be known that he will continue helping the Trust behind the scenes.”

Members that attended the AGM, which included the Mayor of Rochdale Councillor Robin Parker, all met the new board members and they mentioned some of the things that they would be helping with, including a revamp of the Trust website and improving our contacts with local businesses.

The full Trust board is now:

Ian Bailey – Chairman
Michael Shepherd – Treasurer
Murray Knight – Secretary
Scott Goulding – Membership Officer
Francis Collins – Exile co-ordinator
Steve Ashworth – Grants officer
Keith Hicks – Community Officer
Peter Brown – Trust desk co-ordinator
Kelvin Finan – Website editor / events co-ordinator
Jarrod Flett – Marketing officer
Mohammed Rahman – Business development officer
Jan Harwood – Media officer
David Gartside – Fundraising officer

Chairman Ian Bailey said on the night: “With the board now in place we want to hear from our members about what you want from the Trust and how you think we can move forward. The Trust is nothing without its members and we are looking forward to pushing forward this season and beyond.”

Dale Supporters Trust Financial Statements For Year Ended 30th June 2008

If you were unable to attend the Trust's 5th AGM held in the Howarth Lounge at Spotland Stadium on Thursday 2nd October 2008, you can now view the full statements here.

Dale Trust Accounts Year Ended June 08 (134 Kb)

Dale Trust Membership Update

Dale Supporters Trust are proud to announce that the current membership for 2008/09 season has now reached 381 (in just the first three months of the season!).

We would like to thank all members for their membership this season, which includes 228 repeat membership & 153 new members. The full breakdown of membership is as follows:-

Adult - 262, Junior - 56, Exile – 63; TOTAL - 381

In addition to the great membership numbers so far, Dale Trust has also had a successful take up on its standing order scheme. £148 per month has been pledged equating to a potential £1,776 per year into the Trust funds. This is in addition to £481 pledged so far in one off donations. It just goes to show what fantastic supporters this club has and everyone on the Dale Supporters Trust board would like to thank you all for your continued backing.

This season the Trust has welcomed several new board members onto its board who wish to work closely with the club and to maintain the good relationship that exists. It will help the Trust cause greatly if more fans can join, and to that end, If not already done so, please consider joining up for this season to try and break the 500 membership barrier which would represent about 20% of our hardcore support.
Fans wanting to join the Trust simply pick-up a membership form from the club shop or Dale Bar / Studd's Bar on match days, and return the completed form and appropriate fee to Rochdale Supporters Trust, PO Box 1907, Rochdale, Lancashire OL16 9EX. or hand it in at one of the match day Trust desks. Alternatively you can join online by clicking here

Stanton scoops August Ernie Award

Nathan Stanton has been voted the Ernie Cooksey player of the month for August. The Dale defender has been a rock at the back over the first month of the season and polled 33 per cent of the vote, whilst closest challenger Clark Keltie received 21 per cent.



August Result:-

Nathan Stanton - 33%

Clark Keltie - 21%

Gary Jones - 16%

Rory McArdle - 16%

Others - 14%

You can now vote for the September Ernie Cooksey Player of the Month award  by clicking here