As ever, it has been an extremely busy week at the Football Club, but that is something everyone here thrives on, so there are no complaints from me.
This week, I, on behalf of the Club, have a message for our fantastic supporters.
Keith Hill, his backroom staff, players and the Board of Directors all share your frustrations following Saturday’s defeat at Plymouth Argyle and the subsequent league position that we find ourselves in.
Conceding five is hard to stomach and those who attended the match would have seen the sheer disappointment on the faces of the players and staff at the full-time whistle. Thank you to the fans who attended the match, sang their hearts out throughout the game and stayed to applaud the players off the pitch at the end. That gesture meant so much.
Rochdale Football Club prides itself on the way it is run and we do not make kneejerk reactions or decisions. We are aware that results this season, especially at home, have been difficult to accept, but we, the Board of Directors, all believe in Keith, his backroom staff and players, and they have our full confidence and continued backing.
During Keith’s tenure, we have enjoyed the most successful period in the Football Club’s history, having secured two promotions, competed in one play-off final and earned three top ten finishes in League One, as well as progressing to at least the fourth round of the FA Cup in four out of the last six years. There is so much to be proud of.
Yes, we find ourselves in the relegation zone in League One. Are we at ease with being in there? Absolutely not. The Manager, and we as a Club and Board of Directors, do not take our past successes for granted. It hurts that we’re in the bottom four. It hurts because we are all so very ambitious and have a real drive and passion to bring continued successes to this Football Club, a Club that we all care about so much, on behalf of the supporters.
At this moment in time, we are currently equalling the record amount of time spent by Rochdale Football Club in the third tier of English football and we would love nothing more than to surpass that by playing in League One next season for a sixth consecutive year. We have 12 games and 36 points left to play for this season and we still have a real opportunity to secure our League One status.
Last season showed that when we all stick together it is possible to achieve what can, at times, look like the impossible. The dressing room is united and will fight to the last. We, as a Board, are united behind the Manager and the players, and we hope that you will unite behind this squad of players over the next nine weeks.
Your support has never been as important as it is now, and we’ll need that support between now and the end of the campaign to give us the best possible chance of avoiding relegation. Amongst those 12 games, we have six at home. I hope you turn out in your numbers at the Crown Oil Arena, starting with next weekend’s game against Shrewsbury Town, and get behind the team.
Before that, we travel to Luton Town this Saturday. I wish all those making the trip to Kenilworth Road a safe and pleasant journey. See you there.
Up the Dale!