Rochdale - Stories & Memories

[AustrianAndyGull]

It's Lancastrian opponents once more as we pay another visit to Spotland on Saturday, I have to say that of all the clubs I have been to in Lancashire (Fleetwood / Morecambe / Accrington) that Rochdale is by far the friendliest and with the most realistic set of supporters. Fleetwood think they're suddenly a big club after being in the league a year, Morecambe are what I can only describe as moribund and Accrington shouldn't really be in the football league. They have 6 fans, a dilapidated ground and regularly take fewest fans on away trips.

I have been to Spotland twice, the first time was a night game in the season we were relegated to the conference. I think we lost 2-0, I think Keith Curle was in charge and on that night I saw Jamal Easter, the worst EVER Torquay player I have seen. Dreadful. On that night I also saw a rather large sign outside the ground with the Rochdale club crest and the words 'BELIEVE IN THE SIGN'.

THE SIGN OF WHAT?!! Zorro? The Times? I half expected Uri Geller to come waltzing around the corner with a bag of spoons to take into the Rochdale end in an attempt to get some spiritual intervention for the Dale lads! They don't need that those boys, all THEY need is a few Pictish ales and a sing song I reckon.

Last season I went and we played like a compact formation of swallows all going round in circles, one following the other, following the other and when it came to the leader of the swallows (on that day for arguments sake Taylor was this lead swallow) the leader of all the swallows turned out NOT to be a swallow at all but a huge buffoon. We were bloody pitiful. We lost 1-0 and I bought a pair of Rochdale shorts from the club shop for a laugh, it turned out not that funny in the end but still funnier than Sarah Millican.

Oh and a special mention for the chippy outside the ground, superb. It is surprising how many fish and chip shops don't actually know how to make their products properly but boy does this baby! Nobody puts baby in a corner and therefore it is situated in the middle of some houses on a straight road but babies love gravy, so do I and so will you! I recommend ordering something to accompany your gravy such as a fish, a sausage or a barm! Gravy sandwich- tastic mate!

Sorry, went a bit odd there, don't know what happened - I think it because the England v Finland U21 game has just finished 1-1 and my bet has just gone for a Burton AGAIN! Some stupid English clot on 4 million a week got sent off, d*ckhead. Although that has nothing to do with games at Rochdale.

Apparently we have a poor record there so i'm praying it ends on Saturday.

Do you have any stories or memories about games at Spotland that you wish to share with us?

[FavGull]

Wish I did. I have been there once, a night game in when I was at uni, so somewhere around 2000-2002 (should look it up really). Unfortunately, like most of my time at uni, my memory isn't quite what it should be. I'm fairly sure we drew 2-2, and there was a pub very close to the ground where I had a good chat with some friendly locals. I haven't made it back there since but certainly will do, but it won't be Saturday unfortunately.

[bixieupnorth]

only been the once, on the train with my mate keir, lost 1-0, remember the superb pies, only £2, and a bizarre statueless podium outside the railway station, one of the rare times that i have jumped right into a cab to the ground rather than exploring the town to find a pre selected real ale emporium! this time we ended up in the bar attached to the ground, most unsatisfactory!!

straight back to the delights of manchester after the game too!! no takers this weekend, still cursing the fixture computers lack of compassion in putting york and burton on tuesday nights. none of my northern mates want to go for a day out in rochdale or bury!! one may be tempted by scunny and theyve all said they'll do mansfield and chesterfield, but theyre next year so hardly count!

[AustrianAndyGull]

only been the once, on the train with my mate keir, lost 1-0, remember the superb pies, only £2, and a bizarre statueless podium outside the railway station, one of the rare times that i have jumped right into a cab to the ground rather than exploring the town to find a pre selected real ale emporium! this time we ended up in the bar attached to the ground, most unsatisfactory!!

straight back to the delights of manchester after the game too!! no takers this weekend, still cursing the fixture computers lack of compassion in putting york and burton on tuesday nights. none of my northern mates want to go for a day out in rochdale or bury!! one may be tempted by scunny and theyve all said they'll do mansfield and chesterfield, but theyre next year so hardly count!

You could go on your own and be a loner like me!

I only meet folk when I get in the ground otherwise it's a solitary existence being a northern Gull.

[dazgull]

I have been there 5 times but not visited for quite a while and not been in the newish stand where away fans are now put. Last two visits I went we were put in the seats at the end of the grandstand. The last visit was some stupid date, new years bank hol! They only thought we would have 50 there but more like 200 turned up and surrounded by loads of stewards for some reason and telling us not to move. Although when you needed food or toilet you had to walk all the way down to the other end of the grandstand mixing with their fans.

First three visits were on a big open terrace, now the seated stand behind the goal. Obviously not much of an atmosphere there. Can remember the toilets were at the back of these and open too and any tall fans waving at people in their houses behind.

We used to go in the bar at the ground then and that was good and always a good day our bar results. I started with a 0-0 and that was as good as it got. Four defeats and just one goal in a 4-1 defeat...!!

Still the trips to places like Rochdale, Bury and Halifax were always a good day out.