Hornets on Sunday 19:31 - Feb 24 with 280688 views | EllDale | They’re tweeting that their “matchday operations” are being restricted for the home game against Barrow on Sunday for reasons that they don’t want to divulge at the moment. The bottom line is that the crowd capacity is limited to 920 and there will be no cash admissions on the day. Wonder what that’s all about? | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 19:53 - Feb 24 with 39060 views | SuddenLad | Lack of available ground staff/stewards? Bit of an odd one for sure. | ![](/images/avatars/5895.gif) |
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Hornets on Sunday on 22:07 - Feb 24 with 38820 views | RAFCBLUE | https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/12673168 Looking at Companies House, Rochdale Hornets appear to have reformed in June 2020 as a new legal entity. No financial accounts have been published yet and the first period of account is a long one - 15 June 2020 to 30 November 2021 - 17 months. Under the Companies Act, the longest period of account is 18 months. Their accounts are due in the next two weeks (by 15 March 2022) so that will be interesting to see how they have done in the 17 months against the backdrop of a severe cut in TV money from Sky to the RFL. https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/rugby-league-finances-drop-rev Money looks like it is tight too based on this article: "But in truth, it is the clubs who are in League 1 that could well feel the ramifications of the ever-changing rugby league landscape the most. Typically, clubs in the third tier receive around £75,000 funding at present. That is a big number for clubs who operate entirely on a part-time basis, but some League 1 clubs are readying themselves to get as little as £20,000 in 2022." I guess if you see your funding cut to just £20k you have to manage the finances of your matchday operations accordingly. | ![](/images/avatars/6471.gif) |
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Hornets on Sunday on 22:31 - Feb 24 with 38761 views | R17ALE | When was the last time Hornets got a crowd over 920? | ![](/images/avatars/1062.gif) |
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Hornets on Sunday on 22:48 - Feb 24 with 38712 views | TVOS1907 |
Hornets on Sunday on 22:31 - Feb 24 by R17ALE | When was the last time Hornets got a crowd over 920? |
Ten hours after the tweet was posted it has had zero replies. That tells you all you need to know. | ![](/images/avatars/1107.gif) |
| When I was your age, I used to enjoy the odd game of tennis. Or was it golf? |
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Hornets on Sunday on 01:16 - Feb 25 with 38580 views | pioneer |
Hornets on Sunday on 22:31 - Feb 24 by R17ALE | When was the last time Hornets got a crowd over 920? |
September 5 2021 v . . . Barrow. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:02 - Feb 25 with 38291 views | hammerdale |
Hornets on Sunday on 22:48 - Feb 24 by TVOS1907 | Ten hours after the tweet was posted it has had zero replies. That tells you all you need to know. |
I know Hornets are an irritation to most Rochdale fans,usually about them messing the pitch up etc, so those fans will be pleased to know that Hornets and other League 1 rugby league clubs are an irritant to the Rugby League hierarchy as well. They want these clubs to play under Amateur status hence they are draining their resources to a level where its impossible for them to exist as a professional club. So the likelihood, in the next year or so Hornets will be ground sharing at Mayfield almost certainly as an amateur club. Ending 150 years in professional Rugby League in Rochdale..... But hey at least the Spotland pitch will be preserved. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:09 - Feb 25 with 38252 views | kel |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:02 - Feb 25 by hammerdale | I know Hornets are an irritation to most Rochdale fans,usually about them messing the pitch up etc, so those fans will be pleased to know that Hornets and other League 1 rugby league clubs are an irritant to the Rugby League hierarchy as well. They want these clubs to play under Amateur status hence they are draining their resources to a level where its impossible for them to exist as a professional club. So the likelihood, in the next year or so Hornets will be ground sharing at Mayfield almost certainly as an amateur club. Ending 150 years in professional Rugby League in Rochdale..... But hey at least the Spotland pitch will be preserved. |
And “The AFC” are an irritant to many Hornets fans too. It’s not all one sided. | ![](/images/avatars/1007.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:13 - Feb 25 with 38242 views | hammerdale |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:09 - Feb 25 by kel | And “The AFC” are an irritant to many Hornets fans too. It’s not all one sided. |
