Roach Dynamos new clubhouse opens

Date published: 19 April 2023

Heywood junior football club Roach Dynamos opened their brand-new clubhouse in Darnhill on Saturday 15 April.

Former club chair and committee member Paul Wright and committee member Julie Newbon cut the ribbon to huge applause in front of players, parents, committee members, local councillors, former chairs and the current chair, and representatives from Sport England.

It was a momentous occasion for the club, who have worked for many, many years to turn their dream of a club house with suitable facilities into a reality. 

Paul and Julie - joined by Debbie Wright and Mark Newbon - have led the fight to attract funding and they have battled tirelessly to ensure the 300+ children engaged with the club now have changing rooms, toilets, showers, a kitchen serving hot food and drinks, and a social area for teams to meet before or after a game.

Paul said: "I would like to thank everyone who helped us along the way.

“It was extremely tough at times and we nearly gave up on a couple of occasions, but were driven by the fact that the children of Heywood deserve the same facilities and opportunities as their peers.

“Without changing rooms and the associated facilities we were often not eligible to take part in certain competitions, so this has opened the door for a much brighter future for our club and all of the young people we have playing."

Constructed by H Bell and Sons, the build was funded through a Sport England grant, with an allocation from the FA and Rochdale Council and there were many individuals the club took the opportunity to personally thank on Saturday.

The total cost of the project was a staggering £730,000 but has provided car parking in addition to the clubhouse.

Roach Dynamos has provided grassroots football to children and young people for many years and now boasts girls’ teams as well as walking football for the over 65s.