Is there a supporters club in rochdale?

[Mad Eyed Screamer]

I am that fat bloke . Never muscled Mick out .Mick did nearly everything behind the scenes I just chaired the meetings but as said we would have been nowhere without Micks hard work & contacts .honourable mentions to Phil gatenby ,Steve Hewitt & Ken Doodson
Apologies if I missed anyone.
The lack of guests & difficulty getting away tickets in time eventually led to our demise.
Ironically our peak was when City where at their lowest
Once again massive thanks & big respect to Mick

As secretary / treasurer at the time I can vouch that Mick (as he's said himself) had had enough.
The Fat Bloke's election campaign was run in a similar way to mine each year at the AGM

''OK, hands up who wants to be branch chairman / secretary / treasurer?''

(everyone looks the opposite way not trying to catch the eye of the out going chair / sec / treasurer)

''Come on, someone, any takers?''

5 minutes later

Fat Bloke and Me ''OK, we'll do it for one more year, but that's final....''
All in agreement - (100% of hands go up in agreement and everyone can now stop looking at the ceiling!)

Repeat every 12 months!

I remember well the one AGM when I said to myself I was giving up being secretary after 3 years. I drove home as newly appointed secretary AND treasurer!

Happy days!

 

[Frank the Yank]

The old Rochdale branch was quality, run by Mick Thompson and had regular attendees such as fanzine editors Dave Wallace, Tom Ritchie and Phil Gatenby.

Also had visits from David Conn and other luminaries from the press.

A great night out.

*cough* Phill Gatenby was secretary and treasurer for a few years, with Mick as chair and then Ken Doodson at the helm.
During the season in Divvy 3, we had monthly meetings with 50 plus in attendance - including the infamous Jackie!
The guests were plenty, the club would send players every other meeting (or so it seemed) plus ex players / managers (John Bond) and even John Wardle or Bernstein when chairman and also Mark Burgess from the Chameleons when he worked in the ticket office!
We had over 100 there when Nicky Weaver received his Player of the Year award.

Then the double promotions arrived and Joe Royle put a block on the players turning up. There are only so many times people will turn up to see the same faces from the local media and former players all doing the rounds at the supporters clubs (that's not having a go at them by the way) and numbers dwindled.
We'd have a guest hopefully lined up, with a quiz in case it was a no show. It just became a quiz in the end..... the plug was pulled....

When I first went (around 1995) it was upstairs in a pub on a side street next to the bus station, then moved to Spotland in the social club.
A special mention to Stephen Hewitt who churned out the regular newsletters each month. I dreaded opening the envelope each month to see what offensive front cover he had used this time!
Sadly Stephen passed away 2 years ago...... gone but not forgotten....

I have known Mick for over 30 years. believe it or not we started as "pen firends" when i first began supporting city. Havent been to Blighty since 2004 and miss it immensely. We still keep in touch and, hopefully, I will be able to visit again within 2 years. This time it will be with my Blue Missus.

Knew Stephen and went to a couple of matches with him. He was a great guy who had a sharp wit and fun to be around. Only hung around a few times but my life was/is better for it.

Rochdale and City have always had a good relationship. We would alwasy try ad take in a Dale match when i was over since I come from football starved America.

cannot wait to get back, especially to sit in a pub and sup a nice ale.....

 

[Frank the Yank]

Hey all,thanks for the kind comments about the old Rochdale Branch and nice to hear there are still options around the Rochdale area for us Blues!!
I am still around and a season ticket holder and quite often in the main check out here quite often.
The old Rochdale Branch just got to the point that time wise i just did not have enough,it got harder and harder to get guests and in the end it was stopping me enjoying just going to the games!!
I enjoyed it most of the time but in the end it was the right thing for me and i am always around if any of the local branches want a bit of help or ideas on guests etc!!
Never got pushed out or anyone trying to take over,everyone that went to the meetings where top City fans and we had some great nights!! Cheers Mick Thompson

Great to see you on here mate!!! Hope you ad your family are doing well!!! You saved me an e mail!! was going to buzz you last night, then I realized that you would be on your way to the match!!! Phoned Big Stuey instead but the big lug was still in bed at 1130!!! Lazy sod!!

Cant wait to bring the wifey over to Blighty for a game or two!!!

 

[phil31]

Think it's only right that we at Mcfc Cassy, should acknowledge the work of our Predecessors in the Rochdale branch

Repeat the honourable mentions to Phil Gatenby, Steve Hewitt, Ken Doodson & of course Mick. Some great guests, top nghts & to do it all without the Internet & mobiles was a hell of a task. Respect is due & apologies if I've overlooked anyone

Horton, Rosler, Ball, Tueart all paid a visit & I remember a great night out with Terry Phelan who stayed longer than expected - and signed for Chelsea the very next day.

Was sad to hear about Steve from his Mum who helps out with the Scouts/Cubs in Rochdale

Now if only FBB could follow Branch Instructions, he would have avoided a night in the Liverpool cells

Did you contact my dad with regards to getting his hands on the trophy Sig?