Spotland pitch coming on leaps and bounds

Photo: M Foxley

The new Spotland surface on 9 June

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Thanks to perfect weather conditions this week with plenty of sunshine and showers, the Spotland surface is coming on leaps and bounds.

The groundstaff are keeping a round-the-clock watch, calling in later in the evening and early in the morning to give nature a helping hand with water.

"We have to water the pitch as soon as the sun goes down," said head groundsman Rob Bennett. "It simply cannot be done under the intense sun we have had. We are pleased with the progress so far and the good weather is certainly helping."

Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers friendly prices

The admission prices for Rochdale's pre-season friendlies with Championship sides Wigan Athletic and Blackburn Rovers will be as follows.

All adults £10 in all areas of the ground (includes young person aged 17 and above as well as seniors).

All juniors aged 16 and under £5.

There are no other concessions.

Cash turnstiles on the day of the game.

Rochdale will play seven pre-season friendlies.

The full schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday 12 July – AFC Fylde v Rochdale (7.30pm)
• Saturday 16 July – Curzon Ashton v Rochdale (3pm) / Stockport County v Rochdale (3pm) 
• Tuesday 19 July – Rochdale v Blackburn Rovers (7.45pm) 
• Saturday 23 July - Rochdale v Wigan Athletic (3pm) 
• Tuesday 26 July – Macclesfield Town v Rochdale (7pm) 
• Saturday 30 July - FC United v Rochdale (3pm)

Admission prices for remaining fixtures will be announced in due course.