Sky Bet fund unlucky Alex Ollier's return Rochdale trip

Alex Ollier

Alex Ollier, who was left gutted when he travelled over 10,000 miles to watch Dale in action only for the game to be postponed, has been offered another chance to take in a game at Spotland – thanks to Football League sponsor Sky Bet.

Alex Ollier, 21, from the Sunshine Coast, Australia, flew over to the UK in January this year to watch Dale’s home game against Fleetwood Town.

However, when he arrived at Spotland, the Sky Bet League 1 fixture had been postponed due to a frozen pitch.

The club heard of his plight and offered him a guided tour of the stadium, where he met some of the first team.

Now, thanks to the Football League sponsor, Alex is flying back to the UK in April to watch Dale’s game against Blackpool.

He’ll be given the VIP treatment by the club and a fully-signed Dale shirt donated by Sky Bet as a souvenir of the game.

Alex said: “I was gutted to miss the game against Fleetwood, it would have been only my second Dale game ever – the first was nearly a decade ago.

“When Sky Bet got in touch to say that they’d pay for my flights back to the UK I was over the moon.

“I am so thankful for everything Sky Bet have done for me and I can’t wait to make my dream become a reality.”

Edwin Martin, Sky Bet Head of Sponsorship,  said: “When we heard about Alex’s bad luck we knew something had to be done.

“It’s fantastic that the Sky Bet Football League attracts supporters from all around the globe and we’re glad we can help in making Alex’s dream of seeing his team a reality.

“Hopefully Alex will bring the weather with him and he’ll get to enjoy the match at Spotland this time around.”