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If I remember rightly, probably at the last fans forum (if wrong I'll stand being corrected), wasn't there mention from the top table about serious concerns about the pitch and consideration about legal action against those who guaranteed its ability to hold up to local conditions? This was a surprise to the people I was sat with - we were of the understanding the legacy pitch issues had been dealt with, albeit the "guarantee" to repair faults was spoken by a charlatan some years ago. Was the "guarantee" a sham or did we not comply with the terms? The RAFC board were clearly aware of the problem at that event. Why hasn't it been dealt with by them?
Losing yesterdays game when no others were called off after what has been an innocuous week of rainfall by Rochdale standards is incompetent. We lost the BIFFO game after 5 days of sub-zero temperatures followed by Storm Bert which upped the local River Roch readings by over one metre in less than 24 hours. That postponement was understandable. The same river readings on Friday and yesterday indicate barely no change. No Rochdale resident could have considered we'd had days of monsoon since the Tamworth game. We know a bad week when we get one - last week was not it.
It's like going back to the Graham Barrow era of postponements almost 30 years ago, when a shower called a match off. Progress, eh? The board in 2024 / 2025 need to get a grip. Who the fook wants to spend time travelling here or booking hospitality when the game isn't on because of a bit of rain? How to lose fans and sponsors without kicking a ball.
*Posted on here because I don't feel direct communication with the club works any more.*
Strange game. We were pleasingly on the front foot looking to go forward at almost every opportunity. Unusual, but good to see. Maybe a lacklustre Tamworth side allowed that to happen. Still, no end product. Many more chances created and attempted than during the Dagenham debacle, but no goal scored. Throughout, and it got much worse, bizarre refereeing decisions were spoiling the game. We'll have to wait and see footage of the yellow / red card decision in the second half. Then the ref got even worse. Great to see us playing so positively and, eventually, deservedly scoring goals and gaining points, which is what the game is all about. Well done Jim and the players.
Tamworth are in this division after winning 2 consecutive titles to get here. They've reached round 3 of the FA cup, beating two League One sides, picking a plum 3rd round draw with Spurs. They picked up a point with a time added on equaliser v league leaders York last Saturday. They also have a player with a ginormous throw in capability. This side will be buzzing with the confidence and enthusiasm we often lack.
It's up to Jim to have our side ready for such an encounter, able to get goals and a result. We don't want another tippy tappy borefest that gains nothing.
Sorry, but how many times have we heard "happy with the performance" after a loss from Jim? The result is what matters more than anything. We all wish him and the team every success, of course, but there have been far too many times where "performance" has been priority above results in his post-match interviews. "The results will take care of themselves" was one classic quote after what was considered an acceptable performance where points were lost. Jim's media training will only take him so far...
This manager has an opportunity to prove his ability to gain results and points by the end of the year. Again, I wish him and the players every success. If we continue to fail to get the neccessary points & results, for the good of the club, we'll have to look at a change of manager.
One argument may be that a lot of companies hold AGM's during working hours. This is not a regular company. We have held AGM's for shareholders in the evenings for decades, knowing full well the vast majority would be working during the day, and RAFC respected this. Their investment was appreciated.
c. 2006 supporters were actively encouraged to buy shares in the club to ensure a wider level of shareholding in the club was in place to prevent the threat of a hostile takeover. More fans became shareholders, and the board responded with Thursday EVENING meetings, a shareholders forum and even a buffet for those in attendance!
I look back through my records and find this: Notice of EVENING meetings that were packed out. A 5 hour series of meetings that put us on the road to saving RAFC from disaster...
"18 May 2021 Dear Shareholder This letter is to inform you that the following meetings of Rochdale Association Football Club will take place on Tuesday 01 June 2021 at 7pm at the Ratcliffe Bars & Function Suite:- • 2020 Adjourned AGM • 2021 AGM • 2020 Adjourned EGM • 2021 EGM requested by the Dale Supporters Trust"
We got to the hostile takeover crisis earlier this decade when our previous shareholder insurance was shat on by bad people. Fans and shareholders were encouraged to dig deep, and vote for an increased number of shares to be available, AT AN EVENING MEETING which shareholders voted for. This was done, along with fans and shareholders supporting the legal fight costs. The EFL rules helped us out of it along with the utter clumsiness of the do-badders. This club and its fanbase was utterly united in that fight. Never forget.
Shareholders were encouraged AGAIN, at an EVENING MEETING MANY COULD ATTEND to, back the issue of millions of 'A' shares, which they did, which allowed the Ogden Trust investment we are so grateful for.
Our smaller shareholders (the largest of whom is now the Dale Trust) deserve a bit of respect for their past investments and the opportunity to question and query the matters pertinent to an AGM. No vote will ever go in their favour nowadays given the numbers involved, but the ability to scrutinise and keep an eye on things is crucial. We trusted for far too long when there were malevolent forces getting involved. Can't see that happening now, but we must never forget. AGM timings that are not normal practice will only raise suspicion when it probably isn't necessary. It gives out the wrong message. It may be too late to clear up this year. Don't let it happen again.
I do hope the "ship" is in safe hands. I think it is. It was for years, with some superb gentlemen at the helm. We let it sail on.
Post-Bottomley / A.Kilpatrick / Rawlinson et al, it is difficult to be fully trusting. We do need to remain attentive and questioning as shareholders and supporters as to the affairs of the club, be it at a fans forum, Trust meeting or AGM / EGM. We have to learn from what nearly happened here and did happen at bury. The consequences of doing otherwise could be serious. Never forget. Remain vigilant.
Two evenly matched sides who play in similar ways. They tippy tappy sideways at the back more than we do!
After the red card / goal, superb game management by Dale. Drop the tippy tappy and LAUNCH it away from our goal every time. Waller played a blinder in goal - he's a canny lad.
Good turnout in Ratcliffes and a lot of shredded nerves, but worth it for an excellent three points.
ROCHDALE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED Directors: C Ogden (Co-Chairman), S Gauge (Co-Chairman), J Willoughby, A Saul, T Pockney, R Knight, M Knight NOTICE OF 2024 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING Notice is hereby given that the 2024 Annual General Meeting of Rochdale Association Football Club Limited will be held as follows. Type of meeting: The meeting will be held in person. Date and time of meeting: Tuesday 10 December 2024, 5.30pm start Place: The Ratcliffe Bars & Function Suite, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5DR
The usual, more accessible 7-7:30 start has been done away with. Yes, our shares bought in more difficult times to save the club are pretty much worthless now, not that it matters if the club is safe, but at least give us a bit of respect for what we did and make the meeting easier to attend for shareholders who have day jobs.
I get the impression, given the cancellation of the shareholders forum by Mr Gauge and the early start that many shareholders are now considered an irrelevance to be walked over.
Oldham Athletic are a non-league team. Some of their fans pretending they are a "massive" club, claiming imaginary rivalries with two of the biggest clubs in the world is irony beyond hilarious.
Rochdale away is their biggest game and they know it.
Of course, Oldham Athletic will never have had a match postponed because of the weather. That would be so tinpot.
It really is brilliant how RAFC can conjure up five days of sub-zero temperatures that affected the nation and created a storm that arrived on precisely the right day, just to spite a non-league club with a deluded, Neanderthal fan base. How do they do it?
We'll have to hope the footpaths thaw out. After last night's snow, it's lethal out there. My guess would be 9AM pitch inspection in fairness to Oldham fans.
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