CONGRATULATIONS to both Rochdale and Bury football clubs for putting on an excellent game last Saturday.

It's not often I get to the games, but the match's twists and turns has encouraged me to make the effort to attend future fixtures.

As always with local away games, the entrance fees are increased. In this case £17 for adults and £10 for juniors. I went with my eldest son who is 16 and tried to pay in as an adult and junior.

The operator refused to accept that my son, who is six feet tall, was indeed 16-years-old. My son had no ID on him and the turnstile operator refused to listen to reason from the chief steward we had called to assist.

He did his best to point out to the operator our case but he had taken on a new role of turnstile dictator' and no way was my son coming in as a 16-year-old!

While we were waiting for the situation to be resolved, I witnessed two young physically disabled Bury fans being pushed by their helpers and trying to gain entry into the same turnstyle we had had the problem with. The operator demanded tickets for the boys and helpers.

The helpers said that they normally did not have to pay, as the boys in the chairs needed their assistance to go to the games. After a few heated comments the operator relented and said the disabled boys in their chairs could get in free but the helpers would have to leave the boys inside the ground and they would both have to go back outside and pay the full £17 entrance fee!

Rochdale FC looked to be a decent club, but the overzealous gatemen and their implementation of entrance policy spoiled the day a little.

Incidentally, I would like to thank the girls in the Rochdale main office for sorting out our entrance to the match.

DAVE DICKSON Broadhead Rd Edgworth