Hornets CEO Ryan Bradley set to depart

Ryan Bradley

Rochdale Hornets Chief Executive Officer Ryan Bradley will be leaving his post in September.

Bradley, who joined Hornets in 2013, will make the leap to Premier League Football Club Burnley FC, his home town club, to take on the role as Business Development Executive for Burnley FC in the Community Trust.

Rochdale Hornets Chairman Mark Wynn commented: "We are naturally disappointed to lose Ryan as he done a fantastic job since his appointment.

"This hasn't gone unnoticed and it is testament to the work he has done and how far we have come that we are losing our CEO to a Premier League soccer club."

Bradley joined Rochdale Hornets in 2013 after finishing a Community Development role with Link4Life.

In his first season the club achieved on field success, winning their first trophy in 91 years as they won promotion to the Championship. Off field the clubs finances were turned around and the club recorded a record profit.

Bradley played a fundamental part in the delivery of a sell-out Rugby League World Cup fixture at Spotland as well as securing a large grant to launch the club's heritage programme and mini museum at Spotland Stadium.

The club has continued to develop under Bradley's stewardship as commercial revenues grow, new initiatives have been launched and the club's future at Spotland has been secured, along with a lease on a community and performance base in the borough.

"It is with a heavy heart that I leave Hornets," said Bradley.

"I am extremely thankful to Mark (Wynn) and the board for giving me the opportunity and I have enjoyed my time working with Ian Talbot, Alan Kilshaw and all of the staff, members and directors over the past four seasons.

“Many people know that Burnley are my football team, I have supported them all my life and the chance to work at Turf Moor in a role bringing businesses and community sport together really is a dream.

“I will always hold Hornets and the wider Rochdale rugby league community close to my heart and wish everyone all the best for the future."

Chairman Mark Wynn has confirmed the club will look to replace Bradley going forward, but won't rush into finding a replacement. He said: "Ryan is leaving on the best of terms and will be available on the phone to support us short term as well as on match days, so we have some breathing space.

“The directors will consider the type of person the club needs going forward and I'm sure we will have plenty of expressions of interest as soon as the news breaks."

Bradley will remain a Trustee of the Rochdale Hornets Sporting Foundation, the club's charitable trust and he will also consider putting himself forward for the board of supporter owned Hornets at the upcoming elections.