All parties rallying to steer club to safety

THE 2023 Rochdale Association Football Club Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday.

All of the formal business of the meeting was approved, with chairman Simon Gauge and Supporters Trust Representative to the Board of Directors, Murray Knight, being re-elected to the Board.

Director Jamie Sarsfield opted not to seek re-election, and we again.

After the AGM closed, a wider discussion was held as part of the Shareholders’ forum.

This mainly focused on the current financial status of the club and plans going forward. The Board was pleased to hear some of the creative and constructive ideas from shareholders, with a sense that the general mood in the room was to help the club through this challenging period.

As an immediate response to that, the Board has agreed to make 50,000 shares of the remaining 366,000 available for purchase, at the agreed minimum price of £2.35. the remainder will be ringfenced for potential major investors.

Any share applications should be made to shares@rochdaleafc. co.uk.

A club statement read: “We would also like to encourage shareholders to support the club through revenue generating initiatives currently running, such as:

“Plaques can be purchased for the Dale Fan Wall at £80 and £150 from funditnow.co.uk/ thedalefanwall. 70 per cent of the revenues from each sale go to club funds, and your plaque will be displayed in a fabulous installation by the players’ entrance.

“Buy raffle tickets in the club Christmas draw, available from the Club Shop, online at https:// www.rafcshop.co.uk/ item/576/rochdale/ Christmas-draw-tickets. html, or via ticket sellers up to 3pm at the AFC Fylde match on Boxing Day.

“Pledge donations to the club via office@ rochdaleafc.co.uk or at the club office.

“Use the club facilities at the Crown Oil Arena for your meetings, events and celebrations and book in for matchday sponsorships and experiences via commercial@rochdaleafc. co.uk.”

Further initiatives, such as a Squad Boost Fund, are being actively explored in conjunction with the Dale Supporters Trust.