***Home Day Review Promotion Special: Rochdale v Cheltenham Town & Promotion Party @ Spotland Stadium***

I left mine near just before 1pm because i wanted to start as late as possible as it were gonna be a long day on a small budget , I went to Spotland Social Club were i had 1 Guinness and Diluted Blackcurrant before going to Spotland Stadium, The Atmosphere were incredible all Match we scored 2 Goals in a matter of Minutes then at Half Time it came up that Exeter City were ending the streak of Scunthorpe being 1-0 up at Half Time as i didn’t fancy drinking. I got a Pie and a Coke then chilled with friends who were asking who were who in the Fleetwood Review then i went out for the 2nd Half Fans were getting ready for the Pitch invasion at 4.43PM  because some Dale Fans were already over the barrier the Referee added 4 Minutes Extra Time we were just waiting for Fleetwood Town’s result to be confirmed who were drawing with Southend United who had beat us not long ago.  

 

 

 

The Pitch invasion happened at 4.50PM but Fleetwood Town’s Match hadn’t finished yet against Southend United so Promotion wasn’t yet confirmed but Scunthorpe United had lost 2-0 to Exeter City everyone cheered when it were announced 3 Minutes Later, Then we were Just waiting in Pearl Street for it to be confirmed, Then it hit Full Time and Fleetwood Town had Drawn against Southend United and Rochdale were Promoted we walked on the Pitch at 4.56PM. I used my camera an excuse to get nearer the front and got Brilliant Pictures of the Celebrations and the cracking open of the Champagne bottles in Main Stand. Then after the celebrations settled down i saw roccydaleian who were one of the Match Sponsors, Then made my way to the Social Club for an Guinness before The Awards Promotion Party.

 

 

 

 

I got to The Awards Promotion party for just after 6.40PM on the way i bumped into Jason Kennedy and he asked if i were going Newport County i told him i were doing and he also asked how i were which were nice of him. The Queue at the Ratclife bar were big i ended up ordering a Guinness from The Dale Bar, Then i chilled with  Jack O’Connell,Graham Cummins ,Peter Cavanagh & Georgie Donnelly but the picture were taken alot later i went back into Ratcliffe Bar and got a Picture taken with our Star Striker Scotty Hogan & Our on loan from Bradford City Midfielder Jason Kennedy. George Donnelly offered to take a picture of me and Peter Cavanagh then i got an picture with Jack O’Connell & George Donnelly then after talking to Joe Rafferty the Awards began to be given out, 

The Awards were as Follows:

Michael Rose – Player of the Year

Scotty Hogan – Fans Player of the Year & Dale Dragons Player of the Year

Ian Henderson – Goal of the Season v Leeds United

Peter Cavanagh – Community Player of Year

Josh Lillis – Players Player of the Year

Jamie Allen – Most Improved Player of the Year

Callum Camps – Young Player of the Year

 

Then the celebrations began right into the night, we sung football songs and had a party with the Players and Keith Hill then i didn’t go the after party at Regal Moon as i were saving myself for Newport Away, at this point i managed to get a picture with Keith Hill there were also Fan Pictures throughout the Night

 

 

Don’t forget

I’m currently saving up to go to The UEFA Under 21 European Championship which will be held in Czech Republic in June 2015 If England Under 21’s Qualify…

Feel Free to Donate anything if you want!!

Any Donation Welcome (Not Mandatory)

 

 

Away Day Review Classic; Rotherham United v Rochdale @ The New York Stadium, Tuesday 18th September 2012

My evening began in the Church Inn while i were waiting for the coach and i didn’t want to get wet through even more so i chilled out for abit and relaxed

The Coach left at 5PM it only took 1 hour 20 minutes the trip the coach wasn’t as comfy as the chesterfield one but we had a laugh on the way down and we were like going on about predictions i mentioned that it’ll be 3-1 to Rochdale

The Coach got there for 6.20PM but were redirected about 14 minutes away from New York Stadium so when i got to the stadium i went to get my ticket and then though it were way too early to go in so i went across the road and had a visit of Millmoor Stadium which i got told that i wouldn’t be able to get pictures because of health and safety etc and Booth being very strict but it the end got a brilliant picture over the top of the fence

