Rochdale Football Club Open Top Bus Tour and Civic Reception

Rochdale manager Keith Hill with Mayor Keith Swift on the Town Hall balcony

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Thousands turned out to watch the promotion winning Rochdale Football Club squad tour from Spotland Stadium to Rochdale Town Hall for a Civic Reception.

Crowds lined the streets as the bus made its way to town and around 3000 gathered outside the Town Hall to greet the players, including former player Will Buckley, as the bus wound its way slowly along The Esplanade and round to the front of the Town Hall.

Manager Keith Hill and Assistant Manager Dave Flitcroft joined the players on the Town Hall balcony to roars of adulation from the Rochdale supporters below.

Rochdale’s singing mayor, Keith Swift, sang a special ode to Rochdale Football Club, that was well received by players, officials and supporters, though Manager Hill was heard to light-heartedly remark “only in Rochdale”.

Players, officials and guests then retired to enjoy the reception in the Great Hall where they were welcomed by Mayor Swift who said: “The Council and I are really pleased and proud to be hosting this celebration event and to be able to applaud this special achievement – promotion.

“The Club has kept the name of Rochdale at the top of the League virtually all season and that has given the Town and all the Borough a terrific boost.”

Mayor Swift also revealed that Rochdale Borough Council will be giving the football club financial support next season, Mayor Swift announced: “I am pleased to say that following recent discussions with the football club the Council will be offering financial support to assist with improvements to the ground and also to alleviate the financial pressures that promotion brings.”

Mayor Swift ended his speech by thanking “the fantastic people of Rochdale Borough for their support.”

A clearly very proud Rochdale AFC Chairman Chris Dunphy paid tribute to Manager Keith Hill and Assistant Manager Dave Flitcroft who he said would be granted “virtual immortality” at the football club for bringing the first promotion in over 30 years.

Manager Keith Hill talked of the unsung heroes, in particular the families and friends of the players and officials, before moving on to talk about having spent three and half years to get to promotion but now with a “firm foundation to build on”. He finished with a heartfelt tribute to his assistant Dave Flitcroft saying: “Thanks most of all to David Flitcroft. Cheers buddy.”

Talking later to Rochdale Online, Mr Hill said he was pleased overall with a very successful year, though he revealed his frustration at the poor end of season form that cost Dale the title after being top for most of the season. Mr Hill said his father had put his frustration in perspective this morning when they talked telling his son to enjoy the success that Dale has been starved of for so very long.

Mr Hill commented: “I am very proud of what we have achieved, particularly as we have been forced to sell good players to balance the books. I am proud of the players and the supporters.”

Club Captain Gary Jones added: “I am delighted at our successful season. Overall we have done really well and I have loved every minute of it.”

New Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk declined to comment.