Press statement re Paul Owen

29 July 2003

The club takes a very serious view of this whole episode and whilst we cannot in any way condone Paul’s actions in this matter, the club believes that he was not the instigator of the incident. He was merely trying to retrieve his mobile phone which had been stolen

His subsequent behaviour was totally out of character and we know that he is very upset and remorseful in respect of everything which has happened

We hope that he will be able to take some positives from what has been a distressing and humiliating experience

In all his time at our club he has been a model professional and we hope that he will resume his career at Rochdale when he is able to do so

The club will continue to support him through these difficult times

No further statement will be issued at this time

Ray Taylor

Chairman