Guy Courtney and Jan Wormald named as new directors joining Dale board

Willbutts Lane Stand of the Crown Oil Arena

Two new directors have been appointed to the board of Rochdale AFC: Guy Courtney and Jan Wormald.

Guy, a Dale fan for over 40 years, has his own digital media company, while Jan, from Whitworth, has worked for the Royal Mail for the last 21 years and oversees 1,300 staff.

The pair have passed the requisite EFL Director tests and take up their new roles immediately.

“We are delighted that we have been able to further strengthen our boardroom team with the appointments of Guy and Jan,” said chairman Simon Gauge.

“As well as getting involved, like all directors, in all aspects of running the club, we hope that they will be able to bring added value in their areas of expertise. Like all of the recent appointments, they are keen to bring their business experience into the club to help continue to improve the offering to fans, increase income and expand our fan base further by reaching out further to our community.

“I am sure everybody will make them welcome at the club and I am personally delighted they are going to be part of our exciting future.”

Guy said: “I’ve been a fan for a long-time, my first game was 1979, and I have reached the point where I feel like I can help the club with my business background and also the digital side of what I do.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting involved. I’ve had some initial conversations with my fellow directors as well as some of the staff who work at the club and they are all a great bunch of people. There’s scope to move the club forward, which is very exciting, and, as a Rochdale fan for many years, it will be great to help in some small way to do that.

“I’ve got a background of working in digital for 20 years and I can see that the current staff in those areas are spinning lots of plates and doing a lot different things, so I’m looking forward to working with the team and helping where I can, using my experiences and expertise.

“Everyone is really keen to move the club forward collectively and as a community, and I very much share that vision.”

Wormald added: “I’m very pleased to have joined the board of directors. I know [director] Jamie Sarsfield well and when he spoke to me about the potential of coming on board, I was really keen to get involved.

“From there, I spoke with the chairman on a couple of occasions about the board’s vision for the club and I share everyone’s passion for making the club sustainable while being successful on the pitch. It’s very clear that everyone has the club’s best interest at heart.

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet some of the staff already and I have been impressed with how warm and welcoming everyone is - there’s a real family atmosphere across the club, so I’m looking forward to getting stuck in.”