These Lads Can Run For 80 minutes was born in 1988 after I bought a copy of Tangerine Dream at Victory Park, Chorley. Since then, despite the restrictions of time, money and personal crises, it's managed to put in slightly more appearances than Dane Dorahy ever did.
The year the first fanzine was produced saw Jim Crellin in charge at Hornets, referee Mr Berry involved in THAT drop-goal incident at Fartown and the start of the end for Blackpool Borough. How times have changed.
The one thing that's remained constant down the years is my love for our beautiful game and all that it stands for. Honesty, integrity, trust, mutual respect and sportsmanship - none of which feature too heavily on Murdoch, Lindsay, Hetherington or Caisley's agendas.
In an age where money shouts and the rest of us can go to hell, it's the small voices that get drowned out. The difference between them and us though is that our voices will still be there long after StupidLeague - and the shouting - is all over.
Rochdale Hornets is my team. My Team. I'm a Rochdalian born, bred (and probably buried) and I'm stuck with them come what may. It would be so easy to drive half an hour to watch a SuperLeague side, but that's not the point. No come-lately SuperLeague fan could enjoy a victory more than the people I now have to sit with on a Sunday afternoon (like all minorities we used to stand together - quite literally - but even that right's been taken away from us). Ultimately, only a true appreciation of the concept of defeat can heighten the euphoria of a win.
It's a hard road, but that's the deal.
Rochdale Hornets Rugby League Football Club, founded 1871.
My town. My team. My game.
It's what God gave us Sundays for. I hope you agree.
Jim Stringer.
