Dale cannot compete because it doesn't own Spotland, says Hill

Want to buy this photo?

Keith Hill at Spotland

Rochdale manager Keith Hill has said that the football club cannot compete on a fair basis because the club doesn't own its own stadium and said "there’s still people throwing spanners in the works with respect to us trying to acquire the stadium".

Dale own 45 per cent of Denehurst Park Stadium Company, which runs Spotland Stadium. The Rugby Football League (RFL), who took over Rochdale Hornets’ shares when the club fell into administration, own 45% and Rochdale Council own 10%.

After last week's game against Bristol City, Hill said: "It’s unfortunate but we can not really get on and we have to come back to the age old problem that we don’t own our own stadium and there’s still people throwing spanners in the works with respect to us trying to acquire the stadium.

"So for us it’s a real conundrum and it’s a difficult situation that we find ourselves in because we want to find solid ground and until we own the stadium and the politics actually allow us to own the stadium then it’ll be very difficult for Rochdale to ever compete on an even, fair basis."

However, Rochdale Council says there has been no "formal offer" to buy the council's shares in the stadium company.

Councillor Richard Farnell, leader of the council, said: “Rochdale Council has always been, and remains, strongly committed to supporting professional football and professional rugby in the town.

“We are concerned about the current viability of the Stadium Company and are looking at various options as to how the long term future of this important asset can be secured.

“But let me be clear that whatever informal discussions may have taken place in the past, there has never been a formal offer from the football club to the council to buy its shares in the Stadium Company. If the football club is serious about its offer then they should talk to the council rather than attempt to conduct important business through the media.

“I have today written to the football club inviting them to meet the Council for constructive discussions about the best way forward for everyone.

“In the meantime, I can assure the club and its supporters that both council directors are there to act in the best long term interests of the Stadium Company and the future of Spotland.”