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None Football But Fascinating..Rochdale Tram Ride (1905)
at 10:39 28 Feb 2014

That really is a good find.

I didn't realise that the old tram network was so extensive throughout town.

Some funny moments in the film as well.

Excellent stuff.
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Trust Ballot
at 12:03 24 Feb 2014

It's a Football League requirement covering all 3 divisions. As far as I know, all clubs have to comply by the start of next season.
Many clubs are already upto the required standards due to new grounds etc, but around 10-12 clubs need to carry out work, and we fall into that category.


Sneaky edit; L2 & L1 clubs.!!!
[Post edited 24 Feb 2014 12:16]
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Trust Ballot
at 10:39 24 Feb 2014

it's not just the bulbs...the cost includes new cabling and electrics. The cost is not per season...it's for the total project. Obviously, replacement bulbs will need to be purchased as and when necessary. I would imagine that replacement bulbs will then be paid for by the Stadium Co, as they are now.

The new Football League regulations come into effect at the start of next season, and if we do not upgrade the lights, the League will impose significant financial penalties on the club (we stand to lose more than the total cost of the work by way of penalty, and we will still need to carry out the upgrade)

Hornets are not governed by the Football League, and thus have no need for the new lights. Therefore, although they will benefit from using them occasionally, they really have no need to contribute...nor do the Rugby League who currently hold shares in the Stadium Co.

As Colin Garlick rightly points in the letter from the club that has been sent out with the ballot papers, it is entirely a matter for Rochdale AFC to upgrade the lights.

However, the club needs to act quickly on this, as it's not just a quick trip to B&Q...there will be a couple of months lead in time once the order is placed.

Finally, regarding who can vote... You have to be a Trust member for this season in order to vote on the matter. If you were not a member when the original money was raised but have recently joined, then you can still vote.
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Trust Ballot
at 22:56 23 Feb 2014

Just to address a few of the questions posed in this thread...

The fact that there remains a sizeable sum of money from the initial fundraising effort is down to the Trust Board acting carefully and not spending the £30k on upgrading the changing facilities at Bowlee quickly. During the period when the Trust drew up plans for the work, the Directors of the football club informed them that Bowlee was no longer suitable for the clubs needs.

Thus, in 2011, the Trust balloted members on what should be done with the funds, and a resounding majority voted to spend the fund on upgrading the pitch covers.
There then followed a long period of testing several manufacturers products...none of which proved entirely suitable for purpose. Following consultations with local clubs and our own groundsmen, the Trust purchased a set of covers which cost far less than the £30k...indeed, thanks to the shrewd investment policy of the Trust their cost was almost met from the accumulated interest on the money, meaning that a large proportion of he fund was still available.

Following consultations with the club and also with supporters, several suggestions for what the Trust should do with the fund were put to the club, who rejected all but the floodlight project.

As previously stated, the club is required by the Football League to upgrade the lights before next season at a cost of approx £75000. They have therefore requested that the Trust assists with a £30000 donation. In return, the club will give 5000 shares to the Trust, which helps spread the ownership of the club amongst it's supporters, and recognises the efforts of all those who helped raise the money originally.

The club has further told the Trust that this is the only option that they want help with at this time...a clear directive of what they want the money to be spent on.

Furthermore, the club has agreed in writing that full credit will be given for the money should suitable training facilities be found in the future, whilst admitting that they do not see a short term solution within the Borough .

One of the reasons that shares are being offered by the club is that the Trust initially was not offered shares for the Bowlee fund, and this resulted in many members being upset, and even deciding to leave the Trust in protest. thus, the Trust Board has tried to appease these lapsed members whilst not costing the club anything, apart from a paper transaction which ultimately spreads the ownership of the club further amongst the fans.

The club has been quite specific in what they want the money to be used for, and the ballot is therefore a straight choice.

Any member who does not agree with what the club are asking for should vote to keep the money in the Trust Investment Account until such time that training facilities are found within the locality.
Otherwise, the club wants you to vote to donate the funds towards the floodlight project.

As a Trust Board member, I feel that future fundraising efforts depend on us utilising monies already collected, especially as it's what the club is asking for us to do.
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Atmosphere in Main Stand
at 22:06 25 Jan 2014

Quite sad to see that his legs have finally given out from carrying that wobbling monstrosity of a belly around for so long.
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Long shot: Sandy ticket needed!
at 12:33 25 Jan 2014

I approached the club on behalf of the trust before the Leeds game. The club had been instructed not to sell tickets to anyone on the day of the match by the Police.

It appears that the same police ruling has been applied to todays game although I have not had confirmation of this.

I would point out that Trust members have been allowed to purchase tickets in the priority period alongside Season Ticket holders for both games...before the tickets went on open sale. This is a decision made by the Club but taken on Police advice.

I will seek clarification from the club, and amend the information on the Trust website. Apologies to anyone who may have been misled by the statement on the Trust Website.
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In doubt?
at 12:07 25 Jan 2014

The pitch was perfect yesterday afternoon, and the groundstaff were Vertidraining the surface as an added precaution. Furthermore, the Spotland pitch has been voted one of the best in the lower leagues by opposition teams who have played on it.

