Wembley was certainly the pinnacle of last season but is only the platform for season 2008-2009 as the Club gears up for automatic promotion to League One. That is the objective shared by the Club, the management and players and the Fans as we take Team Rochdale to the next level.

Continuing the impetus of last season into this is vital to achieving this goal. There are several ways which contribute to maintaining this impetus but overshadowing them all is the budget afforded to the Manager to put the best team out on to the park on a Saturday at 3:00PM. Supporting this budget are the commercial activities of the Club such as merchandising, Goldbond, sponsorship deals, match-day dining, season ticket sales and of course Match Day admission, a vital source of cash flow into the Club.

For Season 2008 - 2009 the Club has committed to significantly increasing the manager's budget enabling Keith to better compete in the transfer market and retain and reward the players who performed so well last season and now have the potential to grow as players under the guidance of the manager and his support team. The Board sanction and support this budget because they recognise that it is necessary if we are to achieve the collective goal of reaching League One in May 2009 and the milestones in our Seven Year Plan to reach the Championship.

This increase is not without risk but with robust financial management of the Club's accounts, increasing home attendances and the impetus of last year, it is a calculated risk. However the increase in playing budget has to be financed. Executive Boxes for next season are already sold out. New sponsors have been attracted and continue to be sought both locally and at a national level.

In considering the prices for next season the Club has adopted a balanced view between necessary increases and a commitment to Fans of the Future. It is absolutely vital that we continue to attract increasing numbers of young fans to Spotland. Therefore, under 12 and under 16 Season Ticket prices will remain the same and Under 7's will still go free.  A family ticket will be available for the WMG Stand at a lower cost than last season. We recognise the need to encourage these groups to the Club and keep them coming and we believe that this pricing structure will help us achieve this.

Almost a thousand season tickets were renewed under the early purchase promotion and we are also introducing a new payment plan where season tickets can be paid for in instalments in recognition that our fans have recently been spending heavily to support the team to Wembley. The introduction of this new plan means that it has never been easier to get a season ticket at Spotland.

Therefore the price of Match Day admission will rise next season in general by £2.00. We recognise that this may be perceived as being higher than expected but we guarantee that the increase will go directly towards the managers playing budget for next season so your contribution will be there for you to see every week out on the pitch. This additional revenue is vital in our push for promotion. We hope that you understand and support our reasons for this increase.

Chairman Chris Dunphy stated "My fellow directors and I, supporters just like you, are supporting our goal of promotion to League One next May, we have had a taste of success and like you we are hungry for more. We know you too are totally committed to the success of the Club and together our support of the manager and the team will bring even greater success to Rochdale"

An application for the installment scheme will appear here shortly but in the meantime to download a season ticket application click here season ticket 2008/9