Football: Pie and peas prevail over prawns and prosecco

Pie and peas prevail over prawns and prosecco

The beautiful game, as it’s become known, has its roots firmly in the working class but over the past couple of decades the proletariat has been usurped by the bourgeoisie as football fandom has been hijacked by the prawn and prosecco brigade… but not at Rochdale Football Club.

The unique selling point of ‘Team Rochdale’ is how the club retained its traditional values, with supporters and players sharing a pie and a pint whilst other clubs, even in the lower leagues, became ever more disconnected from the fans on the terraces.

So, it was a serious shock to the system for many Dale supporters when the club hierarchy sought to appropriate the traditional end of season awards night at which supporters, young and old, mix with the players as the fans hand out trophies, in the main provided by supporters, to the players.

To take its place was to be a £65 a head ‘Gala Dinner’ at Rochdale Town Hall, and those supporters wishing to present trophies, their own trophies, would have to pay £1,200 ‘sponsorship’ for the privilege, and junior supporters would not be allowed in!

Understandably, this went down like a wasp in a full-face helmet and uproar ensued as the proles battled the bourgeoisie for the very soul of their club.

And so it came to pass that Rochdale Football Club was forced to back down and cancel the prawns and prosecco at the Town Hall, to the delight and relief of the pie and pea man, not forgetting the staff behind the bar at the Ratcliffe Arms, the traditional home of the awards.

The club issued a statement that heaped further fuel on the fire, as the bourgeoisie lashed out at the proles, accusing them of negativity, for having the temerity to fight for their cause.

Apparently, to mix with ordinary loyal supporters is lacking in professionalism, to align the club with the rest of the prawn and prosecco brigade that now dominates ‘corporate’ football was considered ‘professional’, and therefore ‘progress’ has been stalled!

It may be seen by some as ‘amateur’ but little Johnny and Joanne will once again get to sidle up to their idols at the annual awards for a photograph and an autograph, as their proud parents wash down pie and peas with best bitter, because the hierarchy at Rochdale Football Club has remembered, albeit reluctantly, petulantly, kicking and screaming, what Rochdale Football Club has almost uniquely done - as other clubs have followed the yellow brick (gold!) road - and that is understand that a football club IS its supporters.

Up the Dale!