| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? 08:51 - May 29 with 6424 views | curiouslocal |
Allow me to introduce myself,
I'm an avid football fan, born in Leeds but raised in Rochdale. However, when introduced to football in 2006 (the world cup) I became obsessed with Thierry Henry and thus, my dad pushed me to become an Arsenal fan. However, after starting to lose my passion with the modern game due to the lack of passion and atmosphere of fans in the top tier and the commercialisation of the game being the only thing that breeds success in the prem, I have started to turn my head towards more local teams in order to re-find my love for the game.
My question is: is it acceptable for me to go from supporting the team I always have as a kid to a lower league side in order to rekindle my love for football? And why should I support a team like Rochdale who are not known for being the most glamorous team in terms of trophies or big crowds? Any insights into this and the history of the club are much appreciated! |  | | |  |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 12:39 - Jun 1 with 1517 views | aleanddale |
I forgot to mention one of the best chippys right outside the stadium!! | | | |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 22:31 - Jun 2 with 1403 views | smaclad1 |
My south Manchester upbringing meant that there were only two choices in life — red or blue. My lot in life was to be a red and I did it proper and all being a regular on the Stretford End. Student life and an extended period on the dole saw me priced out of the football and I stopped going. A job in and a move to Rochdale in the mid-80’s saw someone pose the question that changed the course of my life — “You like your football but you don’t watch any — want to come to the Dale?”
Alright, I didn’t take it too seriously at first — lower league football, you’re having a laugh! There were obvious attractions — the ability to get a pint near the ground, being able to amble up to the ground at a minute to three and still get in for kick-off, the general lack of any sort of threat of violence (Burnley excepted). The whole thing was a lot more sociable than Old Trafford — you’d see friends, work colleagues — I was introduced to a group of supporters in the Cem who remain Dale supporting friends to this day. Awaydays were generally hassle free. And of course my early supporting days saw the Dale’s trip to the fifth round of the cup — not too bad this lower league football business after all.
Of course, it wasn’t all glory. Must have been some point in the 90’s when someone with a lifelong support of the Dale in response to my whinging after a dire 0-0 draw away at (I think) Scarborough came out with the immortal line “These are the glory years — we’ve been safe by Easter for the last three seasons”.
Occasional visits to Spotland became regular visits and led to me being a season ticket holder. At some point I passed from being a red to being a Dale supporter. Can’t give a date or even a timeframe for that happening — just happened I suppose as 20-odd years of conditioning to be a United fan was worked out of my system. And this period included their rise to prominence under Alex Ferguson. It’s fair to say that 30+ years later my allegiance in solidly with the Dale and, being honest, premiership and indeed international football holds no interest for me. A move away from Rochdale in 2001 and a loss of my job in 2017 which saw a 30 year live and/or work in Rochdale connection broken has not affected my support of the Dale (much to the disappointment of my wife who had harboured hopes that I would start following Altrincham).
I would say to curiouslocal, there is no harm or shame in changing your footballing allegiance — unless you’re a glory hunter who moves on to the next shiny club as club fortunes wax and wane. If you’re losing your passion for the part of the game you support, find a new passion within the game or you will lose it — I suppose I would have done in due course. Things have changed at the Dale over the years — the days of being able to shout abuse at opposing players in the sure knowledge that they’ll hear it from 50 yards away have sadly passed (though the alternate view is that we're getting bigger crowds now), but while as you say the Dale may not be the most glamorous in terms of trophies or big crowds, they are a team who hold a certain degree of respect within the game, a team who for a few seasons when Hilly was in his pomp was one that other teams didn’t fancy playing against, a team that for all that it is largely ignored by its local community is rooted in the community by its ownership.
And finally, picking up that last point — if you live in Rochdale — get down to Spotland NOW (well, not now obviously, but you get my meaning, hopefully). There are few enough resident Rochdalians going as it is without you prevaricating. | | | |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 23:07 - Jun 2 with 1374 views | fitzochris |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 12:21 - Jun 1 by dalelee |
100% it's acceptable. Don't see any issue with following a Premier league and supporting your local team. To grow our fanbase we need you to convert!
Get down and see if you enjoy it. I used to watch a division one team in the 80s with my dad, and we attended Rochdale games ad hoc. In all honesty I actually preferred Rochdale games, and as I've grown older and watched Rochdale with more frequency and no longer watch my other team. |
What is your other team? |  |
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| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 09:58 - Jun 3 with 1249 views | batfink |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 10:38 - May 31 by James1980 |
It is addictive just renewed for a 3rd season ticket. |
Sorry meant to vote up, not down |  | | |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 15:15 - Jun 3 with 1086 views | James1980 |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 09:58 - Jun 3 by batfink |
Sorry meant to vote up, not down |
That's ok😀 | |
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| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 16:57 - Jun 3 with 1009 views | scarrow |
A mate of mine is a Chelsea fan but he finds it frustrating being priced out of going to many games a season so he’s taken to watching different non-league teams around London. He actually enjoys the ground hopping more than the premier league as it is now. |  |
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| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 19:41 - Jun 3 with 914 views | dalelee |
| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 23:07 - Jun 2 by fitzochris |
What is your other team? |
Leeds. I used to watch them in the old div 2 through to the mid 90s. Used to come Dale a few times a year. The first time my dad brought me to Rochdale was because of the Leeds connections. Eddie Gray was the manager, with Lyndon Simmonds & Mark Gavin in the team. [Post edited 3 Jun 2019 19:43]
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| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? (n/t) on 19:56 - Jun 4 with 770 views | Tappers |
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| Why Support Lower League Football and Rochdale? on 20:00 - Jun 4 with 765 views | Tappers |
I watched many games between Leeds
and Liverpool great games better tgan local derby.
I am Liverpool and Dale supporter and get
as excitement watching both. The season ticket
prices makes it hard for locals to go on regular basis.
I love coming to Dale the game and fight for
points adds to the day. | | | |
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