Football club to get freedom of the borough

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 24th Jul 2008

Rochdale Football Club will be given the freedom of the borough at a ceremony later this year after the motion was put forward at a special meeting of Rochdale Council last night (Wednesday 24 July).

Representatives of the football club will be presented with a special casket containing the Freedom scroll later in the year.

The leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Alan Taylor said: "I would like to put on record our thanks to the players and management at Rochdale Football Club for their achievement in reaching the play-offs for promotion.

"For a few weeks the people of this town were united with pride and enthusiasm, and reaching Wembley was the icing on the cake. Unfortunately this wasn't to be our year but the way the team have been playing I hope that next season will see us promoted."

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen, who proposed the original motion, said: "I am looking forward to recognising the impact that Rochdale have made to our town. Yes, they might not have won the Champion's League but they have made such a contribution to our town.

"Rochdale wouldn't be the same without our Football Club, it is part of the fabric of our town and I hope this honour can kick-start a hugely successful season that ends with promotion."

At the time of going to press, no-one at the football club was available for comment.

Arrangements are to be made for Dale fans to be represented at the ceremony.

The Council is still in discussion as to whether or not to award the freedom of the borough to Rochdale Hornets.