WTF is going on across the corridor now?

[Billy King's Boots]

https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2023/july/notice-of-egm/

 

The way I read it is, two directors want the shareholders to agree to use the stadium as collateral against a loan from the same two directors - and then, if the *club* defaults on the loan, those two directors take personal control/ownership of the stadium.

Let's hope the football club don't default on the loan, because once the stadium is in the hands of individuals, anything could happen.

[Anita Bath]

If this goes through there will be houses built on the land within 5-10 years

[Billy King's Boots]

1 hour ago, Anita Bath said:

If this goes through there will be houses built on the land within 5-10 years

And we'll become Swinton, wandering Greater Manchester looking for a home.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

I think the scales are beginning to fall from some of their supporters eyes. The new set of “ Saviours “ aren’t all they are cracked up to be.

[Anita Bath]

The batman and robin pair looking to get the ground as security have now issued a statement that is astounding in its arrogance.

[HornetsGrey]

On 26/07/2023 at 13:53, Anita Bath said:

The batman and robin pair looking to get the ground as security have now issued a statement that is astounding in its arrogance.

Oooch.   Not sure what we should expect to happen.   Dale are short of cash and the directors are offering to put more in as a loan.   Or they could go bust and we all lose out.   In the meantime Dale and the Dale Supporters Trust are working on a community grant to enable the ground to be passed to the Trust and the grant would repay the loan.  That would mean that the ground is truly in the hands of the fans - and both Hornets and Dale are safe.  Seems like the best we can hope.   I don't see anybody else offering to put a few hundred thousand in to keep Spotland safe.  

The alternative is that the club lands in the lap of a single owner and nobody has control.  Too many people in our town have let both Hornets and Dale decline to the position they both find themselves - and still people are criticising.  We don't deserve professional sport to be honest 

[Billy King's Boots]

On 26/07/2023 at 13:53, Anita Bath said:

The batman and robin pair looking to get the ground as security have now issued a statement that is astounding in its arrogance.

Unconvincing.

 

https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2023/july/simongaugerichardknightmessage_250723/

[Anita Bath]

3 hours ago, Billy King's Boots said:

Unconvincing.

 

https://www.rochdaleafc.co.uk/news/2023/july/simongaugerichardknightmessage_250723/

Some of the comments border on arrogance and being condescending. I think we are seeing the real Simon Gauge and Richard Knight.  There is no future for the club while this pair are calling the shots.

[Blind side johnny]

From the outside looking in the statements seem quite reasonable to me. they aren't willing to put more money in if it is unsecured and they expect the loans to be repaid by whoever takes control of the ground/club.

I don't see what folk would expect from them, except charity, and that isn't going to happen.

[Anita Bath]

They have had 12 months of promises and commitments they haven't lived up to. There is no mention of the other members of the board, including the supporters trust member. And the best two words in the statement are ‘trust me’. Folks usually say that when they have no intention of telling you whats really going on. They are running the club like Boris Johnson ran the country.

[HornetsGrey]

20 hours ago, Blind side johnny said:

From the outside looking in the statements seem quite reasonable to me. they aren't willing to put more money in if it is unsecured and they expect the loans to be repaid by whoever takes control of the ground/club.

I don't see what folk would expect from them, except charity, and that isn't going to happen.

They have already sunk £250,000 of their own money in to rescue the club and ground from the unscrupulous bid from a firm that has now gone under.   So I think that is more than charitable to be honest.  To expect them to put another similar amount in is unreasonable.   Unlike Mazey who owns Hornets, these two do not own Dale.  I know there are only half a dozen regular posters on here nowadays, but some of the comments are just unfair and are bitter.   I just pray we have two clubs in 5 years time. Here's to a good result on Sunday 

[Anita Bath]

No one expects them to put this money in.  They have come up with the ‘offer’ and the strings attached. I think what the Dale fans want is a well run club and thats something they havent had since the new board came in.

The former chairman who led the club through the most successful period in the clubs history (and was generally a good friend to Hornets) indicated he would be interested in returning. A member of the current Dale board ridiculed him and his interest on social media.

 

[HornetsGrey]

On 28/07/2023 at 20:29, Anita Bath said:

No one expects them to put this money in.  They have come up with the ‘offer’ and the strings attached. I think what the Dale fans want is a well run club and thats something they havent had since the new board came in.

The former chairman who led the club through the most successful period in the clubs history (and was generally a good friend to Hornets) indicated he would be interested in returning. A member of the current Dale board ridiculed him and his interest on social media.

 

Dunphy did indeed say he wanted to come back - but he announced it on social media rather than contact the existing board and that was unprofessional.   And then he accepted he didn't have the money to cover the size of Dale's budget deficit.  Some would love him back, but he started the era of overspending and we are saddled with we now have.    I support both clubs.   Was there today and will be watching us tomorrow.  Whether we like it or not, Dale can't afford Spotland unless something changes.  But the pitch was looking great!

