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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?
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Hornets on Sunday (n/t) on 17:37 - Jun 2 with 4283 views
From what I'm hearing, Hornets are providing kit for a new amateur club playing in Rochdale for this and next season. Players have been poached from Mayfield. RMBC, I am led to believe, have funded a club house and changing rooms and will lay a new pitch for next season at Balderstone. Not sure if this development could lead to a new, smaller stadium
Rochdale Mayfield having players poached by Rochdale Hornets judd?
The above notes the Council's strategy for 2016 to 2026 with regards to sports pitches in the Borough. The Rugby League items are shown on Page 23 of the report:
Key issues * There are 3 rugby league clubs in the borough; 2 in Rochdale and 1 in Pennines. * Capacity issues exist at Rochdale Mayfield and at Littleborough due to shared use of the sites with rugby union, football and cricket at Littleborough and with football only at Mayfield. * Changing inadequacy highlighted at Firgrove. * Floodlighting for training highlighted by all clubs. * Demand can be met across all pitches if training is moved off the current pitches.
Scenarios * Littleborough RLFC shares a ground with Littleborough RUFC. The scenarios set out for rugby union above apply here also. * Improved maintenance at Mayfield RLFC would help to improve capacity. The development of an additional pitch for training would also assist. Consider the potential of an AGP within the area that is rugby compliant. * Improvements to the pitches and changing rooms at Firgrove will assist Rochdale Cobras.
Recommendations — Rugby League * Where pitches are assessed as standard or poor quality, review maintenance regimes to ensure it is of an appropriate standard to sustain/improve pitch quality. * Work to reduce training on match pitches through access to dedicated training areas. * Improvements to be carried out at Firgrove to changing rooms and showers. * Mayfield has secured funding for pitch improvements
There's no mention in that official strategy document of a secret council deal in there to help Rochdale Hornets form a new facility and move away from Spotland done under secret cover. I hope that our esteemed Councillors Peter Rush and others are wise to these sort of games.
Equally there is no facility funding - I assume ratepayers will not be disadvantaged to fund something for a private enterprise and that Rochdale Hornets will be putting in some sizeable funds. Wasn't that land at Balderstone earmarked for housing and a 3G pitch for multiple community sports.
Suddenly the smokescreen appears understood.
This isn't about the football club at all. It looks like a power grab on Rochdale Mayfield and moving out of Spotland funded by Rochdale Council.
The MO of Mazey and Co looks alarmingly similar to what happened at Swinton Lions in an attempt to kill off the professional rugby league team in the town so that the franchise can be moved and rebranded Manchester Hornets.
[Post edited 2 Jun 2022 17:39]
George Bernard Shaw had it right:
"He who can does; he who cannot, teaches."
https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/
It appears judd that the decision of the Council to allocate the money is in the public domain.
Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Economy which sought approval to allocate funds totalling £872,932 for the upgrading of open spaces, including the creation of new sports pitches and associated changing and community facilities at Balderstone Park, plus the upgrading of open space between Rhodes Crescent and Mornington Road and the upgrading of right of way (MiFp328), which ran from Broad Lane to Hurst Meadow. This funding had been received by the Council following the grant of planning permission for housing development on land at Broad Lane and the former Balderstone School.
£872,932 being spent by the Council on a site less than 2 miles away from Rochdale Mayfield.
You can smell the scandal brewing and the stench is worse that Fat Pat's chip trays after a long cooking session.
George Bernard Shaw had it right:
"He who can does; he who cannot, teaches."
https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/
It appears judd that the decision of the Council to allocate the money is in the public domain.
Cabinet considered the report of the Director of Economy which sought approval to allocate funds totalling £872,932 for the upgrading of open spaces, including the creation of new sports pitches and associated changing and community facilities at Balderstone Park, plus the upgrading of open space between Rhodes Crescent and Mornington Road and the upgrading of right of way (MiFp328), which ran from Broad Lane to Hurst Meadow. This funding had been received by the Council following the grant of planning permission for housing development on land at Broad Lane and the former Balderstone School.
£872,932 being spent by the Council on a site less than 2 miles away from Rochdale Mayfield.
You can smell the scandal brewing and the stench is worse that Fat Pat's chip trays after a long cooking session.
The new amateur club has signed up players from Mayfield.
The current Hornets coach is ex Mayfield and he has brought in a good number of lads from Mayfield in the past couple of seasons.
The new amateur club has signed up players from Mayfield.
