Hornets chairman Mark Wynn's Christmas message

Mark Wynn, Chairman, Rochdale Hornets

As we all get ready for Christmas and time with our friends and family it seems appropriate to reflect on 2016 and also to look forward to 2017.

When looking back we can’t look much further that our incredible victory over Toulouse Olympique XIII way back in September when we became the Kingstone Press League One Champions.

This was one of the greatest victories in the clubs history, rank outsiders playing hundreds of miles away from home with just one supporter in the stand amongst thousands of French fans, going 16-0 down, players concussed and others playing on with injuries.

We clawed and scrambled our way back into the game and eventually took the lead and held on despite the French throwing everything they could and more at us.

Again to reflect on 2016 and those who have left and moved on. Ryan Bradley our CEO who has been a major figure in the club's progress over the last few years.

On the playing front captain Wayne English finally hanging up his boots after 17 years as a professional player. Paul Crook, record points scorer and Hero of Hornets along with Wayne. These and a host of others such as James Dandy, Dale Bloomfield, James Tilley, John Cookson and more have moved onto pastures new.

In the board room we have had some changes as well with Julie Clarke and Walter Tann stepping down and Dave Ramsbottom stepping up to help cover. We do have some exciting news on some new boardroom members which we will announce in the New Year.

Looking forward to 2017 it promises to be an amazing season with the team, including a host of new recruits in training for nearly two months now. Everyone is eager to get on the field and start the campaign.

We don’t have long to wait as we have some cracking pre-season fixtures against Million Pound Game winners Salford, our nearest and dearest rivals Oldham and finishing off with League Leaders Shield winners, Grand finalists and Challenge Cup finalist Warrington Wolves. Not a bad warm up to the League season.

Our 2017 home and away shirts have gone down a storm and we are really pleased to announce TBA as our major club sponsors for the forthcoming campaign.

Season tickets are also going well, which hopefully will translate into healthy home attendances.

A final mention must go to our head coach Alan Kilshaw and his coaching and support team for delivering the goods in 2016, we are sure they will continue with that great work in 2017 and make the forthcoming season one to remember.

To help make that possible we need as much support as we can muster to get behind Alan and the team and cheer the lads onto victory.

Have a great Christmas and New Year from everyone involved at Rochdale Hornets and let's make 2017 a season to remember.

Mark Wynn
Chairman
Rochdale Hornets