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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium 10:17 - Aug 27 with 21470 viewsColDale

We have been contacted by a large number of Trust members and Dale supporters in the last few weeks with regard to the purchase of Spotland by Rochdale A.F.C., with further enquiries after Keith Hill’s comments after the Bristol City game on Saturday.

Since April, there have been a number of statements and reports that have linked Rochdale A.F.C. with a bid to regain full ownership of Spotland Stadium, with a number of concerns raised throughout August about the role of Rochdale Council in this bid by both the board of directors at Rochdale A.F.C. and even the manager Keith Hill.

The creation of a Stadium Company back in the late 1980’s saw Rochdale A.F.C. retain a 45.5% shareholding in the Stadium, with Rochdale Hornets acquiring an equivalent shareholding and Rochdale Council taking on the remaining 9%. However, financial problems for Rochdale Hornets saw their shareholding transfer to the RFL as a result of a loan, and soon after they entered administration. They eventually were forced to reform and were allowed to play at Spotland.

However, the current three party ownership of Spotland Stadium has seen a significant debt accumulated. We believe the debt currently stands in excess of £600,000 and as things stand, it is increasing year by year. Under the current three party ownership, this debt will continue to grow until the day when it becomes unsustainable and the Stadium enters administration.

It was announced in April of this year, that Rochdale A.F.C. had launched a bid to acquire full ownership of the stadium. By pursuing full ownership of the Stadium, Rochdale A.F.C would take full responsibility for these debts.

Whilst concerns from supporters of Rochdale Hornets are understandable, we can confirm that any deal to take over the ownership of Spotland would include a long term lease at a reduced rent which would allow the continued use of Spotland by Rochdale Hornets. All supporters of Rochdale Hornets can be assured that there is no plan or desire to see them play home games away from Spotland.

It is our belief that earlier in the year, the Council were fully supportive of Rochdale A.F.C.’s bid to buy the Stadium, given the assurances regarding Rochdale Hornets and the Stadium Company debts. Not only that, the belief was that the RFL were willing to do business with Rochdale AFC given the assurances that were being made.

However, it would appear that the change in leadership at the Council no longer seems to be backing this plan. As such, we are asking questions about who’s best interest they are acting in. The new Council Leader Richard Farnell is a Rochdale Hornets sponsor and the man he placed in charge of the Stadium Company — Allen Brett — is a former Hornets director. Furthermore, after taking on the position on June 4th, Allen Brett spoke on BBC Radio on August denied any knowledge of a Stadium purchase claiming to be “flabberghasted” despite the bid being on the cards for a number of months and front page news in the Rochdale Observer.

We can confirm that one Trust member has already contacted the acting Chief Executive of the Council in the past week over a number of concerns regarding Allen Brett’s suitability for the position of Stadium Company Chairman.

We are very concerned as a representative body for Rochdale A.F.C. supporters that it would appear that the serving members of the Council are not acting in a way that is in the best interest of the people they represent, many of whom are supporters of Rochdale A.F.C. and as such, we as a Trust would like answers to the following questions:

*Given that Allen Brett has previously been a director of Rochdale Hornets and has represented their interests on the Stadium Company, does he retain the impartiality required to be Chairman of the Stadium Company?

*Furthermore, is the “Brett Loan” that is featured in the latest set of accounts for Rochdale Hornets in any way related to Allen Brett and his previous time as a director? Does this bring up a conflict of interest?

* Given that Allen Brett’s previous spell in charge of the Stadium Company approximately ten years ago saw non payment of rent to the stadium company over at least a three year period ( http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/other-sport/stadium-row-pits-club-a and Stadium Company debt reach record levels at the time, in what way does he remain a suitable candidate for the position?

* Again, we question his suitability for the role given he assumed the role of Chairman of the Stadium Company on 4th June, how could it be possible that over two months later, he is quoted as having no knowledge of RAFC’s bid for the stadium on Radio Manchester when there is evidence proving it had been on the Stadium Company agenda for a number of months previous to this? Surely at the very least, in becoming a director of the Stadium Company, there is a legal responsibility to do due diligence on that company?

