Rochdale Football Club can announce that Dale’s pre-season friendly against Blackburn Rovers, due to be played at the Crown Oil Arena on Sunday 14th July, has been called off.
This is a decision that has been taken by the Club, following advice from our pitch work contractors, to avoid two games in two days being played on the pitch, and to help best protect the surface for the season ahead.
With Rochdale Hornets set to play at home this Saturday, followed by three football fixtures on July 17th, 21st and 27th, in addition to three further rugby games on July 28th, August 4th and August 11th, as well as four Dale matches within the space of 14 days when the 2019/20 campaign kicks-off, the schedule is extremely demanding on a newly laid surface.
Summer pitch renovations started around 10 days later than we would have ideally liked, but the condition of the pitch is concurrent with that timescale, so there are no concerns surrounding the playing surface, other than the demanding schedule that the fixture list has placed on it.
Rochdale Football Club would like to thank Blackburn Rovers for their understanding and co-operation on this matter and wish them good luck for the season ahead. We would also like to apologise to both sets of supporters for any inconvenience caused.
Anyone who has already purchased a ticket for the Rovers game is entitled to a full refund. Please contact the Dale Ticket Office to arrange your refund.
Wednesday night’s pre-season friendly against Huddersfield Town at the Crown Oil Arena will go ahead as planned and there is no doubt surrounding that match.