Rochdale Association Football Club can confirm that John Smallwood and Chris Harrison have confirmed that they will not be seeking re-election as Non-Executive Directors, following the expiration of their current terms of service on 30th June 2023.
Additionally, Suzy Orr will also be stepping back from duties to allow her time to fight her own battle against a recent diagnosis of breast cancer.
As a Board, we were all devasted to hear of Suzy’s recent diagnosis of breast cancer following a routine mammogram check. One thing we all know about Suzy from her time on the Board is her drive and positivity, and this will without doubt lead to success in the fight that lies ahead for her. In typically brave and positive fashion, Suzy has gone public with her diagnosis in the hope to encourage everyone to have mammograms, prostate screening, and any other cancer screening checks. We will be supporting Suzy in any way that we possibly can.
John Smallwood has been a long-time servant of Rochdale AFC working across roles over many years, including Club Secretary, Associate Director and latterly as a Non-Executive Director. John’s deep knowledge of the Club’s Articles of Association and football governance have been invaluable to the Board over the last two years.
Chris Harrison joined the Board in September 2021 and has helped the Board with advice across various financial and legal matters as the club attempted to try to overcome the severe corporate, financial, legal and regulatory difficulties it found itself in during June 2021. Those matters are now completed.
Both John and Chris were, amongst many others, at the heart of the fight to save the club and then deal with the significantly weakened, distressed and uncontrolled state in which the club was found in June 2021.
The Club would like to thank John, Chris and Suzy for their service given to the Club and everyone wishes Suzy well in her ongoing treatment and recovery.
