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Rochdale A.F.C.

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Rochdale
Full nameRochdale Association Football Club
Nickname(s)The Dale
Founded1907;117 years ago(1907)
GroundSpotland Stadium
Capacity10,249
ChairmanSimon Gauge & Cameron Ogden
ManagerJimmy McNulty
LeagueNational League
2023–24National League,11th of 24
WebsiteClub website
Current season

Rochdale Association Football Clubis a professionalassociation footballclub based in the town ofRochdale,Greater Manchester,England. The team currently competes in theNational League,the fifth level of theEnglish league system.Nicknamed 'The Dale', they have played home matches atSpotland Stadiumsince 1920 and, until 2019, contested derby matches withOldham Athleticand previously withBury.

Founded in 1907, Rochdale entered theLancashire Combinationand after securing promotion out of Division Two in 1909–10 they won the Division One title in 1910–11 and 1911–12. They then switched tothe Central League,before being invited into theFootball Leaguewhen theThird Division Northwas created in 1921. The club remained in the division for 47 years but were relegated out of the new nationwideThird Divisionin 1959. They reached theLeague Cupfinal in1962and secured promotion out of theFourth Divisionin 1968–69. Relegated in 1974, Rochdale remained in the fourth tier for 36 seasons after unsuccessful play-off campaigns in 2002,2008and 2009. The club finally secured promotion in 2009–10 and following relegation in 2012 were promoted to the third tier for a third time in 2013–14, but were relegated back toLeague Twoin 2020–21. After 102 years as a Football League club, they were relegated to theNational Leagueat the end of the 2022–23 season.

History

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Rochdale played 36 consecutive seasons in theFootball League's bottom division from 1974 to 2010, the longest time any team has been in the bottom division of the League, with some even derisively calling it "the Rochdale Division".[1]The club has the lowest average position of all the clubs which have existed continuously in the Football League since its expansion to four divisions in1921–22(76th) and since its expansion to 92 clubs in1950–51(79th). Additionally, the club holds the distinction of having played the most seasons in theEnglish Football Leaguewithout reaching the top two tiers (95 seasons as of 2022–23, when they were relegated to theNational League).

The club reached theLeague Cupfinal in1962.This was the first time a club from the bottom league division had reached the final of a major competition – where they lost toNorwich City.

During its history, the club has had three promotions and four relegations, with promotion coming in 1969 and 2010 and 2014 and relegation in 1959, 1974, 2012 and 2021. The 1959 relegation followed the 1958 restructuring which saw the combination of the twoThird Divisionsections into the Third Division andFourth Division.In the restructuring, Rochdale managed to secure a spot in the Third Division but was relegated at the end of the season to the now lowest Fourth Division.

1907–1999

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refer to caption
A chart showing the progress of Rochdale through theEnglish football league systemfrom joining in1907–08to the present

Rochdale A.F.C. was formed in 1907.[2]AfterWorld War Ithe Football League was expanded and the club unsuccessfully applied to join. In 1921 Rochdale was recommended to be included in the newThird Division North,and played their first League game at home againstAccrington Stanleyon 27 August 1921, winning 6–3. However, this first season ended with the club at the bottom of the League, having to reapply for membership.

The club reached theLeague Cupfinal in1962led byTony Collins.This was the first time a club from the bottom league division had reached the final of a major competition – where they lost toNorwich City4–0 on aggregate.[3]Rochdale had beatenSouthampton,Doncaster Rovers,Charlton Athletic,York City,andBlackburn Roverson their route to the final.

The club's first promotion came in 1969, earned by a team largely assembled by managerBob Stokoe,though it was Stokoe's assistant,Len Richleywho steered Rochdale to promotion after Stokoe moved toCarlisle United.In the early stages of the 1969–70 season, Rochdale topped the Third Division table, sparking hopes of a second successive promotion. The team's form significantly declined aroundChristmas1969, however, and a failure to halt the team's decline led to the dismissal of Richley. He was succeeded byDick Conner,who stabilised the club's form and steered them to a 9th-place finish. The following three seasons saw the club finish in the lower reaches of the Third Division table, narrowly avoiding relegation each time. The board viewed merely surviving in the Third Division as unacceptable and replaced Conner withWalter Joycefor the 1973–74 season. This move failed to pay off, and Rochdale was relegated after a campaign in which they won only 2 of 46 league games.

