Rochdale Supporters Trust

In wishing everyone connected with our club a very happy and prosperous new year, I am conscious that these opening words have not been written, as they have for many years by, Col Cavanah, to whom we owe a huge debt of gratitude for a second long stint as Chair of the Trust. And what a tumultuous period of uncertainty and change he has had to lead us through, with highly admirable steadfastness and commitment to the cause. The sheer volume and quality of work Col has carried out over these past few years cannot be underestimated and he is going to be a very hard act to follow. Thanks for everything, Col – a true titan of the fanbase as a whole, not just the Trust membership.

Other than a few changes in personnel on the Trust board, things will hopefully continue in the same vein. We will continue to work closely with the club board of directors, starting with getting postponed meetings rescheduled, and defining the way the Squad booster fund will work in the coming weeks. We will continue to monitor how the MOU is implemented and get a clear definition of the role of the Trust club director, whilst also working with the club in implementing recommendations from the fan-led review, as reported from the last meeting with the directors. We have arranged to hold a fan meeting ahead of the Kidderminster home game on Saturday 6th January, this will be at 12 noon in the Dale Bar.
We do appreciate that this is not the most suitable method for all fans, but given the timing, it is how we will have to start this initiative until we can work out a meeting/communication method that suits the majority.

Anyone with ideas, requests or constructive comments on any Trust activity is welcome to use any of our official channels; ● By emailing to info@daletrust.co.uk

● In person on home match days from 1:30 / 6:30 at the Trust Desk in the Dale Bar

● Via social media channels on X (Twitter) or Facebook

On 21st December the club held its Annual General Meeting, at which Simon Gauge and Murray Knight were re-elected to the main club board, being directors offering themselves for re-election as per the club articles. The Trust membership voted heavily in favour of both directors being re-elected.

It was a very passionate meeting, with tough questions being asked and equally tough scenarios painted by the directors of the harsh reality of the situation the club finds itself in, in terms of financing operations and attracting credible investment. Meetings with interested parties have been numerous, often overly time-consuming whilst our offer is considered and due diligence carried out. The Trust will continue to work with the club in trying to source potential investors and revenue streams.

On the pitch, December saw us earn 5 valuable points and take an early exit from the FA Trophy at our very first attempt. The squad used against Gateshead in this game was hugely illustrative of just what a great job Jim McNulty is doing in guiding us to a place in the league just outside a play-off position. Inevitably, injuries, suspensions and players moving on will adversely impact future performances, so seeing how the squad can be bolstered during such a period will be a further test of Jim’s skill set. It was particularly pleasing to see Ryan East make his move from Bradford City permanent. This signing has been facilitated by financial support provided by Trust donations.

Boxing Day saw a commendable initiative from the club with £1 match tickets. It is a pity that not all tickets sold were used on the day, but as part of the ticket purchase process, the club collected contact email addresses, and the Trust will be happy to report on what the club has learned from

this experience, what it plans to do next, and how the contact details obtained will be used to market upcoming games and offers.

Finally, January 2024 sees the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Trust. I think it is true to say that it has evolved in a fine fashion over this period, served by a good number of volunteers over these years, who should be proud that we are still here, now the largest single shareholder in the club and with a seat on the main board.

George Brigham
Interim Trust Chair

Here is the latest membership update for 2023. I can confirm there’s been some more renewal activity since my last newsletter update, which we are now 365 from smashing our membership record.🎯

Firstly, I can confirm we are now up to 942 members (31% of Dale’s average home league crowd), which unfortunately is still our lowest membership tally in three seasons. For more info click on Trust Dashboard > analysis, 2023-24 & lapsed tabs.

To Date, we have had
863 Renewing Subscriptions
New Members 79
Lapsed since last year 269.

From some of those subscribing we have received various donations, to use towards Trust activities. We are grateful to one and all

For some reason we have had a higher-than-expected lapsed membership figure, whilst appreciating that some may have progressed from junior to Adult membership it is still a puzzling high figure. We hope that some who have lapsed it may be just an oversite and we would like to welcome you back if you can. For those who are not subscribing this year, we thank you for your past support and hope maybe next season you will be back with us.

I think it is worth reiterating that the Trust is a member-led organisation, from votes to surveys we are driven and act as we are instructed by you. our members, if you are aware of any folk who have not subscribed then there is still time and maybe it’s a nudge that they need!

Finally, a reminder that members 16 and under are free, so if your youngsters, grandkids family and friends fall into that category then they can either sign up online HERE or at the Trust desk in the Dale Bar at any or our Home games

As always you can contact the trust either on
membership@daletrust.co.uk for any membership issues
or at info@daletrust.co.uk for any subject

Remember our Trust director Murray Knight can be contacted directly if you require on
murray@daletrust.co.uk

FOR ALL TRUST NEWS TRUST WEB SITE IS
daletrust.co.uk

FPA Website:
www.rochdalefpa.comAlso, we have very sad news of the passing away of Simon Holden,  ex-Dale player, who featured strongly in the dramatic escape back in the late 1980’s in the days of re-election.

Though there has been much anticipation regarding events etc happening at the club, the Trust continues with its routine work on various issues which were raised pre-season we have condensed the November/December meetings and progressed them into bullet points below, to read the update in conjunction with work and meetings prior click HERE for a full list of our working notes

Continuation Meeting with Rochdale AFC
Meeting date 16/11/23

1. Family section to be agreed with the club

November update: Signs have been put up in the family stand changing the feel and clearly showing that the stand is for family use, and community advertising hoardings have been relocated and removed in readiness for a larger more formal signage denoting the family stand area being put in place. Ryan is trying to get this independently funded but the Trust reps offered to see if additional costs may be something the trust could assist with to cover the cost to help support positive progress to be achieved (this though, is subject to formal Trust board approval)
November update: See item 3 below.

