Emma Thetford receives special award from Rochdale AFC Ladies

Emma Thetford has been awarded a special commendation award by the Rochdale AFC Ladies committee.

Emma acts as treasurer and secretary on the committee, doing everything from player registrations, booking facilities, budgeting, coach recruitment and fundraising.

Emma has also been a loyal servant on the pitch, representing Hopwood Ladies which latterly became Rochdale AFC Ladies. 2021/22 was her final season playing for the team, where she added experience to a young team that was struggling to bounce back after Covid.

Ryan Bradley, Community Director, Rochdale AFC Community Trust, said: “Emma's commitment and loyalty set a high bar for the juniors coming through and will hopefully inspire the young adults to stay in the game.

“Off the pitch, put simply - there would be no Rochdale AFC Ladies if it weren’t for Emma Thetford.

“Emma works tirelessly to ensure the club's junior teams are able to take to the field week in, week out.

“Over 100 girls pull on the blue and black every week and, without reward, Emma acts as treasurer and secretary on the committee, doing everything from player registrations, booking facilities, budgeting, coach recruitment and fundraising.”

The Rochdale AFC Ladies chose to mark Emma’s commitment with a special award at the end of the 2021/22 season, but presenting it has taken some time.

Ryan said: “We were originally going to present it at the Ladies Awards evening but felt it would be better on a match day, in order to give Emma the wider recognition she deserves.

“We tried to keep it a secret from Emma, which meant we were rebuffed on a couple of invitations to fixtures due to family commitments.

“We then decided that the Her Game Too fixture would be the perfect platform, but unfortunately the original Salford game was also postponed.

“Finally, we got her on the pitch for the new Her Game Too fixture date under false pretences and presented her the award she so thoroughly deserves.”

Emma is part of the volunteer led Rochdale AFC Ladies committee that work under the guidance of the Community Trust to provide opportunities for female footballers across the borough.

If you would like to get involved, please email community@rochdaleafc.co.uk