New football regulator offered ‘purpose built’ offices at Rochdale AFC’s ground

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Crown Oil Arena

Rochdale AFC has offered to set up a purpose-built office for the new independent football regulator at the Crown Oil Arena.

Plans for a new regulator for elite men’s football in England will be based in Greater Manchester, the government confirmed, saying it would help to create new rules to protect clubs and fans as part of a new football governance bill.

Major changes to English football included in the bill could require clubs to commit to more fan engagement on ticket prices and stadium moves, as well as giving the new regulator powers over parachute payments.

Manchester Central MP Lucy Powell confirmed in Parliament on Thursday (24 October) that the new regulator will be based in the region, but joked that she would “fight” with Rochdale MP Paul Waugh and Wigan MP Lisa Nandy over where the organisation will be based.

Mr Waugh told the House of Commons that Rochdale AFC’s co-chairman Simon Gauge would “love” to host the new regulator as part of a planned re-development at the club’s ground.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, Mr Gauge confirmed that he has offered a “purpose built” office to the new regulator as part of the club’s main stand revamp.

“It is something we are looking into, part of our long-term plan is to redevelop the main stand to include office space that we can lease out to make an income for the football club,” the club’s chairman said.

He added: “We have offered that we can build them a purpose built office at the stadium. They’ve acknowledged it and said they are evaluating all options.

“The benefits for the club is that it increases the profile and we want to put a spotlight on all the good things we are doing in the community.

“Architects are looking at [the stadium plans] at the moment, we’ve thought about whether there could be a diagnostics centre there, doctors surgeries, we want the ground to become a space for the community and use it 365 days a year.”

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport confirmed the independent football regulator will be based in Greater Manchester, but said an exact location has not yet been confirmed.

Declan Carey, Local Democracy Reporter