Saturday league celebrates 25th Anniversary

The Rochdale Online Alliance Football League celebrated its 25th Anniversary last Friday night (26 September). Officials past and present enjoyed an evening's entertainment at the Castleton Hotel.

The event gave league officials chance to thank sponsors for their years of support and pay homage to the numerous people that have given their time and effort in order for Rochdale's footballers to keep playing for 25 consecutive years.

Special guests included officials from the Lancashire Football Association, who have offered continuous support and guidance in administering the league.

The Saturday afternoon league currently has 30 teams, a quite severe reduction from the 73 teams that entered in its first year, but the league is still one of the strongest in the North West.

League president Frank Alletson gave the opening address, an extended and interesting history of the league, in which he mentioned numerous committee members who have given more than 50 years service to the league in its various guises.

In his closing speech League Secretary Trevor Winn said: "Who would have thought 26 years ago at the formation of the league from the merging of the Rochdale Sunday Schools League and the Rochdale Amateur League that the league would still be going strong despite all the problems we have had to surmount over the years?

"There is no doubt that there have been many changes, many for the better, some for the worse, but despite these we keep going.

"It has been enjoyable to see some old faces and to catch up on what has been going on and I hope it will not be too long before we see each other again."