mattb

This. Great idea! Pump the money into something that will mean some positives come out of this complete mess. Anyone else on board with this? The community trust do such a good job.

Agree with Chris and some of the above. For context, have supported for 25 years, season ticket holder for some of them, sold Strike it Lucky for a few years. Not been regularly for a few years due to money going elsewhere (namely the kids!) but the strangest thing happened. The day after the Forest game, someone told me we'd beaten them in the cup. I honestly didn't know we were playing them, that showed me something was wrong. Latics have always been in my blood, since standing on the Rochdale Road terrace as a lad in the very early 90s, buying luke warm pies from that trolley thing they used to push around, and spending my days learning everything i could about the players, the club, Big Joe.....Not knowing a) that we were in the 3rd round and that we'd beaten Championship opposition shamed me. Since then, money or not, I've watched every video I can find, Read every thread on here, and realised that supporting Latics is NOT just about attending the games as so many obsess about on here. It's like falling out of love with someone, you still care for their well being but don't see them anymore? Anyway, after hurling myself around the front room like a man possessed during the Liverpool and home Everton game, I jumped back on the horse. I spent last night in the company of 4000 like mind souls and loved every minute of it despite the result, shouting and singing myself hoarse, feeling emotions that are unique only to football, and reconnecting with my very first passion in life- OAAFC. This cup run has re-ignited something in me that until I realised it had gone, I didn't realise how much I missed it, namely the kindred spirit, the never say die attitude, the immense pride (even in defeat) that comes with being a true football supporter. To that end, considering I quit smoking at Christmas, I will put the money I am saving towards my season ticket for next season. Christ, I may even get one for the kids (please keep the tenner ticket!) and see if I can continue the chain! Thank you to the boys, to TP & Gezza, to SC, for making this lapsed supporter realise that you are never too detached to get re- attached. I can only hope that more people feel the same, and can share in this incredible journey of highs and lows that is supporting this wonderful club of ours.

Have been a loyal fan for 20 odd years now, used to sell Strike It Lucky tickets/ programmes as a lad, but don't go anymore, simply as a) I can always find other things to spend £20 quid on, it's been :censored:e for the past 10 years or more, c) the kids don't care, and d) I can take me and the kids to the local non league club, get food & drinks as well for the cost of a ticket to watch another feckless Latics performance. So tell me, Messrs Corney & Dickov, why should I risk my hard earned money on Latics these days? Answers on the back of a fag packet, please.

Hi all, OAFC have very kindly agreed to donate a signed team shirt to a very worthy cause, and here's how you can win it! This coming SAturday the 6th February, Besses O'Th' barn Brass Band are hosting a charity event where all the proceeds go towards the Disasters Emergency Committee fund for the Haiti earthquake. The event is being held at All Saints Church in Whitefield near Bury from 7.30pm. There are special guests including the award winning Footsteps dance School. Foreign Office Minister IVan Lewis MP will give an address, as will Martin Fisher, one of the firefighters from MAnchester who went to Haiti to assist in the clear up operations. The signed Latics shirt will be included in the raffle (no auction!), and therefore could be yours from as little as £5 for entry, plus £1 for a strip of raffle tickets! There are other great prizes such as a family ticket to see MAnchester Phoenix Ice Hockey, a meal for two, and a special prize from Slattery's Chocolatiers. Please contact myself (Matt) on 07500 667799, and get further info (address etc) off the website at www.besses.co.uk Please support this very worthy cause, enjoy a great evening's entertainmentand give yourself the chance of walking away with a signed LAtics shirt! Thanks all, and keep the faith, Matt.

Hi all, new to the board, but thought I'd throw in my threepennorth! From what I've seen of Ricketts, we seem to have another Graeme Sharp. Quality player, bags of knowledge not used to the best way! Think about the similarities, proven scoring record, experience etc, but think about how many knock downs and flick ons sharp did like ricketts that aren't being picked up by others. If we could get a similar experienced head (dont think its davies) we night bet a few more goals. Let's see when Hughes is fit and sharp and see how they work together. Like I said, first post but been watching latics 20 years. Be kind people!! Matt.

Name? Matt Location? Rochdale How Long Supporting the Tics? At least 20 years Best away match you've been to? Bolton FA Cup quarter final 94 All Time Greatest Player? OOOOHHH roger palmer! Biggest Rivals (in your eyes)? Anyone at the moment!