Picture the scene.......

.....Saturday 18th August, and Dale run out of the tunnel for the opening home game of the centenary season, and are met with three sides of the ground packed out with black and white. Dale fans everywhere, all showing their support for the club in this special season by embracing the change of colours from blue to Black and White.

Visually, it will have a massive impact on the players and give them a lift for what will be a crucial home fixture. It will be massively noticeable, whilst they are used to seeing stands that are predominantly blue with plenty of other colours scattered about, they will just be met black and white everywhere.

As we said, it will be like having a wall behind both goals and in the main stand. Young, old, male, female. Dale supporters all committing themselves to the revolution and will undoubtedly provide a massive lift to the players as they run out for this first home fixture.

What we want is to get as many Dale supporters in the ground as possible for that opening home match against Chester City, all wearing black and white. Whether it be the new home kit, the Toffs kit, or anything else that you may have lurking around your wardrobe at home. Even if all you can manage is an 1980's Juventus shirt with "Rush 9" on the back, it will do.

Ideally, we'd like as many fans as possible wearing the new kit or the Toffs kit. The home kit has proved to be very successful so far, and it's pretty much impossible to venture anywhere within the town and not see one of the new shirts. Have no idea about sales of the shirt, but you'd have to think that it's broke all records so far, and will continue to do so. if you've not already got your centenary shirt, you can purchase one at the club shop or by buying one online. Click here to visit the online club shop.

The Toffs shirt is expected to arrive in the club shop in the next few days, and is being widely anticipated by many Dale fans. The club has received plenty of advanced orders for the retro looking shirt, and no doubt there will be lots more interest when it hits the racks in the club shop. Again it will be available online when the stock has arrived.

Now of course, we appreciate that wearing the club kit might not be to everybody's taste. And having shelled out for the season tickets, spending more money on club merchandise might be too much for you. But we don't want to exclude anyone from this. So if you're can't or won't wear the club kits, all we ask is that you turn up at Spotland wearing something which is either black and white or both.

This season has the potential to be something very special indeed. Season ticket sales are at an all time high, there's new Dale shirts everywhere you look and the feelgood factor is very much in evidence. We've spent all season waiting for this to come round, but we've got a part to play too.

So let's make sure now that we're prepared for this first home game. Get yourself kitted out for this game, tell your friends, tell your family and spread the word to anyone who'll listen. And even if they don't listen, tell them again that bit louder until they do listen.

We are on the edge of something happening. Make sure you're involved.