[Anita Bath]

Dale cannot afford the number of employees they have. It reminds me of the story about the minister for health showing a member of the US house of representatives around NHS head office. “ This is an amazing organisation” says the yank, “how many people work here?”

 

“ About half of them” replied the minister

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

On 28/07/2023 at 18:21, HornetsGrey said:

They have already sunk £250,000 of their own money in to rescue the club and ground from the unscrupulous bid from a firm that has now gone under.   So I think that is more than charitable to be honest.  To expect them to put another similar amount in is unreasonable.   Unlike Mazey who owns Hornets, these two do not own Dale.  I know there are only half a dozen regular posters on here nowadays, but some of the comments are just unfair and are bitter.   I just pray we have two clubs in 5 years time. Here's to a good result on Sunday 

You’re welcome to Gauge and Knight. They’re now doing to the football club what they have already done to Hornets.  Wrecking two clubs in such a short space of time takes some doing. They’re the sort of people that know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

[HornetsGrey]

11 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

You’re welcome to Gauge and Knight. They’re now doing to the football club what they have already done to Hornets.  Wrecking two clubs in such a short space of time takes some doing. They’re the sort of people that know the price of everything and the value of nothing.

How are you getting on with that white stick?   Have we learned nothing from the shambles of the past 30 years?   You can only run a club without a sugar daddy if you cut your cloth appropriately.   Bottomleys actions have caused the current problems at Dale.   Any fall out with Hornets is down to an approach to doing the right thing on both sides.   I can see the argument both ways. Meanwhile we had barely 200 paying customers yesterday and no refreshment and food facilities - Hurricanes will think we are tin pot.   We need to focus on trying to build up Hornets rather than blaming the football club.   Fan experience counts and we are really not an attractive proposition. 

[Anita Bath]

While I am sure we dont know all the details of the Dale-Hornets bust up some of the actions of Gauge/Dale were unforgivable and will never be forgotten.

There were no doubts problems but Gauge showed no intention of trying to resolve them to the benefit of all parties…real poor leadership.

The Fiji game was a must and a way had to be found to make it happen. Still coming from Down South he wouldnt understand the history of the Fijian link to the town and the strong bond between the Fijian community and the club.

As for the trophy cabinet……its not as if Dale have ever had anything to fill one is it? Maybe they are storing those unsold share certificates in it.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

The Fiji debacle told me all I needed to know about Gauge and his cronies. The guy’s a “ wrong ‘un “ - remember who told you first.

It’s as plain as the nose on your face that he wanted Hornets out as soon as he set foot in the football club boardroom. He couldn’t do it by fair means as we had a lease on the ground so he decided that foul means would have to do. The old “ Rachmanite “ tactics. Everything he’s done has been to the detriment of Hornets. Things only changed slightly when he got the hard word from the council.

Edited July 31, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[HornetsGrey]

On 31/07/2023 at 20:10, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The Fiji debacle told me all I needed to know about Gauge and his cronies. The guy’s a “ wrong ‘un “ - remember who told you first.

It’s as plain as the nose on your face that he wanted Hornets out as soon as he set foot in the football club boardroom. He couldn’t do it by fair means as we had a lease on the ground so he decided that foul means would have to do. The old “ Rachmanite “ tactics. Everything he’s done has been to the detriment of Hornets. Things only changed slightly when he got the hard word from the council.

But he has facilitated the pitch ownership grant application through the Dale Trust to allow Hornets and Dale to remain at Spotland forever.   We have to stop the bitterness and work together to preserve whats left of professional sport in the town.  If he had the agenda you suggest (but have no evidence to support your view) then why would he be trying to preserve the pitch from future rogue owners so that both clubs can play on it in perpetuity.  You and Anita Bath are part of the problem and not the solution - we need to move on and work together or we are all going to need to go to Mayfield at weekends because we won't have professional clubs to support.  Sorry if that hurts.   

[Anita Bath]

OK…when do hornets get the trophy cabinet back? That would be a nice start.

Probably too busy sending out EGM notices to shareholders because as of today there are still plenty of shareholders who have not received the notice. That could potentially invalidate any business conducted at the EGM.

The whole thing is a mess…of his making.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

12 hours ago, HornetsGrey said:

But he has facilitated the pitch ownership grant application through the Dale Trust to allow Hornets and Dale to remain at Spotland forever.   We have to stop the bitterness and work together to preserve whats left of professional sport in the town.  If he had the agenda you suggest (but have no evidence to support your view) then why would he be trying to preserve the pitch from future rogue owners so that both clubs can play on it in perpetuity.  You and Anita Bath are part of the problem and not the solution - we need to move on and work together or we are all going to need to go to Mayfield at weekends because we won't have professional clubs to support.  Sorry if that hurts.   