The club finished bottom of the league in 1977–78 but was successful in their bid for re-election.Southport,which had finished one place above Rochdale, was demoted instead and replaced byWigan Athletic.Rochdale finished bottom for a second time in 1979–80, but was again re-elected – by one vote overAltrincham.In 1989–90 the club reached the fifth round of theFA Cupfor the first time but lost 1–0 toCrystal Palace.

Steve Parkinwas appointed as manager in 1998, a period in which the success of the club improved significantly with the emergence of talented players such asGary Jones,Clive Platt,Grant HoltandKevin Townson.

21st century

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2000–2010

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Parkin left to take over atBarnsleyin November 2001 with Rochdale second in the Third Division.[4]This gained him little popularity with the fans, especially when he took Gary Jones with him.John Hollinswas appointed as his successor and the club finished the season in 5th place, entering the promotion play-offs where they lost toRushden & Diamondsin the semi-final.

The club reached the fifth round of the FA Cup again the following season, but lost 3–1 atWolves.Hollins was replaced byPaul Simpsonin 2002, andAlan Buckley,appointed and sacked as manager in 2003. Parkin then returned to the club as manager, until being sacked in December 2006.

Parkin's replacement,Keith Hill,who was initially appointed ascaretaker manager,became arguably the club's most successful manager to date. Hill and his assistant managerDavid Flitcroftled Rochdale to a 5th-place finish in 2007–08, securing a play-off place. After beatingDarlington5–4 on penalties in the semi-final, Rochdale reachedWembleyfor the first time in their history. Despite taking the lead in the match, they lost the final 3–2 toStockport County.

In the2008–09 season,Rochdale reached theLeague Twoplayoffs for the second consecutive season, finishing 6th in the table on 70 points. Rochdale lost 2–1 on aggregate toGillinghamin the playoff semi-finals.[5]Season2009–10ended a 41-year wait for promotion with a win overNorthampton Townas Rochdale secured the third automatic promotion spot. Rochdale continued their progression under Keith Hill, now with the club for 3 years, with a secured spot inLeague Onein 2010–11. In2010–11Rochdale finished 9th in league one with 68 points, equalling their highest league finish since 1969–70.

2010–2014

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Rochdale playersJoe Bunney,Peter Vincenti,Matty LundandDonal McDermottline-up in a wall againstBlackburn Roversin July 2015

On 1 June 2011 managerKeith HilljoinedChampionshipclubBarnsley.FormerManchester Cityapprentice and youth coachSteve Eyrewas confirmed as Hill's replacement on 12 June 2011. Eyre's spell atSpotlanddid not last long, as he was sacked after 27 competitive games in charge, the team having recorded just 4 league wins in this time. Eyre's last game was a 0–0 draw againstYeovil,in which Yeovil's keeperRene Gilmartinplayed the second half with a dislocated finger. Director of youthChris Beechwas then appointed as caretaker manager. Under Beech's first game in charge, the team drew 1–1 withPreston North Endwith an equaliser fromDaniel Bogdanovićwho scored on his debut. Beech's 5 games in charge ended with a 5–1 defeat by Stevenage and a 3–0 defeat to bottom of leagueWycombe Wanderers.

On 24 January 2012, Accrington Stanley'sJohn Colemanwas confirmed manager as the successor to Steve Eyre and left his club where he had been for more than a decade. John Coleman's first match in charge was a 3–0 win at home overBuryin the local derby. However, on 21 April, Rochdale lost 2–1 toChesterfieldresulting in relegation from League One after two years in the league. John Coleman's and Jimmy Bell's contracts were terminated by Rochdale on 21 January 2013 following a poor run in form.[6]In January 2013, Keith Hill, previously in charge of Rochdale from 2007 to 2011, was appointed as the new manager.[7]

The2013–14season was much more successful for Rochdale, they were promoted toLeague Onein third-place on 26 April 2014, after beatingCheltenham Town2–0.[8]One of the highlights of the season was reaching the fourth round of theFA Cupfor the first time in eleven years after beatingChampionshipsideLeeds United2–0.[9]