*We are aware that some supporters have attempted to contact Allen Brett over these concerns. Why has there been no response to these emails give that he has been elected to represent the people?
Given that Rochdale Council retains a 9% stake in the stadium which carries a debt in excess of £600,000, in what way do the Council have plans to act upon behalf of its council tax payers to prevent the stadium entering administration as a result of this debt ?

* Given that Rochdale A.F.C is looking at a guaranteed long term lease for Rochdale Hornets. what other plans does Rochdale Council have to ensure the future of professional Rugby League within the town?

* In a town which continually attracts extremely negative media attention, why is the serving Council acting against the interests of one of the town’s biggest success stories in recent years?

We would like to invite all our members and Dale supporters to contact their local Councillors ( http://democracy.rochdale.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx?VW=TABLE&PIC=1&FN ) and ask for their answers to the above questions.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 17:53 - Aug 27 with 3116 viewslove_the_dale

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 16:55 - Aug 27 by ColDale

http://www.co-operative.coop/Membership/Area%20Committee%20Elections%202012/Cand

Page 10 ^^^

This post has been edited by an administrator


The list of directors given on Company Check for the original Rochdale Hornets Football Club Company Ltd. only go back as far as 1992, so if he was a director of that company, it must have been before that date.

Company Check says it has no information and no accounts filed for Rochdale Hornets Rugby Football League Club Society Ltd., which was incorporated on 29/01/2009, so presumably this is the company he was elected to the board of.

Apologies for the misinformation.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 21:02 - Aug 27 with 2828 viewsVespa

From the OP

"Whilst concerns from supporters of Rochdale Hornets are understandable, we can confirm that any deal to take over the ownership of Spotland would include a long term lease at a reduced rent which would allow the continued use of Spotland by Rochdale Hornets. All supporters of Rochdale Hornets can be assured that there is no plan or desire to see them play home games away from Spotland."

"Reduced rent?" Does this mean Hornets will be getting a discount?

Up the Dale, C'mon Hornets

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 21:30 - Aug 27 with 2771 viewsD_Alien

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 21:02 - Aug 27 by Vespa

From the OP

"Whilst concerns from supporters of Rochdale Hornets are understandable, we can confirm that any deal to take over the ownership of Spotland would include a long term lease at a reduced rent which would allow the continued use of Spotland by Rochdale Hornets. All supporters of Rochdale Hornets can be assured that there is no plan or desire to see them play home games away from Spotland."

"Reduced rent?" Does this mean Hornets will be getting a discount?


I've proposed this in another thread, so welcome it.

A few bob less from Hornets as a sign of goodwill might go a long way in securing the stadium for the Dale, with the potential for income generation that could involve. Plus, a relatively small rent that gets paid is a damn sight more than a more onerous rent that doesn't.

Poll: What are you planning to do v Newport

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 22:03 - Aug 27 with 2669 viewsnordenblue

Reduced rate "may" increase the chance of them actually paying their rent
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 08:28 - Aug 28 with 2408 viewsaleanddale

What is required is 3 parties all sat around a table prepared to trade a concession or two for the good of all concerned!!

No Egos

No Stubborn barstewards

No vested interets.

there are obvious benefits for Hornets and the council if the right people can make some tough but ulimately sensible decisons.

Council get to write of a huge debt and not have a liability hanging over them.

Hornets ( agree a reduced rent thats actually paid is probably best ) and give them a contract thats water tight on what they can and cant do for the next however many years.

Then the football club can start to plan properly for the future. ( one that includes Hornets as tennants ).

So would the council and Hornets play ball??
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:02 - Aug 28 with 2368 viewsTalkingSutty

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 08:28 - Aug 28 by aleanddale

What is required is 3 parties all sat around a table prepared to trade a concession or two for the good of all concerned!!

No Egos

No Stubborn barstewards

No vested interets.

there are obvious benefits for Hornets and the council if the right people can make some tough but ulimately sensible decisons.

Council get to write of a huge debt and not have a liability hanging over them.

Hornets ( agree a reduced rent thats actually paid is probably best ) and give them a contract thats water tight on what they can and cant do for the next however many years.

