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.
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Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
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All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
The Manc -
2nd February 2021 
