Dale trust sign up to aid armed forces

ROCHDALE AFC Community Trust have formally pledged their support to the armed forces community by signing the Armed Forces Covenant.

The Covenant is the nation’s commitment to those who protect the nation. It is a pledge that together they acknowledge and understand those who serve or who have served in the armed forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve with their lives.

Dale already support veterans and service personnel in many ways - the Rochdale AFC Military Veterans team goes from strength to strength, tickets are made available through Tickets for Troops, they hold social sessions as part of the MVP (military veterans programme) and host the meetings of the Rochdale branch of the Royal British Legion in Our Spot - the Community Hub at the Crown Oil Arena.

Community Director, Ryan Bradley, said: “The signing of the covenant formalises a lot of the work we do, but also gives us a framework for how we, as a football club, can better support the armed forces community.”

Health and Inclusion Co-ordinator, Charlotte Griffiths, added: “We have been awarded bronze level initially, but we are working towards silver and it is our mission to ensure we play our part in supporting veterans and their families in the Borough wherever we can.”

The announcement comes after Remembrance weekend, where the Crown Oil Arena first fell silent before celebratory applause broke out as a fitting tribute to those who lost their lives in conflict.

Everyone at Rochdale AFC would like to thank the Royal British Legion, Rochdale AFC Military Veterans, the fusiliers, the Mayor of Rochdale Coun Rashid, the leader Cllr Neil Emmott, Spotland Ward Couns Faisal, Rana and Massey as well as the portfolio holder for the voluntary sector Coun Smith who attended the Rochdale AFC vs Leyton Orient fixture as the managers laid wreaths ahead of kick off and the club paid its respects.

For more information on our Military Veterans Programme, you can visit the website here: rochdaleafccommunity. org/military-veteransprogramme