Town's heritage is key to our country's history

AT Rochdale's last home league game of the season, we have an annual tradition of a minute's applause to pay tribute to all the Dale fans who have passed away over the year.

- Paul Waugh MP for Rochdale

It’s a moving ceremony that sees a long list of names appear on the scoreboard.

It also underlines the deep commitment our fans have to our club, and to our sense of local pride and local community.

The chant ‘Rochdale till I die, England till I die’ takes on a real poignancy for everyone at Spotland when the ref blows his whistle to mark the start of that special minute-long tribute.

And given that it was St George’s Day this past week, there was extra significance as Dale fans’ St George’s flags were on display.

I always have a surge of pride whenever I see the ‘Dale on Tour’ flag at England matches around the world.

When the TV cameras close in on fans at international games, it’s not a coincidence that most of the St George's flags are emblazoned with the names of ‘small’ towns and clubs like ours which make up the backbone of our country.

Rochdale’s own history is a key part of our English history.