Return to League One (2014–2021)

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Playing at the club's highest level, the2014–15season was the club's most successful yet. Rochdale missed out on theplayoffsby six points, eventually finishing in 8th place, their highest league placing. The club impressed in theFA Cupagain, this time reaching the fourth round, losing out 4–1 toPremier LeaguesideStoke City.[10]The2015–16 seasonsaw Rochdale finish 10th in League One,[11]whilst they finished 9th in2016–17.[12]

In2017–18,Rochdale narrowly avoided relegation, finishing 20th in League One.[13]Despite a poor domestic season, Rochdale reached the fifth round of theFA Cupwhere they metPremier LeaguesideTottenham Hotspurat Spotland. Rochdale held Tottenham to a 2–2 draw, resulting in a replay atWembley Stadiumwhere Rochdale lost out 6–1.[14][15]On 4 March 2019, Rochdale sacked managerKeith Hillafter six years in charge: with Rochdale in 22nd place.[16]Hill was replaced byBrian Barry-Murphywho led Rochdale to 16th place in the2018–19 season.[17][18]In the2019–20 season,Rochdale reached the third round of theEFL Cupwhere they lost 5–3 on penalties atOld TraffordagainstManchester Unitedafter holding the Red Devils to a 1–1 draw in normal time in front of 5,500 travelling supporters.[19]Rochdale also reached theFA Cupthird round where they managed a 1–1 home draw withPremier LeaguesideNewcastle United,[20]before losing the replay 4–1 atSt James' Park.[21]However, theCOVID-19 pandemicforced the cancellation of the season after 34 matches. Final league positions were decided on apoints per gamebasis, with Rochdale finishing in 18th place.

League Two (2021–2023)

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After finishing 21st, Rochdale were relegated from League One at the end of the2020–21 season,and finished 18th in their first League Two campaign. The club started the2022–23 seasonwith five straight defeats, and sacked managerRobbie Stockdalein mid-August 2022;[22]the side's first league win came in their 10th game, away atColchester United,overseen byJim Bentleywho had been appointed manager on 29 August.[23]Also in August 2022, Rochdale settled a High Court action regarding an attempted hostile takeover of the club by investors Morton House MGT in July 2021;[24]in October 2022, Rochdale were given a six-point penalty, suspended for two years, for failing to comply with EFL regulations over the attempted takeover.[25]On 8 November 2023Ian Hendersonbecame Rochdale's all-time leading goalscorer, scoring against Salford City in a 1–0 home win[26]to surpassReg Jenkins' long standing record of 129 goals.[27]On 27 March 2023, Rochdale sacked manager Bentley; under him, the side had won just six out of 32 league games and were 10 points from safety with eight games remaining.Jimmy McNultywas appointed interim manager,[28]later (12 May) taking on the role permanently.[29]On 22 April 2023, a 1–0 defeat againstStockport Countyconfirmed relegation to theNational Leagueafter 102 years as a Football League club.[30]

National League (2023–present)

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Rochdale's first National League season was overshadowed by financial difficulties, with chairman Simon Gauge warning the club faced liquidation if no new investment was found. In March 2024, club shareholders agreed to issue nine million new shares, paving the way for American group World Soccer Holdings to mount a takeover.[31]

On 9 May 2024, the club announced that the family of local businessmanPeter Ogdenhad completed a £2 million takeover of the club following the expiration of World Soccer Holdings' exclusivity period.[32]

Club badge and colours

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Rochdale home colours used until the 2006–07 season

The club crest used by Rochdale AFC is a variant of the arms of the formerCounty Borough of Rochdale.The coat of arms, based on those of the local and reputed Rochdale family with certain additions, was granted to the Borough byHerald's Collegein 1857. At its centre, a shield shows a sack of wool and a cotton plant, representing the local wool and cotton industries. Around the edge of the shield sit eightmartlets(birds). These are taken from the Rochdale family coat of arms (mentioned above) and are widely used on heraldic devices. Above the shield and helm (in the position technically known as the "crest" in heraldry) more local industry representations are made by the inclusion of a fleece of wool (suspended by a band) and the iron centre of an old mill-stone (known as a mill-rind).

