On behalf of Rochdale AFC and the Board of Directors, I am writing to you, our loyal supporters, at this challenging and unprecedented time in our lives.
First and foremost, I hope all of you are well and following relevant guidance from the authorities around the outbreak of COVID-19.
At this time, football becomes irrelevant. The priority for the coming weeks and months is to support our families, friends and communities.
We pride ourselves on being a family Club. One where everybody, from the players to the supporters, is together and united. We must all show this spirit in the near future to help fight this disease.
I have been overjoyed at the spirit of the Club’s staff this week, across the entire business, who are contributing not only with hard work and humour in tough and health-worrying times, but in contributing so much already with cost saving ideas to help our beloved Club.
They fill me with pride at their commitment to all things Dale, despite the ongoing circumstances. Please note, staff are still contactable by phone or email should you have any queries.
Also, our Community Trust in recent days have dug deep to come up with ideas to help us reach out to all in the community and will soon be announcing their plans to help however they can. I urge those in need to get in touch with the Club and we will endeavor to assist.
As announced last week, the Crown Oil Arena will continue to be closed to the public in order to protect staff, supporters and visitors.
Your support of the team on the pitch and the Club itself has been fantastic this season, as ever. We must now focus that energy in supporting each other and in helping to defeat this virus.
I look forward to seeing you all back at the Crown Oil Arena as soon as is practicably possible, but in the meantime, please stay safe and continue to look after yourselves and others.
Up The Dale!
David Bottomley