Rochdale AFC have this week revealed their “preferred investor” as they look for someone to take over the Greater Manchester club.
Having been relegated from the EFL after 102 years in May 2023 and with their financial struggles worsening in 2024, the National League side has now named local businessman Sir Peter Ogden as the man they hope will complete a full buyout.
It was only last month that club chairman Simon Gauge confirmed The Dale needed a “£2 million cash injection” and now the period of exclusivity with World Soccer Holdings LLC – the Texas-based company that initially saved them from liquidation – they are now hoping the Rochdale-born and bred will swoop in.
Ogden is one of the founders of Computacenter, one of the UK’s largest computer businesses and also founded a trust of the same name along with his wife, Lady Catherine Ogden, with both still playing a key role in the local community, as well as physics and education.
Following the expiration of a period of exclusivity with World Soccer Holdings LLC, Rochdale AFC is delighted to announce that it has been approached by, and has subsequently confirmed, the Ogden Family as its preferred investor in the Club.#RAFC
British multi-millionaire Sir Peter Ogden has been named as Rochdale’s preferred investor.
Although World Soccer Holdings have now submitted an official letter of intent of their own as they hope to make their control permanent, the Ogden family have now shared a lengthy statement detailing how they hope to bolster the club should the takeover go ahead.
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“We are a family with strong Rochdale roots… Our charity, the Ogden Trust, which primarily supports the teaching and learning of physics in under-represented groups, has various ongoing initiatives in Rochdale schools.”
“We were made aware of the Club’s difficulties in recent weeks, and we held constructive initial meetings with the Club and the Dale Supporters Trust. We have since been monitoring the situation while the Club has been in exclusive discussions with WSH LLC. We were informed that the exclusivity period has expired and have since stepped up our discussions and diligence efforts.”
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It goes on to describe the team andthe Rochdale AFC Community Trustas“assets of immense value which need to survive”, insisting that they intend to make a full offer once they have carried out their due diligence and “all stakeholders have sufficient chance to review and consider our proposal.”
Acknowledging that time is not on their side, the potential investors have also confirmed that emergency funds have been released to Rochdale to allow them to continue operating over the next month or so as they prepare an official investment offer before the end of the season.
The statement also assures that this period will allow them to formulate long-term plans for both the first team and academy operations, signing off by insisting they will be keeping “the interests of the community at heart.”
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As for WSH, they have previously assured they want to properly invest in the club, reiterating in their letter of intent: “We could not let 100 years of history go to waste, and we believe we can work together to elevate the Dale back to its previous heights and beyond.”
With Gauge having already warned that internal finances are unlikely to last much longer, a decision will have to be made soon.
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
26th March 2024 
