tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30779149950938871212011-12-12T11:13:39.742-08:00Rochdale AFC are the least succesful team in English league football. Rochdale are my team. This is my story.REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.comBlogger1011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-62044327080393204932010-03-25T01:37:00.000-07:002010-03-25T01:37:46.612-07:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Accrington Stanley FC 2 - 4 Rochdale AFC Journey At some ungodly hour this morning 180 Rochdale fans set forth for Accrington - on foot.  It took me almost one second to decide that I wouldn't be joining them. I would drive.  30 mins tops - mind you parking is a bit of a trick around the Crown Ground - so I set off early.  At 13:15 hrs I saddled

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-53749479094465324922010-03-15T14:15:00.000-07:002010-03-16T01:01:05.755-07:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Shrewsbury Town FC 0 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey It's 09:45.  I'm standing under the dreaming spire of the Town Hall clock tower with Mr. Keane.  We are waiting for the coach to arrive. In the chaotic aftermath of the Dagenham game, I handed a bloke I had never met £10 on the understanding that I would have a seat on the 'unofficial' coach to

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-5197211079122581782010-03-14T08:56:00.000-07:002010-03-15T04:44:41.323-07:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 1 - 1 Lincoln City FC Journey Although I am a foreigner, I am intensely proud of this town, woe betide anyone who pokes fun at Rochdale while I am around.  But I am not so patriotic that I am blind to the plight of the place.  Two World Wars, a depression, numerous recessions and a heapin helpin of Mrs. Thatcher's economic theories have

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-70305006998163734452010-03-05T15:34:00.000-08:002010-03-05T15:34:50.809-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 4 - 0 Rotherham United FC Journey 25th January 1986.  It was a Saturday.  Three elf faced Norwegians had just gone to number one in the charts with a song about a lack of curtains in their mum's front room's.  As a result  I developed a brief fascination with hair gel and ripped jeans.  But more importantly, in a hospital somewhere in

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-6591657401113012112010-02-24T05:32:00.000-08:002010-03-03T05:35:42.943-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 1 - 3 Bradford City FC Journey Things I know about snow: It is cold and it is white - yeah, I know, amazing huh?  Every flake is unique - which really just shows that God has way too much time on his hands these days.  The land of the fried Mars Bar is under several feet of it and has been for months - kilts are probably unwise at the

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-90849165911085516392010-02-23T04:50:00.000-08:002010-02-23T04:50:52.994-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 3 - 1 Dagenham and Redbridge FC Journey The demon drink.  It has a lot to answer for.  Perhaps it was the lack of football last weekend, perhaps it was the much anticipated arrival of the gentlemen scholars of the Royal Borough of Dagenham last night, perhaps it was the prospect of another thrilling 'El Classico' encounter  - what ever it

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-15567204615518142792010-02-09T15:04:00.000-08:002010-02-14T14:46:41.273-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochadale AFC 2 - 0 Crewe Alexandra FC Journey Something odd happened on Monday night.  Not losing to Bury - that has happened before - quite a lot actually.  It wasn't going to the pub after the game either - that always seems to happen.  What was odd was the post match analysis.  Last season the  defeat at Gigg Lane had resulted in something

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-17161392026156693312010-02-05T00:26:00.000-08:002010-02-05T00:26:35.435-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Bury FC 1 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey 'The act of observing something changes its behaviour'                                         The Hawthorne Effect Being at a bit of a loose end today, I watched some television.  Most of it seemed to be a variation on the theme of 'reality TV'.  The format is simple, take basically ordinary folk, point a TV camera

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-3646918149875280162010-01-29T07:46:00.000-08:002010-01-29T11:10:22.743-08:00

Rola Cola Sposored English League Two Rochdale AFC 0-0 Port Vale FC Journey The wife and I went to Southport today.  A walk along the beach.  A bit of dinner.  That was sort of thing.  Unfortunately, Southport had other idea's.  The sea had retired to somewhere near the coast of Ireland.  I invested 50p in one of the telescopes on the pier in the vain hope of catching a glimpse of the

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-14080960315468268652010-01-26T02:09:00.000-08:002010-01-26T09:32:16.571-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Cheltenham Town FC 1 - 4 Rochdale AFC Journey I have done some marginal things in my life.  I'm not going to go into them now - there really isn't time.  Suffice is to say that if you can think of a daft, ill-considered thing to do - I have probably done it.  So, with a track record like that, agreeing to take three complete strangers to Cheltenham on

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-73796165634591601652009-12-31T06:02:00.000-08:002009-12-31T06:02:56.411-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 4 - 1 Morecambe FC Journey It's a little after one.  I'm sat in the Ratcliffe Arms - waiting for Mr. Keane.  He's a bit late.  As I watched Spurs give the Hammer's a footballing lesson - something a bit odd is happening. Firstly, The Ratcliffe was a bit fuller than normal - I was lucky to get a seat.  Secondly, I heard one phrase

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-13820553059531280522009-12-30T07:49:00.000-08:002009-12-30T07:49:25.988-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Crewe Alexandra FC 2 - 2 Rochdale AFC Journey The festive season is jam packed with traditions.  Most of them involve eating and drinking until you can't move under your own power.  This usually leads neatly to the great Christmas tradition of the afternoon nap - for the ladies anyway - gentlemen don't nap, they just 'rest their eyes' - for

