Player Profiles

As expected, I cannot achieve this feat on my own. But it's not quite the more the merrier. There have been plenty of lucky guests I have taken to Dale, most of which have been surprisingly enthralled, however only 2 have committed themselves to this blog, and although they both will miss occasional games, I can be sure to have at least one by my side every time as we push for the 25 mark. Along the way, these 2 guys are sure to provide comic moments, terrific quote's and hyperness that can class as drunkeness at times :) So here we are, a quick "player profile" on both my good mates:

Niku Ghaemi:
He won't thank me for the picture, but it shows what kind of guy he is. Me and him have shared some incredibly humerous experiences following Villa in the past. He's a delight to sit next to (at times) and our antics have actually made us quite popular with many Villa fans. This is something I am itching to convert into Rochdale. With an Iranian Dad, Aston Villa runs in the family for him, but he's agreed to take (a teeny tiny) step back from them this year in order to give Dale a little more leeway. A couple of energy drinks and I have seen this guy explode. A shy guy but when he's out supporting whatever club he does it without fear, embarrasing himself and others around him.... I like that. Already looking to pre-season he has outlined a day in Blackpool as his preference. He's a nice guy, stays away from the drink (more redbull and rockstar than strongbow and fosters) And although he does take some stick for his attitude to school and his nerdyness at times, the way he transfers that keeness and desire to supporting Rochdale or Villa is something you want. So thankyou Niku, I hope you enjoy this journey too.

James Black:
Ahhh, James (Or Blacky to his preference) Let me begin by saying this is a throughly clever lad. If he were born 4 days later than he was (27th August), he wouldn't even be in my year (Same goes for Niku 23rd) but incredibly, he is still twice as smart as I will ever be. However, there are some areas I catch him out in, and in truth I owe an awful lot to him. At times he has been on the wrong end of some fearful cricket bus banter ( mainly due to his abnormaly large head :/ ) and one infamous song written by yours truly has haunted him for a while now ( you'll hear it later :p ) but James always takes it in good spirits. Born in London, but living in Manchester he grew up a Chelsea fan. I wasn't having any of this. The first chance I got I took him to Dale and he was converted - simple as. I truly believe that were you to ask him who he supports he would answer Dale. A quote I must add comes from something he said a few nights back "If any of my family died, and the funeral was on the day of Bury - Dale, I know what I would choose" I seriously believe he would choose Dale aswell. He has inherited this hatred of Bury (referred to in this blog as Buckets from now on) that I would like to think he has got from me :) He is an avid, foul mouthed Dale fan, and one of Mine and Niku's main tasks will be converting his passion and loud mouth, into train journeys and away ends. He will be by my side for all of this (mainly because otherwise he'd stray into subway or a sophisticated bookshop) but also because he's Dale mad, and it's in his system now for good.

So these 2 boys (not quite men yet) will contribute largely to everything I do. I know for a fact that they will make me laugh, and pick me up after defeats aswell as probably stopping me from getting arrested at times (Me and Niku have got close) but overall they will accompany me into the WMG as we hope that this year....will be our year.

Up The Dale!

Fixtures, Tatty Kits And A Trip To Hillsborough!

So today was the day of the long awaited fixtures for next season. There always seems to be an excitement about it, which I can't quite understand. Sure, it's great to see when you play your rivals and who you've got first and last but apart from that, it's not all that it's hyped up to be. Though this was a little bit more significant for me as me and a mate spent an hour on the phone planning out our trips to Dale next year. We had "the defo's", "the maybe's" and the "no chance" Away games within a 3 hour train journey we mapped as certains, whilst we took all the home games that didn't clash with Villa (Me and Niku can't give them up that easily) and all in all we came about with 26 "defo's" which is good going. Circumstances will of course effect the situation later in time. My footy matches, school nights, train times and of course, how much money we have left. However Pre Season matches such as Southport and Blackpool away, should give us a decent "warm up" game before we begin our real quest into next season. It shall be greatly anticipated :)

A few days earlier however, was the design of our new kit. Urgh. We have now sacked Nike and gone with a make of JD Sports. That is now also our sponser :/ It seems the kit has thinner stripes. The home kit I can deal with, the away kit. Not so much. I really struggle to see where the difference is between the purple and the blue/black.



We looked better standing out in yellow or white away from Spotland, as some of our players can't pass a ball 5 yards in the first place, now they will have to check twice in this dreadful number!!! Will I be buying it? I'd like to say yes, but the centenary kit has stood me in good stead and at the same time, I can't afford to waste £40+ on a shirt when I need all the money I can get for train fares and match tickets. I'll pass thanks boys.....

And finally the Carling Cup draw. Strangely enough, it was released a day before the league fixtures, and an away trip to Sheffield Wednesday should prove lively and enjoyable, despite the little chance of success we have. Stranger things have happened though, and it is certainly down in the book as a "defo" Travel details have now already gone out for our first game (Port Vale away) Not exactly like we're going to sell our allocation, but ok..... :?

Lastly, an update on signings. Nice to see us bring in a young keeper from Leeds. The lads got a lot to live up wearing the gloves and having the name Edwards. (Reference to the legend himself: Neil Edwards) But I'm sure young Matt (no relation) will certainly cover Kenny well and play plenty of games this year.

So thanks for reading, not really a humerous account this week, more like a frustrated, excited, information leaflet. But still, I hope we can continue to build on the good reviews we have had so far. Be sure to check out our opening post on what we are about if you missed it. Coming up this week and next will be reviews on the 2 of my mates who will share this adventure, and a little bit more about Dale and life in League 2.
Thanks again,
Up The Dale!

What We Are About

Upon seeing another failed promotion push last season, most Dale fans were disheartened, and fed up. However, me and 2 other mates, were inspired, and now we plan to hit the 30 game mark, with only the money we have from pocket spends and birthday money. Me and Niku Ghaemi are both Villa fans, however after signing for Rochdale in 2002, I fell in love with the club and have been a regular at Spotland from then on. In 2006 I started to travel away, and memoral visits include a 7-2 demolition of Stockport in my home town :)

2007/08 was when things really kicked in for me though, it was Dale's centenary year and the football we began to play was outrageous. On a limited budget, Hillcroft* had managed to transform the way we play, and we began to win games left right and centre. My first visit to Wembley was memorable, despite the 3-2 loss :(
*Keith Hill and Dave Flitcroft

Last year I began taking mates. James Black was the lucky guest, as I took him by train away to Morecambe, only to see us throw away a 1 goal lead. However, he was hooked and since then, my memories with him include a dramatic comeback against Barnet in the FA Cup (2-0 down at Half Time only for Alfie to bag a hat trick) and Shrewsbury away where we were the worst I have seen us, yet a Dagnall wondergoal saved us from defeat.

And this year is where it begins. GCSE's have finished and I turn 17 in September. This means I'll hopefully be driving by Christmas, which means even more Dale away games. Me and Niku will try and fit in Villa alongside but after the Judas (Gareth Barry) had made a fool of our club, we daren't put ourselves through such heartbreak next year.

So we focus on Dale. What are our main aims?
1. For me to be driving by Christmas so we save a fortune on train tickets!
2. To reach at least 25 games home and away.
3. To cement ourselves as Dale Song Starters and to invent a chant that catches on. (My job)
4. To see the mighty Dale achieve promotion, and end a 39 year spell in the bottom tier, newly named (The Rochdale Division)

So please, follow me and my 2 companions in our journey. You will see us haggle for junior train fairs and match tickets, you will see me invite numerous girlfriends to games in the hope of some action at half time, and also the highs and the lows of our season ahead.

I look forward to your comments and reviews. Thankyou, and goodnight :)