Then the football club can start to plan properly for the future. ( one that includes Hornets as tennants ).

So would the council and Hornets play ball??


That's an absolute load of common sense with no bitterness involved, something Brett and Farnell will absolutely hate.
I was listening to Radio Manchester yesterday and Salford Council , one councillor in particular, was being investigated for the amount of public money they have diverted into Salford City Reds Rugby League club. Seems Brett isn't the only dodgy character around.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:16 - Aug 28 with 2337 viewsSuddenLad

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:02 - Aug 28 by TalkingSutty

That's an absolute load of common sense with no bitterness involved, something Brett and Farnell will absolutely hate.
I was listening to Radio Manchester yesterday and Salford Council , one councillor in particular, was being investigated for the amount of public money they have diverted into Salford City Reds Rugby League club. Seems Brett isn't the only dodgy character around.


Salford Council have just chopped public spending by millions, affecting services for the elderly and libraries, swimming baths and leisure centres and at the same time, are pumping £154,000 into Salford City Reds to meet the match day costs of the club.

To say some Salford residents were 'pissed off' would be an understatement, hence the probing questions.

The Mayor who was responsible for making the decision has said he would "do it all over again, all day, every day" if he had the same decision to make again.

Meanwhile, the people of Salford are financially propping up the Rugby Club whilst other residents are losing vital services because vital funding is cut.

Sounds familiar.................

“It is easier to fool people, than to convince them that they have been fooled”

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:18 - Aug 28 with 2337 viewsDalenet

I believe that Hornets have just a made a profit for the last financial year. There is no suggestion that they haven't been paying their rent in recent years. So they have no reason to be anxious - but the RFL have no reason to give up what they have acquired either. What is stopping the RFL giving their shares back to Hornets in the future if they thought that they were being well run and repaid their debt to the RFL? Not sure RAFC have a bargaining tool at all - especially if the council don't play. And remember the council only own 10% - so only have 10% of the debt. And if the stadium company go into administration in the future the debt gets written off.

I can't see where the bargaining power is for RAFC to be honest
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:38 - Aug 28 with 2314 viewsSuddenLad

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:18 - Aug 28 by Dalenet

I believe that Hornets have just a made a profit for the last financial year. There is no suggestion that they haven't been paying their rent in recent years. So they have no reason to be anxious - but the RFL have no reason to give up what they have acquired either. What is stopping the RFL giving their shares back to Hornets in the future if they thought that they were being well run and repaid their debt to the RFL? Not sure RAFC have a bargaining tool at all - especially if the council don't play. And remember the council only own 10% - so only have 10% of the debt. And if the stadium company go into administration in the future the debt gets written off.

I can't see where the bargaining power is for RAFC to be honest


RMBC hold all the trump cards because they hold the 10% controlling interest. That said, they (or certain members of RMBC) have previously made decisions favouring one interested party, to the detriment and without the knowledge, of the other.

The fact that the RFL 'acquired' their shares in 'dubious circumstances' should mean that their very possession of them should be challenged anyway.

How can RMBC be trusted to act in the interest of both parties when their track record appears to suggest the opposite.

“It is easier to fool people, than to convince them that they have been fooled”

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:41 - Aug 28 with 2311 viewsisitme

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:16 - Aug 28 by SuddenLad

Salford Council have just chopped public spending by millions, affecting services for the elderly and libraries, swimming baths and leisure centres and at the same time, are pumping £154,000 into Salford City Reds to meet the match day costs of the club.

To say some Salford residents were 'pissed off' would be an understatement, hence the probing questions.

The Mayor who was responsible for making the decision has said he would "do it all over again, all day, every day" if he had the same decision to make again.

Meanwhile, the people of Salford are financially propping up the Rugby Club whilst other residents are losing vital services because vital funding is cut.

Sounds familiar.................


It suits their political agenda to make cuts to libraries etc but still make large payouts to consultancy firms and offer six figure salaries to council executives. That way they can blame someone else, yet still feather their nests and the nests of their acolytes.

