Latest news with #RochdaleAFC
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Joe Thompson's funeral hears he was 'beacon of hope'
Former footballer Joe Thompson has been described as a "beacon of hope" at his funeral, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their who died last month aged 36, twice recovered from cancer during his playing career, which included more than 150 appearances for Rochdale service at St Marks Church in Worsley, Greater Manchester was packed earlier as mourners, including family, fans and former players gathered in the sunshine to celebrate his Thompson read a message to the congregation from his late brother Joe, who said he was "a lover of life, not a victim". His family had invited everyone to attend the funeral, where screens had been erected to broadcast the service outside for those who could not get into the Aston Villa and Man United striker Dion Dublin and Rochdale co-chairman Simon Gauge were among those to Sam Chanda told the congregation "Joe was known for his incredible kindness... not only by his loved ones but [also by] strangers"."He was more than just an amazing footballer. He was a beacon of hope who always put those around him first." he Thompson's widow Chantelle said her late husband was her "soulmate... my rock... and my everything". "He was unbelievable with what he went through," former Manchester United academy product Danny Webber said of Joe Thompson."I was better for knowing him."Former Manchester City defender Keith Curle, who managed Joe at Carlisle United, said he was a "wonderful human being".White doves were released at the end of the service as Gabrielle's Dreams was 12-year-old daughter Thailula said her late father had been "such a great role model for me""What a life we have had together," she said. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
BBC News
14-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Spennymoor Town FC starts campaign to help fans travel to Wembley
A football club has launched a campaign to help its fans travel to Wembley to watch it play in the FA Trophy Town FC are set to play Aldershot Town on 11 May and the club has said it wants as many of its fans as possible to be there in has launched the Back The Fans, Fill the Stands campaign to pay for coaches to take fans to partnerships manager Stephen Gilling said he wanted everyone from the "council to the corner shop" to chip in to make travel affordable. He said he was asking local businesses and sponsors to pay for coaches to help "create a wall of black and white to roar the players on"."I'm now asking for them to back the club and its fans in any way they can with this campaign and play a real part in what is a historic occasion for everyone in the town," Mr Gilling said. The club has already subsidised coach travel to a number of away fixtures throughout the Back The Fans, Fill the Stands campaign allows people and businesses to donate directly to the club's PayPal account, with all donations going towards fan transport to Wembley. Spennymoor beat Rochdale AFC 5-4 on penalties to secure their place in the FA Trophy Rochdale later condemned a pitch invasion which took place after the final whistle and led to "unacceptable behaviour" from fans from both teams. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
07-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Rochdale AFC: Club condemns pitch invaders after penalty shootout loss
Rochdale Football Club have condemned a pitch invasion by fans after a shock-loss on penalties to a lower division side that denied the home team a trip to Wembley. The National League club lost a shootout 5-4 in their FA Trophy semi-final clash at the Crown Oil Arena with National League North's Spennymoor Town on Saturday.A spokesman for Rochdale AFC said police were investigating "unacceptable behaviour" at the match after both sets of supporters swarmed the pitch at the final whistle. He said the actions of a "small minority" risked damaging Dale's reputation as a "family-friendly, welcoming club". Footage and images shared from the non-league clash showed fans flooding the ground after full-time, along with several incidents of disorder outside the Manchester Police (GMP) is working to identify the individuals involved who will be subject to the appropriate sanctions, including banning orders, if found guilty, the Rochdale spokesman added: "The club, along with the vast majority of its supporters, will not accept such behaviour at its matches and adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards those matters."In a statement, Rochdale Supporters Trust said it had received several complaints after the match from "disgruntled" fans about issues to do with turnstiles, staffing and seats and tickets at the Crown Oil group said it had written to the club to address the problems to "hopefully enable us to finish the season on a more positive note". The BBC has contacted Rochdale AFC for a response on those claims. GMP and Spennymoor Town Football Club have also been contacted for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Chaos erupts on pitch after Rochdale AFC game as parents 'cover children's eyes'
Scenes of chaos erupted on the pitch after the Rochdale AFC game on Saturday (April 5) with parents forced to 'cover their children's eyes'. Following a 2-2 draw at the stadium on Sandy Lane, Spennymoor Town will be heading to Wembley following the penalty shoot-out in the FA trophy semi-final. But moments after the game, fans from both sides clashed and engaged in chanting, before it spilled out onto the grounds. Fans said other supporters 'invaded the pitch' and clashed with stewards and police. READ MORE: I quit my teaching job and get paid twice as much for half the hours READ MORE: Major road closed after smash at centre of huge junction Join the Manchester Evening News WhatsApp group HERE Footage shared online also showed a number of police vehicles arriving at the scene on blue lights, including Tactical Aid Unit vans, following the end of match on Saturday evening. Police confirmed officers were called after fans from both sides 'entered the pitch' but that the mob was quickly dispersed and that no arrests were made. One Rochdale AFC supporter said: "Spennymoor fans ran on the pitch in celebration with some taunting our youth. Our youth then ran on the pitch and started punching the Spennymoor fans randomly. "It took a while for the police [to arrive], the stewards tried to manage the situation but became overrun with skirmishes. A parent near me had to shield her sons eyes." Another posted on social media: "Fans invaded the pitch at full time and started scrapping with fans and police" as a third commented: "To be fair both sets of fans had their idiots. Their fans came on the pitch and taunting our fans, so our fans then got involved too (idiotic minority of both sets)." A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: "We were called after fans from both sides entered the pitch after the final whistle. We always have resources available across the force area and extra officers responded to the incident after we were called. "However, working with the club's stewards, the fans were quickly dispersed, and the away fans left on their assigned coaches. No arrests were made." Rochdale AFC have been approached for comment. --- Day in day out, our reporters in the Manchester Evening News newsroom bring you remarkable stories from all aspects of Mancunian life. However, with the pace of life these days, the frenetic news agenda and social media algorithms, you might not be getting a chance to read it. That's why every week our Features and Perspectives editor Rob Williams brings you Unmissable, highlighting the best of what we do - bringing it to you directly from us. Make sure you don't miss out, and see what else we have to offer, by clicking here and signing up for MEN Daily News. And be sure to join our politics writer Jo Timan every Sunday for his essential commentary on what matters most to you in Greater Manchester each week in our newsletter Due North. You can also sign up for that here. You can also get all your favourite content from the Manchester Evening News on WhatsApp. Click here to see everything we offer, including everything from breaking news to Coronation Street. If you prefer reading our stories on your phone, consider downloading the Manchester Evening News app here, and our news desk will make sure every time an essential story breaks, you'll be the first to hear about it. And finally, if there is a story you think our journalists should be looking into, we want to hear from you. Email us on newsdesk@ or give us a ring on 0161 211 2920.
