Rochdale Football Club would like to pay its respects to the remarkable David Clough, who sadly passed away aged 78 this morning following a long illness.
It is not linked to coronavirus, from which he had already recovered.
A life-long fan, David had thrown himself into fundraising for the Club back in 1992 when he started selling over 200 scratch cards a week at his workplace, Whittles Bakery in Littleborough.
He then took an interest in collecting the then new weekly draw, Goldbond, and within a couple of years was collecting from around 800 members whilst selling 400 scratch cards per week, plus hundreds of Christmas Draw and Grand National Draw tickets.
After Saturday home games he would call into the Club Shop, whatever the score, to collect his Goldbond results sheets so he could start collecting in Littleborough after his Saturday tea and once he’d done his pools coupon.
Many fans will remember seeing him on the streets of Littleborough on his bike, completely wet through, dutifully collecting 50p here and there for his beloved Club, with a smile and a profanity.
He didn’t drive so did everything by bike and on foot. He lived at the beginning of Todmorden Road, but went as far as Wardle, Smithy Bridge, and Summit to raise money for the Club, following his retirement from Whittles Bakery.
David collected money for the Club virtually every waking hour, supported by his dearly loved wife, Dorothy, who took care of the paperwork, and counted t’brass.
It is estimated that he raised between £400,000 - £500,000 for the Club.
He even used to change all his loose change into notes in local shops to help Club staff.
David has bequeathed his entire estate to his beloved Dale.
His final words were, “This pandemic’s been great. It’s kept Dale up!”