| Update on the pitch 12:23 - Nov 6 with 50820 views | LeanneConnolly |
Please see the below sent to members of the CAB by Jamie Willoughby who has given us permission to share.
"My main message is to reassure all fans that this issue has the 100% focus of the Club, the board and the ownership group. There has understandably been much speculation amongst fans about what action should or could be taken at this point. We are looking at all available options. Some of the more extreme options have significant technical, logistical and/or regulatory challenges associated with them (and in some cases all three of these!) but we are not ruling anything out.
We are working through all of the possibilities with the various 3rd parties involved to assess feasibility. If we consider that any of the options are feasible / deliverable and will materially improve our position, we have the support of the majority ownership group to proceed with them.
In the meantime, we continue to carry out remedial work to the pitch and manage the current situation as best we can"
[Post edited 6 Nov 12:26]
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| Update on the pitch on 13:02 - Nov 6 with 15726 views | 442Dale |
Excellent communication. Thanks to the CAB for their role in sharing this too. |  |
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| Update on the pitch on 16:10 - Nov 6 with 15445 views | Drigdale |
Agree its a good piece of communication.
Also reassuring to read that once options have been considered that it has the support of the majority ownership group. | | | |
| Update on the pitch on 00:48 - Nov 7 with 14959 views | TalkingSutty |
Thanks Leanne for posting this update from Jamie. |  | | |
| Update on the pitch on 10:39 - Nov 7 with 14679 views | RooleyMoorBlue |
Why has little been done since the Southend game was postponed? It's glaringly obvious to everyone that the problem isn't going away and if we get more postponements do we risk being penalised for not having a pitch fit for purpose?
If we get another wet winter we could end up not playing a home game for months, similar to the late 70's when we didn't play a home game for 3 months. Back then it was proper winter weather and they didn't call games off unless the conditions were properly unplayable, unlike now when you only need a puddle to call it off.
Another couple of postponements and we can kiss promotion goodbye. Last season I noticed sand again being used in parts which for obvious reasons exacerbate the problem. I know we are penniless and the solution is out of our financial reach, plus halfway through the season the solution is a no go, but 2 months after the Southend farce, we are even further away from sorting it out. Surely someone somewhere knows what temporary fix we can organise.
I think the best solution would be to ground share with someone whilst the work to rectify the problems once and for all were undertaken. Better that than getting penalised by the National League and maybe a points deduction.
Answers on a postcard please 🥺 |  | | |
| Update on the pitch on 11:01 - Nov 7 with 14624 views | TVOS1907 |
| Update on the pitch on 10:39 - Nov 7 by RooleyMoorBlue |
Why has little been done since the Southend game was postponed? It's glaringly obvious to everyone that the problem isn't going away and if we get more postponements do we risk being penalised for not having a pitch fit for purpose?
If we get another wet winter we could end up not playing a home game for months, similar to the late 70's when we didn't play a home game for 3 months. Back then it was proper winter weather and they didn't call games off unless the conditions were properly unplayable, unlike now when you only need a puddle to call it off.
Another couple of postponements and we can kiss promotion goodbye. Last season I noticed sand again being used in parts which for obvious reasons exacerbate the problem. I know we are penniless and the solution is out of our financial reach, plus halfway through the season the solution is a no go, but 2 months after the Southend farce, we are even further away from sorting it out. Surely someone somewhere knows what temporary fix we can organise.
I think the best solution would be to ground share with someone whilst the work to rectify the problems once and for all were undertaken. Better that than getting penalised by the National League and maybe a points deduction.
Answers on a postcard please 🥺 |
As per James' question the other day, why do people keep mentioning a points' deduction, as there is NO precedent for this in either the EFL or NL.
I'm sure, if anything, the NL will be keen to help Dale get their games on, whether at Spotland or elsewhere.
A couple of seasons ago, Wealdstone and Halifax kept getting games called off in the second half of the campaign. Wealdstone eventually fitted their matches in (they had to play Sat, Tues, Thu, Sat in one week, I think), while Halifax ended up playing at Accrington and Chesterfield for a couple of games. Neither club received points' deductions, or were threatened with them, to my knowledge. |  |
| You mean you STILL haven't worked out why some posts get down-ticked? |
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| Update on the pitch on 12:03 - Nov 7 with 14457 views | Dale_4_Life |
Also...
