| Boston Match Thread 17:05 - Jan 28 with 11726 views | Delboy |
I must admit that I am really looking forward to this game in the hope of seeing us carry on the fine form we showed on Saturday. Granted the opposition is different and somewhat buoyed by their own victory over the weekend but I am hopeful we can follow up and take advantage of a series of fixtures which could see us spring up the league over the next month. I don't expect Boston to capitulate easily and we do need to be at it from the beginning to prove to any doubters that we are capable of putting together back to back quality performances. One word of caution however based on the goal we conceded at Barnet, its worth noting that Boston also tend to rely on a long throw specialist who is inclined to bomb the goalmouth. Liam Hogan and Sam Waller beware.
UPTD |  | | |  |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:04 - Jan 28 with 3300 views | Braemar60 |
| Boston Match Thread on 18:37 - Jan 28 by meeee |
Only other factor is Hornets played there on Sunday afternoon. I don't think that did the pitch any favours especially the area of the pitch that was of concern to the ref tonight |
Dale games have been getting called off over a number of weeks. Hornets have played on it once. | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:17 - Jan 28 with 3146 views | 49thseason |
| Boston Match Thread on 20:21 - Jan 28 by 442Dale |
This is not about drainage or even rain. Because there’s hardly been any. That corner especially looked a total mess last week.
Q1:
What has been done to make it better?
Until we are specifically told there is an issue with the drains, that remains speculation. |
Im pretty sure it hasnt been called off because it looked untidy. Its uplayable because it is saturated...i.e. not draining as it should, full of water, waterlogged... the drains are farked...of course its about drainage, there clearly is none, or none that is working as it should do, they could hardly dig it up in the space of 3 days could they? We have been told they need 5 dry days before they can Dryject it and that hasn't happened so here we are.
You might question the referees decision but my guess would be that it failed the FIFA ball-bounce test and was properly called off as a result of failing the test.
You could legitimately ask if the groundstaff did the bounce test after lunch and deemed it OK
"According to FIFA, a ball dropped from two meters should bounce 70–100 centimeters. The difference between the ball's highest and lowest bounce should not exceed 10 centimeters.
Other tests for football pitches
In addition to the ball bounce test, other tests for football pitches include:
Vertical deformation: Measures how well the surface absorbs shock and cushions impact
Rotational resistance: Measures how well the surface allows players to rotate and pivot
Lisport test: Measures how durable the surface is and how well it resists wear and tear
UV stability: Measures how well the surface resists fading and degradation from the sun" |  | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:17 - Jan 28 with 3145 views | dingdangblue |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:04 - Jan 28 by Braemar60 |
Dale games have been getting called off over a number of weeks. Hornets have played on it once. |
This is the first game off after spending thousands to rectify the pitch though! I think his point is it was playable on Saturday - the weather hasn't been too adverse in-between then and today. The only other factor is there was a rugby game played on Sunday. That really shouldn't be an issue though. |  |
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| Boston Match Thread on 21:31 - Jan 28 with 3035 views | dingdangblue |
Fairly damning their wording "straightforward decision".
Certainly a different view than the clubs statement this afternoon. | |
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| Boston Match Thread on 21:35 - Jan 28 with 2991 views | Rodingdale |
The Board of directors now need to wake up. The pitch condition ain’t going to magically improve in January and February. In Rochdale it will be cold, or wet, or both. Always has been, always will be. Failure to understand that the pitch is deteriorating is, a failure of management, one for the board to be held accountable for.
Fans could see last Tuesday the problematic area, but the club knew best, the Board knew best, as ever Simon Gauge knew best. But, what was apparent last Tuesday, and we got away with on Saturday, it wasn’t fixed and it came back to bite us, again. We have Oldham next week, hope for the best eh Simon?
We now have a problem which is getting worse, because on 21st December - minimal rain postponed the first Boston game. Not enough was done to resolve the problem, questions like why was only the centre square relaid? Finances? Well that’s false economy now. A poor decision Simon - or did he just hope for the best? Hope for summer to arrive in January?