The current Hornets coach is ex Mayfield and he has brought in a good number of lads from Mayfield in the past couple of seasons.
I wonder what prominent local Councillor Peter Massey will have to say about that apparent conflict on his patch.
He is a big Rugby League fan and Rochdale Hornets fan judging by his Twitter feed but the open destruction of popular local community side Rochdale Mayfield can't be a vote winner in the long term.
I hope he's done his due diligence on the deal, for the sake of local residents and that he knows the full story about Mazey's smash and grab attempt at Swinton Lions:
I wonder what prominent local Councillor Peter Massey will have to say about that apparent conflict on his patch.
He is a big Rugby League fan and Rochdale Hornets fan judging by his Twitter feed but the open destruction of popular local community side Rochdale Mayfield can't be a vote winner in the long term.
I hope he's done his due diligence on the deal, for the sake of local residents and that he knows the full story about Mazey's smash and grab attempt at Swinton Lions:
I wonder what prominent local Councillor Peter Massey will have to say about that apparent conflict on his patch.
He is a big Rugby League fan and Rochdale Hornets fan judging by his Twitter feed but the open destruction of popular local community side Rochdale Mayfield can't be a vote winner in the long term.
I hope he's done his due diligence on the deal, for the sake of local residents and that he knows the full story about Mazey's smash and grab attempt at Swinton Lions:
Remeber that ‘400’ attendence you refer to is the average for the season and is boosted by the influx of Oldham fans on Good Friday and away fans for the other games. With the long break before the next home game I expect some of the 250 or says will have found other things to do before the next home game.
Average number of home fans at games must be below 300. A carefully managed but rapid decline to justify his future movements.
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Hornets on Sunday on 22:04 - Jun 2 with 3941 views
Remeber that ‘400’ attendence you refer to is the average for the season and is boosted by the influx of Oldham fans on Good Friday and away fans for the other games. With the long break before the next home game I expect some of the 250 or says will have found other things to do before the next home game.
Average number of home fans at games must be below 300. A carefully managed but rapid decline to justify his future movements.
League game attendances: vs Crusaders - 448 vs Hunsley - 415 vs Oldham - 920 vs Hurricanes - 327 vs Doncaster - 354
Average home crowd - all fixtures (5) - 492 Average home crowd - excluding Oldham fixure - 386
There is though zero promotion/marketing of Rochdale Hornets fixtures anywhere around the town; when do they play next?
What the logic will be of the Council spending very important Borough funds on an organisation that attracts such a low crowd is beyond me but then so is most politics.
At least we know the real agenda now and I do feel very sorry for Rochdale Mayfield as it sounds like they are about to be shafted.
It would be a scandal if Rochdale doesn't retain its two rugby teams and traditional roots. The plundering of a Rochdale Mayfield side for players doesn't really fit the "community" vibe that Rochdale Hornets out of town management are trying to sell.
Rochdale Hornets was founded to represent the wider footballing ambitions of the 'whole town' and our vision has this philosophy at its core.
The size of the town, it’s location, the investment going into the town right now, its strong business community combined with our valued loyal hard core support base, active community foundation, player academy, first class training and match day facilities coupled with the strength and quality of our local community clubs and the community game in ROCHDALE means a proven pathway like no other exists and we can ensure ROCHDALE talent no longer gets overlooked
I bet Rochdale Mayfield are furious.
George Bernard Shaw had it right:
"He who can does; he who cannot, teaches."
https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/
What happened to the former Spotland Rangers pitch (how ironic is that name given that their initial pitch when founded in the 1950s was on Ings Lane) in Balderstone Park? With another delicious piece of irony it was next to Hornet Close I think. Is this the plot of land referred to?
Sorry fella i work for a living and have a life also so don't spend a great deal of time on internet forums.
There are noises in the town about the way the new regime at the club are "allegedly" going about things with Hornets.
If true i for one am embarrassed as in our position we find ourselves right now we should be making friends and influencing as i am pretty sure senior councillors and those who support all sport in ROCHDALE wont want to see any division or problems.
Re : your last post, RAFCBLUE.
I knew I’d seen ROCHDALE written in caps before but couldn’t quite remember until now. Must be another one of those coincidence things.
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Hornets on Sunday on 10:28 - Jun 3 with 3608 views
What happened to the former Spotland Rangers pitch (how ironic is that name given that their initial pitch when founded in the 1950s was on Ings Lane) in Balderstone Park? With another delicious piece of irony it was next to Hornet Close I think. Is this the plot of land referred to?