We are not penniless - but there is a budget and the purse strings are closely monitored by people who know how to account.
Southend was a warning sign.. Scunthorpe on Tuesday was like reality biting.
I think additional resource will be thrown at this winter (My own thought) I would hope this would include remedial drainage work combined with a more robust pitch covering plan that is followed obsessively.
A full appraisal by drainage and pitch experts over the next 3 months and then significant drainage work to be completed when our season ends would be my bet. [Post edited 7 Nov 12:06]
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| Update on the pitch on 12:05 - Nov 7 with 14450 views | TalkingSutty |
| Update on the pitch on 10:39 - Nov 7 by RooleyMoorBlue |
Why has little been done since the Southend game was postponed? It's glaringly obvious to everyone that the problem isn't going away and if we get more postponements do we risk being penalised for not having a pitch fit for purpose?
If we get another wet winter we could end up not playing a home game for months, similar to the late 70's when we didn't play a home game for 3 months. Back then it was proper winter weather and they didn't call games off unless the conditions were properly unplayable, unlike now when you only need a puddle to call it off.
Another couple of postponements and we can kiss promotion goodbye. Last season I noticed sand again being used in parts which for obvious reasons exacerbate the problem. I know we are penniless and the solution is out of our financial reach, plus halfway through the season the solution is a no go, but 2 months after the Southend farce, we are even further away from sorting it out. Surely someone somewhere knows what temporary fix we can organise.
I think the best solution would be to ground share with someone whilst the work to rectify the problems once and for all were undertaken. Better that than getting penalised by the National League and maybe a points deduction.
Answers on a postcard please 🥺 |
The owners of the club aren't penniless and they haven't suggested the solution is out of their financial reach...where have you got that information from? It's the timescale that has hindered the solution, the time to replace the pitch was last Summer but there was still uncertainty as to whether we stayed at Spotland or relocated elsewhere in the Town. The Ogdens/ Club have invested a lot of money in the playing squad, it's not a fluke that we are amongst the best teams in the league. They have also upgraded the 1907 lounge and have other plans in the pipeline...not sure why you think we're penniless. We have very wealthy owners, like a lot of other clubs, we're fortunate. Nobody is to blame, it's just a set of circumstances that have worked against us, maybe the three year plan might have to be extended to a four year plan because of the pitch situation. It is what it is. Jamie Willoughby's update assured the fanbase that every avenue is being explored, that's brilliant and we can't ask for anymore than that. [Post edited 7 Nov 12:17]
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| Update on the pitch on 12:13 - Nov 7 with 14375 views | dingdangblue |
| Update on the pitch on 10:39 - Nov 7 by RooleyMoorBlue |
Why has little been done since the Southend game was postponed? It's glaringly obvious to everyone that the problem isn't going away and if we get more postponements do we risk being penalised for not having a pitch fit for purpose?
If we get another wet winter we could end up not playing a home game for months, similar to the late 70's when we didn't play a home game for 3 months. Back then it was proper winter weather and they didn't call games off unless the conditions were properly unplayable, unlike now when you only need a puddle to call it off.
Another couple of postponements and we can kiss promotion goodbye. Last season I noticed sand again being used in parts which for obvious reasons exacerbate the problem. I know we are penniless and the solution is out of our financial reach, plus halfway through the season the solution is a no go, but 2 months after the Southend farce, we are even further away from sorting it out. Surely someone somewhere knows what temporary fix we can organise.
I think the best solution would be to ground share with someone whilst the work to rectify the problems once and for all were undertaken. Better that than getting penalised by the National League and maybe a points deduction.