I walked back to New York Stadium got there about 5 minutes before kick off. Went in then looked to find a seat at first i sat at the top then were getting hungry just before the first goal i went to get some food which were reasonable because they did a meal deal a pie, coffee and a packet of crisp for £5.50 sat down then finished off my pie then we scored to go 1-0 up then that were pretty much the first half

Then 2nd half i went and sat near the sandy singers who didn’t even join in with one pearl street song then we went 2-1 down then i started shouting we want 3 want 3 got some weird looks for having faith in Rochdale but it reminded me of MK Dons at Spotland Stadium in centenary year then we got given a penalty then the match went 2-2

The stand were shaking and we quieted the Rotherham United fans once again then i carried on with the we want 3 we want 3 and carried on singing and England version of Rochdale then we scored the stand went mental at 3-2 in the 72 minute

Then after that i were counting down the minutes until the match ended then 4 minutes extra were given i started preying nothing would mess up then when the whistle went for Full Time everyone were happy with Rochdale winning away on 2 in a row then we walked back to the coach

We got back to the coach then on the way back we were diverted because of road works which added atleast an hour onto the tip we got back for near enough just before midnight overall was worth the trip and wouldn’t change anything that evening

Away Day Review Classic: Accrington Stanley v Rochdale @ The Crown Ground, Saturday 6th October 2012

My day began in the Regel Moon with a Traditional Breakfast and a Latte then chilled out for abit waiting to set off to the ground. We ended up at The Grey Horse for 1PM on the dot after taking the Nordan way into Accrington stayed in there for abit then went to collect my ticket from the office

We then went into the crown pub were they lied about their bottles being £2.00 and charged me £2.80 which i though wasn’t right by the time i got into the ground i missed first goal but got told it were like perkins 30 second goal at Spotland

It were a okay day apart from the Singers let themselves down on what i’d say one of our local biggish games by not joining in with any Pearl Street Enders Songs which were a total let down

The second goal were well good but when they pulled one back i were having flashbacks of the last time we messed 2-0 lead up i never saw their equalizer but when i went back into the coppice i saw the third goal the match had blown for full time we went back in the crown for abit were every Rochdale fan were celebrating the win

Then afterwards i nipped back to the ground for abit to see which players were still there while i were waiting got some shots of the ground empty

Away Day Review Classic: AFC Wimbldon v Rochdale @ The Cherry Red Records Stadium a.k.a Kingsmeadow Stadium, Saturday 15th September 2012

I got the coach at 8ish it were quiet then slowly filled up it were a cute coach not like the last one which were very luxury seating wise everybody on board we set off 8.30AM on the dot

we passed Walsall’s ground around 10.30ish then an hour or so after we pulled into Warwick services we stopped for 30 Minutes what I’d say is the most expensive services on the map. we saw Accrington Stanley Fans, Morecambe and egg chasing fans Castlefield because of the tiger on their shirts

After we left the services within I’d say less than an hour we hit the beloved London ques which were quite annoying though we wouldn’t of made kick off because it were that bad but still glad i actually got the coach we finally left the ques and then got back on with journey which saw you reach Nobiton for about 2ish it were a nice little place with a small South Korean community every place we saw had something to do with the country

When i got to the ground i noticed it were also The Ryman Isthmian Football League Premier Division outfit Kingstonian FC.

I didn’t think it were that great the ground itself reminded me off Aldershot Town i had a very poor view from the terracing stand which i could see nout so i went to get a pastie and a coffee and ended up missing Dele Adebola’s goal

The whole Bobby Grant incident happened so fast but the firing his fan mouth off were just as bad all i saw were when Grant had hit the floor and the Womble players

I still couldn’t get over we were winning an match away from home but then it went from a party to keeping it 2-1 because Wombles suddenly started dominating after Coleman’s subs were they could of leveled it even won the match but we still managed to walk away with 3 Points since November 2011 Bobby Grant went around clapping to the traveling Fans even Putterill came over