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-32915665582889609082009-12-22T14:25:00.000-08:002009-12-23T01:00:20.746-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 4 - 0 Shrewsbury Town FC Journey 09:00 minus six degree's - or so the thermometer in my car said as I embarked on my Christmas shopping this morning.  Snow and ice lay thick across God's Country.  Driving was a bit chaotic - but nothing in comparison  to being stuck in the Channel Tunnel all night as thousands of unfortunate

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-54837587175511499972009-12-17T14:18:00.000-08:002009-12-18T00:29:06.066-08:00

Rola-Cola Sposored English League Two Lincoln City FC 1 - 3 Rochdale AFC Journey I have a serious problem.  I have a monkey on my back.  It has been there for over ten years.  It is called Lincoln. Through bad luck, work and an ill-starred flirtation with golf I have never seen Rochdale win against Lincoln.  Never.  I have seen lots of draws and a number of narrow defeats -  I was

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-78011533485587662852009-12-09T15:21:00.000-08:002009-12-09T15:21:30.204-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 3 - 0 Macclesfield Town FC Journey It's 1pm there or there abouts.  I'm sat in the Studds Bar with Mr. Keane and Keane jnr.  The Bradford game is playing on the big screen.  It's been on for about half an hour.  Including our little group there are maybe twenty people watching.  With no audio commentary, the sound down low and just the

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-64929364739863112082009-12-01T13:37:00.000-08:002009-12-08T00:34:23.727-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Bradford City FC 0 - 3 Rochdale AFC Journey McDonalds.  Somewhere in Bradford.  If you thought sports journalism was all limo's, caviar and exotic ladies.  It isn't.  Mostly it involves several large men packed into a small car schlepping along some motorway or other, food is of the 'fast' variety and as for the ladies - that must have

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-47507906796587603022009-11-29T13:34:00.000-08:002009-11-29T13:55:05.995-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League Two Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Notts County FC Journey It's funny how the the fixture calendar works out.  Last year the Notts County home fixture followed on from the Dagenham away game as well.  Curiously also on a Tuesday night.  There the similarities end.  Last season Dale went into the Notts County game off the back of an unlikely defeat -

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-26651220780068020052009-11-28T08:57:00.000-08:002009-11-28T16:28:50.570-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League 2 Dagenham and Redbridge FC 1-2 Rochdale AFC Journey Football is built on great rivalries: Manchester United and Liverpool, Real Madrid and Barcelona, Mansfield and Chesterfield (I'm not massively keen on Chesterfield myself).  These encounters are usually characterised by a special variety of venemous passion from the fans.  The term '

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-62659993960718797962009-11-15T13:59:00.000-08:002009-11-17T07:13:51.189-08:00

Rola Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 2 - 3 Chesterfield FC Journey Men take no time at all to get ready.  Ladies take much, much longer.  These are known facts.  What few people appreciate is that children have the knack of not being ready - just when you really need them to be ready.  If you have children you may know the anguish of seeing your taxi to the airport

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-13089158459167049332009-11-14T05:18:00.000-08:002009-11-29T02:17:48.954-08:00

Football Association Challenge Trophy: First Round Replay Rochdale AFC 0 - 2 Luton Town FC Journey Have you seen 'close up magic'?  It is very clever stuff.  I met a bloke in a pub once who offered to show me a trick.  As far as I could tell we were just having a pleasant chat - when he casually produced my watch from his inside jacket pocket.  It seemed like magic.  I haven't

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-51248739875162127822009-11-09T15:41:00.000-08:002009-11-29T07:43:43.180-08:00

Football Association Challenge Trophy: First Round Luton Town FC 3 - 3 Rochdale AFC Journey 'The FA Cup is the opium of the people' Karl Marx (probably) Does it make you a bad person not to love the FA Cup?  I don't hate it as such - but consider these facts: The very best that Dale can hope for is a 'decent run', make a few bob, maybe even get some TV time out of it

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-17660161851798476552009-10-25T04:50:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:11:43.683-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 1 - 2 Accrington Stanley FCJourneyWinter is on the way. Today is officially the last day of Summer. As I drove up to Spotland I noticed that the tree's that flank Sandy Lane were clad in red and orange - although the swirling wind and rain were doing a decent job of undressing them. The gutters were thick with discarded leaves.Torrential rain,

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-44962691991852602472009-10-12T15:23:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:12:15.731-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Barnet FC Journey Chaffeur driven to Spotland today.  No, not because I have had some starry fit and insisted that Roch Valley Radio provide me with a limo equipped with satellite TV, a mini bar and a selection of warm pies (I would be clueless with warm ladies - I can just about handle warm pies) - it's because of idiots.