All 300 of them? | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) | Login to get fewer ads
Hornets on Sunday on 10:19 - Feb 25 with 38228 views | golfaduffy |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:02 - Feb 25 by hammerdale | I know Hornets are an irritation to most Rochdale fans,usually about them messing the pitch up etc, so those fans will be pleased to know that Hornets and other League 1 rugby league clubs are an irritant to the Rugby League hierarchy as well. They want these clubs to play under Amateur status hence they are draining their resources to a level where its impossible for them to exist as a professional club. So the likelihood, in the next year or so Hornets will be ground sharing at Mayfield almost certainly as an amateur club. Ending 150 years in professional Rugby League in Rochdale..... But hey at least the Spotland pitch will be preserved. |
Very sad news. I doubt that there are more than half a dozen posters on here who wish Hornets bad. And there were plenty of reasons to dislike the old Hornets Blazer squad Recently, things have worked much better between the 2 codes. I want there to be 2 professional teams in the town. It's good for the image of the area. There might be zero if Bottomley had his way; he certainly tried to get rid of the football club to line his and his mates pockets. Feel sorry for Hornets, but you need to get over the bad blood you feel exists. Perhaps it's mainly on Hornets fans side? | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:20 - Feb 25 with 38220 views | kel | I didn’t say all, I said many. | ![](/images/avatars/1007.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:49 - Feb 25 with 38136 views | SuddenLad |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:09 - Feb 25 by kel | And “The AFC” are an irritant to many Hornets fans too. It’s not all one sided. |
Also true kel, but then there are also those of us who are happy to see both codes retain a professional status within the town, even though we might not share the same commitment to each. In days gone by, I was a big Hornets supporter and travelled home and away to watch them. To places like Kent Invicta, Mansfield Marksman, Cardiff - all clubs which have tried and failed to get a foothold on the RL ladder. Sadly, they weren't able to prosper and the game is now almost exclusively confined to the 'M62' corridor'. I confess to not having watched Hornets for many years and the last match I saw was refereed by Gerry Kershaw. Such a shocking display, I never ventured back. As hammerdale says, the RL have effectively suffocated the smaller clubs and sacrificed their professional futures on the altar of TV money for the Super League. They have promoted the major clubs at the expense of everyone else. It's a disgrace that it has happened and a stain on the RL In the current commercial and financial climate, perhaps Hornets only remaining option is in fact to adopt amateur status and share the ground at Mayfield. If that is their only chance, then so be it, but the RL have a lot to answer for by their neglect of lesser clubs and the town will be worse off in general, for a club losing professional status. All avoidable, yet inevitable. The pitch issue is well aired, but was a problem long before Hornets ever kicked a ball there. | ![](/images/avatars/5895.gif) |
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Hornets on Sunday on 10:59 - Feb 25 with 38123 views | hammerdale |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:19 - Feb 25 by golfaduffy | Very sad news. I doubt that there are more than half a dozen posters on here who wish Hornets bad. And there were plenty of reasons to dislike the old Hornets Blazer squad Recently, things have worked much better between the 2 codes. I want there to be 2 professional teams in the town. It's good for the image of the area. There might be zero if Bottomley had his way; he certainly tried to get rid of the football club to line his and his mates pockets. Feel sorry for Hornets, but you need to get over the bad blood you feel exists. Perhaps it's mainly on Hornets fans side? |