For too long Dale fans have tolerated Gauge and his race to the bottom leadership, it needs to end soon. Come on Cameron, you can see it, surely, he and his self serving cronies need to go. | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:35 - Jan 28 with 2994 views | Yorkshire_Dale |
| Boston Match Thread on 19:15 - Jan 28 by pnc4eva1 |
Not happy at all. As an exile I bought my match pass earlier to watch the game live on DAZN. |
Me too,what a waste of a tenner.....been watching Radcliffe Boro being dicked by Chester City..........and that was shite, but the pitch looked well playable unlike our swamp.. | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:35 - Jan 28 with 2983 views | 442Dale |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:17 - Jan 28 by 49thseason |
Im pretty sure it hasnt been called off because it looked untidy. Its uplayable because it is saturated...i.e. not draining as it should, full of water, waterlogged... the drains are farked...of course its about drainage, there clearly is none, or none that is working as it should do, they could hardly dig it up in the space of 3 days could they? We have been told they need 5 dry days before they can Dryject it and that hasn't happened so here we are.
You might question the referees decision but my guess would be that it failed the FIFA ball-bounce test and was properly called off as a result of failing the test.
You could legitimately ask if the groundstaff did the bounce test after lunch and deemed it OK
"According to FIFA, a ball dropped from two meters should bounce 70–100 centimeters. The difference between the ball's highest and lowest bounce should not exceed 10 centimeters.
Other tests for football pitches
In addition to the ball bounce test, other tests for football pitches include:
Vertical deformation: Measures how well the surface absorbs shock and cushions impact
Rotational resistance: Measures how well the surface allows players to rotate and pivot
Lisport test: Measures how durable the surface is and how well it resists wear and tear
UV stability: Measures how well the surface resists fading and degradation from the sun" |
The area in the corner, good/bad drainage aside, was a problem because the ball wasn’t bouncing there last Tuesday or on Saturday. The surface there needed addressing like the surface in the centre of the pitch.
The drainage issue needs to be established by a complete reconstruction. The drains themselves may be fine and the water isn’t reaching them. It’s all speculation. |  |
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| Boston Match Thread on 21:44 - Jan 28 with 2910 views | dingdangblue |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:35 - Jan 28 by 442Dale |
The area in the corner, good/bad drainage aside, was a problem because the ball wasn’t bouncing there last Tuesday or on Saturday. The surface there needed addressing like the surface in the centre of the pitch.
The drainage issue needs to be established by a complete reconstruction. The drains themselves may be fine and the water isn’t reaching them. It’s all speculation. |
What has happened in the last few months from earlier in the season though? We've had games in September, October and November with heavy rain during games and it has drained. Now suddenly its f@cked? I remember a few years ago we had a firm assess the drainage and they said the wrong sand had been put on the surface and it had set solid underneath the surface and blocked all the drainage. Has this happened again? 🤔 | |
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| Boston Match Thread on 21:51 - Jan 28 with 2855 views | Dalenet |
| Boston Match Thread on 20:30 - Jan 28 by 442Dale |
Totally get that. But at the same time fans and those present last Tuesday were already commenting on how there was an area of real concern in that corner.
Allowing a ref to have a decision to make is on us. No matter if we all may disagree. |
I am baffled though - the ref for both Saturday and last Tuesday could see what we all saw and thought it was acceptable. You could see the ball wasn't bouncing or moving across the turf with any speed in that corner. Today the ref said it wasn't playable but the groundstaff thought it was.
If Boston were already on site, were they consulted and agreed with the ref's decision? | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 21:56 - Jan 28 with 2826 views | robshaker |
ref must be a biffo | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 22:47 - Jan 28 with 2614 views | Sandyman |
We were assured by the club tonight's game was going ahead. Given recent weather, believable. 5:45 PM sat in Ratcliffes with regulars bouyed by Saturday's superb performance. 15 minutes later, rumours circulate. Rumours are confirmed.
Maybe we did have an overly pedantic referee this evening who, surprisingly, called the game off.
However, RAFC have given him the opportunity to be overly pedantic (if that was the case) by ignoring their own comments about the pitch at the pre-season Fans Forum. It was said then from the top table that there were problems with the pitch, which was met with surprise by supporters. Five months and several postponements down the line, (some were inevitable due to horrendous weather) we've seen two games v Boston postponed on mild weather days. Even Halifax played tonight! Where was the fix to what was known last August?
Do those on the "top table" realise the damage to our footballing fortunes and the reputational damage that has cost the club plenty in waste (trays galore of unsold pies were carried through Ratcliffes to the kitchen) and lost hospitality, again? Are they mithered? Seemingly not.
