Delaney extends his Dale contract
RYAN Delaney has signed an extension to his current Rochdale contract.
The defender is now contracted to the club until 2021.
The 21-year-old joined Dale in January of this year from Burton Albion and has impressed during his short time at the club. He played 22 times for Keith Hill’s side following his arrival and chipped in with two goals, as Dale fought off relegation and enjoyed successes in the Emirates FA Cup.
After starting his career
‘The manager has shown faith in me, so hopefully now I can prove it and give something back to him’
at Wexford Youths, he moved to the Brewers in 2016 and went on a season-long loan to Cork City last January. He returned to Nigel Clough’s side in December at the end of his loan deal.
Delaney started 30 of Cork’s 33 league games, scoring five goals along the way, as the side were crowned League of Ireland champions. He also helped Cork to FAI Cup success, as they did the double, notching up 49 appearances in total during his spell there.
His outstanding performances for the Rebels earned him a place in the PFAI Team of the Year.
“The manager has shown faith in me, so hopefully now I can prove it and give something back to him,” said Delaney. ●●Rochdale’s scholars: Back Row | Joe Dunne, Morgan Piper, Dan Adshead, Musambya Kisimba. Front Row | Morgan Moreland, Toby Philips, Ben Martin, Sam Kilner
“Over the last six months I think the gaffer and the coaching staff have helped me to improve a lot. Hopefully now in the following years I can keep on improving.
“There have been so many memories, and highs and lows, from since I joined in January. Playing against Millwall and Spurs was crazy.
“Getting the opportunity to play against players of a higher standard and then to stay out of the relegation zone on the final day was fantastic.”
Meanwhile, Rochdale AFC are delighted to announce a new intake of scholars ahead of the 2018/19 season.
All eight have signed two-year full-time scholarships with the club: Morgan Piper (Goalkeeper) Sam Kilner (Defender) Ben Martin (Defender) Joe Dunne (Defender) Toby Philips (Midfielder) Dan Adshead (Midfielder) Morgan Moreland (Striker) Musambya Kisimba (Striker)
Piper, Kilner, Adshead, Moreland and Kisimba have all come through the Rochdale Academy, whilst Martin, Dunne and Philips are new arrivals at the club.
They will join up with the rest of the Youth Team squad, who are now moving into the second year of their scholarship. They are:
Florent Hoti (Midfielder) Louis White (Midfielder) Fabio Tavares (Forward)
Rochdale have signed a new club partnership for the 2018/19 season with long standing sponsors of the club, Smith Metals.
Smith Metals, based in Bolton (but originally established in Rochdale), has grown to become one of the UK’s major business to business scrap metal recycling companies.
Many supporters will know the name Smith Metals as they have sponsored Rochdale AFC since they were established in 1979 and were the club’s front of shirt sponsor between 1990–1994.
The family owned business has always remained loyal to the club, and owner and lifelong supporter, Jason Wilson, can remember the days when he used to come down to Spotland and help fork the pitch in bad weather conditions, before the days of frost covers and rain covers!
As part of the sponsorship agreement, Smith Metals will sponsor the Pearl Street Stand, which will be re-named the ‘Smith Metals Family Stand’.
Spectacular looking new signage has already been installed across the entire front of the stand, and the new stand will be re-named for all print and media purposes.
Jason Wilson, owner of Smith Metals, said: “Smith Metals is a family business and we have been proud supporters of the club and provided waste removal services for over 35 years.
“We are excited to be sponsoring the Smith Metals Family Stand and are looking forward to the season ahead.”
Frances Fielding, Dale’s sales and marketing manager added: “It is an absolute pleasure to work with Smith Metals.
“On behalf of the club, I would like to express our thanks for their continued support and look forward to working in partnership during the 2018/19 season.”