Well said...this is not about point scoring, its about our history. Rochdale AFC, Rochdale Hornets, Rochdale Cricket Club, Rochdale Rugby Union Club, Norden Cricket, Heywood Cricket, Middleton Cricket, have been a stable diet of Sport inthe Borough of Rochdale for well over 100 years and remarkably they all have survived..why anyone would relish in their demise is beyond me. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 11:12 - Feb 25 with 38086 views | pioneer | One hundred years ago today Hornets set out on their march to the Northern Union cup victory with a 54-2 first round win over Broughton Moor. For those Dale fans who think the town would be better off without Hornets its worth noting that of the two professional teams in Rochdale they are the ones who have ever needed a trophy cabinet. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 11:12 - Feb 25 with 38078 views | kel |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:49 - Feb 25 by SuddenLad | Also true kel, but then there are also those of us who are happy to see both codes retain a professional status within the town, even though we might not share the same commitment to each. In days gone by, I was a big Hornets supporter and travelled home and away to watch them. To places like Kent Invicta, Mansfield Marksman, Cardiff - all clubs which have tried and failed to get a foothold on the RL ladder. Sadly, they weren't able to prosper and the game is now almost exclusively confined to the 'M62' corridor'. I confess to not having watched Hornets for many years and the last match I saw was refereed by Gerry Kershaw. Such a shocking display, I never ventured back. As hammerdale says, the RL have effectively suffocated the smaller clubs and sacrificed their professional futures on the altar of TV money for the Super League. They have promoted the major clubs at the expense of everyone else. It's a disgrace that it has happened and a stain on the RL In the current commercial and financial climate, perhaps Hornets only remaining option is in fact to adopt amateur status and share the ground at Mayfield. If that is their only chance, then so be it, but the RL have a lot to answer for by their neglect of lesser clubs and the town will be worse off in general, for a club losing professional status. All avoidable, yet inevitable. The pitch issue is well aired, but was a problem long before Hornets ever kicked a ball there. |
I know a few people who hold season tickets for both clubs and are all decent people. I also don’t believe the pitch problems are down to Hornets and it’s daft to suggest they are. I just take umbrage to the fact that all the hatred is from “The AFC” side when it’s not the case at all. As a percentage of support, I reckon more people from “The AFC” side are more tolerant than those from the Hornets side towards us. | ![](/images/avatars/1007.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 11:38 - Feb 25 with 38028 views | finberty | I admire all who keep the Hornets flag flying, although I fully admit that my loyalties lie with Dale. The decision that ruined RL for me was the one taken in the mid-90s (I think) which removed the possibility of promotion into/relegation from the Super League - it effectively became a closed shop for the existing clubs within it. I know things have changed slightly since then, but there was the sense of the drawbridge being pulled-up and those left on the outside, such as Hornets, but also including one or two names who had enjoyed more recent success and a higher profile, left to fend for themselves. I remember the RL parading one of its most high profile stars at the time, Robbie Paul, to explain how the decision was good for the game, because it allowed struggling clubs to develop and grow without the fear of relegation. | ![](/images/avatars/2682.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 12:24 - Feb 25 with 37912 views | D_Alien | One question that it'd be interesting to see answered (by those with the knowledge to do so) is: would the demise of Hornets at the COA lead to greater running costs for Dale? If the answer to that is Yes, then on purely practical grounds we should all be supporting Hornets continued presence alongside Dale as the face of professional sport in the town Any "us and them" attitude should be firmly confined to history - and i can understand why it exists. Surely, as Dale continues to fight for its existence, we should be supporting both outfits in the same regard? Wishing ill of one for the sake of old enmities or slights casts a cloud on our efforts to keep Dale's head above water [Post edited 25 Feb 2022 12:26]
