Page 15 - Real Rochdale Issue 23 August 2024

Ogden family takes majority control of

Rochdale AFC after £2m investment

The Ogden family has become
the majority shareholders of
Rochdale Football Club
following a £2 million
takeover.

The family, with deep roots in
Rochdale, aims to guide the
club back to the English
Football League (EFL) within
three years.

The takeover was completed
in May, after the family was
confirmed as the preferred
investors in late March.
New board members Adam Saul and Jamie Willoughby (far left and far right) with
Their investment totals £2 co-chairmen Cameron Ogden and Simon Gauge
million, and they acquired
nearly 6.9 million behind this significant director Richard Knight have
newly-issued Class A ordinary investment. converted their outstanding
shares, equating to roughly loans to the club into shares.
68% ownership. Their charitable organisation, Mr Gauge now owns 21%, Mr
the Ogden Trust, which Knight 2%, and the Dale
In a move to protect the club’s focuses on supporting the Supporters Trust holds 1.6%.
heritage, the Ogden family has teaching and learning of
committed to holding these physics among under- The remaining shares are
shares for the sole benefit of represented groups, has been owned by past directors and
the Rochdale AFC Community actively involved in initiatives supporters. Peter Ogden’s
Trust. within Rochdale schools. children, Cameron, Edward,
and Tiffany, each hold a 23%
Additionally, following the At a meeting following the stake in the club.
recommendations of the Fan takeover, Cameron Ogden,
Led Review, they will the new co-chairman of The key aspirations of the new
introduce a “golden share” to Rochdale AFC’s board of board include:
be held by the Dale directors, expressed his
Supporters Trust. honour and privilege at being • To make the club
part of the club. sustainable within five
This golden share will require years, with or without
the Trust’s consent before any Also joining the board of sporting success.
changes can be made to the directors are Adam Saul and • To achieve promotion to
club’s name, colours, badge, or Jamie Willoughby who both the EFL within three years.
the sale of its ground. work for the Ogden family • To significantly increase the
business. social value the club brings
Sir Peter Ogden and Lady to the local community, via
Catherine Ogden, both Alongside the Ogden family, the club and Community
originally from Rochdale, are co-chairman Simon Gauge and Trust.

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