Rochdale in talks with former chairman Chris Dunphy over potential investment

Chris Dunphy, a former chairman of Rochdale AFC, has offered to potentially invest in the football club after it was relegated last week.

Dale’s defeat at Stockport last Saturday saw the club relegated from League Two, dropping out of the EFL for the first time in over 100 years.
 

Read more: Rochdale AFC relegated after defeat at Stockport CountyPublished: 24 April 2023

In a statement immediately following the fixture, Mr Dunphy said he had made the offer for a new board of directors, led by himself, who will purchase new shares to “inject capital into the club.”

He said: “This decision has not been taken lightly but I now fear for the survival of Rochdale and I have to do something to arrest this continuing decline of the club that is so close to all our hearts.

“Going forward for Dale to succeed we will all need to play our part, but together we can put the pride passion and love back into our club.”

Mr Dunphy held the position of chairman from 2006 until 2018. He subsequently sold his shares to Dan Altman and Emre Marcelli, who stepped back just days later as a result of what they referred to as “serious internal issues” which “have not been resolved.”

In 2021, he revealed he wished to return to the club as chairman.
 

Read more: Former Rochdale AFC chairman Chris Dunphy has declared interest in returning to the clubPublished: 01 April 2021
Former chairman and director sell Rochdale AFC sharesPublished: 05 June 2020
Rochdale AFC chairman and director step downPublished: 06 December 2018

 

 

Rochdale AFC has confirmed it has “openly engaged” with Mr Dunphy on investing in the club. As a result, it has requested further information to be received by Tuesday 9 May to ensure it can comply with EFL regulations.

The club is still operating under a suspended points penalty until October 2024 for a previous failure to comply with the EFL regulations over a previous attempted takeover in summer 2021.
 

Read more: EFL charges Rochdale AFC and 'a number of other individuals' in relation to attempted 'hostile takeover' of the clubPublished: 16 March 2022

A statement from the club said: “Once the club is in receipt of this information and all relevant individuals have signed and returned the required Non-Disclosure Agreement (‘NDA’), the full investment pack will be provided for review.

“Several other interested parties have already signed NDAs and investment discussions are also ongoing with these parties, in addition to Chris Dunphy.

“A further update will follow no later than Wednesday 10 May 2023.”

In November 2022, shareholders approved raising the available number of shares of Rochdale AFC to 1,350,000.

As of 26 April, 974,730 shares have been issued to nearly 600 different shareholders worldwide. Of these, 64% are owned by the Dale Trust, chairman, life vice president, president, board directors and Rochdale AFC Football in the Community Trust. The remaining 36% is owned and controlled by individual Dale fans.

375,270 shares remain available and may be allotted by the board of directors at not less than £2.35 per share, creating £800,000 of investment.

Any interested party who wishes to subscribe for shares should email shares@rochdaleafc.co.uk for further details.