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Rochdale V Hereford United
Football League 2
Saturday 26th September 2009 KO 3.00pm
Spotland
Sandy Lane
Rochdale
OL11 5DR
Phone 0870 822 1907
Rochdale FC was formed in 1907 and eventually played their first League game on 27th August 1921 running out 6-3 winners over Accrington Stanley. Despite spending most of their time in the lower divisions, in 1961/62 they reached the final of the League Cup losing to Norwich City over two legs having beaten Southampton, Doncaster Rovers, Charlton Athletic, York City and Blackburn Rovers along the way. Over the years the Club has suffered many financial problems and has managed a promotion only once during its history which came during the season 1968/69 under the managership of Bob Stokoe.
All four sides of the Spotland Stadium have been redeveloped in the last ten years making it now one of the best grounds we will visit this season. Away fans are accommodated in the Westrose Leisure Stand (Willbutts Lane) that officially houses 3644 supporters and is the newest of the stands offering unrivalled views of the game.
Facilities beneath the stand include a well-stocked catering kiosk where the pies are claimed to be among the best in the land.
Admission Adults £20 Concessions £12 (The most expensive Adult seats in the ground!)
HUISA coach departs from Radford’s at 9.30am with a fare of £17. Seats can be booked through the Club office during normal hours or by phoning 08442 761939.
By Car - M5, M6, M62. Spotland is just over two miles off Junction 20 of the M62 following signs for Rochdale A627M. Bear left at your first opportunity prior to the traffic lights passing B & Q on your right. You will quickly approach a roundabout at which you will pick up the signs for Spotland Stadium directing you to take the second exit. After about two miles you will find the stadium on your right. Street Parking. Postcode OL11 5DR.
Trains - Via Manchester to Rochdale. The Station is about three miles from the ground and therefore a 30/35-minute walk so a taxi may be the answer (approx £7). Alternatively, the 436 bus picks up at the station half hourly on match days (quarter to/past) and drops off in Sandy Lane next to the ground. Please note, the last bus back from Sandy Lane is at 17.10!
PRE-MATCH REFRESHMENTS - Rochdale offers a plethora of Pubs within a five-minute walk of the ground. The Cask and Feather at 1 Oldham Road, was the “brewery tap” for the Thomas McGuinness Brewing Co but following a fire the brewing equipment was sold to the Offa’s Dyke Brewery. It still offers three handpumps usually supplied by Phoenix, Hornbeam and Moorhouse beers. At 35 Toad Lane is The Baum, which has received good reports and has up to five handpumps sporting the likes of Coach House, Phoenix, Slaters and Holts. The local Wetherspoons is the Regal Moon in The Butts which is a converted cinema and any lovers of Hydes beer can find satisfaction at the Merry Monk in College Road. At the ground is Studds Bar, which is accessible from outside the ground while the Ratcliffe Arms is to be found at the car park entrance to the ground in Sandy Lane. Also close to Spotlands are the highly recommended Cemetery Hotel at the traffic lights on the approach to the ground and The Church Inn on the corner of Willbutts Lane. There is a particularly handy chip shop in Willbutts Lane, which is coincidently called the Willbutts Lane Chip Shop.
Enjoy and COYB.
