12/2/22 - TVOS Feature Vs Harrogate

Hello everybody, hope you are all doing well and your week has been a good one! It’s our favourite time of the week again… Match Day!!

It’s been a really busy few weeks hasn’t it for everybody at the club? The January transfer window was extremely busy unfortunately we lost Jake Beesley and Aaron Morley at the start of the window, who we do want to send our best wishes to and thank them for everything they did for Dale, good luck guys! We have since recruited six new players that we are very happy about, all in areas we personally think needed strengthening. Us girls can’t really think of a January transfer window where we have brought in so many new faces and managed to recruit our first choice targets so we are extremely pleased. Hopefully we can push on, this busy February period and get some more points on the board.

Not only have the club been extremely busy on the pitch and building a new team but there’s been a lot going on in regards to solidarity in football. ‘The Dale Trust’ arranged a sponsored walk to Boundary Park, the day of the game against Oldham. We unfortunately couldn’t make it but want to honestly thank both the Rochdale and Oldham supporters who took part. You all did amazing and honestly it’s brilliant to see how two rival clubs can show solidarity when we need it the most, well done!

Unfortunately the day itself was a bit bitter sweet, a young female fan was subject to sexist abuse by a small minority of fans. We feel as women and people that do want to help make a change, it’s only right we address this and help anybody that needs it. After the game we received messages on our social media pages asking what can be done and if anything is in place if this does happen.

If you are a victim to any sexist abuse or if you witness this happening in the ground, the surrounding areas linked to the football ground (the bars, club shop, car park etc) then please do the following -

Go to your nearest steward and tell them, especially if it’s making you feel uncomfortable.

Report it to the club itself - office@rochdaleafc.co.uk

There’s several posters up around the ground with the email address on.

Report it on #HerGameToo website - www.hergametoo.co.uk who will then contact the club regarding the incident.

Message us on our social media pages or website and we will report it to both parties -

Instagram - TheDaleWayx

Facebook - The Dale Way

Twitter - TheDaleWay

Website - https://thedalewayx.wixsite.com/podcast

Email - thedalewayx@gmail.com

Everybody at the football club want a safe environment for people to feel comfortable and included, so please do not ever feel like you are alone if this does happen. Both of us were honestly so impressed and thankful when both the clubs official social media and our chairman, Simon Gauge acknowledged what had happened and reassured us all, that kind of behaviour will never be tolerated at Rochdale. It was like a comfort blanket and we really appreciate that us women do have that support.

We are extremely lucky to have been given this opportunity and we want to use our voices to inspire people but also for them to find a comfort in what they love. This particular feature shows that no matter what gender, race, sexuality or what football team you support, we can all enjoy what we love doing the most on a match day and come together when we need it the most.

Thank you so much for reading

Charlotte & Isabelle x

You can listen to The Dale Way on YouTube, Anchor, Spotify and Apple Podcast.