By twenty to eight, not one director (not even the Trust director) showed their face in Ratcliffes to have a conversation with the faithful (and a couple of Boston fans) who stayed behind to support our excellent bar provision.
Seemingly unable to run a professional football club and get games on on a sunny day, please can RAFC employ someone who knows how to do so? The current board - volunteers, investors or otherwise - appear incapable of doing so.
Fans Forum Thursday y'all.
UP THE DALE |  | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 22:49 - Jan 28 with 2595 views | MAK |
Some big meetings, conversations and decisions to be made by those at the club over the next few days. A good week of mostly dry weather to come, but it will only remove a little moisture from a sodden pitch. If nothing can be done to alleviate the major problems in the worst areas, how late do you leave a decision on the Oldham match? There can't be another repeat of this evening. | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 22:56 - Jan 28 with 2559 views | Edindale |
Surely the club now needs to make provision for the re-location of up and coming fixtures so that these have a chance of going ahead before the backlog becomes unmanageable.
How BJ deals with the stop start nature of this season is another issue. | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 22:58 - Jan 28 with 2546 views | Dalenet |
| Boston Match Thread on 22:49 - Jan 28 by MAK |
Some big meetings, conversations and decisions to be made by those at the club over the next few days. A good week of mostly dry weather to come, but it will only remove a little moisture from a sodden pitch. If nothing can be done to alleviate the major problems in the worst areas, how late do you leave a decision on the Oldham match? There can't be another repeat of this evening. |
I just hope we have had the gumption to talk to Accrington or whoever to ground share until we can get the pitch fixed. Next week we play two games at home - fans that travel need to have some certainty or do we expect them to give up for the rest of the season? | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 01:13 - Jan 29 with 2289 views | frenzied |
Points deduction re failing to provide a playable surface? | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 08:44 - Jan 29 with 1915 views | Daleaholic |
Enough is enough now. Since Simon Gauge became the chairman, we've constantly gone for the cheap option. This includes the pitch.
How on earth can the club achieve sustainability if the very tool needed to bring people in isn't fit for purpose. It's been neglected for far too long now and the patchwork repairs simply add to the problem to be honest. We've got a great centre circle... but the rest of the pitch is worse than Firgrove.
It's time for those who claim to be custodians of our club to actually look after it. Because as it stands, we're a laughing stock across social media and the football world.
It's embarrassing. Sort it or leave and let someone else come in who is capable of running a 'professional' football club. |  |
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| Boston Match Thread on 09:13 - Jan 29 with 1825 views | EllDale |
Well, it didn’t take long for the feel good factor generated on Saturday to be smashed did it?
Someone remarked elsewhere on the notable absence of directors and/or senior management in public areas after the announcement of the postponement.
I’d like to think that this was because they were all on some sort of conference call with the Ogden family.
There are two obvious issues emerging from this debacle.
The first is the pitch, a topic explored extensively elsewhere.
The second is the total mishandling of the situation yesterday starting with misleading social announcements in the afternoon.
I was ready for calling for someone to fall on their sword last night but in the cold grey light of morning all I want is a through investigation and some sort of coherent explanation and an assurance that a repeat could never reoccur.
I don’t who I feel sorry for most:
The Boston players, officials and supporters?
The Dale players and BJ and his staff who have had to frantically rearrange and replan?
The commercial staff who had the embarrassing job who of explaining the mess to sponsors and people in hospitality?
All those fans who had set off or actually arrived at the ground?
Those casual matchday staff who were sent home without an expected wage?
Something is not right and I’m beginning to subscribe to the theory that some of the board are simply incapable of managing a penny raffle.
I include the chairman in this along with a survivor from the Bottomley era who somehow clings on plus the Trust rep. The latter is a lovely bloke but seems to suffering from the most obvious case of Stockholm Syndrome that I’ve ever seen.
Nothing posted on X either for 15 hours. There should be a fulsome apology and detailed explanation this morning surely? | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 09:42 - Jan 29 with 1697 views | kel |
| Boston Match Thread on 09:13 - Jan 29 by EllDale |
Well, it didn’t take long for the feel good factor generated on Saturday to be smashed did it?
Someone remarked elsewhere on the notable absence of directors and/or senior management in public areas after the announcement of the postponement.
