New head of Dale Community Trust appointed

Ryan Bradley has been appointed as Community Director of Dale Community Trust, taking over from Keith Hicks who is retiring after more than 30 years at the club.

The Dale Community Trust has served the community of Rochdale for over three decades, delivering programmes in football, sport, health and education, in partnership with various organisations, including the EFL Trust.

Bradley, who is known to many in Rochdale from his successful stint as Chief Executive Officer at Rochdale Hornets, returns to the Crown Oil Arena having spent five years with Burnley FC in the Community.

He is looking forward to driving the Community Trust into the next era.

“I can’t wait to get started,” said Bradley.

“The Community Trust is built on a solid foundation and the vision of the trustees and the club is to ensure we grow our reach and make a positive impact on the people of Rochdale.

“I have come to Dale from a Premier League club and Rochdale tops a number of league tables when it comes to social deprivation, unemployment, poor health and lack of educational attainment.

“If you add to the mix the current pandemic and the need for communities to come together to kick start recovery, there is a lot of need to be addressed and the Dale Community Trust is ideally placed to lead the change.”

 

 

Rochdale Chief Executive, David Bottomley added: “Ryan Bradley joining the Community Trust as Community Director is a very positive move forward. The new title reflects the changing focus and ambitions of the Community Trust.

“The good work already undertaken by the Trust, shows that the community operation is much more than just being a football related programme. It is an operation that can impact all people in the society we live in, to encourage a healthy lifestyle, as well as projects that bring benefit to many away from traditional sport.

“Ryan joins the club after a five year period where he was responsible for delivering much success at a similar operation at Premier League club Burnley and everyone at RAFC is delighted to welcome him on board.”

Bradley started his new role on Monday 11 January. He will work alongside Keith Hicks for a short time to ensure the continued smooth running of the Trust during a handover period.

If you would like to find out more about the Dale Community Trust and or give your input into future work, please email: ryan.bradley@rochdaleafc.co.uk.