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-44591840291246419942009-10-05T12:00:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:12:37.283-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Burton Albion FC 1 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey Tired and a bit hungover.  That's how I started my trip to Burton.  Why? Because I had spent last night at my High School reunion.  A gap of 22 years meant that I had been up gassing until nearly 4 o'clock this morning.  I even met a reader!  After nearly three years of doing this - I actually

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-20204639893397910442009-09-27T13:00:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:13:18.618-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 4 - 1 Hereford United FC Journey Having missed the win down at Northampton I was pretty excited this morning.  Dale were on a roll!  What is more, today's oponents were languishing near the bottom of the table -  Dale could make it three wins from three! Ah... About that... Hereford have been away for a year -

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-50622808772978140222009-09-13T22:23:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:13:51.194-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Torquay United FC Journey Morecambe. Dale 3-0 down at half time - and then the come back of all comebacks. Goals from Dagnall, Thompson & Stevens retrieved a very unlikely point for Dale. Where was I - you might well ask? Jumping up and down behind the goal at Christie Park? No. I was fast asleep on a train heading north from '

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-62785083726508206622009-09-06T03:50:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:18:23.027-08:00

Johnstone’s Paint Tin: First Round Rochdale AFC 1 - 2 Bradford City FC Journey A 7:15 kick-off. Sometimes I really feel that the football gods are laughing at me. Why 7:15? What is wrong with trust old 7:45? I didn’t check the TV listings – but I am fairly sure that tonight’s game wasn’t going out live via satellite across the globe and that Dale were pandering to the all

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-82916162663364024462009-08-31T10:11:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:14:42.849-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 3 - 0 Bury AFC Journey Consider if you will two boys. One slightly older than the other. They grew up just down the road from one another. They went to similar schools. They had the same friends and played the same games. In most respects there really was no difference between them. But, as they grew up the older boy became the kind of

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-79850236558680403232009-08-23T13:53:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:15:18.712-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rotherham United FC 2 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey 09:00 hrs, Siddall Moor playing fields. Clarence Jnrs. vs. Littleborough Yellows - pre-season friendly. Along with Mr. Keane and Mr. Rigby, this morning finds me loitering on the touchline at Siddall Moor to view the culmination of The Yellows pre-season program. After last seasons thrilling

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-16560626684059757402009-08-21T03:07:00.000-07:002010-01-25T12:53:44.314-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 0 - 1 Cheltenham Town FC Journey A new job means a new journey – gone is the trip back from Wigan and all the joys that held – now I have to get to Rochdale from central Manchester. On the face of it – a shorter trip, without any motorways to blight my progress – however, I hadn’t figured on the number 17 bus. Any attempt to get past it was

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-23458893271018625452009-08-16T02:05:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:16:10.560-08:00

Rola-Cola Sponsored English League 2 Rochdale AFC 1 - 0 Aldershot Town FC Journey I was meant to go to Port Vale. It was all planned - and then - cricket happened. On balance I wish I had gone to Port Vale. The weather at Headingly was good, but the cricket was bobbins. In spite of seeing David Gower, Ian Botham, Bob Willis, David Lloyd, Mark Nicholas and Shane Warne (who was having a

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-85056004160343486112009-08-01T13:23:00.000-07:002009-09-24T10:47:05.697-07:00

Summer holidays. Like a lot of people, I scrimp and save my pennies all year long to afford my two weeks in the sun. Two weeks of rest, relaxation, over indulgence, stomach upsets, sunburn and insect bites. Bliss. But as good as all of that sounds - being a Rochdale fan; my annual trip to foreign parts has a few hidden extras. It usually begins on the first day of the holiday - on that

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-34258687936198287782009-07-07T01:02:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:16:52.603-08:00

Gilligham FC 2 - 1 Rochdale AFC (agg. 2-1) Journey: I have a dream. I have it a lot. It is always the same dream. It goes like this: I am stood on the Sandy. It is a hot sunny day, but dark and cool under the roof. Dale’s keeper (oddly I don’t recognise him at all) is dawdling over taking a goal kick. The Rochdale faithful are crowded against the fence whistling at the referee, the

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-82400711937837487322009-07-07T00:48:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:19:23.408-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 0 Gillingham FC Journey: Depart Wigan 17.05 hrs. Arrive Spotland 19.34 hrs. Traffic jams are just my most favourite thing in the world. Ever. After a spritely start on the East Lancs Road I joined the parking facility which some know as the M60 and proceded to crawl to the M62 - where things really began to slow down. I tried the time honoured approach of booming

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-70918848818587765972009-07-07T00:34:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:20:04.022-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 1 Gillingham FC Journey: I was waiting at the traffic lights at the top of Roch Valley Way, looking at the assembled Rochdale fans outside the Cemetery Hotel – when it suddenly struck me. I have done it! At the beginning of the season I said I would - and I have! I have been to every league game this season – well, after today’s game I will have. Forty six games. All

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-14514621381777264792009-07-07T00:13:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:21:06.412-08:00

Luton Town FC 1 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: The last away game of the season (play-off’s notwithstanding) and a change to the advertised programme. Today I was going to be a passenger. The unwelcome attentions of a security van in midweek had rendered the medium sized Audi unfit for service – so at 09:30 hrs I found myself climbing into the medium sized Seat of Mr. Brookes. Having

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-56489065443501528422009-07-06T23:56:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:21:38.783-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 2 Darlington FC Journey: I have seen Mr. Turner wearing a roman centurion’s helmet, a big pink wig and most unfortunately of all – shorts. Nothing really prepared me for what I saw today. I arrived at Mr. Turner’s place of employ a little after 11 to be greeted by himself, in a shirt and tie, sat in a big leather chair, behind a desk, looking the very essence of

