Spotland is a superb stadium. However, 13 years down the line, Dale fans still think we're squatting and Hornets fans feel like unwelcome guests. We take a look at how - even though it might not be a comfortable fit sometimes - two into one will go.
In 1988 Rochdale Hornets had 2.6million quid and nowhere to play. Rochdale AFC had somewhere to play, huge debts and plans from a housing developer showing how the land on which Spotland stands would look with lots of houses built on it. Proper plans - houses, gardens and streets. Streets with names.
As a last desperate measure to salvage professional sport of any kind in the town, Hornets and the Dale were pretty much forced together. Both clubs became joint equal shareholders in the Denehurst Park Stadium Company which now owns the ground.
The council has a minor shareholding too. Interestingly , to our knowledge, it was a change in Council administration - and a subsequent change of mind about their commitment to co-funding the main stand - that left both clubs with a huge shortfall.
Both clubs now pay to play at Spotland - the stadium company's main source of revenue. In the scramble for revenue, sporting organisations of all kinds need to utilise their stadia as much as possible. Recent ground sharing initiatives between football & Rugby League clubs, Rugby League & rugby union clubs and football & Rugby Union clubs indicate that it's the way professional sport at all levels is heading. And whilst the Hornets/Dale relationship might feel a little strained at times, our 13 year partnership is still the template for successful ground sharing in both sports.
So, having sold half of their main asset to pay off their debts in 1988, the Dale don't own Spotland any more. That might rankle with some of their supporters, but that's not a bad thing even from their point of view. What both clubs have contributed to over time is a stadium facility that Rochdale as a town can be proud of.
It's to be hoped that it can be the catalyst for success on the field for both sides - the Dale are already off to a flyer - and help give both sets of supporters - and all Rochdalians - teams and a ground that they can justifiably take pride in.