Takeover of Rochdale Hornets is officially complete

Rochdale have announced that the takeover of the club has officially been completed.

The club has confirmed the conversion of Rochdale Hornets RLFC Society Ltd (IPS) to Rochdale Hornets RLFC Ltd (Plc) has now been completed.

The special resolution was passed on December 23, 2019, to change the business model and over the past few months the application had been pending with Companies House, while necessary legal paperwork was completed with FCA.

Hornets chairman Andy Mazey said: “We are absolutely delighted to finally announce that the company conversation and takeover of Rochdale Hornets has been completed.

“On behalf of the board, I would like to place on record a huge thank you to the members who voted unanimously for this exciting new direction of travel for the club. Our thanks must also go to outgoing chairman Alex Orange and the former board, all who have been extremely supportive and involved in the transitional period.

“There is much work ahead of us and of course with the current situation surrounding Covid-19 we have had to work around this, however, we remain excited and incredibly focused on forward planning to ensure progression on and off the field and with this in mind we look forward to rolling out more positive news stores in the weeks and months ahead.

“I’m a great believer that if you do things the right way, they’ll come good. There’s unity and a strong sense of community spirit here in Rochdale and the way we have been welcomed to the club by all has been extremely encouraging.

“With everyone on the same page and rowing together combined with the magnificent support of our loyal sponsors and partners, we are creating an ambitious and progressive club that the supporters and people of Rochdale can rightly be proud of. Now is not the time for anyone to stand down, on the contrary it’s time to stand up and stand tall as this journey is only just beginning.”

The club have confirmed they are keen to drive a supporters association that will give the fans a voice to contribute to the current and future ambitions of the club.

Hornets chief executive Steve Kerr commented: “An official supporters association is critical to supporting our commercial and community ambitions and aspirations.

“Work will now begin to build an inclusive new supporters association that will hopefully build on the existing work being done.”

Former Rochdale chairman Alex Orange will work closely with the Hornets board to enable the formation of the supporters organisation.

Kerr added: “Alex has represented the former membership and supporters extremely well in his short tenure as chairman this last six months.

“He has demonstrated his passion for change, supporting the new board throughout the handover.”

Orange said: “I’m delighted to be helping with the formation of a new supporters group.

“I’d first like to thank everyone that has helped get the club to this position and for the many hours of volunteering work and fundraising that has been put in by fans.

“I hope this continues and I can assure all fans that the association will be a hive of activity, open to all and where everyone will be welcome to roll up their sleeves and promote the club positively in whatever way they can. We have a lot of work to do, but I hope this fresh start grows an association to rival any club in the sport.”

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