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-13816428859211797252009-07-06T23:35:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:22:24.869-08:00

Shrewsbury Town FC 1 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: 11:30 am, Mr. Keane and Keane jnr. are stood on my doorstep. It is bank holiday Monday and the sun is shining. Flushed with the success against Port Vale just two days ago there was real optimism in our ranks that Dale could continue their recovery against Shrewsbury today. Personally I would be delighted with a haul of four points from

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-22097688721219123282009-07-06T22:54:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:23:20.246-08:00

Rochdale AFC 1 - 0 Port Vale FC Journey: The journey back from Bournemouth had been a long and miserable one. I have heard people use the word 'inconsolable' before. I never really understood exactly what it meant until last Saturday. Still, as the week wore on the disappointment and anguish began to fade and I remembered that there have been worse times following Rochdale AFC. Much

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-89484563420071135102009-07-06T12:54:00.001-07:002009-11-29T02:24:18.044-08:00

AFC Bournemouth 4 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey: Sun, sea, sand and... Well just sun, sea and sand to be honest. 11:30 am Bournemouth seafront. It had been sunny and clear when Messers Culshaw, Ashworth and I left Rochdale just after noon yesterday. The 270 mile journey south meant that pleasant spring weather in gods country was exchanged for something approaching summer in Dorset. The

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-70095254545595854922009-07-06T12:39:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:25:48.244-08:00

Rochdale AFC 2 - 2 Exeter City FC Journey: This is game forty of Rochdale AFC’s 2008/09 season. Dale are sitting second in the table. There are just six games after this one to decide if this really is going to be Rochdale’s year. That first game of the season away at Grimsby seems a whole lifetime away. Since then I have covered more miles than I care to mention, eaten more pies than

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-14538464207680384262009-07-06T12:28:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:26:31.746-08:00

Chesterfield FC 3 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey: It happens at work. It happens at parties. It happens in shopping centres. In truth, it can happen just about anywhere. That awkward moment where you realise that you should know the person stood right in front of you – but for the life of you, you can’t think where from. You think that you know them – and they certainly seem to know you – but

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-34442260616896101472009-07-06T12:16:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:27:14.580-08:00

Wycombe Wanderers FC 0 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: I used to work with a bloke called Pete. His catch phrase was 'timing is everything'. His view was that in every aspect of life - the timing of things was probably more important than the things themselves. He applied this to work, football and with irritatingly consistent success to the game of pool. Essentially, too soon or too late are

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-18644355138067715032009-07-06T12:06:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:28:01.956-08:00

Rochdale AFC 1 - 2 Rotherham United FC Journey: It must be spring. As I rolled past Rochdale Town Hall I could see daffodil's in the municipal flower beds. Earlier today I even saw daffodil's outside Aldi. Spring has come to Gods Country. The dark and weary yin of winter is slowly giving way to the bright and energetic yang of summer. It seems only weeks ago that I was fretting over the

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-35365371456882843112009-07-06T11:53:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:28:34.715-08:00

Rochdale AFC 3 - 0 Bradford City FC Journey: Ill. Of all the things I had thought of which might derail my plan to get to every game this season, being ill wasn't one of them. A day of guzzling Lemsip's, whilst swaddled in a duvet with the fire on full belt didn't seem to have helped. To make matters worse I was supposed to be partnering Mr. Culshaw in the commentary box for

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-24143691959108925672009-07-06T10:54:00.001-07:002009-11-29T02:29:05.766-08:00

Bury FC 2 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: 09:00. Waiting. Waiting for Mr. Keane to arrive. Granted, he wasn't due to arrive until 10:30. But I was waiting none the less. Today is derby day. Rochdale vs. Bury. A 12:00 kick off with Premiership referee Alan Wiley calling the shots. I tried watching TV. I saw an interview with Danny Boyle about the Oscar winning 'Slum Dog Millionaire'. If you

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-76772207155049544162009-07-06T10:44:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:29:39.979-08:00

Barnet FC 2 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: 13:45, Spotland Stadium. None of my usual travelling companions would be making the trip down to 'that' London tonight. However, I would not be making the trip alone. My passenger this afternoon would be Mr. Brookes. With himself safely installed in the front seat I headed for the motorway. Having Mr. Brookes along for the trip had one immediate

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Rochdale AFC 2 - 0 Grimsby Town FC Journey: Little things. The traffic on Roche Valley Way was a little heavier. The foot traffic on Sandy Lane was a little busier. Little things. If you weren't looking for it - you would miss it. But it was there nonetheless. The sense of expectation in the assembling crowd made it feel like the first home game of the season again. Except it

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Darlington FC 1 - 2 Rochdale AFC Journey: I drive slowly. I am famous for it. Ask anyone. I am Captain Slow. So it was something of a surprise when I got a speeding ticket on the way to Darlington. How do you get a speeding ticket for doing 42 in a 60? Easy! Because 300 meters of the East Lancs Road had been converted to a 30. Uncannily, there were two Police cars and a motorcycle

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-51258939285094059812009-07-06T10:10:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:31:34.040-08:00

