Rochdale AFC fans have launched a campaign to build a statue in memory of a lifelong supporter who raised around half-a-million for his local football club.
David Clough, 78, began selling scratch cards for Dale at his workplace of Whittles Bakery in 1992, before taking responsibility for collecting money from members of the club’s lottery-style Goldbond Draw.
The Dale fan was a familiar face around Littleborough for decades, often spotted out on his bicycle – come rain or shine – to pick up 50p fees from fans.
David sadly passed away last year after a long illness – bequeathing his entire estate to the club.
A group of his fellow supporters are now hoping to honour David by putting a statue of him in his old seat at the Crown Oil Arena.
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The fundraiser has already generated more than £5,000 – half of its overall target.
Mark Cryer, the man behind the JustGiving campaign, said the idea was taken from Spanish football club Valencia – which commissioned a bronze statue of fan Vicente Navarro Aparicio at their Mestalla Stadium after the fan devoted himself to attending club games despite losing his sight.
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Statue of Valencia fan Navarro Aparicio at the Mestalla Ground
Speaking to the Rochdale AFC media team, Mark said: “I didn’t know Cloughie personally but I think all Rochdale fans knew of him and what he did for the football club with the various Goldbond rounds that he did in all weathers.
‘To leave his entire estate to the Club for the future generations is absolutely unbelievable, so I thought to myself, what could we as fans do to say thank you to a fan like Cloughie.
“My friend who goes to watch Valencia quite a lot had told me about a statue that they have at their ground for one of their super fans, so I thought it would be ideal if we as fans could get together and do something similar.”
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David’s estate money is funding a new scoreboard at the Spotland Stadium, along with an air conditioning system and new ceiling to be installed in the club’s ‘1907 Lounge.’
The JustGiving page for the supporter’s proposed statue reads: “If football fans we can help us exceed this new target, the quality of the statue will enable fans to pay a lasting tribute to a Dale Legend.”
You can view the David Clough statue fundraiser and make a donation online via JustGiving.
News
NHS urgently needs 500,000 men to take part in ‘major’ cancer research programme
Emily Sergeant
Half a million men are needed to take part in a ‘major’ cancer research programme.
From this week, the NHS has announced that it will begin contacting 500,000 men to invite them to join a major research programme that will work to improve the vital early detection and treatment of prostate cancer.
Men who have had or are living with prostate cancer will receive letters and text messages explaining how they can register to take part.
It’s hoped that this will become one of the world’s largest prostate cancer studies.
Formally named ‘Prostate Progress’, the study is designed to speed up the development of better tests, treatments, and care – with the NHS aiming to recruit as many participants as possible to improve how prostate cancer is diagnosed and treated, as well as understanding the side effects of treatment and the impact they have on quality of life.
The NHS urgently needs 500,000 men to take part in a ‘major’ cancer research programme / Credit: rawpixel
Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, with around 60,000 new cases diagnosed every year and over 12,000 deaths annually.
Men who join ‘Prostate Progress’ will be asked to complete questionnaires about their experiences of living with the disease every few months.
Verified researchers will then be able compare men’s experiences of living with prostate cancer against their NHS records – including their symptoms and quality of life.
The NHS says it is ‘particularly keen’ to hear from black men for the programme, as they are at approximately twice the risk of developing prostate cancer – with around one in four black men in the UK expected to be diagnosed during their lifetime.
“Better representation will help researchers understand and address differences in diagnosis, treatment and outcomes,” the NHS said in a statement.
“Prostate cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK,” explained Health Minister, James Frith. “Every piece of data we gather brings us closer to the tests and treatments that future patients will depend on to live well for longer.
“Prostate Progress has the potential to become a hugely important resource, but only if men come forward and share their experiences, so I encourage anyone who receives an invitation to sign up.
“This is the kind of innovation the government’s National Cancer Plan is designed to support, making the NHS a world-leading destination for cancer research and ensuring patients across the country can help shape the treatments of tomorrow.”
Featured Image – Vitaly Gariev (via Unsplash)
News
Police charge and name man after broad daylight stabbing of 19-year-old in Northern Quarter
Emily Sergeant
A man has been charged and publicly named after the stabbing of a teenager in the Northern Quarter last week.
Bandar Alzahar has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a bladed article in a public place, and has been remanded in custody ahead of a scheduled appearance at Manchester & Salford Magistrates Court today (Monday 3 August 2026).
The charges come after a 19-year-old man was stabbed in the Northern Quarter, in Manchester city centre, last Friday (31 July).
The shocking incident took place in broad daylight at around 12:50pm on Church Street.
After police attended the scene, they ‘quickly located’ a suspect – initially described as just being a man in his early 20s – at Manchester Airport within three hours of the incident occurring, and he was subsequently arrested on suspicion of Section 18 assault.
The victim sadly remains in hospital in a stable condition but with life-threatening injuries, police have confirmed.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are still appealing to the public for information. In a public plea, police wrote: “We are still asking for information from anyone that may have witnessed the incident on Church Street to get in touch with us.
“This includes any CCTV, mobile phone or Dashcam footage that may assist our enquiries.”
Any information can be submitted to GMP by calling 101, quoting log 1580 of 31/07/2026. Alternatively, you can contact independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
The Manc -
2nd February 2021 