A motto below the shield readsCrede Signo.Roughly translated, this means "Believe in the sign". The blazon (official heraldic description) for the arms reads as follows: "Argent a woolpack encircled by two branches of the cotton tree flowered and conjoint proper; a bordure sable charged with eight martlets of the field; and for a crest on a wreath of the colours a mill-rind sable and above a fleece argent banded or."

When Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council was formed in 1974, a new coat of arms was created and awarded for council use. Rochdale A.F.C., however, retained their variant of the old Rochdale County Borough arms.

Rochdale's current home colours are black and blue shirts, white shorts and blue and black hooped socks. Previously, Rochdale's usual colours were blue and white, introduced in 1949. Prior to this, Rochdale wore black and white stripes, which was influenced by the strongNewcastle Unitedside of 1907 (the year Rochdale was formed), the stripe which they adopted for their centenary season in 2007.

Rochdale's centenary kit, used in the 2007–08 season.

This black and white kit was re-introduced in the 2007–08 season as the one-off centenary kit; the newInternazionale-influenced design which succeeded it was an amalgamation of the striped kit and the blue kit to herald the second century of Rochdale's existence. Between 2010 and 2012 Rochdale's shirts were predominantly blue with black pinstripes on the body and black sleeves.

Rochdale's away kit comprises white shirts with a purple stripe, purple shorts and purple and white hooped socks. Other historical away kits have included yellow, teal, green and red. Other kits have included white shirts with black shorts, white shirts with blue shorts and a blue shirt with white sleeves.

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

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Rochdale has had sponsored shirts since 1983. Former sponsors includeCarcraft,MMC Estates, All-in-One Garden Centre, Smith Metals, Keytech, Freebets.co.uk, Cabrini andthe Co-operative.On 28 May 2013,Crown Oilwas unveiled as the club's new principal sponsor.

It was announced in June 2009 that the kit supplier for the next three seasons would beCarbrini.

From 2012 to 2015, Rochdale's kit was supplied byFila.

On 25 April 2015, Rochdale revealedErreàas their new supplier.[33]

On 8 February 2023, the club announced that their kits would be supplied byO'Neills.[34]

Stadium

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Rochdale plays their home matches atSpotland Stadium,known locally as just Spotland, and currently named the Crown Oil Arena as part of a sponsorship deal by theBury-based fuel companyCrown Oil.[35]The stadium was officially opened in 1920, and was used exclusively by Rochdale for the first 68 years of its existence. From 1988 to 2016 the ground was jointly owned by the football club,Rochdale Counciland rugby league clubRochdale Hornets.In 2016 Rochdale A.F.C. bought the stadium shares they did not hold to own 100% of Spotland Stadium.

Apart from local football and rugby league, Spotland has also hosted minor nations' rugby league matches,British Amateur Rugby League Associationmatches, and also theNational League Cupfinals of 2003 and 2004. Spotland was a venue for the2013 Rugby League World Cup,hosting a match betweenFijiandIreland- the first time that Rochdale had staged an event in any sporting World Cup. The event was almost sold out with almost 9,000 people attending.[36]This was incorrectly claimed to be a new stadium record, but Rochdale had 24,231 for an FA Cup tie vsNotts Countyin December 1949 and three higher crowds for FA Cup and play-off games between 1990 and 2008 againstNorthampton Town,Coventry CityandDarlington.

Today Spotland has a capacity of 10,249 in four stands:[37]the Co-Operative Stand (or Main Stand), the Thwaites Beer Stand (the Sandy Lane End), the T.D.S Stand (Pearl Street end) and the Westrose Leisure Stand (the Willbutts Lane Stand). Three are fully seated; the Sandy Lane End is a small standing terrace behind one of the goals.

The Main Stand features a statue of a long-standing Rochdale fan, David Clough, situated where he watched matches as a season-ticket holder. He had helped the club raise funds and left £250,000 to the club in his will when he died in 2020. The statue was unveiled in September 2021.[38]

Rivalries

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Rochdale have a number of rivalries with both local and non-local clubs. The club's main rivals areBury.[39]Bury, after Oldham, were the closestFootball Leagueclub to Rochdale, and the fixture was also known as theSouth LancashireDerby. However, Bury's expulsion from the Football League during the 2019–20 season means that any meetings between the clubs are unlikely in the near future. Rochdale's other significant rivalries have been withOldham Athletic,Halifax TownandBurnley.