Rochdale AFC 1 - 2 Brentford FC Journey: 10:45am. Hare Hill Park, Littleborough. The latest chapter in Littleborough Yellow's 2008/09 league campaign. The visit of local rivals, Wardle. As I watched Keane jnr. and his team mates go through their warm up - my mind slipped off to my own, rather brief, career as a schoolboy footballer. I had a number of natural gifts that would

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Rochdale AFC 1 - 1 Morecambe FC Journey: Night games at Spotland are brilliant. The glare of the floodlights, the inky black of the sky, the seductive waft of warm pies and the un-natural green-ness of the turf. I can't quite explain why - but bathed in the glow of several thousand volts of artificial illumination - Spotland takes on an unreal, magical quality. To the casual observer

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Macclesfield Town FC 0 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: "Of course I didn't take my wife to see Rochdale as an anniversary present. It was her birthday. Would I have got married in the football season? Anyway, it was Rochdale reserves." Bill Shankly Like Mr. Shankly I also had the good sense to avoid getting married during the football season. Although unlike Mrs. Shankly, it wasn't

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Chester City FC 0 - 2 Rochdale AFC Journey: Have you ever driven past Stanlow Oil Terminal at night? If you have, you know what I am talking about. If you haven't, give it a try. Having grown up on a diet of Dr. Who, Space 1999 and Blake's 7 - you've got to admire Stanlow. The hard pressed special effects guys in those days would have looked at it - then looked at the pile of toilet

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Aldershot Town FC 2 - 4 Rochdale AFC Journey: Ok, I admit it. I have become a plaything of the media. After my appearance on Roch Valley Radio for Tuesday night's visit of Notts County, I would be once again slipping into the commentary chair for todays game at Aldershot. I want to be completely clear on this:- my unexpected spell in the spotlight has not changed me - not one bit.

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Rochdale AFC 3 - 0 Notts County FC Journey: The voyage back from the Principality of Essex was a long one. My SatNav, Jane, achieved some form of critical meltdown and declined to provide any assistance in getting Mr. Keane, Mr. Rigby and I home. Road sign's were missed and we ended up coming back via the M1, M62 route. Like I said, a long one. It had been a great weekend. Truly great

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Dagenham and Redbridge FC 3 - 2 Rochdale AFC Journey: 8:30 am. I am horribly confused. I had just woken up in a strange room. I could hear pans clanging. There were cooking smells. I could hear some slightly off key whistling. It took a moment or two to refocus - and then the facts begin to slot slowly into place. I was in Mr. Cootes living room in the Principality of Essex. The

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Rochdale AFC 2 - 2 Lincoln City FC Journey: Well Jack Frost did his worst last week and my trip to Derbyshire was postponed. This was a mixed blessing. As some of you are aware, I have an irrational dislike of Chesterfield FC, so not having to go there was not unwelcome. That said, I now have to go there on a Tuesday evening in March which adds an extra level of risk to my plan to get to

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Rochdale AFC 3 - 1 Accrington Stanley FC Journey: Happy New Year. Christmas is over - well almost... There is the small matter of that weird bit they tack on at the end which nobody really understands. 6th January - Epiphany. Apart from being tricky to say after a few festive sherry's - it marks the official date for the visit of the Three Kings - or if you prefer - Three Wise Men to

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Port Vale FC 2 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: All this travelling has become a bit of a doddle. I have been all over the place this season - and nothing has deflected me from my sacred purpose. Night games at Gillingham, Lincoln and Notts County proved no problem. Saturday's away to Brentford and Exeter went surprisingly smoothly. Even a Sat Nav with a mind of her own, which whilst quite

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-80271867371082914212009-07-06T06:49:00.000-07:002009-11-29T02:37:49.619-08:00

Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Shrewsbury Town FC Journey: Like most people, I spent yesterday stuffing myself with food to the point where I could no longer stand. Therefore it was a welcome relief to get out of the house today. Fresh air, a bit of exercise and a good distance between me and the nearest available turkey based treat. Plus it would provide an opportunity to test drive my Christmas

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-91575711837010609632009-07-06T05:38:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:10:26.346-08:00

Exeter City FC 4 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: At some point in everyone's life they will make a plan which involves picking someone up at an ungodly hour of a Saturday morning. This morning was my turn. Picture the scene. 07:45 hrs. Milnrow. Me standing on the sodden lawn outside the abode of Mr. Turner. By this stage I had already tried knocking and ringing - no response. I tried

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-76693853268831159952009-07-06T05:28:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:10:55.933-08:00

Rochdale AFC 1 - 1 AFC Bournemouth Journey: So, what has been going on since Gillingham? Exit from the Football Association Challenge Trophy. I would attempt to sound disappointed - but I am not. Don't get me wrong, I never like to see Dale lose - but I have priorities. The lottery that is cup football is a distant second to escaping the gravity of the football league's bottom rung. So

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-12266597065235952872009-07-06T05:14:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:11:24.815-08:00

Gillingham FC 1 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: Gillingham - away. The acid test. The whole of the 101 Project hinges on this trip - and I am doing it alone. Wisely, in my opinion, my usual co-conspirators had all made plausible excuses - salsa dancing lessons, tarot readings, church and least probably of all - work. So, just me then. 540 miles. On my own. Obviously I had my I-Pod with