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Hornets on Sunday on 13:29 - Feb 25 with 37770 views | EllDale | Like a few people on here I've followed Hornets over the years, was even a season ticket holder in the Frank Myler era in the 1970's. Central funding for all of rugby league's professional clubs has been slashed dramatically since the new SKY contract saw a reduction in the contract agreed with the broadcaster. They must be the only sport to be offered less for a new deal!? The Super League clubs took the lions share of the money on offer which saw a reduction for the others. The same would happen in football, cricket or rugby union I suppose. I think that Hornets funding was pruned by something like 65%. To be fair they're seeming to be making a go of it. Their social media stuff is good and they've recruited well. Like so many other clubs though I bet they've an ageing fanbase. The question was raised about filing their accounts. I believe that the old board took over from the old fanbased organisation in the late summer of 2020 which sounds about right for the timing. It will indeed be interesting to see the figures but it would be a crying shame if Hornets were reduced to being an amateur club. There is a school of thought that there is only room for one toplevel amateur side in the town and Mayfield wouldn't let tag that go easily. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 13:40 - Feb 25 with 37743 views | RAFCBLUE |
Hornets on Sunday on 12:24 - Feb 25 by D_Alien | One question that it'd be interesting to see answered (by those with the knowledge to do so) is: would the demise of Hornets at the COA lead to greater running costs for Dale? If the answer to that is Yes, then on purely practical grounds we should all be supporting Hornets continued presence alongside Dale as the face of professional sport in the town Any "us and them" attitude should be firmly confined to history - and i can understand why it exists. Surely, as Dale continues to fight for its existence, we should be supporting both outfits in the same regard? Wishing ill of one for the sake of old enmities or slights casts a cloud on our efforts to keep Dale's head above water [Post edited 25 Feb 2022 12:26]
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I think you have to break that question out DA to be "At what level?" because no one knows the financial state of Rochdale Hornets with respect to income and outgoings. Certainly the deterioration of the TV deal in RFL is a massive issue for clubs outside of Super League, which will include Rochdale Hornets. A slightly tangential question - does the deterioration of the Sky TV deal lead to greater costs for Dale? What do we know: (1) The RFL are not putting the money into the lower leagues of rugby. Having had their own funding cut from Sky by £14m a year that gap will have to be found by owners of clubs to maintain the status quo. This is a news article from 2021: https://inews.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/super-league-rugby-sky-sports-tv-rights-d (2) The third tier of rugby league is now a bit of a backwater compared to the traditional game of the 1970's and 1980's where Hornets were more of a force. Teams like Cornwall RLFC and West Wales RLFC are social experiments from a governing body who are trying to broaden the game outside the M62 corridor without a lot of success based on efforts in the last 10 years to take the game to Canada which has also failed. Equally the RFL are taking views on grounds and quality of stadia which would never have been passed in the 1980's effectively these are park pitches. Cornwall play here: https://cornwallrlfc.co.uk/club/the-memorial-ground-penryn/ West Wales play here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stebonheath_Park But from that news article: "While no figures have been publicly confirmed, i understands that the large financial black hole is set to affect the Rugby Football League (RFL), and Championship and League 1 clubs the worst. The RFL look to be culpable here leaving the smaller teams to hang out to dry whilst concentrating most of the £26m received on Super League. | ![](/images/avatars/6471.gif) |
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Hornets on Sunday on 15:02 - Feb 25 with 37612 views | EllDale | I agree entirely about minimum standards in the RFL these days. It's not too long since the RFL brought the likes of Hemel Hempstead, Oxford and Gloucester into the pro game only to abandon them three or four years later. Their "stadiums" were no better than the facilities at decent amateur clubs like Mayfield. Another problem with rugby league is that, at the moment it effectively has two governing bodies, Super League and the RFL. SKY negotiate their TV deal with the former and Super League then hand down morsels to the other professional clubs. | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 15:34 - Feb 25 with 37559 views | RAFCBLUE |
Hornets on Sunday on 15:02 - Feb 25 by EllDale | I agree entirely about minimum standards in the RFL these days. It's not too long since the RFL brought the likes of Hemel Hempstead, Oxford and Gloucester into the pro game only to abandon them three or four years later. Their "stadiums" were no better than the facilities at decent amateur clubs like Mayfield. Another problem with rugby league is that, at the moment it effectively has two governing bodies, Super League and the RFL. SKY negotiate their TV deal with the former and Super League then hand down morsels to the other professional clubs. |