Rochdale also have lesser rivalries withStockport County,Wigan Athletic,Bolton Wanderers,Accrington StanleyandBradford City

Players

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Current squad

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As of 9 July 2024[40][41]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
2 DF EnglandENG Kyron Gordon
4 MF EnglandENG Ryan East
6 DF EnglandENG Ethan Ebanks-Landell(captain)
9 FW GrenadaGRN Kairo Mitchell
10 FW EnglandENG Devante Rodney
12 GK EnglandENG Bradley Kelly
20 MF EnglandENG Harvey Gilmour
24 DF ScotlandSCO Kyle Ferguson
27 MF Northern IrelandNIR Oscar Kelly
No. Pos. Nation Player
40 FW EnglandENG Ian Henderson
- DF EnglandENG Tobi Adebayo-Rowling
- DF EnglandENG Finlay Armstrong
- DF EnglandENG Sam Beckwith
- MF TanzaniaTAN Tarryn Allarakhia
- MF EnglandENG Aidan Barlow
- MF EnglandENG Aaron Henry(on loan fromCharlton Athletic)
- FW ScotlandSCO Connor McBride
- GK Republic of IrelandIRL Luke McNicholas(on loan fromWrexham)

Out on loan

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Note: Flags indicate national team as defined underFIFA eligibility rules.Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player

Former players

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Club officials

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As of 12 March 2021[42]
Board of directors
Position Name
Chairman Simon Gauge
COO George Delves
Director Andrew Kelly
Director Tony Pockney
Director Richard Knight
Non-Executive Director John Smallwood
Executive Director
Life Vice Presidents James Marsh, Rod Brierley, David Kilpatrick, Graham Morris, Mrs Norma Jenkins, Trevor Butterworth

Coaching and medical staff

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As of 8 April 2023[43][44]
Position Name
Manager Jimmy McNulty
Assistant Manager Kevin Gibbins
First Team Coach Phil Jevons
Goalkeeping Coach Kris Dixon
Head of Football Science and Performance Kevin Gibbins
Academy Team Manager Mark Litherland
Physio Cameron Lukash
Performance Analyst Ben Ekins