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-75565383660329084392009-07-06T05:01:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:12:03.181-08:00

Rochdale AFC 2 - 0 Luton Town FC Journey: I usually start with some reference to the fact today's pre-match routine was disrupted because of - insert random event. Usually with (mildly) hilarious consequences. As this season has unfolded I have come to realise that I don't actually have a 'routine' at all. Things happen. I do my best to keep pace. Usually with (mildly) hilarious

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-7360265736176925612009-07-06T04:52:00.001-07:002009-11-29T07:12:34.578-08:00

Rochdale AFC 1 - 1 Macclesfield Town FC Journey: I don't live far from Spotland. A five minute car ride. No more than that. Odd then that this journey begins on Friday afternoon - with a text message from Mr. Turner: 'I am commentating on the Dale game tomorrow!'. Surely a gag, surely. A few more frantic text's unearthed the stark facts of the matter. It was not a gag. It was

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-32068811297628374132009-07-06T04:38:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:13:08.601-08:00

Brentford FC 1 - 2 Rochdale AFC Journey: Today's league game will be the fourth in a fortnight, but next week will be all about the Johnstone's Paint Tin and the Football Association Challenge Trophy - so - as my tour of Britain doesn't include cup football - I will be on half term after today. In the dark recesses of my memory I seem to recall that on the last day of term you were

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-40130548540284700452009-07-06T04:26:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:13:44.128-08:00

Notts County FC 1 - 2 Rochdale AFC Journey: A butterfly flaps it's wings in Tokyo and we get rain in Rochdale: Chaos theory. Sunderland beat Newcastle at the weekend and I get to leave Wigan at 4:30 to travel to Nottingham: My boss is a Sunderland fan theory. In a season when I am going that extra mile (5600 to be precise) for Dale - I find myself keeping more than half an eye on

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-55168314096512237402009-07-06T04:09:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:14:15.721-08:00

Rochdale AFC 3 - 1 Aldershot Town FC Journey: All-in-One garden centre, Marks and Spencer, Clarks, Tesco, MacDonalds, Johnson's dry cleaners. Saturday mornings... It really is a good thing that I have Saturday afternoon's to look forward to. The general excitement levels did however spike when I got a call from Mr. Keane. Apparently the HMS Zafira had run out of electricty and

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Rochdale AFC 6 - 1 Chester City FC Journey: Dawn. Somewhere in Staffordshire. I had been stationary for about ten minutes. Little did I know that in the next two hours I would only travel another six miles. I think most people are aware of the horrible tragedies which occurred on the M6 between Monday night and Tuesday morning by now. I was two and a half hours late for a meeting. The

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-17828939659591496182009-07-06T03:41:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:15:15.648-08:00

Littleborough Yellows FC 6 - 1 Radcliffe Jnrs FC and in other results: Morecambe FC 1 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: I doubt there are many more spectacular footballing venues than the pitch at Hare Hill Park. Surrounded on all sides by the muscular Pennines, even on a dreary day like today it is quite awe inspiring. The reason for this departure from my regular Saturday morning

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-10977791006319103652009-07-06T03:24:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:15:47.895-08:00

Lincoln City FC 1 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: By special agreement with my boss I finished at 3:30 today. I had to explain to him that this was the year that I would be going to every game home and away - and tonight would mean a trip to Lincoln. He paused for a moment, looked over the top of his spectacles and said: 'its football - football is more important.' Yes - this really did

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-60237334510729551772009-07-06T03:13:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:16:16.675-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 2 Dagenham and Redbridge FC Journey: Noon. Littleborough. Early by normal standards and in fairness my normal match day routine does not involve a diversion via Littleborough anyway. But this is no ordinary match day. Today is the home leg of the least understood (and to be honest least likely) derby game of the League Two season. The phenomena that is - Dale vs.

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Accrington Stanley FC 1 - 3 Rochdale AFC Journey: Ever lost your mobile phone? I did the next best thing this weekend - I lost the charger - predictably the battery went dead on Friday night. I spent years avoiding having one and this weekend I realised that I can't live without one. Simple operations like meeting people for a pint or organising a family meal become like highly

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Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Chesterfield FC Journey: Do you remember Tom andJerry? Course you do. Do you remember the ones where Jerry befriends the boxing kangaroo? Let me remind you: Tom chases Jerry - Jerry's cause seems utterly lost - Jerry switches places with the boxing kangaroo (disguised as a mouse by now - just work with me on this - OK!) - the kangaroo beats the living

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Rotherham United FC 2 - 2 Rochdale AFC Journey: Droning. I woke up this morning to the very faint sound of droning. After a Friday night get together of the Littleborough Debating and Choral Society, insistent ringing is slightly more normal - but no - droning. Almost imperceptable - but there none the less. I checked with Mrs. Eden-Maughan: 'can you hear that? - 'hear what?' she

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-90272136512948656542009-07-06T02:08:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:18:29.668-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 1 Wycombe Wanderers FC Journey: My trip to Spotland today involved a detour to Tesco to pick up a shirt. Mr. Kilgour ties the knot today and I needed something to wear at the reception later. Tesco may seem a little downscale - but it represents a triumph for Mrs. Eden-Maughan - she has finally pried me away from Matalan. Having braved the bizarre parallel world that

