Rochdale Football Club can announce that Andrew Kelly has stepped down from his position on the Board of Directors and Jim Marsh has retired from his role.
Mr Kelly, 74, served on the club’s Board for 12-years, while Mr Marsh, who celebrated his 90th birthday recently, dedicated more than 40 years of service to the Dale cause.
We are delighted to announce that the pair have accepted a Vice President role, so will remain close friends of the club.
“After immersing myself in Rochdale Football Club for over a decade, I feel now is the right time to stand down from the Board of Directors,” said Kelly.
“I worked very closely with the Academy during my years as a Board member and it is in a very good place at this moment in time, ably led by Academy Manager Tony Ellis, and well supported by the management team in Keith Hill and Chris Beech. The Academy has got a great set of coaches and I’m certainly going to miss it. I wish the staff continued success for the future.”
Jim Marsh said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the club over the last four decades. In this time, the club has gone from strength to strength and it’s great to see it still pushing forwards. The current Board and staff have made a huge impact in recent years and I have every confidence that this will continue. I recently celebrated my 90th birthday so it’s time to take a step back and just enjoy the football.”
Chairman Chris Dunphy has praised the duo’s service to the club: “Andrew was a loyal servant of the club and worked tirelessly in assisting and developing the Academy, and I’d like to thank him for his commitment over the last 12-years. We hope that Andrew enjoys spending more time with his family and I wish him well for the future.
“I would also like to place on record my personal thanks to Jim Marsh. I have known Jim for nearly 40 years and for the majority of that time we have both been Board members.
“Jim was Chairman of the Board for a short time in the 1980s when the club needed stability after Tommy Cannon had briefly held the Chairman’s post. It was a time when the very existence of the football club was at risk and Jim put his hand on the tiller and safely guided the club until a new board member was formed.
“Jim has been a valued member of the current board and he has contributed greatly to our survival and our success over a very long period of time.”
Manager Keith Hill commented: “Andrew Kelly has been instrumental in our success, not just from an Academy perspective, but also the successes that I’ve had at this football club.
“During my first spell here, Andrew was a father figure to me and Flicker, and he helped drive our success, and that has continued this time around. A friend and an advisor, not just from a football perspective but from a lifestyle perspective, he has been a great sound board for me as a manager.
“I can understand why he has taken the decision to stand down from his role, because family is very valuable and very important. He has been tremendous in my time at the Football Club and he’ll be sorely missed.”
Director Paul Hazlehurst added: “I felt it appropriate that I should echo the words of the Chairman and thank Jim Marsh for his loyal and dedicated service to Rochdale Football Club.
“As I think back to the years I have served on the board alongside Jim, I recall his quiet, unassuming support of the Board and the Chairman, in particular. Jim was always available to give his reasoned advice.
“His commitment to Rochdale Football Club was undisputable and Jim was the first to support changes under the new Chairmanship many years ago, and he has continued to work steadfastly to encourage and promote the Chairman and the club.
“Jim, and his constant and sound guidance and backing, will be sorely be missed, but we look forward to welcoming Jim back to the Crown Oil Arena with his family in his role as Vice President.”