It's still part of Balderstone park and now houses a kids skate park, no way is that space large enough to build a small stadium, unless some major landscaping of the hill takes place...As for the rest of the space there is a new housing development where the old school was and I'd be a bit pissed if a stadium was built in my back yard as it were....unless there is another site in the Balderstone area they are thinking of it's a non starter...Local opposition will be rather vocal I'm thinking...
In June 2021, Hornets set up, with a grand fanfare "Community Counts" which was introduced as "We believe that juniors should be able to a access the Hornets game day absolutely free and this initiative goes one step further by offering complimentary ticket to parents, volunteers and coaches who make rugby league happen at grassroots clubs.
"In terms of the crowds I don’t have the answers as I’m a supporter not a board member, however it’s pretty clear the situation is most definitely hurting us. I do also know it’s a fact that last years attendances got inflated by promotions, free tickets and give aways etc, such as the community counts digital ticketing initiative for all community clubs in the area which generated gates of 1400 and 1200 for some games which ordinarily would be in the low 100’s and padded out most other gates also.
Due to the present situation all promotions and growth opportunities disappointingly are being lost and having to be shelved I’m told which is sadly more evidence if it was needed that we are being hampered by restrictions.
If we are being honest what we are seeing is the reality if we didn’t already know of just how poor the match going supporter numbers are.
The really obvious and difficult questions based on Rochdale Hornets League game attendances and a declared maximum capacity of 920 is that I make it that the numbers below are the spare available capacity for Community Initiatives: vs Crusaders - 472 unused spaces vs Hunsley - 485 unused spaces vs Oldham - N/A vs Hurricanes - 593 unused spaces vs Doncaster - 546 unused spaces
So what possible logic can their be for Rochdale Hornets cancelling their Community Counts initiative and why have they just cancelled it and not published cancelling it?
COINCIDENCE TWO:
We always see in various sports when a club is being run into the ground that there is the defiant disregard of anyone who questions the status quo labelled as "keyboard warriors" by those who don't like to face the difficult questions, mainly because they are drawing attention to what is really going on.
Today's warning alarm for all Hornets fans is the latest thoughts of "The Hornet" that all questioning fans are:
All brave behind keyboards.
They all have the option of asking Andy, Ste Kerr or the other directors face to face at games directly but probably don’t go.
I’m not rich but will keep buying my season ticket, merchandise and paying into all hornets and squad builder and doing my bit while enjoying the ride fully appreciating what might have been had these guys not come in
So, blindly follow and "enjoy the ride".
History suggests that when it all goes wrong the out of towners are nowhere to be seen in repairing the damage created.
[Post edited 3 Jun 2022 16:01]
George Bernard Shaw had it right:
"He who can does; he who cannot, teaches."
https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/
Aye, it’s Stewart Day and bury but just on a smaller scale. Anita Bath has him on the ropes with some tough questions and he goes all defensive again (the bury times “keyboard cowards” article springs to mind) and questions fans that have been around years longer then him.
Then you have Joe90 (a PDIDDY character if you like) who shouts down any dissenters whilst blowing smoke up Mazey’s arse as instructed whilst probably sipping free Budweiser on a match day.
Hopefully, after the way he’s acted on here, the same outcome isn’t far away.
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Hornets on Sunday on 20:30 - Jun 3 with 3198 views
Aye, it’s Stewart Day and bury but just on a smaller scale. Anita Bath has him on the ropes with some tough questions and he goes all defensive again (the bury times “keyboard cowards” article springs to mind) and questions fans that have been around years longer then him.
Then you have Joe90 (a PDIDDY character if you like) who shouts down any dissenters whilst blowing smoke up Mazey’s arse as instructed whilst probably sipping free Budweiser on a match day.
Hopefully, after the way he’s acted on here, the same outcome isn’t far away.
Those accounts filed at companies house are a thing of beauty!
There are only 100 shares split equally between the 5 original directors. Not clear if Omerod’s shares were sold or transferred when he resigned as a director in March. Bottom line is the current bunch are only accountable to themselves.
And they claimed an exemption from having the accounts audited. I know nothing about company legislation, so maybe this is not unusual.
Just think where Dale would be now if the then directors had held all the shares 12 months ago.
