Rochdale Football Club is pleased to announce that David Bottomley has joined the club’s Board of Directors.
David, a lifelong Rochdale supporter, will join Chairman Chris Dunphy, Director’s Andrew Kelly, Bill Goodwin, Paul Hazlehurst, Jim Marsh, Graham Rawlinson, and Associate Director John Smallwood in the Dale boardroom.
A highly motivated and professional individual, David boasts career success in the corporate world and has taken a business from start-up to becoming one of the top 15 companies in the UK toy industry.
Born and bred in Rochdale, David has resided in Oxfordshire for the last 20 years, but is re-locating back to the North of England to enable him to fulfil the role of Director at the club.
Chairman Chris Dunphy commented: “We first approached David about joining the board a few years ago but unfortunately due to business commitments and personal circumstances, David felt that he wasn't able to devote the time that he would want to give the club as a main board director.
“David’s circumstances have now changed and I am delighted that he is joining the board. Like my fellow directors and I, David is a lifelong supporter of Rochdale AFC and I know that he will work tirelessly for the benefit of the club. We all look forward to working with him.”
David Bottomley added: “I am delighted to be joining the board at Rochdale, and in order to make a significant contribution to the club, I am returning to live in the North, thanks to my wife Julie.
“I have a passion for the Dale that is incredible, and I believe that I can make a real contribution to the future success of the club with that passion and my experience and ability.
“Joining the board of an extremely well run football club is a great honour and privilege and I can assure all supporters, many who know me, of my genuine intentions to help the club to continue moving forward and prosper” .
Biography
David, who is 55-years-old, was born and bred in Rochdale and currently resides in Henley on Thames, Oxford.
He was first taken by his late Father, Duncan, to see Dale in 1968 after the Manchester United European Cup final win sparked his interest in football. His first season of support coincided with Dale’s historic promotion and has been hooked ever since. David is fortunate enough to have seen all three promotions! His favourite match was on May 5th 1987 when Dale faced Stockport County at Spotland.
David Left Rochdale in 1980 to pursue a career with Cadbury Scwheppes. From that time onwards has worked in Marketing and Sales positions in the fast moving consumer goods industry and for the last 25 years in the UK Toy Industry. His career has seen him live in Staffordshire, Avon, Norfolk, Leicestershire and for the last 20 years in Oxfordshire. Despite the miles, David has been a Dale season ticket holder for many years and a regular attender with his son Simon. Last season, David attended 41 games in all competitions and the mileage to Dale’s homes games accounted for 8,000 miles .
His career achievements include senior management positions in Sales/ Marketing and in General management, formerly with the World’s Largest Toy company, Hasbro. For over 10 years, in conjunction with a business partner, he built a start-up company that grew into one of the top 15 toy companies in the UK Toy Industry. David sold this business at the end of 2012 and is now involved in running another successful Toy Company.