We were back on the coach for about 5.30ish. we did one more service stop before heading what I’d say were the long way home compared to past trips

we reached home for near enough 10.30ish which were reasonable for the long way home could of been an hour sooner if pulled off at Middleton but hopefully notes will be taken on the time it taken to get to Wimbledon never had enough time to have a proper look at the ground itself or even a drink break which were disappointing other than that it felt very weird winning away from home but it were nice to see improvements made to the squad since Burton & Torquay

Away Day Review FA Cup Special Classic: Morecombe v Rochdale @ The Globe Arena, Saturday 3rd November 2012

My day began a Rochdale Station i got the train to Manchester Victoria then jumped on what i though were the Bolton train were i accidentally ended up in Swinton were i had to go a stop back on myself ending up back at Salford crescent were i got the train to Bolton then changed again at Preston were i bumped into Rochdale i eventually got the train to Lancaster we had a drinks stop at the station were they were doing an offer on cans 2 for £4 or 1 for £2.75 then i had a view of Lancaster City ground from the massive field which i didn’t enter as the train were leaving Lancaster at 1ish on the Lancaster train there were great atmosphere we ended up going to a pub called the station what was near after a walk through the Market what were a tinpot version of Blackpool

We ended up getting a taxi to the ground even though i requested a mini-bus at the bar then i got to the globe arena wasn’t that taken away by the new constructed ground it looked kinda plastic at half time i ended up getting probably one of the worst pies ever the away end stunk atleast at Christie Road it were clean. Second Half were interesting after Donnelly scored a cracking goal to equalize it went mental during the second half the singers gave into there none joining strike and we got a cracking yellow army atmosphere going in the terrace

I couldn’t get very good shots as the ground were around dark spots shaded by the stand’s just like Colchester and Chesterfield but the sky were Amazing

I got the train back an hour after kick off then ended up on a train with rochdale fans in a mixed mood over the result then when got back into Lancaster saw Lancaster City’s Giant Axe as floodlight were still on popped down to the ground before getting train to Preston on the way back on the Preston Train as soon as we hit Horwich Parkway were the train was taken over by Bolton Wanderers fans who just seen their team beta Cardiff City at the Reebok stadium i got talking to a couple before they got off at Bolton explained i were a Rochdale Fans and that i were traveling back after we drew 1-1 i eventually got to Salford Crescent were i changed for a direct train to Manchester Victoria as i didn’t need to go Manchester Pic or Manchester Oxford Road i eventually got into Manchester Victoria for 8ish then ended up getting the train to Rochdale

Away Day Review Classic: Plymouth Argyle v Rochdale @ Home Park, Saturday 20th October 2012

I left Rochdale at 12ish my train left pic about 2.07 but i ended delayed in outside of Birmingham as we were waiting for a platform then we ended up delayed even more because of slow trains infront hit the riviera about 7.10PM i couldn’t see the England Riviera at all and then i finally arrived in Paignton for 7.25PM missing first look hollyoaks on E4

i nipped out to get a pizza from Pappa’s i chose the sausage and bean pizza then got back in time for Hollyoaks first look on E4+1 what were a relief but the pizza i had made me sick that night so i went out to see if i could drink it off but i wasn’t feeling any better so i called it a night after Henry’s Bar

Morning after i woke up feeling okay had breakfast then went for the train to visit Newton Abbot Spurs AFC were are located in the lowest parts of the south west football league which were formed in 2007 when i got there i were welcomed by people who keep the club going they were building a memorial for one of their players who passed away they even made me a coffee and talked about football

I left Newton Abbot Spurs had a look around the little town abit of site seeing before heading back to the station by the time i got there i still had to wait 30 minutes for the Plymouth train it finally arrived then i went when hunting were i ended up bumping into a Plymouth fans who travel’s from Bath for most of their games at Home Park we were talking about football for about 10 – 15 minutes

Then we reached Totnes were there were a vitality on the line and trust it to of been our train we ended up stuck in Totnes for about just under 3 hours so me and the Plymouth fan were finding quotes for a taxi and they wanted beyond the odds of £45 so we decided just to go back to the station and wait for the next train heading into Plymouth