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-63943114845284094812009-07-06T01:50:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:18:59.885-08:00

Rochdale (supporters XI) 9 - 0 Bury (supporters XI) and in other results: Rochdale AFC 1 - 1 Bury FC Journey: Following my own little (and rather expensive) jaunt into the Orient last week, I was somewhat surprised by just how much I missed the Beijing Olympics this last week. There is something quite pleasant about waking up every morning to realise that the British are not in

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-23528799554037025212009-07-06T01:39:00.000-07:002009-10-24T05:29:20.046-07:00

Bradford City FC 2 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey: Mystery #1: As Mr. Keane had elected to desert us in favour of Ms. Bentley this weekend - consequently it fell to me to organise picking Mr. Turner up. The simple solution would have been for Mr. Turner to come to my house. Therefore, imagine my surprise when I found myself waiting for him in Rochdale's Town Hall car park. In spite of his many

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Rochdale AFC 3 - 1 Barnet FC Journey: No roadworks, no complaints about the morality of other road users, no issues with parking - the only thing worthy of comment was Greater Manchester Police's cone festooned crack-down on the approaches to Spotland. Normally the approaches to Spotland are littered with cars. Any given trip to Spotland usually involves waiting patiently behind a

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Grimsby Town FC 0 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey: Standing outside Rochdale town hall on a rainy evening in May - that is how this journey began. Amongst a bedraggled group of Dale fans, Mrs. Eden-Maughan and I peered through the drizzle as the Rochdale staff and players mugged, sheepishly down at us from the balcony. It was intended as a joint celebration of Rochdale AFC's centenary

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-66304039624528944612009-06-29T06:42:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:20:56.940-08:00

Rochdale AFC 2 - 3 Stockport County FC Journey: Why did it have to be Stockport? Why? I have already come clean about my origins in earlier reports – but if you missed it, I grew up in Stockport. I went to school there. I got my first job there – curiously working with a Mrs. LeFondre: yes, that Mrs. LeFondre. My wife is from Stockport and my son was born there. It was this

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Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Darlington FC AET (3 - 3) agg Rochdale win 5 - 4 on penalties Journey: Probably the longest journey of the season. It began on the car park outside the Darlington Arena. It continued down the A1, M1 & M62 and through booking my summer holiday (Turkey, for those of you who are interested). It dragged on through a week of meetings, presentations and 'creative

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-57686369761368209832009-06-29T06:11:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:22:24.570-08:00

Darlington FC 2 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: 04:30 hrs - bolt upright in bed - it's today! Rochdale are in the play-off's and I have a ticket! Admittedly, it was just a little early to set off - so the next eleven hours were spent scouring the TV for any news about Dale. Nothing. Well if you exclude the advert on Sky promising 'exclusive' live coverage of this afternoon's game. I imagine

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-34038295676184370502009-06-29T05:56:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:23:07.032-08:00

Rochdale AFC 1 - 1 Shrewsbury Town FC Journey: It is usually at this point that I whine on about roundabouts, traffic and the like. Not this week. As I drove to Spotland this week I felt odd. It took me a while to work out what was up; as I parked the car it dawned on me what was the matter. The usual horrible sensation of pre-match anxiety was nowhere to be seen. The last game

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-54221880903052349802009-06-29T05:36:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:23:41.071-08:00

Bury FC 1 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: The shortest away trip of the season. Mr. Keane pitched up outside my house at 12:30 with Messers Turner, Mitchell, Jones and Keane jr already installed in the HMS Zafira. A quick trip through the de-militarised zone (Heywood - in which both Rochdale and Bury are a small town: depending upon you allegiances) and we arrived at the Village Hotel for a

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-73161231055812492802009-06-29T05:25:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:24:07.705-08:00

Rochdale AFC 1 - 0 Morecambe FC Journey: I know that a small number of you look forward to the weekly update on Sudden roundabout. It is therefore with some regret that I have to inform you - it has gone. Where once there was cones, chaos and men in hi-viz jackets - there is now a traditional junction supported by a system of ruthlessly efficient traffic lights. I barely had to slow down

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-29479077138690745972009-06-29T04:53:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:24:37.698-08:00

Dagenham and Redbridge FC 1 - 1 Rochdale AFC Journey: You could have cut the excitement with a cricket stump when Mr. Keane rolled up at 07:30. The Dagenham game! Our big road trip to that London. Quite literally minutes of planning had gone into this excursion. A tank full of diesel, digs with Mr. Cootes and a cool bag full of pig related products (for the big Sunday fry-up you

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-3914501756278498542009-06-29T04:32:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:25:14.018-08:00

Rochdale AFC 4 - 2 Notts County FC Journey: I was reading the BBC message board in the week and was intrigued to hear that two lads from Glasgow regularly make the trip to Spotland to watch the Dale. That is some trip. My journey today was every bit as epic. 06:00 Rochdale. Left my house in a cold, drizzly dawn - heading for Rochdale train station. Got the train to Manchester -

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-74012182079174768982009-06-29T04:18:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:25:42.365-08:00