The chief executive of Rochdale Council jumped ship to Salford and increased his wage from £130,000 to £150,000. This was after Colin Lambert wanted to increase his wage by£40,000 before he left, which was quite rightly vetoed. It is not as if he is leading a successful council in a city the size of Manchester or Liverpool is it.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:45 - Aug 28 with 2301 viewsBigKindo

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:16 - Aug 28 by SuddenLad

Salford Council have just chopped public spending by millions, affecting services for the elderly and libraries, swimming baths and leisure centres and at the same time, are pumping £154,000 into Salford City Reds to meet the match day costs of the club.

To say some Salford residents were 'pissed off' would be an understatement, hence the probing questions.

The Mayor who was responsible for making the decision has said he would "do it all over again, all day, every day" if he had the same decision to make again.

Meanwhile, the people of Salford are financially propping up the Rugby Club whilst other residents are losing vital services because vital funding is cut.

Sounds familiar.................


........ and didn't the council Strategic Director Martin Vickers who was involved in granting the £ 154k resign, was given a golden handshake by the Council only to reappear sometime later as an employee of the Rugby Club!
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:48 - Aug 28 with 2292 viewsisitme

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:45 - Aug 28 by BigKindo

........ and didn't the council Strategic Director Martin Vickers who was involved in granting the £ 154k resign, was given a golden handshake by the Council only to reappear sometime later as an employee of the Rugby Club!


He already had the job lined up with the rugby club before he granted public funds.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:50 - Aug 28 with 2288 viewsSuddenLad

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:48 - Aug 28 by isitme

He already had the job lined up with the rugby club before he granted public funds.


And the 'golden handshake' was 'enhanced' in lieu of giving notice, 'for the sake of expediency' and so that he could take up his new job 'in a matter of days'.

Good stuff when you're 'all in it together'.

“It is easier to fool people, than to convince them that they have been fooled”

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:55 - Aug 28 with 2261 viewsisitme

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:50 - Aug 28 by SuddenLad

And the 'golden handshake' was 'enhanced' in lieu of giving notice, 'for the sake of expediency' and so that he could take up his new job 'in a matter of days'.

Good stuff when you're 'all in it together'.


I thought it was only the evil Torys who 'were all in together'?

This guy in Salford was a Labour Councillor. Did you not know that they are whiter than white?
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 10:01 - Aug 28 with 2235 viewsColDale

I've had two responses so far from Ian Duckworth and Jane Gartside.

There's two angles to this whole thing.

One is the suitability of the person put in charge of the Stadium Company by the council. In is previous tenure in charge, widespread non payment of rent was tolerated over a number of years, and his neutrality can rightly be justified.

The second angle is the change in support to our buy out. Until June 4th, the Council were seemingly very much in favour of this plan. But a change of individual (who's suitability is rightly being questioned both in terms of competence and neutrality) has led to the council seemingly no longer supporting this plan.

If, as has been suggested on these pages over the past couple of days, that the council has been in talks with the RFL behind the Football Club's back, then that should be taken into account at the ballot box next time round. There can be no business plan which could justify any other proposed plan, and any use of public money to back cannot be even considered.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 11:40 - Aug 28 with 2085 viewsAlbert_Whitehurst

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 09:38 - Aug 28 by SuddenLad

RMBC hold all the trump cards because they hold the 10% controlling interest. That said, they (or certain members of RMBC) have previously made decisions favouring one interested party, to the detriment and without the knowledge, of the other.

The fact that the RFL 'acquired' their shares in 'dubious circumstances' should mean that their very possession of them should be challenged anyway.

How can RMBC be trusted to act in the interest of both parties when their track record appears to suggest the opposite.


It's 9%

Also, isn't there some historical system in place where, for anything to be passed, 75% of the stadium company have to agree?

...so only Hornets and Dale agreeing together as a minimum would ever see anything getting done.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 12:15 - Aug 28 with 2035 viewsVespa

Couple of questions, probably naive but serious ones anyway.

How does giving Hornets a discounted rent actuslly help the finances of stadium company? Surely reducing revenue would in fact make make it harder for the Stadium Co' to cover operating cost, meet interest payments and reduce debt. From the perspective of the stadium co' wouldn't a rent increase be more appropriate?