Finally arrived in Plymouth about 2PMish then decided to get a taxi to the ground’s i wanted to go just before Kick Off. so i go a quote from the taxi and got in then first ground i stopped at were just in the Cornwall Boarder Saltash United who were playing Teighmouth in the League Cup Match at the Kimberley Stadium which kicked off at 2.30PM it felt weird going into someone else’s match when Rochdale were playing just under 10 minutes away

My Next stop ended up being a team in the same League as Saltash United which were Plymouth Parkway there wasn’t much to say about the ground apart from Rochdale Town’s, Saltash United’s & Newton Abbot Spurs is alot better it were basically a Pub Team who gained a South West Counties Football League status the pitch didn’t look well looked after but it were expected at that level

I left Parkway Sports Club and I finally got to Home Park for 2.40PM then walked up to the club shop while taking pictures on the way up to it then i had to find the away end which were a pain

I eventually got to my seat infront of the goal then within minutes we went 1-0 down then suddenly 2-0 down which surprised me then approached half time i got a bitter and chilled out wasn’t determend to go back in the 2nd half

I went back to my seat to be exposed to the most awkwardest atmosphere of the season with “The Singers” keeping up their silence dispute leaving me singing on my own once again at another away game once again then we ended up getting a Penalty which we ended up missing were we heard a big roar of cheer from Plymouth Fans from all over the pitch

We eventually scored in 2nd half making it 2-1 which could of been 2-2 if we hadn’t missed the Penalty, then the Plymouth Argyle did a Army type move in the Rochdale Box then they got a Penalty after the Linesman said to the Referee it were deferentially a Penalty then the Plymouth Player put the ball on the spot then he scored making it 3-1 to Plymouth then Full Time finally came and our Away Record ended at Home Park

I walked through some park to get to the train station to find out that i were going the wrong way and then some Plymouth Argyle Fan gave me a lift to the station on the way he asked my opinion on the game i said we were shocking i got to the Train station were i bumped into fan a couple of our Somerset exiles and ended up on the train back to Newton Abbot were i ended up next to a Rochdale Fan who were staying in Exeter with some of his friends then changed at Newton Abbot but this time i never got the wrong train i ended up getting train back to Paignton were

i got back just in time to get a potion of chips from Scoffs chippy which are probably the best chips in the whole of Devon. Then i went back to the hotel and got ready for the night out then i went to Henry’s Bar again then i went the shoreline then to The Paignton Rugby and Cricket Club were i ended up drinking with a couple of their players who support Torquay United at the Football side of things one of them looked like Bobby Grant expect from being southern they tried converting me to the idea of Rugby Union but i wasn’t biting all i said were that i would watch them play sometime i ended my night once again in the spinning wheel again

I got a wake up call from Peterborough friend before Breakfast then went down to have Breakfast then asked the owner if it were okay to leave my stuff in the lounge while i went out for abit before The FA Cup 1st Round Draw i ended up going into Preston which isn’t far from Paignton i didn’t understand what the wooden huts were from but they looked very old and there were alot of them
Just before i went back to the hotel i started craving them amazing chips so i went to scoffs chippy and got Sausage and chips

Then awaited The FA Cup Draw which wasn’t hounded this season and only featured 1 underdog team in the preview which lost to Met police then the draw started i were dreading us drawing someone were i was or down south then Morecambe’s number came out then 35 which were Rochdale’s number i celebrated I went for my train which were due in at 2.57PM i caught the train then changed at Exeter St David’s for my scheduled train from there to go Birmingham then i got into a very dark Birmingham New Street then got my train to Manchester which never got in until 10.22PM then i went down to Victoria to find out the only trains going out were to york so then i went get the bus which i did and ended up back in rochdale for near enough 11.30PM then got a taxi home what got me there near enough midnight i had never been so glad to be back home

Away Day Review Classic: Southend United v Rochdale @ Roots Hall, Saturday 24th November 2012

I were at my pick up point for dead on 7am ready for the long trip to Southend then got picked and paid the petrol money then my friend filled up his car and we set off it were a smooth and relaxing ride we did a couple of service stop’s one of the services had lost power meaning we had to walk over the motorway bridge to the other side then we carried on the journey.

