National award for Dale's One Stop Bus project

Rochdale AFC Community Trust and Rochdale AFC are celebrating this week after winning a second award for their One Stop bus project at the National Football Business Awards on Friday (26 May).

Rochdale AFC Community Trust were nominated in the ‘best non-football use of a venue’ category for the innovative ’One Stop bus’ project, based at the Crown Oil Arena.

‘The One Stop bus’ is an end-of-life TFGM school bus that has been stripped out and converted into a space for a food pantry and learning zone as well as a sensory area and quiet space on match days.
 

Read more: Rochdale AFC Community Trust wins award for One Stop bus projectPublished: 14 November 2022

Dale faced stiff competition, being shortlisted alongside Newcastle United’s meetings and events operation, Liverpool FC’s World Book Day event, Manchester United Foundation’s Schools United scheme, and Rangers FC’s multi-purpose Edmiston House venue.

However, the Dale picked up gold for the project, Rangers picked up silver and Manchester United, bronze.

 

 

Ryan Bradley, Rochdale AFC Community Trust Director, said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked when we were announced as winners.

“To win such a prestigious award against the competition that we did is absolutely amazing and certainly unexpected.

“It’s been a tough season on the field but getting national recognition for the work the club and community trust is doing shows that we are punching above our weight off the field.”

Launched in 2012, the Football Business Awards celebrate the very best in football business.

The judging panel comprises chief executives of football clubs, professional football associations and grassroots football organisations – all individuals whose knowledge, expertise and experience give them special insight into the challenges and demands of football business success.

The awards ceremony was hosted by Final Score presenter Jason Mohammed and was held at The Brewery in London, attended by over 500 people.