Rochdale: Club announces Sir Peter Ogden as preferred investor

Rochdale were relegated from the EFL last May after 102 years

Rochdale have announced Sir Peter Ogden as their preferred investor to take over the club.

After a period of exclusivity with World Soccer Holdings LLC ended, the Rochdale-born businessman approached the financially troubled club.

Dale currently sit 10th in the National League, seven points adrift of the play-offs.

"This is a different type of football investment," said chairman Simon Gauge.

He told the club's website: "It is primarily driven by the recognition of, and motivation to preserve, the significant community value that clubs like ours provide."

Rochdale were relegated from the EFL last May after 102 years, but have faced major financial problems this season.

Gauge announced that he had put in £566,000 to keep the club afloat, but had reached his credit limit with the club under threat of liquidation.

New investment is required and World Soccer Holdings had signed a Letter of Intent but with their period of exclusivity to do a deal now over, Sir Peter Ogden got involved.

The multi-millionaire founder of Computacenter will provide funds for the club to operate over the next 30 days while he prepares to make a formal offer in the hope that investment can be made before the end of the season.

Both Sir Peter and his wife, Lady Ogden, were born in Rochdale and are keen to help this "community asset" survive.

They said in a statement: "In our view, the Club (and the Rochdale AFC Community Trust which is so closely associated with it) are community assets of immense value which need to survive."

They also revealed four principles behind their offer, with those being short-term survival, medium-term sustainability, a promise to support the fan-led review, and no financial motivation in getting involved.