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Hornets on Sunday on 21:01 - Jun 3 with 3174 views
I wonder how much these five directors paid for their 100 shares? The new club could have been massively undercapitalised right from the very beginning.
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Hornets on Sunday on 21:09 - Jun 3 with 3164 views
Those accounts filed at companies house are a thing of beauty!
There are only 100 shares split equally between the 5 original directors. Not clear if Omerod’s shares were sold or transferred when he resigned as a director in March. Bottom line is the current bunch are only accountable to themselves.
And they claimed an exemption from having the accounts audited. I know nothing about company legislation, so maybe this is not unusual.
Just think where Dale would be now if the then directors had held all the shares 12 months ago.
Worth remembering too, that "Mazey's Hornets" is a brand new company incorporated in June 2020.
As much as Mazey and co might want to protest otherwise, its have been in business for 2 years. And however you want to dress up that it is "community" based, it is out of town and out of touch with what the general public is seeing what is going on.
As most Dale fans found with blowing up a hostile takeover, there's an awful lot of material out there on what the real intentions of the business plan are.
The new Balderstone pitch in 2023 to support the organisation that is robbing players from Rochdale Mayfield and paid for by the Council at Balderstone is out in the open.
Councillors Massey and Rush I hear are already hearing complaints from concerned Balderstone residents and concerned Rochdale Mayfield stakeholders.
The largest concern there is that during the recent local elections not one of them mentioned it and how, in these austeer times the Council can fritter money on such an exercise for a circa 400 attendance rugby club might not be considered value for money.
Here's stage two: Mazey bearing all on the plan for broadcast rights in 2024.
In 2024 the "re-alignment" of Rugby League will be complete. Whether Rochdale Hornets still exists then remains to be seen.
Mazey wants "broadcasters fighting" over the rights for a game that he sees as being "a top 2 or 3 sport in this country".
Let me speculate that the plan is thus: (1) Take over a rugby league club with a long term lease at a football ground (2) Rebrand it North Manchester Hornets (3) Lobby the RFL to make sure that club is included in the "realignment" and the broadcast rights at the expense of others.
"Anita Bath" is tearing "The Hornet" a new one. As they say: "Also a bit odd that you imply someone would need to be ‘brave’ to ask the questions at a game. Should we fear the consequences of asking members of the board simple questions about the running of the club?"
Hopefully Rochdale Hornets have their equivalent of a fans/shareholders trust that at the appropriate point get to pose the appropriate votes of no-confidence in individuals.
Rochdale Mayfield will likely become the town's only Rugby League club if and when "Mazey's Hornets" go to the wall.
George Bernard Shaw had it right:
"He who can does; he who cannot, teaches."
https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/
I wonder how much these five directors paid for their 100 shares? The new club could have been massively undercapitalised right from the very beginning.
According to the Companies House records:
£100.
For that they got a rugby league club lock stock and barrel and a long-term lease at Spotland.
George Bernard Shaw had it right:
"He who can does; he who cannot, teaches."
https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/
As much as Mazey and co might want to protest otherwise, its have been in business for 2 years. And however you want to dress up that it is "community" based, it is out of town and out of touch with what the general public is seeing what is going on.
As most Dale fans found with blowing up a hostile takeover, there's an awful lot of material out there on what the real intentions of the business plan are.
The new Balderstone pitch in 2023 to support the organisation that is robbing players from Rochdale Mayfield and paid for by the Council at Balderstone is out in the open.
Councillors Massey and Rush I hear are already hearing complaints from concerned Balderstone residents and concerned Rochdale Mayfield stakeholders.
The largest concern there is that during the recent local elections not one of them mentioned it and how, in these austeer times the Council can fritter money on such an exercise for a circa 400 attendance rugby club might not be considered value for money.
Here's stage two: Mazey bearing all on the plan for broadcast rights in 2024.
In 2024 the "re-alignment" of Rugby League will be complete. Whether Rochdale Hornets still exists then remains to be seen.
Mazey wants "broadcasters fighting" over the rights for a game that he sees as being "a top 2 or 3 sport in this country".
Let me speculate that the plan is thus: (1) Take over a rugby league club with a long term lease at a football ground (2) Rebrand it North Manchester Hornets (3) Lobby the RFL to make sure that club is included in the "realignment" and the broadcast rights at the expense of others.
"Anita Bath" is tearing "The Hornet" a new one. As they say: "Also a bit odd that you imply someone would need to be ‘brave’ to ask the questions at a game. Should we fear the consequences of asking members of the board simple questions about the running of the club?"