The evidence is staring you in the face matey. Open your eyes. We must be the only club in the world that can’t charge for car parking. We’ve been moved out of the club shop. Then we got moved out of the club office. Then the trophy cabinet vanished. Then we end up sat in one eighth of the ground. Then the Hornets signage vanished from outside the ground. All peevish, spiteful moves guaranteed to make life much more difficult for Hornets.

Is that evidence enough for you ?

It reminds me of the old photos of Stalin and the Politburo - one by one the other members were purged and then airbrushed out of existence.

That’s before I get to the disgrace that was the Fiji match having to be moved to Salford because the football club priced us out of being able to hold it at the Crown Oil Arena. Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face !

Every move the new football club board has made has been designed to drive Hornets out of the ground. If they’d have spent one tenth of the effort they’ve used up in trying to remove Hornets on the football team they might still have League status. 

I used to watch both clubs, ran on the pitch to  slap big Reg on the back after the Southend game, went to Wembley for the play off game etc. I would still go to most important games until recently. I’ll never set foot in the ground for a football match as long as this board are running the show. Fortunately the way that things appear to be going I may not have to wait long. People are finally beginning to see Gauge in his true colours. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. Anybody in any doubt - just look how he’s behaved regarding Hornets.

The only thing Gauge and his gang will be remembered for will be ruining both clubs. Some achievement !

Edited August 2, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[Anita Bath]

36 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

The evidence is staring you in the face matey. Open your eyes. We must be the only club in the world that can’t charge for car parking. We’ve been moved out of the club shop. Then we got moved out of the club office. Then the trophy cabinet vanished. Then we end up sat in one eight of the ground. Then the Hornets signage vanished from outside the ground. All peevish, spiteful moves guaranteed to make life much more difficult for Hornets.

Is that evidence enough for you ?

It reminds me of the old photos of Stalin and the Politburo - one by one the other members were purged and the. airbrushed out of existence.

That’s before I get to the disgrace that was the Fiji match having to be moved to Salford because the football club priced us out of being able to hold it at the Crown Oil Arena. Talk about cutting your nose off to spite your face !

Every move the new football club board has made has been designed to drive Hornets out of the ground. If they’d have spent one tenth of the effort they’ve used up in trying to remove Hornets on the football team they might still have League status. 

I used to watch both clubs, ran on the pitch to  slap big Reg on the back after the Southend game, went to Wembley for the play off game etc. I would still go to most important games until recently. I’ll never set foot in the ground for a football match as long as this board are running the show. Fortunately the way that things appear to be going I may not have to wait long. People are finally beginning to see Gauge in his true colours. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. Anybody in any doubt - just look how he’s behaved regarding Hornets.

The only thing Gauge and his gang will be remembered for will be ruining both clubs. Some achievement !

….and in record time!

[E.Thickett]

I worked at the Stadium for 6 years and had to defend Rochdale Hornets on a daily basis. When my patience finally ran out I gave them 1 minutes notice. 6 years on and nothing has changed. I noticed on Saturday that one of the trophy  cabinets has been left empty. Why not put a sign inside stating we are childish?

[HornetsGrey]

On 02/08/2023 at 09:36, E.Thickett said:

I worked at the Stadium for 6 years and had to defend Rochdale Hornets on a daily basis. When my patience finally ran out I gave them 1 minutes notice. 6 years on and nothing has changed. I noticed on Saturday that one of the trophy  cabinets has been left empty. Why not put a sign inside stating we are childish?

So you had problems for 6 years - long before the current Dale Board.   We need to move on and I am pleased that Hornets issued the statement they did on 1st August.   It must have stuck in the throat for some.   Can we not get behind both teams and start to attract new fans.   The way things stand I don't think either club will exist in 5 years time, but hope I am wrong.   The Dale Board told fans last night that they were close to selling the club to an Amercian consortium a few months ago but it fell through.   That would have allowed new investment - for all I know that deal might have included the acquisition of Hornets.   They continue to search - but with the electricity and gas costs for Spotland now a quarter of a million pounds, no real contribution from hornets and the dale fan base declining, they need to find somebody as income is declining rapidly.   We need to take the blinkers off and get behind both clubs.  

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

3 hours ago, HornetsGrey said:

So you had problems for 6 years - long before the current Dale Board.   We need to move on and I am pleased that Hornets issued the statement they did on 1st August.   It must have stuck in the throat for some.   Can we not get behind both teams and start to attract new fans.   The way things stand I don't think either club will exist in 5 years time, but hope I am wrong.   The Dale Board told fans last night that they were close to selling the club to an Amercian consortium a few months ago but it fell through.   That would have allowed new investment - for all I know that deal might have included the acquisition of Hornets.   They continue to search - but with the electricity and gas costs for Spotland now a quarter of a million pounds, no real contribution from hornets and the dale fan base declining, they need to find somebody as income is declining rapidly.   We need to take the blinkers off and get behind both clubs.  

Actions speak a lot louder than words. Re-instate the Hornets office facilities and the club shop, Replace the trophies in the cabinet and the signage outside the stadium. 

Edited August 4, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces