Chairman Andy Mazey provides positive club update

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Chairman Andy Mazey provides positive club update

 

With no game this weekend, club chairman Andy Mazey has taken time to thank and update supporters on developments at the club over recent months.

What a difference a year can make in Rugby League.

It doesn't seem like five minutes ago since I was writing to you all following a disappointing away defeat in Cornwall, which brought the curtain down on an important reset and transitional year in 2023.

As part of that update a little over 12 months ago, I did assure you all we remained committed, confident in the plan we have, and made you a promise that we would be much stronger in 2024. The proof of the pudding however is always in the eating, and at the time of writing today, we have finished third in a strong Betfred League 1 competition - the highest league position during my tenure at the club - and we now head into an exciting end of year play-off series in good shape, and in great from. 

From purely first team and specifically a footballing perspective, the main goal this year was to be a team that not only improved significantly on our 2023 efforts, but also to become a hard-working and honest team that the town and borough could be proud of. 

Its great to have delivered on those goals, and to be seeing the fruits of intelligent, long-term building and sheer hard work. While we are pleased with such progress this year, I know Gary, our staff and players are not done yet and the focus is on putting our best foot forward in the next few weeks at what is now the business end of the year.

To evidence our front foot approach as a club, the majority of this years team have already been retained and announced on contract extensions. This is a great place to be, but supporters can still look forward to further announcements in respect of retentions, and news of exciting additions for 2025 in the coming days and weeks, as we strive for continued improvement heading into year three of the strategic plan laid down late in 2022. 

I really hope the town can rally behind Gary and the boys and show its appreciation by turning up in numbers next Sunday, when we take on a very strong Hunslet team at the Crown Oil Arena.

Here is a thought - if all our regulars just bring one extra paying person along next week, then we can really create an atmosphere befitting of this fantastic teams efforts throughout this campaign. Lets show the RFL and wider rugby league community that we really are a club on the rise, and back our boys to the hilt.

Off the field, a number of strategic changes have been taking place in the recent weeks and months. This evolves over time in business and sport, and It has become more apparent with much less central funding than in the past, there is a need to increase non centralised revenue, to not just survive but to thrive in modern-day rugby league. With the demands of the IMG grading framework, clubs need the strongest financial footing and ownership model possible.

With the above in mind, we recently announced Britannia Metals Ltd had joined myself, Carl Halstead and Paul Ormerod as shareholders and custodians of this great club. As I stated at the time of the announcement, the investment from Britannia is testimony to the direction of travel our club has taken over the past couple of years, with particular emphasis on bigger picture thinking, sustainability and the engagement of our wider communities in the Rochdale borough.

As part of the above mentioned recent changes, I can now also announce that Tony Sheridan has stepped away from the board and also relinquished his shareholding. 

Tony was one of the original consortium I put together in 2020 when we took over the club - a committed and positive contributor through darker and more challenging days, and someone I have the upmost respect for. I would like to place on record our thanks to Tony for his commitment to Rochdale Hornets over the past four years. Tony is and will remain a personal friend of mine, and the club. He and his family will always be made welcome at Rochdale Hornets. 

On the subject of shareholding, on a positive note I can also report that Tony's shares have been used to facilitate further investment and a additional significant financial contribution from myself, Carl and Paul. This is in addition to the Britannia Metals investment and allocation of shares. 

Opportunities remain open to others who share the same passion and commitment to help take the club forward, and like-minded professionals who may wish to join the ownership group of a progressive club. My various inboxes are always open and we still accept letters so feel free to reach out at any time.

Due to the recent changes, the non-executive director of development position we created in 2022 - effectively a conduit between club and foundation - is now redundant. As a result, non executive Jason Seddon has now also departed the club. 

On the subject of IMG, we have worked on an improvement plan over the past 12 months since initial gradings. General manager Matt Rigby and I burned the midnight oil recently on our comprehensive submission, and I am delighted to report Rochdale Hornets grading submission and supporting documentation was submitted ahead of the deadline for League 1 clubs last week. 

We have improved our scores on the finance, fandom and performance pillars, and are confident as a club with further growth in the support base that we can continually improve within the framework set out by the sport's strategic partner.

On a more general note the hard work has continued this season. Matt Rigby is one of the best signings I have made at this club. His impact has been outstanding for us, and he continues to deliver constant improvement across our day to day and matchday operations.

The gameday themes, as an example, have helped to drive an increase to our average home attendance, which is not only testament to Matt but also to our fantastic and loyal volunteers. The old saying "Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they’re worthless, but because they’re priceless" absolutely sums up the great people that make this club very special. Alone we can do so little, but together, we can do so much.

The Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation, led by chairman Mark Wynn, is working hard to shape the next chapter. Central to this moving forward will be one of the milestone moments of 2024, the launch of our Community hub, or 'the Hive', as we are referring to it, which will significantly increase the social value we bring to the local community. 

It also shows our commitment to improving participation and activity levels in under-represented groups across the borough, and will also enable delivery of non rugby league related projects as we support groups and communities who face barriers in life.

Before I sign off, here comes the call to action piece. 

Sport in Rochdale is embarking on a new era with new ownership at Rochdale AFC. We should be particularly proud to be a club thats making solid progress on and off the pitch at time when so many in the sport are sadly struggling. The board, management, staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to make this club a success with the backing of our commercial partners and sponsors. 

Here comes the but. We need more if we wish to continue to our progress. The membership numbers of All Hornets, our official supporters' association, and the club lottery are going backwards, and this needs to change. 

I appreciate the cost of living situation but would urge all who can afford to just do that little bit more to do so, but more importantly be a salesperson for the club and encourage others to sign up and get along to games. It really can and will make a big difference.

Thank you for your support so far in 2024, and I look forward to seeing you all next Sunday.

Best Wishes,
Andy Mazey