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Fred Ratcliffe
at 12:26 31 Aug 2025

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the passing of "Mr. Rochdale" Fred Ratcliffe.
Mr. Ratcliffe joined the Club Board in 1946, becoming Chairman in 1953 (at that time, the youngest Chairman in the Football League) before being appointed President in 1979. In the Club’s then only promotion season of 1968-69, he was integral in financing the £5,000 transfer of Tony Buck from Newport County which was the final piece in the jigsaw of a great team. Subsequent years saw him frequently reaching into his own pocket to keep the Club alive and this stewardship, along with his respected standing in the football community, saw The Dale successfully stave off a number of re-election scares. Fred is survived by his daughter Judith Hilton who still attends most games at Spotland/Crown Oil Arena.
At the time of his passing, Fred would have been proud to see the Dale at the top of the league (Division 4), after a 4-1 Bank Holiday mauling of Stockport County.

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