Following the news that the Ogden Family had confirmed their approach to purchase Rochdale AFC, the Dale Trust Chairman has issued the following statement.
https://www.daletrust.co.uk/2024/03/trust-statement-the-ogden-family/
"It is a tremendous honour to write this statement, in light of the confirmation that Sir Peter and Lady Ogden and their family, intend to make an offer to support the club and Community Trust in firstly overcoming the current financial crisis, and secondly to assist the Club to become financially sustainable into the future.
The Rochdale connection is a huge factor in this, and that sense of connection with the community was clearly evident from the first meeting the Supporters Trust representatives had with the family and their colleagues, a meeting that was so massively uplifting that it was difficult to keep a lid on things.
A subsequent meeting at a recent game only served to enhance the co-operative spirit that was clearly evident, and on both occasions, discussions around our situation were detailed and listened to. Their interest in the Club and Community Trust was virtually palpable.
We now enter a period whereby any support the Supporters Trust can offer the Ogden family and the Club to ensure a timely and compliant conclusion to getting the offer made and accepted will be there for the taking.
Club Chairman, Simon Gauge, and his colleagues on the Dale board, as well as George Delves, have been very open with Murray and myself, and we have had to respect the need for confidentiality throughout the past few weeks, obviously respectful of the period of exclusivity entered into by the Club with WSH LLC, which is now ended.
This is a great day to be a Dale fan, and once again the birthplace of co-operation springs into action.
Thank you to all involved in getting this far. I feel it important to acknowledge the help and support provided to the Trust by Geoff Kindon and Mark Hodkinson.
George Brigham
Chair – Dale Supporters Trust
25th March 2024"