Rochdale AFC has launched a new initiative to install specially designed sanitary bins for men in its male toilets at the Crown Oil Arena, addressing incontinence needs for fans with prostate cancer. The club announced this move on Tuesday, with Tobi Adebayo-Rowling and Dale Director Richard Knight joining Jez Williams of phs Group for a photo to mark the occasion.
Why the bins matter
One in eight men will develop prostate cancer, rising to one in four among Black men, and 60% of those diagnosed will experience incontinence as a side effect of treatment. At the 9,000-capacity Crown Oil Arena, at least 1,100 men could be diagnosed with prostate cancer, with 769 needing incontinence support. The club has signed up to The BOG STANDARD, the minimum standards set by Prostate Cancer UK and phs Group, which requires installation of sanitary bins as a Bronze tier requirement.
How the project was funded
The initiative was funded by phs Group, the only hygiene provider offering bins designed specifically for male incontinence products. phs Group has installed 24,000 bins across the UK as part of its Back in the Game campaign, with 873 specifically for men. Matthew Brabin, CEO of phs Group, emphasized that sport is vital for men's recovery after prostate cancer treatment, noting that many men are too anxious to leave home without proper facilities.
Club's commitment to inclusion
Richard Knight, Dale Director, stated: "Inclusion is important to us at the Club, and we didn’t ever want to think of any of our fans being unable to join, just because we didn’t have sanitary bins in place for them." The club has also committed to The BOG STANDARD Charter, which has three tiers: Bronze (installation of sanitary bins), Silver (bins and male incontinence products), and Gold (awareness promotion).
What this means for the season
Rochdale AFC currently sits 23rd in League Two with 0 points from 2 games, showing recent form of LL. The team has scored 1 goal and conceded 5, with a -4 goal difference, sitting 6 points behind leaders Barnet. Their next fixture is away at Colchester on August 29, 2026, facing a 5th-placed opponent. The club encourages fans to check their fixtures page for upcoming matches and squad details.
Community impact and support
Prostate Cancer UK, the largest public funder of prostate cancer research in the UK with over £120 million invested, supports the Back in the Game initiative and calls for government action to change HSE guidance. The charity provides support via Specialist Nurses on 0800 074 8383 or via their website. Nick Ridgman, Head of Support Services at Prostate Cancer UK, highlighted the lack of sanitary bins in men's toilets and their impact on men's lives, noting that tens of thousands of men have campaigned for better access to treatments and support.
Rochdale AFC's initiative aligns with the 177 sport clubs across the UK that have signed up to The BOG STANDARD, and the 2,172 organisations that have joined the campaign. The club's 9,000-capacity arena is a key venue for this effort, with the 26 bins installed across male toilets ensuring accessibility for all fans.
Next steps for fans and supporters
Fans can access support via Prostate Cancer UK's website or by calling 0800 074 8383. The club urges supporters to check their stats page for detailed performance metrics and standings for league context. This initiative reflects Rochdale AFC's broader commitment to fan welfare, with the club's 2026 season showing a focus on community engagement alongside competitive challenges. Key statistics
- League standing: 23rd in League Two, 0 pts, 0W-0D-2L from 2 games, recent form LL. - Goals this season: 1 scored, 5 conceded (-4 goal difference). - Title race: 6 points behind leaders Barnet. - Next fixture: vs Colchester (away, 2026-08-29) (5th in the table). Image Prompt
A 45-year-old male coach in a dark blue tracksuit with smooth fabric, captured in a tight waist-up shot with 85mm f/1.4 lens, shallow depth of field, and floodlight rim light highlighting his focused expression and textured fabric details.
