Message from club CEO Steve Kerr

‘We need the support of our fans’

So much has changed since our last webinar in November, the world is in a very different space and we understand the virus has not yet reached its peak with infection and death rates predicted to rise in the next few weeks. It was for this reason that we were asked by the RFL to pause our pre-season over the last two weeks.

We do not take for granted the exemption that the government has bestowed on us through being an elite sport. However, in order to continue to train and eventually play, the club must meet the revised protocols developed by the RFL, which we are fully supportive of. These protocols will be placing the club under significant administration, logistical and financial strain.  We are under no illusion as to how difficult a task this is to manage, but with your help we feel we can rise to this challenge.

On Wednesday 13 myself and Andy attended a Championship and League 1 meeting to discuss the current Covid landscape and what it means for the league format and structure. We indicated firmly to the RFL that Rochdale Hornet’s WILL be ready to play in 2021. It is our view that the club and sport cannot go another season without meaningful competition.

We are however able to confirm there will be a further delay to the start of the season and whilst there are no certainties as to when crowds will likely return, we are planning for a League 1 start in May. We may of course play in the Challenge Cup prior to this, but we must first understand the expectations before agreeing to compete. With this in mind Matt and his players will re-plan pre-season and resume training from February 1 once we have approval from the RFL.

Whilst we remain resolute and understanding of the situation we must also be honest that our 2021 forecasted revenues aren’t likely to fully recover. This latest unforeseen delay means we have been unable to sell season tickets, hospitality or sponsorships, all of which we rely on to support our cashflow.

Matt, his team and all our essential staff will now need to be tested weekly at considerable expense. If that wasn’t difficult enough to manage, we are balancing our finances on a 20% reduction in central funding  and we are faced with the prospect of playing behind closed doors.

Our directors are unwavering in their commitment to support the club, but as we have all said from day one, fans and supporters must all pull together. I would therefore ask you to help your club by purchasing your ‘All Hornets’ memberships, donate to the squad builder, buy an extra few lines on the lottery and purchase some great apparel from our kit partner Supro. If every fan did this it would give us an uplift in our revenue that we will be reliant on in the months to come. 

In the next few weeks we will issue an invite to fans to join us on a zoom meeting so that we can continue to share with you all the work that is being done to get us back playing.

The public health situation is not lost on us and whilst we are planning for a return, we are not out of the woods, and I urge you to all be vigilant and adhere to the government guidelines. We are all looking forward to welcoming fans back to the Crown Oil Arena, but we must remain patient and in the meantime we need the support of our fans. 

Sign up to All Hornet’s membership for £18.71 HERE.

Donate to Squad Builder from £5.00pm HERE.

Sign up to lottery for £4.33pm HERE.

Purchase teamwear from Supro HERE.

-Steve