And Col....

Just to play Devil's advocate.
When you say "There can be no business plan which could justify any other proposed plan, and any use of public money to back cannot be even considered." If there was a business plan that utilised Spotland in such a way that brought many more jobs and more money into the Borough would this better from a Council and rate payer perspective, even if it impacted negatively on Hornets and the Dale?
[Post edited 28 Aug 2014 12:22]

Up the Dale, C'mon Hornets

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 12:39 - Aug 28 with 1970 viewsjudd

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 12:15 - Aug 28 by Vespa

Couple of questions, probably naive but serious ones anyway.

How does giving Hornets a discounted rent actuslly help the finances of stadium company? Surely reducing revenue would in fact make make it harder for the Stadium Co' to cover operating cost, meet interest payments and reduce debt. From the perspective of the stadium co' wouldn't a rent increase be more appropriate?

And Col....

Just to play Devil's advocate.
When you say "There can be no business plan which could justify any other proposed plan, and any use of public money to back cannot be even considered." If there was a business plan that utilised Spotland in such a way that brought many more jobs and more money into the Borough would this better from a Council and rate payer perspective, even if it impacted negatively on Hornets and the Dale?
[Post edited 28 Aug 2014 12:22]


With the revenue that we'll generate from Saturday's visit of the Bradford massive, we can afford anything.

Poll: What is it to be then?

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 12:48 - Aug 28 with 1960 viewsKenBoon

"If there was a business plan that utilised Spotland in such a way that brought many more jobs and more money into the Borough would this better from a Council and rate payer perspective, even if it impacted negatively on Hornets and the Dale?"

Building a massive Waitrose (Bamford is 300-and-something best place to live in the UK) would 'utilise' Spotland in a way that brought more money and jobs to the borough, but it's a sporting venue, not a supermarket, housing estate or the United Nations' Norvun HQ. Can a self-sustaining Hornets afford half the stadium and invest in it to make it fit for a 21st century purpose? Maybe. They certainly could if the remainder of One Direction who aren't at Doncaster, decide they love Rugby League and want to play for Hornets.
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 12:52 - Aug 28 with 1951 viewsColDale

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 12:15 - Aug 28 by Vespa

Couple of questions, probably naive but serious ones anyway.

How does giving Hornets a discounted rent actuslly help the finances of stadium company? Surely reducing revenue would in fact make make it harder for the Stadium Co' to cover operating cost, meet interest payments and reduce debt. From the perspective of the stadium co' wouldn't a rent increase be more appropriate?

And Col....

Just to play Devil's advocate.
When you say "There can be no business plan which could justify any other proposed plan, and any use of public money to back cannot be even considered." If there was a business plan that utilised Spotland in such a way that brought many more jobs and more money into the Borough would this better from a Council and rate payer perspective, even if it impacted negatively on Hornets and the Dale?
[Post edited 28 Aug 2014 12:22]


the difference is bringing the stadium under one ownership would allow it to be developed. It's been an almost impossible situation where all three parties are needed to agree to any changes - even if its giving a room a lick of paint. And let's face it, we're paying for any needed improvements as it is at this moment.

Hornets is better than no Hornets, and the whole thing would certainly be easier with their backing. Like I've repeatedly said, what would be the problem with a fair rent paying Hornets playing at a Stadium owned by Dale?

And to respond to devil's advocate, the role of the stadium is to provide sporting facilities.its primary aim should never be about bringing in money or jobs and it should never be to the detriment of the two sporting teams. Anything it can bring in should be seen as a bonus and to help with the running costs.

With the debt as it stands (and growing day by day), it needs someone to stand up and take responsibility for it. I'd assume that the RFL (or Hornets) have £300,000+ knocking around ready to stump up their share, and given the Council have been asked to knock £45,000,000 off their budget, can they justify shelling out £60-70,000 for their share of the debt?
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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 13:27 - Aug 28 with 1872 viewsjudd

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 12:52 - Aug 28 by ColDale

the difference is bringing the stadium under one ownership would allow it to be developed. It's been an almost impossible situation where all three parties are needed to agree to any changes - even if its giving a room a lick of paint. And let's face it, we're paying for any needed improvements as it is at this moment.