Honours

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League

Cup

Club records

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See also

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References

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  1. ^"Time to escape the 'Rochdale Division'".Rochdale Observer.5 August 2005. Archived fromthe originalon 21 May 2008.
  2. ^abcd"Club History – 'Did you know?' sub-section".Rochdale AFC. 13 August 2009. Archived fromthe originalon 27 July 2010.Retrieved13 April2010.
  3. ^Peter Whyke (21 February 2013)."'There are still people coming to our house for autographs 50 years on'".The Guardian.Retrieved27 March2021.
  4. ^"Parkin takes the reins at Barnsley".The Daily Telegraph.9 November 2001.Archivedfrom the original on 12 January 2022.
  5. ^"What is Rochdale's playoff record in the English football league?".England football league play-offs.Answers to Questions and Information.Retrieved12 March2012.
  6. ^"Club Statement".Rochdale AFC. 21 January 2013.Retrieved21 January2013.
  7. ^"Keith Hill: Rochdale return for former Barnsley manager".BBC Sport. 22 January 2013.Retrieved6 January2015.
  8. ^"Rochdale secured promotion to League One with victory over Cheltenham".BBC. 26 April 2014.Retrieved26 April2014.
  9. ^Jonathan Jurejko (4 January 2014)."Rochdale 2–0 Leeds United".BBC Sport.Retrieved27 March2021.
  10. ^Gary Rose (26 January 2015)."Rochdale 1–4 Stoke City".BBC Sport.Retrieved27 March2021.
  11. ^"League One table 2015/16 - Sky Sports".SkySports.Retrieved21 March2020.
  12. ^"League One table 2016/17 - Sky Sports".SkySports.Retrieved21 March2020.
  13. ^"League One table 2017/18 - Sky Sports".SkySports.Retrieved21 March2020.
  14. ^"Rochdale 2–2 Tottenham".BBC Sport. 18 February 2018.Retrieved12 March2021.
  15. ^"Tottenham 6-1 Rochdale".BBC Sport. 28 February 2018.
  16. ^"Rochdale: Keith Hill sacked as manager by League One club".BBC Sport.4 March 2019.Retrieved21 March2020.
  17. ^"Brian Barry-Murphy: Rochdale appoint caretaker manager as permanent Boss".BBC Sport. 3 April 2019.Retrieved12 March2021.
  18. ^"League One table 2018/19 - Sky Sports".SkySports.Retrieved21 March2020.
  19. ^"Man Utd 1–1 Rochdale (5–3 on pens): United survive scare".BBC Sport. 25 September 2019.Retrieved12 March2021.
  20. ^"Rochdale 1–1 Newcastle".BBC Sport. 4 January 2020.Retrieved12 March2021.
  21. ^"Newcastle 4–1 Rochdale".BBC Sport. 14 January 2020.Retrieved12 March2021.
  22. ^"Robbie Stockdale: Rochdale sack manager after starting with four league defeats".BBC Sport.18 August 2022.Retrieved18 October2022.
  23. ^"Jim Bentley: Rochdale appoint former Morecambe Boss as manager".BBC Sport.29 August 2022.Retrieved18 October2022.
  24. ^"Rochdale: Morton House MGT settle legal case over ownership of League Two club".BBC Sport.26 August 2022.Retrieved18 October2022.
  25. ^"Rochdale FC: Club given suspended six-point deduction".BBC Sport.17 October 2022.Retrieved18 October2022.
  26. ^"Rochdale 1–0 Salford City – BBC Sport".BBC Sport. 8 November 2022.Retrieved15 November2022.
  27. ^"Ian Henderson Becomes All-Time Record Goalscorer".rochdaleafc.co.uk.9 November 2022.Retrieved15 November2022.
  28. ^"Jim Bentley: Rochdale manager sacked with club bottom of League Two".BBC Sport.27 March 2023.Retrieved28 March2023.
  29. ^"Rochdale have appointed interim Boss Jim McNulty as their new head coach on a two-year contract following their relegation from League Two".BBC Sport.12 May 2023.Retrieved12 May2023.
  30. ^"Rochdale relegated from Football League".BBC Sport.Retrieved22 April2023.
  31. ^"Rochdale: Shareholders agree to issues millions of new shares to help potential takeover bids".BBC Sport.8 March 2024.Retrieved11 March2024.
  32. ^"Club Statement".rochdaleafc.co.uk.9 May 2024.Retrieved9 May2024.
  33. ^"Errea Revealed As New Kit Supplier".Rochdale A.F.C.25 April 2015.
  34. ^"O'Neills Announced As New Kit Supplier".Rochdale A.F.C.8 February 2023.
  35. ^"Rochdale rename Spotland as part of new record-breaking sponsorship deal".Manchester Evening News.8 August 2016.Retrieved8 August2016.
  36. ^"Rugby League World Cup 2013: Fiji 32–14 Ireland".BBC Sport. 28 October 2013.Retrieved2 March2014.
  37. ^"Crown Oil Sign Record Breaking Five-Year Agreement with Rochdale AFC".
  38. ^"Rochdale fans raise £10k for statue tribute to superfan".BBC News.20 September 2021.Retrieved21 September2021.
  39. ^Patrick Goss."Football Rivals: The Census".Sky Sports.Retrieved18 June2023.
  40. ^"Profiles".Rochdale A.F.C.Retrieved3 July2014.
  41. ^"England - Rochdale AFC - Results, fixtures, squad, statistics, photos, videos and news - Soccerway".uk.soccerway.Retrieved18 March2020.
  42. ^"Who's Who".Rochdale A.F.C. Official Site.Retrieved12 March2021.
  43. ^"First Team Staff".Rochdale AFC.Retrieved8 April2023.
  44. ^"Youth Team Staff".Rochdale AFC.Retrieved8 April2023.
  45. ^"Lincoln City – Paul Connor to Prove a Point".Vital Football. Archived fromthe originalon 2 November 2014.Retrieved30 September2010.
  46. ^"Luke Matheson joins Wolves from Rochdale in deal worth £1m".BBC Sport. 31 January 2020.Retrieved12 March2021.
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