I’d like to think that this was because they were all on some sort of conference call with the Ogden family.
There are two obvious issues emerging from this debacle.
The first is the pitch, a topic explored extensively elsewhere.
The second is the total mishandling of the situation yesterday starting with misleading social announcements in the afternoon.
I was ready for calling for someone to fall on their sword last night but in the cold grey light of morning all I want is a through investigation and some sort of coherent explanation and an assurance that a repeat could never reoccur.
I don’t who I feel sorry for most:
The Boston players, officials and supporters?
The Dale players and BJ and his staff who have had to frantically rearrange and replan?
The commercial staff who had the embarrassing job who of explaining the mess to sponsors and people in hospitality?
All those fans who had set off or actually arrived at the ground?
Those casual matchday staff who were sent home without an expected wage?
Something is not right and I’m beginning to subscribe to the theory that some of the board are simply incapable of managing a penny raffle.
I include the chairman in this along with a survivor from the Bottomley era who somehow clings on plus the Trust rep. The latter is a lovely bloke but seems to suffering from the most obvious case of Stockholm Syndrome that I’ve ever seen.
Nothing posted on X either for 15 hours. There should be a fulsome apology and detailed explanation this morning surely? |
Can’t disagree with a single word of that.
Let’s stop pussy footing around now and start calling people out for the absolute shitshow that’s going on. What does Pockney bring to the table apart from agreeing to ridiculous energy deals and free loading hospitality? Never forget him and Bottomley used to be all over Facebook milking everything they could. And that’s before I start on him being found to mislead the EFL over the Morton House bollocks.
The only conclusion I can come to over this nonsense about putting in money to buy back shares is because of a guilty conscience. Also the only bloke I’ve ever seen who’s applauded himself when being introduced at a fans forum. [Post edited 29 Jan 9:44]
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| “He was deliberately misleading the EFL” |
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| Boston Match Thread on 11:25 - Jan 29 with 1418 views | D_Alien |
| Boston Match Thread on 09:42 - Jan 29 by kel |
Can’t disagree with a single word of that.
Let’s stop pussy footing around now and start calling people out for the absolute shitshow that’s going on. What does Pockney bring to the table apart from agreeing to ridiculous energy deals and free loading hospitality? Never forget him and Bottomley used to be all over Facebook milking everything they could. And that’s before I start on him being found to mislead the EFL over the Morton House bollocks.
The only conclusion I can come to over this nonsense about putting in money to buy back shares is because of a guilty conscience. Also the only bloke I’ve ever seen who’s applauded himself when being introduced at a fans forum. [Post edited 29 Jan 9:44]
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I wonder if the Ogdens will be represented at tomorrow's Fans Forum?
These issues need to be brought into focus, front and centre
The previous calls to all "get behind the club" may have been well-meaning, but circumstances have now moved on
EGMs, of both the Trust and the Club, may be the only way forward in lancing boils which threaten to ruin the Ogden initiatives. Their massive majority shareholding is of little use when we can't stage football, and their awareness of the views of shareholders/fans may need to be 'revisited'
The AGM of just a few weeks ago was stage-managed to minimise that possibility
Edit: i was one of the very few at that AGM that voted against Pockney continuing as a director. I'd like to know what all those who voted "for" him thought he was contributing to the club? [Post edited 29 Jan 11:52]
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| Boston Match Thread on 11:38 - Jan 29 with 1341 views | ramsdale |
I know it was a lifeline that we needed to take with the Ogdens, and I'll be eternally grateful, but there should've been a completely clean break when the takeover went through, and not SG having his cake and eating it too by still being co-chair.
The goodwill of the money he fronted up has run out with me, and should nothing change about the running of the club I'm going to be voting with my feet. Enough is enough of half-arsed statements, condescending answers to valid questions at various forums and the obvious disdain for fans.
When a football club can't host football games it is not fit for purpose. When a chairman can't lead us in the right direction, they are too unfit for purpose. | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 11:42 - Jan 29 with 1321 views | MoonyDale |
| Boston Match Thread on 11:25 - Jan 29 by D_Alien |
I wonder if the Ogdens will be represented at tomorrow's Fans Forum?
