Rochdale AFC provide Samaritans with advertising board at the Crown Oil Arena

Dale’s Commercial Director Frances Fielding (left) and Dale Chief Executive David Bottomley (right with members of Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans, including branch director Moyra Purves (second right)

As part of the partnership between Rochdale Football Club and the local branch of Samaritans this season, and in time for World Mental Health Day on 10 October, an advertising board has been installed at the Crown Oil Arena.

A perimeter board, featuring the Samaritans’ key message ‘Talking can change your life’ and the charity’s telephone number, has been installed in front of the main stand at the stadium, meaning it’s in full view of the TV cameras on a matchday.

In addition, supporters watching the club’s League One fixture against Accrington Stanley on iFollow this Saturday will see a powerful Samaritans advert before the game and at half-time.

To coincide with World Mental Health Day, members of the local Samaritans branch popped into the Crown Oil Arena this week to leave some of their cards around the club and encourage any supporter who is struggling with lockdown to reach out for help and support.

Dale’s Commercial Director, Frances Fielding said: “Samaritans volunteers do tremendous work and we are very proud to support this amazing charity. We will be working in partnership with Samaritans throughout the season.

“The football club has had a link with the local branch of Samaritans for many years but we have been keen to go one step further, especially during these difficult times that many are currently facing, and have their key messaging, in the form of an eye-catching perimeter board, in a prominent position at the Crown Oil Arena. We are delighted that the board is in place ahead of World Mental Health Day on Saturday.

“We know that it has been extremely difficult for many of our fans not having the social aspect of attending games at the Crown Oil Arena and experiencing isolation during the lockdown. It’s really important to reach out when you do need support and know that help is there.”

Moyra Purves, Branch Director at Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans, added: “We’re really happy to have a Samaritans sign at the Crown Oil Arena. We’ve always been a supporter of the club and they have always supported us.

“We are really missing coming to the ground to do bucket collections during the season and I hope it’s not too long until we’re back.

“We hope that anyone who needs support will call our number, because Samaritans are always there for you, 24/7.”

Rochdale, Oldham and District Samaritans is the local branch of Samaritans. Although they are not open for face-to-face visits at the moment, they are still there to support anyone who needs emotional support. Samaritans volunteers are busy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and that hasn’t changed during the pandemic. Should you ever need to contact them, or you would like to pass their details onto someone you think might need support, here are the important contact details that you’ll need:

Telephone number: 116123

Email address: jo@samaritans.org