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Motty simply dotty about Spotland

Mike Floyd
18/11/2003

WITH Match of the Day not back on our screens until next season, and the Premiership sides having a weekend off due to internationals, BBC commentator John Motson decided to take a step closer joining the prestigious 92 Club by visiting Spotland.

The stalwart of the sheepskin, so long the unmistakable voice of English football on the box, may be something of a jinx for Dale however.

He was at the Moss Rose in September to see Macclesfield come from behind to beat Alan Buckley's side 2-1 and looked on from the directors' box as Kidderminster claimed the points on Saturday.

"I don't think the directors are very keen on me joining them for a drink to be honest," he joked, "but nevertheless I think it was a bit unfortunate Rochdale lost a player when they had used their three subs.

"You can't legislate for that and they had to play a lot of the second-half with 10 men."

His overall view of Spotland was a good one though and it was great to hear Motty chose to make his journey down Sandy Lane before subjecting himself to the Gigg Lane experience.

"Rochdale is a very hospitable club. I have now seen 91 of the 92 grounds, with Gigg Lane at Bury to go to complete the set.

"I'm very impressed with the loyalty the people working at the club and the supporters engender.

"It's what keeps the heartbeat of the club alive and that's been true of all the grounds I have visited."

A fourth consecutive league defeat leaves Dale languishing in the bottom half of the table, but Motson is confident they can turn their form around.

"Rochdale are still in the FA Cup and if they beat Thurrock or Luton in the next round who knows, I could be back here for a third round tie against Manchester United," he said.

"The game's like that. One minute you are down, the next something happens to lift everybody again.

"Things will change, I am sure. I'm confident Alan Buckley will get it right. The nice thing about it is Rochdale try and play a bit of football."