These issues need to be brought into focus, front and centre
The previous calls to all "get behind the club" may have been well-meaning, but circumstances have now moved on
EGMs, of both the Trust and the Club, may be the only way forward in lancing boils which threaten to ruin the Ogden initiatives. Their massive majority shareholding is of little use when we can't stage football, and their awareness of the views of shareholders/fans may need to be 'revisited'
The AGM of just a few weeks ago was stage-managed to minimise that possibility
Edit: i was one of the very few at that AGM that voted against Pockney continuing as a director. I'd like to know what all those who voted "for" him thought he was contributing to the club? [Post edited 29 Jan 11:52]
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I was going to give this fans forum a miss but I reckon it could be a lively affair....Might be worth a visit.. |  |
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| Boston Match Thread on 12:33 - Jan 29 with 1098 views | kel |
| Boston Match Thread on 11:25 - Jan 29 by D_Alien |
I wonder if the Ogdens will be represented at tomorrow's Fans Forum?
These issues need to be brought into focus, front and centre
The previous calls to all "get behind the club" may have been well-meaning, but circumstances have now moved on
EGMs, of both the Trust and the Club, may be the only way forward in lancing boils which threaten to ruin the Ogden initiatives. Their massive majority shareholding is of little use when we can't stage football, and their awareness of the views of shareholders/fans may need to be 'revisited'
The AGM of just a few weeks ago was stage-managed to minimise that possibility
Edit: i was one of the very few at that AGM that voted against Pockney continuing as a director. I'd like to know what all those who voted "for" him thought he was contributing to the club? [Post edited 29 Jan 11:52]
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I was staggered when I saw such a high percentage had voted for him to remain. He’s more concerned where his next freebie is coming from and I felt ill when I saw him and a former non-executive director walking around the 1907 lounge like they ran the place.
It may have been missed my many that he is/was accountant for that other snake Grindrod’s company although I may have that the wrong way round. Grindrod should never be forgiven for the disgraceful letter he sent to the trust when Bottomley tried to change the constitutions that would have let Morton House in.
And I know for a fact he’ll read this. [Post edited 29 Jan 12:34]
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| “He was deliberately misleading the EFL” |
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| Boston Match Thread on 12:34 - Jan 29 with 1097 views | Rodingdale |
| Boston Match Thread on 11:42 - Jan 29 by MoonyDale |
I was going to give this fans forum a miss but I reckon it could be a lively affair....Might be worth a visit.. |
What odds the forum gets cancelled because the club are busy preparing for or trying to avert a disaster next Tuesday? Time is very short to rearrange that fixture to another ground, imagine our lot trying to organise ticket allocations?
All of the Boards own making this, fail to prepare, prepare to fail. | | | |
| Boston Match Thread on 12:44 - Jan 29 with 1045 views | D_Alien |
| Boston Match Thread on 12:33 - Jan 29 by kel |
I was staggered when I saw such a high percentage had voted for him to remain. He’s more concerned where his next freebie is coming from and I felt ill when I saw him and a former non-executive director walking around the 1907 lounge like they ran the place.
It may have been missed my many that he is/was accountant for that other snake Grindrod’s company although I may have that the wrong way round. Grindrod should never be forgiven for the disgraceful letter he sent to the trust when Bottomley tried to change the constitutions that would have let Morton House in.
And I know for a fact he’ll read this. [Post edited 29 Jan 12:34]
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The percentage reflected the number of shares owned by those who voted
The actual number count of votes wasn't issued, but still can't have been more than a handful
The perception by those with the vast majority of shares that great jobs are being done by the co-chair and other directors needs to be changed. If all the Ogdens are hearing is the usual sycophants, can't blame them for not thinking otherwise... but a grip needs to be got, and perhaps if there's any "silver-lining" to be had from these postponements, they could be the catalyst needed [Post edited 29 Jan 12:49]
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| Boston Match Thread on 13:08 - Jan 29 with 935 views | Dale_4_Life |
Firstly an apology to Boston, The players and team management, the club officials and the supporters. Yesterday was a new low.
The original fixture was postponed after mild temperatures and hardly any rain. I did not think it could get any worse than the original postponement and then I hear the news at 6pm last night (In disbelief) driving to Spotland.
The club needs to find the immediate short term solution and fast. Yes it might cost but what is the alternative?. Get to season end and then do the pitch renovations and drainage properly and that might be very expensive.
A real test for Cameron Ogden.
This was a total Shambles right from the moment no pitch inspection was tweeted. | | | |
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