Dale match off!

Despite the best efforts of Rochdale AFC groundsman Phil Collinson, his staff and an army of volunteers who worked through the night, tonight's game against Notts County has fallen victim to the severe frosts.

A very disappointed club chairman Chris Dunphy issued the following statement: "On behalf of Rochdale Football Club I would like to thank all the volunteers that turned up in effort to get this game on, and to the local businesses that have provided us with wood, paper and cardboard to keep the fires burning*.

"Once again our fans have proved that they are simply the best and we cannot thank them enough for their continued efforts. It is so disappointing that those efforts haven't been rewarded but we have to go along with the
referee as his first and only concern is the safety of the players.

"We will be continuing to keep the fires burning because we have another massively important game here on Saturday and the work that we continue to put in will hopefully ensure that further frosts are kept at bay.

Though we now have lots of wood as a result of the fantastic response to our appeals we could actually do with some more braziers so that we can cover the full length of the pitch with them."

* See: www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/News/news.asp?ID=5931