Unless there is a monsoon, there will be no problem.
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Tutte Signs For The Buckets
at 12:01 24 Jan 2014

I actually think he will do very well at bury. But Tutte has obviously had several clashes with authority here, whilst his replacement JK is a model professional, so I'd imagine Hilly will be very pleased with his weeks work.
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Tutte gone
at 22:00 23 Jan 2014

TS usually books a three week holiday but returns home after two.
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Floodlights on...
at 17:57 23 Jan 2014

Could be that the groundstaff are Verti-draining the pitch again as they did before the Leeds game.
Our pitch is in the best condition I can ever remember it being in at this time of the season, which is a credit to the groundsman and his team and also a credit to the club for the large investment they have overseen in the past couple of years.
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Dicker gone
at 13:36 23 Jan 2014

Makes sense for him . Hope he does well down there.
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Dicker is not class.
at 09:30 23 Jan 2014

The lack of football understanding shown by quite a few people on here saddens me.
At 1-0, Plymouth were very much still in the game, albeit down to 10 men.
Dicker came on and did a very good job indeed for us...his short first time passes are an excellent way of tiring out an opposition team, and his pass completion rate is very good.
Yes...in certain games, he is not as suited to L2 as our other midfield players( which is why we have a squad), but some of the criticism he has suffered in this thread is unjust.

As a club, things have not been this good since the promotion season...yet a few still must moan at something. Shame on them.
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I dont believe it
at 20:29 22 Jan 2014

More likely to mean In Acton on the pi55.
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your worst dale eleven
at 10:15 21 Jan 2014

Whilst I agree that Leonard was rubbish, and massively overpaid, I'd argue that Paul Tait was even worse value for money. He was reputed to be on huge money for us, and was anything but prolific. He was also as soft as a kitten, and had the workrate of a Scouse docker in the 70's. Bristol Rovers fans thought he was so poor, they even formed a Paul Tait fan club, producing tongue in cheek t-shirts proclaiming him the be the "goal machine"

Notable other big money earners who were poor performers: Lee Hodges, Paul Williams and Alan Young.
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your worst dale eleven
at 11:00 20 Jan 2014

Crikey...could do a very long list on this one....many of the bad 'uns have been listed, but some have escaped.

In no particular order

Ged Keegan
Paul Heaton
Jason anders
Chris Lee
Billy Boslem (just had to include him...sadly, not many on here will be old enough to remember the comedy he provided)
Simon Copeland
Paul Sparrow
Kieran Durkin
Mark Leonard (has been mentioned before, but surely one of the worst big money players ever? and we signed him twice!!!)
Les Lawrence
Paul Tait (arrrrrrgggghhhhh!!!)
Peter Hampton
John Pender
Alan Young



Enough.....m.u.s.t. l.i.e. d.o.w.n.......
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Good Luck in 4th Round of F a Cup. {From Leeds}
at 10:04 16 Jan 2014

We all know that most Wendies fans will be fine, it's just that your last visit to Spotland left a very poor impression of you as a club.

Fair enough, we gave you a good hiding that day, but there was no excuse to trash our ground and behave all "Billy-big-time" before, during and after the match.

Contrast & compare to the leeds fans, who were extremely good natured before and after our recent match, despite their dubious history.

It's an example that your fans should be aiming to copy. However, having Tango as a role model, I doubt it will be easy.
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Plymouth at Home on the 18th
at 12:26 8 Jan 2014

Here are a couple who weren't popular whilst playing for us, yet who scored against us

Mark Hilditch
Malcolm Brown
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Congratulations on yesterday, and..
at 22:24 5 Jan 2014

I saw them all...I thought the Droylesden game was the worst...at least Telford looked quite good (well, they did against us!!!)

I also went to three inglorious games against Northwich Victoria, culminating in a defeat at Maine Road and a horribly bad tempered game at Altrincham where 4 players were sent off.
Seem to remember us losing to Bangor City at home as well.

Makes days like yesterday all the better. I can only think of one game where our performance has been at such a high level against opposition from the top two levels. We played Norwich in the Cup and drew at Carrow Road, bringing them back home for a replay. We battered them for almost all the game and hit the woodwork three times without scoring. Sadly, we lost the second replay back down there.
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Leeds fans
at 13:28 5 Jan 2014

The Leeds fans in the Ratcliffe before the game were a credit to their club. Plentiful, keen to drink and very humble towards us.

Funnily enough, I sat in my usual seat in the Main Stand, next to 2 Asian lads from Rochdale, who had come to support Leeds. They had never been to Spotland before, and when I enquired as to why, the answer was that we were rubbish...they only like big clubs.

In fairness, they did give us some praise, but left as our second goal went in...before I had the chance to ask them back

In the players lounge after the match, the Leeds fans present were also superbly behaved, and full of compliments towards us. It was a pleasure to chat with them throughout the day, and I'd welcome them back any time. Exactly the opposite of the scum who followed FCUM.
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Congratulations
at 23:00 4 Jan 2014

Really pleased for Flicker. He was jumping up and down with the rest of us when our second goal went in.
Good to see where his heart belongs.
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