Football: New club chaplain appointed at Rochdale AFC

Richard Bradley, Rochdale AFC club chaplain

Rochdale AFC has appointed a new chaplain who will provide non-religious, confidential, non-judgemental support to players, management and staff should they need it.

Richard Bradley, the new chaplian and minister at Bamford Chapel said: “It was a dream of Paul Hazlehurst’s [former Director] to have a chaplain, so I’m delighted to be able fulfil that dream and come on board, it’s just sad that this has all been agreed since he passed away.

“I hope to be a listening ear to everyone at the club. As a duty of care to all employees, I think it’s really important that players and staff alike have a go to person who is slightly disconnected from the club in a professional role, that they can sit and talk to about anything. 

“I’ll be around regularly throughout the week and on match days.”