We had finally reached Southend to find somewhere to park near the ground then i decided that I’d go ticket office and get a ticket because i figured out once we got to the pub we wouldn’t be out until just before Kick Off

After getting my ticket i went in the blue boar pub and had a couple of relaxing pints i ended up being short for the rip off round after i got told already had a pint behind the bar awaiting me the barmaid which claimed afterwards didn’t exist but fair play to the Essex con-artists and when the pub got packed they put up there beer prices by 30p

I went to the ground before i could enter the away part i had to walk around because the steward couldn’t let me in through the gate what goes through to the away part what were probably the simplest jobs in the world so i walked the long way around to the away part for a steward what didn’t have common sense

I got into the ground and found my seat then watched the match we looked okay during the first half with a good couple attempts at goal but other than that it wasn’t entertaining then came half time a couple of our fans were let outside the away end to have a smoke

Second half got underway we started to dominate the play which 5 minutes into the match saw us go 1-0 up with a goal from New boy Gornell who came on loan from Shrewsbury Town then just minutes after the team had switched off and we went 1-1 thanks to Southend equalizing then just minutes after they scored again then we went 2-1 this is when the meathead southend steward started picking fights with Dale Fans i happened to have came down with that day where words were exchanged even a death threat from the meathead to one of the lads which surely isn’t in the stewards handbook then the meathead picked a fight again with another Dale Fan i happen to of traveled down with but this time the steward got other stewards involved which saw this fan hit his head of the steps and stuff this angered alot of Dale Fans the way he were thrown out of the ground the police said they couldn’t do nothing about the meathead who were complained about of a number of fans

We were leaving the ground to meet them outside and as we left we had went 3-1 down were my traditional missing a goal continued then we set of home i got back for about 11ish i think after a couple of service stops

Away Day Review Special Classic: Peterborough United v Blackpool @ London Road, Saturday 1st December 2012

I got up the morning of the Peterborough match i told the Poshbird that it felt like a awayday to me then shortly afterwards we had set of to the match when we got there we went into KFC which were pretty decent even though the burger were spicy then we finished that and we went to one of the boat pub called Charters to get a beer. I got IDed then i got talking to Blackpool Fans and showed them my Rochdale shirt what i had on under my coat then got invited into the Blackpool end, so i checked with Poshbird and she had no problem with me leaving for 90 minutes i got into the Away end to see Blackpool were fully behind their manager Michael Appleton with non-stop chanting “Appleton’s Barmy Army” with a drum sponsored by wonga

I comfortably got into the seasiders atmosphere and joined in and then Blackpool got quiet dominant but couldn’t score but Matty Gilks pulled off some amazing saves during the first half which saw it completely goalless at Half Time. Rochdale losing didn’t help things from the texts i were getting through it looked like nothing were gonna happen at London Road

Then the second half began which saw 6 minutes into the 2nd half Wes Thomas scored a cracking goal and it went mental in the Blackpool end of the ground with Posh silenced then just 7 minutes after the goal Young Tom Ince were fouled by one of the Posh Players and scored a cracking Penalty for the seaside town then “Oh Tom Ince is the love of my life” were chanted by Blackpool Fans in the away end by “Appleton’s Barmy Army” even louder than the first half

21 more minutes into the match Posh scored by Dwight Gayle who were on a bizarre loan from Dagenham & Redbridge to Peterborough United then Posh started chanting which only lasted 12 minutes because Nouha Dicko scored a cracking goal then i decided it were time to make way to the home for the final part of the match as i came down with Poshbird i had to wait for the gate to be opened then i entered when young Tom Ince scored his 2nd goal of the match then Fergie Junior Time were added which didn’t make a difference then the referee blown the whistle for full time and Matty Gilks clapped the posh fans who gave him very good reviews then we made our way back to the car and i went back to Poshbird’s

Away Day Review Classic: Aldershot Town v Rochdale, Saturday 15th December 2012

I got picked up dead on 7.50 then we went to pick up the other two passengers i paid my money towards the petrol were very positive that we’d win the match 3-1 given Aldershot Town’s home form were worser than Wimbledon’s we picked up the other 2 passengers and set off the Journey were smooth. We did one service stop i didn’t feel like getting anything as i were still waking up when we finally got to aldershot, we went into the La Fontaine Pub i didn’t feel like drinking so i stuck to very expensive blue WKD’s which i regret

I got to the turnstiles after going through the park i decided to get a couple of shots of the outside before entering the ground i entered it felt like one of those games were Rochdale were gonna prove the critics wrong but it wasn’t meant to be Aldershot Town went 1-0 up within 8 minutes thanks to a goal from Dani Lopez.