For me the RFL are doing the thing which the Premier League gets accused of in football which is protecting the premier competition at the expense of everything else. The RFL are seemingly pushing the likes of Widnes Vikings, Featherstone Rovers and Rochdale Hornets closer to the likes of Mayfield rather than dragging them up. If you look at the League below the Super League it is 1 up and 2 down; so virtually impossible to get into Super League but possible to be relegated into the abyss of League 1. Then in League 1 it is 2 up. Effectively hamstringing teams that get into the Championship to come straight back down again. If the RFL wanted to promote the game they would make the Super League 3 down; the Championship 3 up, 3 down and League 1 3 up. Add into that a proper distribution of £26m across 36 clubs rather than 12 and you'd have a much better game all round. People might not want to admit that Rochdale Hornet's biggest problem is the RFL but it is and its the RFL that are making clubs suffer with over optimistic expectation and as you say, "stadiums" that are no better than decent amateur clubs like Rochdale Mayfield. | ![](/images/avatars/6471.gif) |
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Hornets on Sunday on 15:51 - Feb 25 with 37528 views | hammerdale |
Hornets on Sunday on 15:34 - Feb 25 by RAFCBLUE | For me the RFL are doing the thing which the Premier League gets accused of in football which is protecting the premier competition at the expense of everything else. The RFL are seemingly pushing the likes of Widnes Vikings, Featherstone Rovers and Rochdale Hornets closer to the likes of Mayfield rather than dragging them up. If you look at the League below the Super League it is 1 up and 2 down; so virtually impossible to get into Super League but possible to be relegated into the abyss of League 1. Then in League 1 it is 2 up. Effectively hamstringing teams that get into the Championship to come straight back down again. If the RFL wanted to promote the game they would make the Super League 3 down; the Championship 3 up, 3 down and League 1 3 up. Add into that a proper distribution of £26m across 36 clubs rather than 12 and you'd have a much better game all round. People might not want to admit that Rochdale Hornet's biggest problem is the RFL but it is and its the RFL that are making clubs suffer with over optimistic expectation and as you say, "stadiums" that are no better than decent amateur clubs like Rochdale Mayfield. |
Absolutely correct | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 15:53 - Feb 25 with 37520 views | 49thseason |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:59 - Feb 25 by hammerdale | Well said...this is not about point scoring, its about our history. Rochdale AFC, Rochdale Hornets, Rochdale Cricket Club, Rochdale Rugby Union Club, Norden Cricket, Heywood Cricket, Middleton Cricket, have been a stable diet of Sport inthe Borough of Rochdale for well over 100 years and remarkably they all have survived..why anyone would relish in their demise is beyond me. |
Rochdale Lacrosse Club was formed in 1888 and is one of the oldest Lacrosse clubs in the world and 5th oldest in the UK. | ![](/images/avatars/1190.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 15:56 - Feb 25 with 37512 views | 49thseason |
Hornets on Sunday on 10:59 - Feb 25 by hammerdale | Well said...this is not about point scoring, its about our history. Rochdale AFC, Rochdale Hornets, Rochdale Cricket Club, Rochdale Rugby Union Club, Norden Cricket, Heywood Cricket, Middleton Cricket, have been a stable diet of Sport inthe Borough of Rochdale for well over 100 years and remarkably they all have survived..why anyone would relish in their demise is beyond me. |
Rochdale Lacrosse Club was formed in 1888 and is one of the oldest Lacrosse clubs in the world and 5th oldest in the UK. | ![](/images/avatars/1190.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 16:31 - Feb 25 with 37422 views | hammerdale |
Hornets on Sunday on 15:56 - Feb 25 by 49thseason | Rochdale Lacrosse Club was formed in 1888 and is one of the oldest Lacrosse clubs in the world and 5th oldest in the UK. |
Yes them as well😊😊 | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
Hornets on Sunday on 20:21 - Feb 26 with 36847 views | hammerdale | Got a feeling things aren't going too well between the occupants of Spotland. Would love to know the reasons the mood has changed..Hornets not paying their bill's again? | ![](/images/avatars/0.gif) | | ![](/images/icons/ignore-user.png) |
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