Rochdale AFC co-chair issues summer update as club prepares for new season

Rochdale AFC co-chairman Cameron Ogden says fans have strong reasons to be optimistic ahead of the 2025/26 season, after a year of big improvements on and off the pitch.

In a summer message to supporters, Mr Ogden praised the fourth-place league finish and FA Trophy semi-final run as major steps forward, following a challenging year for the club both financially and operationally.

Ogden said the main focus during the 2024/25 season was rebuilding the club’s internal structure and ensuring stability on the pitch. “Given how far we’ve come in a year, I’m really pleased with the progress,” he said.

Looking ahead, he confirmed that most of the squad is staying and that the management team is working hard to strengthen key areas in what he called a “very competitive transfer market.”

He also addressed the upcoming closure of the club’s Category 4 Academy on 30 June, due to regulations that prevent National League clubs applying for licences beyond three years outside the EFL. However, the club’s Community Trust will continue to offer football for local 16–19 year olds, and junior boys’ teams will return from under-8s to under-16s.

Ogden also congratulated the women’s first team on gaining promotion to the North West Women’s Regional Football League and said the club sees women’s football as an exciting area of future growth.

Off the pitch, the club has added new senior staff, including a new managing director, head of operations and commercial manager. A new ticketing system is being rolled out, along with upgraded turnstiles, scanners and stewarding to improve safety and fan experience.

Fan engagement has also been a focus, with a new 17-member Club Advisory Board set up, and Ruby Loynd joining as Fan Liaison Officer.

Work is also under way on the pitch, though Ogden said it’s only a surface renovation, not a full rebuild. A full overhaul would cost around £1.5 million, money the club cannot afford right now, especially with the next season’s budget already needing a £2 million boost.

To reduce the risk of waterlogging this winter, the club will now cover the pitch more strictly, using lightweight rugby posts to allow overnight covering between football and rugby matches. Volunteers will be needed to help with this, especially before and after games.

Ogden thanked fans for their support and said more announcements are on the way, including transfer updates, new sponsorships and kit launches. There will also be volunteer days in July where supporters can help refurbish parts of the stadium.

Over 1,200 season tickets have already been sold for the 2025/26 campaign.