Hornets is better than no Hornets, and the whole thing would certainly be easier with their backing. Like I've repeatedly said, what would be the problem with a fair rent paying Hornets playing at a Stadium owned by Dale?

And to respond to devil's advocate, the role of the stadium is to provide sporting facilities.its primary aim should never be about bringing in money or jobs and it should never be to the detriment of the two sporting teams. Anything it can bring in should be seen as a bonus and to help with the running costs.

With the debt as it stands (and growing day by day), it needs someone to stand up and take responsibility for it. I'd assume that the RFL (or Hornets) have £300,000+ knocking around ready to stump up their share, and given the Council have been asked to knock £45,000,000 off their budget, can they justify shelling out £60-70,000 for their share of the debt?


It's a bigger worry, I suppose, given Brett's links with the Co-Operative and their desire to open new stores, especially in the town of their birth.

Poll: What is it to be then?

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 13:35 - Aug 28 with 1846 viewsChaffRAFC

The Co-Operative is on it's arse. They bought out Somerfield to try and become a leading Supermarket business and saw their arses over it because they just cannot compete so now all these bigger ex Somerfield stores are up for sale (like my Royton store, Milnrow and Littleborough) and they're doing this in a bid to go back to building smaller convenience stores likes Rooley Moor etc.

If I hadn't seen such riches, I could live with being poor

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 13:37 - Aug 28 with 1837 viewsjudd

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 13:35 - Aug 28 by ChaffRAFC

The Co-Operative is on it's arse. They bought out Somerfield to try and become a leading Supermarket business and saw their arses over it because they just cannot compete so now all these bigger ex Somerfield stores are up for sale (like my Royton store, Milnrow and Littleborough) and they're doing this in a bid to go back to building smaller convenience stores likes Rooley Moor etc.


Spotland would make an ideal consolidation store or even a regional DC.

I fear the worst.

Poll: What is it to be then?

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 13:52 - Aug 28 with 1807 viewsVespa

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 13:37 - Aug 28 by judd

Spotland would make an ideal consolidation store or even a regional DC.

I fear the worst.


If Spotland was a community asset there could be no redevelopment that changed it's use as a sports stadium. I can only see this helping the Dale as reduced demand for the council held share must also reduce their value and make them cheaper to buy.

Up the Dale, C'mon Hornets

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Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 13:57 - Aug 28 with 1785 viewsD_Alien

Trust statement: Spotland Stadium on 10:01 - Aug 28 by ColDale

I've had two responses so far from Ian Duckworth and Jane Gartside.

There's two angles to this whole thing.

One is the suitability of the person put in charge of the Stadium Company by the council. In is previous tenure in charge, widespread non payment of rent was tolerated over a number of years, and his neutrality can rightly be justified.

The second angle is the change in support to our buy out. Until June 4th, the Council were seemingly very much in favour of this plan. But a change of individual (who's suitability is rightly being questioned both in terms of competence and neutrality) has led to the council seemingly no longer supporting this plan.

If, as has been suggested on these pages over the past couple of days, that the council has been in talks with the RFL behind the Football Club's back, then that should be taken into account at the ballot box next time round. There can be no business plan which could justify any other proposed plan, and any use of public money to back cannot be even considered.


If Dale ownership of the stadium comes down to an issue at the ballot box, rather than something that can be pursued independently, we're stuffed. 90-odd% of the town aren't interested.

Some means of applying pressure so the council is able to revert to it's pre-4 June position has got to be found. The "fit and proper person" route seems the most likely course but that could take some time. I'm probably just re-iterating the bleeding obvious, but it's very frustrating. What we can't do is just let this issue fall into abeyance again now that some momentum has been restored following Hilly's remarks.

Aleanddales suggestion of a meeting between all the parties (whether they've got any common sense or not) must surely be another step to be explored - is there nothing in the Stadium Company articles that can require this to happen?

Poll: What are you planning to do v Newport

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