Answers on a postcard please 🥺 |
Well they are trying to drill holes in the pitch so that is something. I was disappointed to see puddles on the photograph the other day when the 10 o'clock announcement was the groundstaff would be working on these areas. Surely puddles can be removed in 3-4 hours? Are our groundstaff upto the job of maintaining a top quality pitch? Or is it just a case of pray it doesn't rain and hope for the best? Funnily enough we've had little to no rain since Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and if we were at home tomorrow we'd be playing! As I've said previously I'd get rid of the covers - we were told they wouldn't work and that is the case. It is still waterlogged with them being used - at least if they aren't on the club can actually see the pitch and where the problems are building up. I have been reading a bit about gravel bands and how they can help with our problem but also if the problem is more with the primary drains then gravel bands would be useless. Hopefully the club are seeking top experts in this field (pardon the pun). They need to make quick decisions going forward - incidentally the weather forecast leading upto next week/weekend isn't great again with various amounts of daily showers - hopefully not too many big downpours. |  |
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| Update on the pitch on 12:27 - Nov 7 with 14365 views | MAK |
| Update on the pitch on 12:13 - Nov 7 by dingdangblue |
Well they are trying to drill holes in the pitch so that is something. I was disappointed to see puddles on the photograph the other day when the 10 o'clock announcement was the groundstaff would be working on these areas. Surely puddles can be removed in 3-4 hours? Are our groundstaff upto the job of maintaining a top quality pitch? Or is it just a case of pray it doesn't rain and hope for the best? Funnily enough we've had little to no rain since Tuesday night/Wednesday morning and if we were at home tomorrow we'd be playing! As I've said previously I'd get rid of the covers - we were told they wouldn't work and that is the case. It is still waterlogged with them being used - at least if they aren't on the club can actually see the pitch and where the problems are building up. I have been reading a bit about gravel bands and how they can help with our problem but also if the problem is more with the primary drains then gravel bands would be useless. Hopefully the club are seeking top experts in this field (pardon the pun). They need to make quick decisions going forward - incidentally the weather forecast leading upto next week/weekend isn't great again with various amounts of daily showers - hopefully not too many big downpours. |
Yeah, at 7 to 8 days out you begin to get a good idea on the 'flavour' of the weather to be expected but not the exact details. Unfortunately, any signal for a break to drier conditions has slowly disappeared over the last few days and late next week and into the following week now looks pretty unsettled and possibly quite grim at times as a battle sets up between cold to our north and warmth to the south. I really hope it doesn't happen but we could get stuck in the middle for a few days. All subject to change of course at this timescale and I'm sure the club are more than aware. | | | |
| Update on the pitch on 23:27 - Nov 7 with 13800 views | Dalenet |
| Update on the pitch on 12:27 - Nov 7 by MAK |
Yeah, at 7 to 8 days out you begin to get a good idea on the 'flavour' of the weather to be expected but not the exact details. Unfortunately, any signal for a break to drier conditions has slowly disappeared over the last few days and late next week and into the following week now looks pretty unsettled and possibly quite grim at times as a battle sets up between cold to our north and warmth to the south. I really hope it doesn't happen but we could get stuck in the middle for a few days. All subject to change of course at this timescale and I'm sure the club are more than aware. |
And Bury, Owdum, Accy and FC United are all at home on the 15th - the day we are supposed to play Aldershot. So moving it won't be so easy | | | |
| Update on the pitch on 09:23 - Nov 9 with 13247 views | 442Dale |
Heavier rain expected today and further forecast of some rain Mon/Tue/Fri. At this stage, it would be 50/50 that next Saturday is on until we get further updates directly from the club. | |
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| Update on the pitch on 12:23 - Nov 10 with 12607 views | Dale_4_Life |
My main message is to reassure all fans that this issue has the 100% focus of the Club, the board and the ownership group
>>>>>
Its a worry.. looking at the forecast I have no confidence that the club and the ground team have a robust enough plan to get our scheduled game played this Saturday.
Wet weather all week and no rally cry for help.
Above from Jamie was appreciated, 100% focus is what will be required now, any less than plan A and a backup plan B will likely see us fall short. | | | |
| Update on the pitch on 14:11 - Nov 10 with 12438 views | judd |
| Update on the pitch on 12:23 - Nov 10 by Dale_4_Life |
My main message is to reassure all fans that this issue has the 100% focus of the Club, the board and the ownership group
>>>>>
Its a worry.. looking at the forecast I have no confidence that the club and the ground team have a robust enough plan to get our scheduled game played this Saturday.
Wet weather all week and no rally cry for help.
