Three new directors to join Dale board

Three new directors have been named as joining the Rochdale AFC board of directors.

Following the departure of David Bottomley and Graham Rawlinson from the board of directors last week, remaining directors Andrew Kelly, Tony Pockney and Nick Grindrod have invited four new directors onto the board.
 

Read more: Dale directors voted out by shareholders at EGMPublished: 02 June 2021

Simon Gauge, Richard Knight and Jamie Sarsfield have accepted their offer to become directors and they will join the board imminently, subject to passing EFL Director tests, along with meeting several other conditions, which is expected to happen in the coming days.

The club hopes to make an announcement regarding the fourth candidate very soon.

All four are local businessmen and fans of the club, who come with nominations from a number of major shareholders.

It is understood that the four new directors were first suggested at last week's EGM by former director Graham Morris.

In a statement released shortly after the EGM, the Dale Trust said their joining would “bring much needed revenue into the club, new skills, fresh thinking and would maintain the Rochdale model of the shares being evenly split within the fanbase and ensure no majority owner.”

This was named as an option which would “need further investigation” but the trust said would “satisfy many of the concerns of the shareholders from the EGM.”

Interim chairman of the board of directors, Andrew Kelly said: “My fellow directors and I look forward to working with Messrs Gauge, Knight and Sarsfield.

“We have spoken at length to all four and are satisfied that they will be a positive addition to the board. They share a passion for the club, as we do, and they bring with them a wealth of business expertise, which can only help move us forward as a club

“We hope these appointments will be the first steps towards rebuilding the trust of the shareholders, Dale Supporters Trust board and members, and fans, and that we can all unite to move forward as one.”

A statement released by the club on Tuesday 8 June said that Mr Kelly has informed the board of his wishes to stand down from his role as interim chairman at the earliest opportunity, to return his focus to the academy, and a new chairman is in the process of being decided. Mr Kelly will continue in the role until an appointment has been made.

Other applications to join the board of directors have also been received and are in the process of being reviewed by the board. Further applications will also be welcome.