No handout for proud Hornets

SIR - We feel compelled to reply to the letter from "Disgusted council tax payer" (Observer, 17/9/03).

The assistance given to Rochdale Hornets by Rochdale Council is cer-tainly not a "handout". It is a loan, to be repaid over a fixed period by Rochdale Hornets and is guaranteed by the club's directors, for which we are very grateful to Rochdale Council.

It may be that Disgusted council tax payer's misunderstanding was gener-ated by the misleading headline in last Saturday's Rochdale Observer in the reporting of the story.

While we have to admit that at pres-ent time the team is not very well sup-ported, despite playing very well, Hornets is a Rochdale institution stretching back to the foundation of the club in 1871. The current board, like those before it, feel the weight of responsibility in trying to maintain this great tradition.

Finally, the club accept people have a right to their own views and to criti-cise. However, we feel this right should be supported by the courage to pen one's name to the criticism.

Paul Reynolds acting chief executive
Rochdale Hornets Football Club