Above from Jamie was appreciated, 100% focus is what will be required now, any less than plan A and a backup plan B will likely see us fall short. |
Pitch covers are currently deployed. |  |
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| Update on the pitch on 15:52 - Nov 10 with 12276 views | rochedale |
| Update on the pitch on 14:11 - Nov 10 by judd |
Pitch covers are currently deployed. |
Would that be those same pitch covers that have proven themselves to be not fit for purpose? |  |
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| Update on the pitch on 18:39 - Nov 10 with 11998 views | dingdangblue |
| Update on the pitch on 14:11 - Nov 10 by judd |
Pitch covers are currently deployed. |
They would be better putting hundreds of big buckets on the pitch to catch the water! At least that would stop it actually getting into the ground. | |
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| Update on the pitch on 20:22 - Nov 10 with 11800 views | 442Dale |
| Update on the pitch on 18:39 - Nov 10 by dingdangblue |
They would be better putting hundreds of big buckets on the pitch to catch the water! At least that would stop it actually getting into the ground. |
The covers will obviously stop rain from getting directly onto the surface. What we need more information about is what the issues are in getting water off the top of them and whether problems occur when they overlap.
That and what exactly the plan for when they go on is, because if it’s when the pitch is already wet, then why has that happened? | |
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| Update on the pitch on 22:26 - Nov 10 with 11625 views | MAK |
Its very difficult to see how Saturday's game will go ahead. We have pretty much a carbon copy of the weather that we had in the run up to the Scunthorpe match. If nothing has changed regarding pitch protection, it is hard to see a different outcome.
Rain is forecast tomorrow morning and evening, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday is just damp all day if not particularly wet. There's also a chance that a front heading slowly north, stalls over us into Friday and Saturday. If that happens it'll definitely be game over. Hate to be so negative, but this is the reality the club is currently in. | | | |
| Update on the pitch on 22:36 - Nov 10 with 11583 views | 442Dale |
| Update on the pitch on 22:26 - Nov 10 by MAK |
Its very difficult to see how Saturday's game will go ahead. We have pretty much a carbon copy of the weather that we had in the run up to the Scunthorpe match. If nothing has changed regarding pitch protection, it is hard to see a different outcome.
Rain is forecast tomorrow morning and evening, Wednesday afternoon and Thursday is just damp all day if not particularly wet. There's also a chance that a front heading slowly north, stalls over us into Friday and Saturday. If that happens it'll definitely be game over. Hate to be so negative, but this is the reality the club is currently in. |
It’s been changing a lot, admittedly, but the Met Office site have no rain after the early hours of Thursday all the way up to kick off at the moment. | |
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| Update on the pitch on 07:49 - Nov 11 with 11374 views | MAK |
| Update on the pitch on 22:36 - Nov 10 by 442Dale |
It’s been changing a lot, admittedly, but the Met Office site have no rain after the early hours of Thursday all the way up to kick off at the moment. |
Unfortunately there's much more information out there in addition to the Met Office. Plus if you go on the MO app and run through the maps section, the scenario with the stalling front is now clearly showing for Fri/Sat. The app can often be delayed in getting the info correct at 3 or 4 days out. | | | |
| Update on the pitch on 08:15 - Nov 11 with 11335 views | frenzied |
Ultimately we can only manage the situation on a day by day basis..we are at the mercy of the weather.
I see the only robust solution is to move the fixture to another venue if poss or change the fixture to the away game if logistically possible,
i hope not to see a scenario where we are 5 or 6 games behind | | | |
| Update on the pitch on 18:34 - Nov 11 with 10724 views | rochedale |
Can somebody at the club please contact these and get one sorted, before our season is ruined….
https://covair.co.uk/
If I can find out this info you’d hope the powers that be will already be on it. That, or buying some duct tape to stick sheets of useless tarpaulin together!
Edit: not sure the link I posted there is for temporary use, this one could be worth trying…
https://www.skyairdome.com/football-air-dome.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22
There’s a few out there, there must be a solution for us… [Post edited 11 Nov 18:38]
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| Update on the pitch on 21:42 - Nov 11 with 10387 views | Clivert |
Getting Saturday's game on is imperative now after tonight's performance and result, another ducked Saturday doesn't do us any favours in the momentum stakes after a defeat like this |  | | |
| Update on the pitch on 21:50 - Nov 11 with 10337 views | frenzied |
With the best will in the world I can’t see it being on at all [Post edited 11 Nov 21:52]
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| Update on the pitch on 21:54 - Nov 11 with 10304 views | DaleFan7 |
Been at the club tonight and it has non stop rained. Significant puddles gathered around the car park and roads near the ground. Not looking good for weekend. | | | |
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