Hopefully Rochdale Hornets have their equivalent of a fans/shareholders trust that at the appropriate point get to pose the appropriate votes of no-confidence in individuals.
Rochdale Mayfield will likely become the town's only Rugby League club if and when "Mazey's Hornets" go to the wall.
There is an All Hornets supporters association…..25 quid annual membership plus a minimum of 5quid per month “donation”. So thats 85 quid a year. It has a facebook page and twitter account but no webpage.
There is no mention of who runs this ‘supporters’ group, how many members there are, how much revenue it has raised or how it has been used. Of course no reason why this information should be made public but it does add to the lack of transparency.
More publicly available information on North Korea than Hornets.
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Hornets on Sunday on 22:40 - Jun 3 with 3035 views
I’m intrigued as to at what level any brand new amateur rugby league team formed in Rochdale would expect to play at? Logically they should start at the bottom level and, even if they were promoted for several successive seasons, they still wouldn’t be at the level that Mayfield currently enjoy. I can’t see that any application to leapfrog the minor leagues and go straight into the National Conference League would be successful as they have strict membership criteria including the existence of strong youth and junior teams. Having said that, this is Rugby League where rules can be altered at short notice. I also seem to recall that there was actually an amateur side called Manchester who played in the area round the Etihad and who disbanded three or so years ago bitterly complaining that they had no support from the sport’s governing body.
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Hornets on Sunday on 23:24 - Jun 3 with 3001 views
I’m intrigued as to at what level any brand new amateur rugby league team formed in Rochdale would expect to play at? Logically they should start at the bottom level and, even if they were promoted for several successive seasons, they still wouldn’t be at the level that Mayfield currently enjoy. I can’t see that any application to leapfrog the minor leagues and go straight into the National Conference League would be successful as they have strict membership criteria including the existence of strong youth and junior teams. Having said that, this is Rugby League where rules can be altered at short notice. I also seem to recall that there was actually an amateur side called Manchester who played in the area round the Etihad and who disbanded three or so years ago bitterly complaining that they had no support from the sport’s governing body.
Has it ever occurred to you that most people on here think rugby is shit and you are boring?
It’s wine o’clock in the Maz, er, Hornet household on the rugger forum and delicious slices of irony pie are being served.
“You wont get answers asking questions on Internet forums behind the a username. Why not try a platform like Twitter under your real name / identity that the Chairman or board members / staff can then respond to you accordingly and put to bed any silly mischief making or BS for you.”
You couldn’t make this dimwit up 😂
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Hornets on Sunday on 12:37 - Jun 4 with 2735 views
"The consortium have made it clear from the outset that there are no plans to move Rochdale Hornets to Manchester, and agreements are in place to formally safeguard the name and location of the club.
“Conversations with the consortium have been taking place for a couple of weeks, and include plans to invest in the first two years, and restructure the club to take it forward beyond what will be an uncertain time for the whole sport at the end of the current TV deal in 2021. Overall, they have presented a five-year plan for development that will make the club sustainable over the long-term.
2022 is year 3 of the 5 year plan. So:
1) Where is this heralded and promised "investment"? The accounts to November 2021 show just £100 of share capital in a newly incorporated company which was founded in June 2020. A director then chose to write off a £143k loan. The company books show no director loans or investment into the company other than the season ticket monies.
2) Why are Rochdale Hornets trying to move from Spotland to Balderstone with changing rooms paid for by the Council in return for a bit of free kit? And why are they stealing players from Rochdale Mayfield to form a new side?
3) What financial shape are Rochdale Hornets REALLY when only midway through the current season? Has the money really run out given the terrible gates compared to the high costs of Dad's Army players.
The Ob reported at the time that A total of 136 members - 69% of the total membership - all voted to back the move, with no opposition.
I don't believe in 2019 that a secret move to Balderstone was mooted at that point to the members OR the "restriction of matchday operations" with everyone sitting together OR the lack of tickets for community initiatives OR the deliberate scheduling of rugby league on a Saturday afternoon was presented to members.
Fat Pat is remaining vigilant as she does when she sees out of towners floating around Spotland but what is clear is that it's suddenly unravelling quicker than an Alexander Jarvis alibi.
When RochdaleGlory gets back from Blackpool perhaps he can enlighten us!
George Bernard Shaw had it right:
"He who can does; he who cannot, teaches."
https://www.visittheusa.co.uk/
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