Just 4 minutes later Ashley Grimes scored a goal which no goalkeeper would never save leveling it to 1-1. Just 27 minutes later Peter Vincenti scored to make Aldershot retain their lead just before Half Time injury time Rhys Bennett gifted Aldershot with a Penalty seeing Danny Rose score the goal not the Sunderland one then the Referee Blew for Half Time

During Half Time they played a Cascada Christmas song this were probably the highlight of the match during Half Time Ryan Edwards replaced Rhys Bennett then second half got underway. 15 minutes into the game Ashley Grimes showed yet again why he should be played by scoring on Aldershot making it look like a possibly 4-3 comeback the score were 3-2 all we need were just 2 more goals then we’d be back on track

Then 33 minutes later saw Craig Reid score almost 3 minutes into injury time we only had 2 minutes to score which saw aldershot get Xmas presents in a sending off and yellow card’s along with one for Ray Putterill then the Referee blew for Full Time.

On the way back we stopped at services in Warwick i got a KFC then slept most the journey back home we’d got back into for around 9.15ish we dropped off the lady first then Col 2nd then went to the Church Inn which were shut so i got dropped off at the social club for a Guinness before making my way home.

Away Day Review Classic: Port Vale v Rochdale, Tuesday 6th November 2012

This is The Genuine Review so whatever is written fully describes an actual football match and the trip to get to Vale Park

My evening started at The Sandbrook were i got a carvery and a purple J2O while waiting for my lift to Port Vale then as i finished the carvery and J2O it were a decent Meal i went and choose a delute blackcurrant and great value for money because i could have all the meats on one plate

It came to 20 minutes prior my lift coming then 442 turned up then we waited for TVOS and his gang at The Sandbrook they turned up then the Journey began when we discussed greatest mangers of all time and i said the late Gary Speed then we eventually got to a cold Port Vale i were thankful i was wearing my Qualited Jacket instead of the normal one

I got my Ticket from their actual Ticket Office then ended up going in Tommy’s before Kick off were i got another delude Blackcurrant drink just to kill time prior Kick off but it were different to August 2009 because we took far more Rochdale fans were as the exact same place 3 Years later were dominated by Port Vale Fans

I went into the ground then got a Meat and Potato Pie what were okay and a Coffee just to keep warm then i went and took my seat The first half were okay but could of been better but the referee were Favoring most of Port Vale’s game which spoilt the game then they went 1-0 up thanks to probably the worst player on that team Pope

Then half time approached I went looking for 442 & TVOS i found them just before the second half then went and took my new obstructed seat near the scoreboard then it felt like game over when Port Vale went 2-0 up thanks to yup you guessed it Pope yet again it most of felt like a Redshaw moment for the kid

Then one of the Port Vale players fouled Kennedy what saw the guy the an intent red card even if the Referee were on their side first half things changed once the foul were commited then The Port Vale from the left side of us abused the linesman and the referee not relising that the Referee let their Goalkeeper time waste most of the game The Referee spent alot of time with the Vale Keeper but never booked him which made me think are they a couple

I ended the toliet so i nipped to go and have a number 1 then just as i opened the door we had scored with a goal from Bobby Grant which made the game 2-1 then not long after Andrew Tutte scored to level the game at 2-2 then just before the end a couple of the Rochdale players almost made 3-2 with some amazing effort on goal with the Vale Keeper getting very very lucky with one of the last shots

it were freezing coming out of Port Vale were the stewards were lined up outside acting like there were gonna be trouble we eventually got the car and waited for TVOS then we set off back to Rochdale were we discussed who our favorite Forum users were and who the bum guy might actually be there were fingers pointed Judds way not the coach company then i suggested a jealous former user who shell not be named because of past record we were near home were i got asked what I’d give the trip out of 10 i said 8 and also got asked if it were in my top 5 which it made