Check out what Dale in the Community have going on this Saturday, as we host Portsmouth in Sky Bet League One.
BIRTHDAY TREAT - RALPH AMBROSE
Ralph Ambrose celebrated his ninth birthday last Friday and is bringing his mates to join us for the game this afternoon. His favourite Dale player is Luke Matheson. His other favourite team is Manchester United with Daniel James is his choice as favourite player. Ralph will enjoy his day out at the Crown Oil Arena, hopefully seeing a win for the Dale.
MASCOTS
SHAMIE MONHAN / ARRAN MONAHAN / CALLUM FLOOD
Today sees the Flood family and friends descending on the Crown Oil Arena including three mascots who will be leading the teams out.
Callum Flood, aged five years from Chessington, attended his first match when only sixteen months old and has been mascot on one previous occasion. He is very excited to be joining the players on the pitch today.
Shamie Monahan, aged seven years and their brother, Aaron, aged five years have travelled from the West Coast of Ireland to meet up with old friends. They both love Gaelic Football and are again very excited getting on the pitch leading out the teams today. We hope both families have a brilliant time returning home with never to be forgotten memories.
HALF-TIME CHALLENGE MATCH
Pennine Blacks Under 10’s and Walshaw All Stars Under 10’s teams provide the entertainment, enjoying the match day experience at the Crown Oil Arena.
REMEMBRANCE CELEBRATION
It was a very moving moment as the Veterans turned out for the annual ceremony of remembrance prior to the match against Ipswich Town, plus the prayer and laying off the wreath by Councillor Janet Emsley.
It’s always good to see the old and new lads visiting the Crown Oil Arena honouring the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community, the British and Commonwealth veterans, the Allies plus the civilian servicemen and women involved in the two World Wars and later conflicts.
CRESCENT RADIO LINK WITH ROCHDALE AFC
We are delighted to announce a new partnership with Crescent Community Radio and will be working closely with Crescent, aiming to strengthen links with different communities through sports-based activities, sessions and events.
Crescent are located in the heart of the Asian community, very close to the town centre of Rochdale, and are a well-known, well respected and trusted local media.
As well as English, the station broadcasts in a multitude of community languages including Urdu, Punjabi and Polowari.
The aim of Crescent Community Radio is ‘bringing communities together’ and through this partnership, Rochdale AFC also hopes to attract new fans and strengthen links with the wider community of Rochdale.
Brian Barry-Murphy recently visited the station to give a live interview and the Club will feature on a weekly slot aired on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
Tune in and listen live to Crescent Community Radio at 97.0FM!
REDWOOD SCHOOL INTERNSHIP
Luke Walsh is enjoying working with us at the Community Sports Trust giving him an experience of career pathways on leaving Redwood School. He has joined our Community Sports Trust coaches, who have praised him for his input when assisting in sports sessions including the Dale’s Silver 60s’ afternoons. The partnership with Redwood is going from strength to strength with other students from School working alongside Rochdale AFC departments including the Club Shop, Ground staff and Ground Maintenance.
FL TRUST/UTILITA GIRLS ONLY CUP
Oulder Hill Community School Under 13’s were winners of the Rochdale AFC preliminary rounds and will now represent us at Regional Finals at Huddersfield Town in the New Year. Hopefully they will progress to the National Final played at Wembley prior to the Leasing.com Trophy Final.
Runners up in our tournament held at the Soccer Factory were Kingsway Park High School whilst Whitworth High School finished 3rd.
Dale's chief executive David Bottomley spoke warmly of the recent activities undertaken by Dale in the Community.
He said “These activities, plus the many more operating each week show the commitment of the Community Sports Trust on behalf of Rochdale AFC to engage with the community of Rochdale.
"Working in key areas including education, health, social inclusion and sports participation the Trust deals with many different community groups to develop the relationship between the Club and ourselves.
"We are extremely proud of the work the Trust does to generate interest in Rochdale AFC."
Rochdale striker Calvin Andrew echoed his sentiments.
"I believe it is our obligation as professionals and role models to support the wider community," said Andrew.
"It is fantastic to see the fans of tomorrow and how much it means to them, I find it extremely rewarding to give time back to something so rewarding."