Rochdale AFC 3 - 1 Grimsby Town FC Journey: Lady Luck is 12 today - Happy Birthday Miss. Eden-Maughan. This meant that my trip to Spotland today was subject to a slight detour - via York. Miss. Eden-Maughan's birthday treat was a trip around York - in a gyrocopter. Very cool. She even had a go at flying the gyrocopter - those of you who watch the news will note that York Minster was

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-52077078755441600972009-06-29T03:55:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:26:10.222-08:00

Rochdale AFC 2 - 1 Bradford City FC Journey: Match traffic! On a Tuesday! I joined the queue at the bottom of Roch Valley Way and crawled toward Spotland. As I got close to the ground I could see surging crowds heading towards the turnstiles. With just five minutes to spare I finally managed to find a parking space. I suspect I was probably closer to Bradford than Spotland. At

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-29536076870939414882009-06-29T03:36:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:29:52.598-08:00

Rochdale AFC 4 - 1 Rotherham United FC Journey: My niece is one today. This meant a whistle-stop trip to Stockport: 13:45 hrs arrive Stockport town centre. 13:50 hrs hand over gifts. 13:55 hrs coo over child and pose for happy snaps. 14:00 hrs discuss with brother-in-law the curious fate of his Liverpool FC at the hands of Manchester United yesterday. 14:10 hrs (yes he does go on a bit)

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-57102973642912871672009-06-29T03:21:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:30:27.275-08:00

Notts County FC 1 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey: Away trips usually begin with a trip to my local corner shop. Let's face it who can afford to pay motorway service station prices? As I was selecting drinks, crisps etc - I ran into 'Pickle' Pete. Pete is a die-hard Dale fan who I have been on chatting terms with for years. In that time he has proved to be an excellent source of Dale gossip -

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-91526228199701110792009-06-29T03:05:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:30:58.553-08:00

Rochdale AFC 4 - 1 Accrington Stanley FC Journey: Odd day today. I turned up for a game of pool in Manchester at lunchtime to find I was just the 24 hours late. Had a nice chat with the manager - a Rochdale lad. Came home. I was just siting down with a brew when I was texted by Mr. Keane enquiring after my whereabouts. His concern was that with just 25 minutes to kick-off I hadn't yet

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-58624839810491367912009-06-29T02:51:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:31:26.155-08:00

Stockport County FC 2 - 0 Rochdale AFC Journey: M62, M60, 30 minutes - done. I found a parking spot in minutes. An absolute breeze. The journey is all the easier because I make the trip from Rochdale to Stockport very regularly. Is it because of the ostentatious town hall? No. Is it because of the historic market hall? No. Is it because of the Tudor splendour of Bramhall Hall. No. It is for a

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-36469075399496009182009-06-29T02:29:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:32:09.027-08:00

Mansfield Town FC 0 - 4 Rochdale AFC Journey: As this was an away game - I am sure you are thinking that you will get away without hearing about Sudden roundabout. How very wrong you are. Once again the duplicitous roundabout elected to revert to it's chicane format meaning the access to Roch Valley Way and Edinburgh Way was blocked off - the direct route to the M62 was very firmly

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-81655518712913109342009-06-29T02:21:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:32:35.942-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 1 Philadelphia Flyers Journey: Today marked the great Rochdale fan drive. £10 in with a voucher. A great offer which I am certain would have upped the attendance - had anyone been able to get near the ground. Sudden roundabout strikes again! Once again Sudden's infamous traffic blackspot has taken the weekend off and decided to become a chicane instead. With Roch

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-17850690176042856042009-06-29T01:56:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:33:03.676-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 1 Wycombe Wanderers FC Journey: I can't blame Sudden roundabout for my 35 minute journey to Spotland today. I can't - because it isn't a roundabout anymore. The ongoing improvements dictated that both Edinburgh Way and Roch Valley Way were closed to traffic. Meaning the ex-roundabout was converted into a contra-flow cum cone storage area. A long and infuriating diversion

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-64771213874588640992009-06-29T01:36:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:33:28.619-08:00

Rochdale AFC 2 - 4 Hereford United Journey: Late! A combination of errands and generally poor planning on my part meant that I arrived ten minutes into the game. I can't even blame the roundabout at Sudden. As I double-timed it up to Spotland I heard a mighty roar - imagine my delight when I trotted through the turnstiles to find that we were 1-0 up!    Food: Due to my late

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-76197719626597959462009-06-29T01:21:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:34:01.601-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 2 Peterborough United Journey: Following criticism from my wife about the 'journey' section of my last offering which mostly centred on a rant about Sudden roundabout's ongoing improvement - I will not mention the roundabout other than to say: harrumph! However... I will dwell briefly on the trip out for 'a few bits' that my wife lured me into. This trip

REMhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10435462582916496088noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3077914995093887121.post-87933653897076539822009-06-29T00:51:00.000-07:002009-11-29T07:34:26.895-08:00

Rochdale AFC 0 - 2 Lincoln Town FC Journey: As I live less than a mile from the ground this section should be fairly straightforward - got in car, drove for five minutes, arrived, done! However thanks to the dreamteam of Rochdale MBC and the Highways Agency, Sudden's upper roundabout is being 'improved'. Oh yes ladies and gentlemen - improved! Where once there was a perfectly servicable

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