2. At the first meeting club said They are going to talk to Taurus about having a family liaison officer covering each stand who are consistent member of their team covering this area who will be identified.

November update: Pearl Street. CMT/DALETRUST/CLUB looking for a volunteer liaison office/officer who would be a permanent fixture in the family zone, the name fans ambassador was suggested, and all felt this would be best served by a Dale fan, any fan ambassador would have a security steward at hand if needed but idea was that any potential conflictual issues could be handled by the ambassador. Bringing a feeling of “safeness” back to the family area was thought to be a good thing and hopefully, family-orientated fans would feel safe again in that area. The trust has been requested to help advertise and find a volunteer to ensure they are a consistent member of the team.  Roll out into other sands once established with a possible “relaunch “of the area, to be discussed further and progress monitored.
Sandy Lane at this time having a family area was not agreed upon due to logistically managing it in a standing area.
November update: This was not progressed at this meeting but is an item for exploration at our next.

3. Stewards in general desperately need to be better, customer friendly, and look to engage supporters whilst looking to ensure they enforce ground rules, protocols for behaviour on the ground need to be available to all, especially for any family designated area so stewards can enforce the rules if need be. A clear policy on searches needs to be approved and published so all know what the policy is, this is something which families have asked for as a parent often does not get searched but an accompanying adolescent does, clearly not right.

November update: This is ongoing and is being monitored by the club and will be scheduled for future discussions

4. Clear and quickly identified Do’s and Don’ts to be on each gate at the ground this is aimed at what banned items should not be brought in other ground.

Latest December Update: This has now happened. As of December 20^th 2023, Trust has financially backed the production of signage with a 5-year shelf life for a full set of “do’s and Don’ts” signage and should be up for our second home game in the new year

5. The Amnesty suggestion is going to be talked through with the police because some items being placed in the Amnesty box could be illegal items but it has not been dismissed as an idea at this time.

 November update: Discussions are ongoing with the police main concerns are when police are not on duty at the game methods of confiscation and disposal will be difficult, the same would go for Pyrotechnics which in theory would need a suitable disposable method that’s safe and approved.

6. Concerns around drug use in the ground, whilst it was acknowledged that this is a wider societal problem the steward needs to be more vigilant around this area and take action. 

 November update, It is felt that there are some improvements with no club reports, but this is anecdotal and not quantifiable so these issues remain ongoing and being monitored by trust and hopefully the club

7. Community Trust needs to identify what support is needed from the club/trust to help them improve the attendance of young people at the club on match days. The CT and Fans’ trust need to liaise more to see if the fans’ trust can be of help.

November update: This area is still ongoing

8. Club to include marketing as part of the volunteer army to see if we have members of the fan base that could offer help in setting this up.

 November update:  Ongoing, though George reported that there had been some positive response to a Teams meeting since our last meeting discussing the potential of a Volunteer Army” However little movement so far and trust tested the water slightly with little effect Both trust members felt that this is something the Trust and club need to refocus on and will recommend to Trust board that this is a main issue for the incoming new trust board to work on.
Work to aid a better environment for fans in the stadium.

November Update: In further work and discussion with RB from the CT and especially with the Boxing Day game against Fylde in mind and hopefully having new visitors to the ground through the Trust scheme of free tickets, and the club’s £1 special offer, we all were aware that some of the visitors may need additional support to enjoy their game. Ryan explained the services that we have in place for people with needs and requirements via the CMT were far more extensive than the trust reps appreciated. We agreed that the trust could and would further via its social sites and Websites publicise the information for visitors with additional needs, it was also something that we felt could be included in the pre-match information we give to other visiting clubs. Below are links to such key information.
https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2023/june/a-guide-for-disability-season-card-holders/
https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/tickets/visiting-supporters-guide/

9. Dale Youth need to be engaged with:

The Amnesty suggestion is going to be talked through with the police because some items being placed in the Amnesty box could be illegal items but not dismissed at this time.
November update: Discussions are ongoing with the police main concerns are when police are not on duty at the game methods of confiscation are difficult.
Clear signage of what cannot be taken into the ground
November update: Completed and will be seen for the second game of the new year.”
Club with support from the community trust are looking to support the education process rather than simply banning young fans to try and make positive change and continued support. However, the club acknowledge this will need to be subject to the seriousness of the behaviour displayed and could involve short-term exclusions whilst education work is undertaken.
November update: The club have been working hard in this area and is reluctant to put any banning orders in place but recognises some situations will leave the club with no options to do this but wants to emphasise it’s a last resort and is happy to work with supporting agencies to overcome and educate young people that break ground and club rules (The “Do’s and Don’ts”). The Trust reps reemphasised that though we had an “in” to the youth it was a matter of gaining trust and not one of being seen to be potential “fuddy-duddies” going in with a heavy hand, it will take time

Smoking additional item
Club have stated they would like to resolve this long-standing issue and this could include break-out areas at half time but acknowledge that smoking inside the ground cannot be allowed in any area under current legislation.
The possibility of setting up temporary areas outside the stadium will be explored but then the cost of setting this up and stewarded will be undertaken, by George and Ryan
November update:  George is looking to explore the option of the Radcliffe smoking area to help eliminate conflict and rule-breaking which is acknowledged as an ongoing concern.
The club are also looking to explore options in the other stands but acknowledges this may not have a satisfactory conclusion in allowing smoking

For further information on trust activities or to make helpful suggestions then contact the trust at
commercial@daletrust.co.uk