Rochdale FC

Ground 54

Match 56

Venue Spotland

Capacity 10,249

Founded 1907

Switzerland v Montenegro  0-3

Under 19's Qualifier Group 2

Admission £3

Programme £2.50

Attendance

Distance Travelled 37 miles

Decided to take advantage of the glorious sunshine by attending an International Under 19's game at Spotland Rochdale , kick off 3pm . Switzerland and Montenegro are in the same qualifying group as England . Rochdale is famous for the CO-OP , Gracie Fields and Lisa Stansfied , oh , and Cyrille Smith MP .
The stadium is also used by Rochdale Hornets Rugby Club .

The ground was easy to locate , only 2 miles from the M62 Junction 20 . Parked  in Willbutts Lane accross from the new all seater stand . Noticed a massive car park at the back of the TDS Stand which normally accommodates Dale supporrters ..

Entrance was to the main stand only - i managed to get a leather seat in the Directors area and grabbed a team sheet from the lounge ,  scrounged some of the tasty victuals at half - time , laid on for the scouts and reporters ,namely  chips and butties . Only £2.60 for a pint of bitter .  Even got a view from an Executive box .
The staff and Directors were pretty laid back , felt like a family get together  ,  everyone was friendly and easy - going . It's a super little stadium , compact  but  neat and i can see why its been used for Internationals .

Pano View of Spotland From The Directors Area

Three sides of Spotland are seated with the only exception being the Sandy Lane Stand

Willbutts Lane all seater Stand

Montenegro got into gear from the kick-off creating several openings looking more at home than the Swiss . The Swiss came more into the game with some slik passing moves but it was Montenegro opened the scoring after 23 minutes and went in leading 1-0 at the interval .

Montenego Goal Celebrations Are Muted With Inured Player

Looking Towards The Sandy Lane Standing Stand
Mixing it with the 'Pro' reporters from around the globe
Even wormed my way into the half-time snacks which were laid on by the club .

Met Peter Beardsley-  Great Guy .Superb Player

After the restart the Swiss went furthr behind when Vukcevic netted after 53 minutes . The Swiss were unlucky with a couple of chances hitting the upright before  Djordjevic completed his brace on 68 minutes making the final score 3-0 to Montenegro .

The TDS Stand  Pearl street

Main Stand with 12 Executive Boxes

The Lounge Rochdale FC Wembley 2008

Lovely

Car Park behind The TDS Stand

More photos Click Link Beow

https://picasaweb.google.com/106951314873209777955/May262012#