An amazing season, both on and off the pitch with Dale promoted back into the English Football League after beating Boreham Wood at Wembley in the National League Play Off Final.
Off the pitch, the Former Players Association was extremely busy organising hospitality events at home matches involving ex-legends entertaining pre-match diners with popular Q&A sessions in the 1907 Lounge followed by half time presentation to the crowd plus drawing out 50/50 half time winners.
Former players turning out included: Dave Flitcroft, Tony Ford, Keith Hicks, Dave Bayliss, Chris Beech, Mark Stuart, Mark Hilditch, Andy Barlow, Olly Lancashire, John Halpin
Steve Davies, Steve Whitehall, Lee McEvilly, Paul Connor, Wayne Goodison, Matty Lund plus appearances from Jamie Willoughby (Rochdale FC Director) for the match against Aldershot Town, Oliver Whatmuff (Dale goalkeeper) when he was unable to play against Eastleigh Town and Cameron Ogden (Rochdale FC Co-Chairman) for the visit of York City Mark Stuart, Lee McEvilly, Gareth Griffith, Scott Warner, Luke Matheson, Steve Whitehall also made the effort out for a reunion evening when Solihull Moors visited the Crown Oil Arena whilst Willie Burns was the guest of honour for the Supporters Trust Exiles Day.
Since the formation of the Former Players Association in 2021/2 including two years absence through Covid, below is the amount of work undertaken: Number of players active for the Former Players Association – 65
Articles published in the Former Players Association Website – 137
Guest appearances at Match Day Hospitality – 56
Guest appearances at Curry On Up The Dale Events – 11
Guest appearances at Exiles Day – 6
Thanks go to all the players, who took time out to support the FPA hospitality, sometimes in the most dire weather conditions but always ready to tell often quite amusing/interesting stories of the many years between them concerning team mates and management-the amount of supporters passing on their gratitude for the time and effort has been amazing.
