Rochdale
Full name	Rochdale Association Football Club
Nickname(s)	The Dale
Founded	1907
Ground	Spotland Stadium Rochdale England (Capacity: 10,249)
Chairman	Chris Dunphy
Manager	Keith Hill
League	League Two
2007–08	League Two, 5th
Home colours Away colours

Rochdale Association Football Club is a English professional football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. They play their home matches at Spotland Stadium and are currently managed by Keith Hill. They have an average attendance of 3,231. Image File history File links Rochdale_badge. ... Football club names are a part of the sports culture, reflecting century-old traditions. ... The following are the football (soccer) events of the year 1907 throughout the world. ... This article is about the building type. ... Spotland Stadium Spotland Stadium (or simply Spotland) is a sports venue located in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. ... For other uses, see Rochdale (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... Rungnado May Day Stadium is the worlds largest football stadium. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Chris Dunphy is the chairman of Rochdale AFC football Club. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... Keith Hill (born Bolton, May 17, 1969) is an English former footballer, currently manager of Rochdale A.F.C. As a player, Hill was a central defender, beginning his career with Blackburn Rovers, moving on to Plymouth Argyle in 1992 in a joint deal with Craig Skinner. ... Football League Two (often referred to as League Two for short or Coca-Cola Football League 2 for sponsorship reasons) is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system. ... The 2007–08 season is the 128th season of competitive football in England. ... Image File history File links Kit_left_arm_black_stripes. ... Image File history File links Kit_right_arm_black_stripes. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... It has been suggested that replica shirt be merged into this article or section. ... Image File history File links left arm of kit template File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... body of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... rightarm of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... It has been suggested that replica shirt be merged into this article or section. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... “Soccer” redirects here. ... For other uses, see Rochdale (disambiguation). ... Greater Manchester is a metropolitan county in North West England which has a population of 2. ... Spotland Stadium Spotland Stadium (or simply Spotland) is a sports venue located in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. ... Keith Hill (born Bolton, May 17, 1969) is an English former footballer, currently manager of Rochdale A.F.C. As a player, Hill was a central defender, beginning his career with Blackburn Rovers, moving on to Plymouth Argyle in 1992 in a joint deal with Craig Skinner. ...

History

Rochdale AFC was formed in 1907 and accepted into the Manchester League that year before joining the Lancashire Combination in 1908. After winning the League in 1911 Rochdale unsuccessfully applied to join the Football League, proposing the creation of a new Third Division. After the First World War the Football League was expanded and the club, again, unsuccessfully applied to join. Finally, in 1921, Rochdale were recommended to be included in the new Third Division North, and played their first League game at home against Accrington Stanley on August 27, 1921, winning 6-3. However, this first season ended with the club bottom of the League, having to reapply for membership. The following are the football (soccer) events of the year 1908 throughout the world. ... The following are the football (soccer) events of the year 1911 throughout the world. ... The Football League is an organisation representing 72 professional football clubs in England and Wales, and runs the oldest professional football league competition in the world. ... From the 1992-93 to the 2003-04 season, the Football League Third Division was the third-highest division of The Football League and the fourth-highest division in the overall English football league system. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ... The Third Division North of The Football League was a level in English association football, which ran parallel to Third Division South from 1921 to 1958. ... Accrington Stanley are a non-league football club from Accrington in Lancashire, in the north-west of England. ... is the 239th day of the year (240th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... The following are the football (soccer) events of the year 1921 throughout the world. ...

Recent History

The club reached the League Cup final in 1962 - the only time a club from the bottom league division has reached the final of a major competition - where they lost to Norwich City. In terms of the league, they have played in the Football League's bottom division since 1974, the longest time any team has been in the bottom division of the League, with some even derisively renaming it "the Rochdale Division".^[1] The Carling Cup Trophy The Football League Cup, commonly known as the League Cup, is an English football competition. ... Norwich City Football Club (also known as The Canaries) is an English professional football club based in Norwich, Norfolk. ... The Football League is a league competition featuring professional football clubs from England and Wales. ...

The club finished bottom of the league in 1977-78, but were successful in their bid for re-election. Instead, Southport, who had finished one place above Rochdale, were demoted instead, replaced by Wigan Athletic. Rochdale finished bottom for a second time in 1979-80, but were again re-elected. In 1989-90 the club reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time, but lost 1-0 to Crystal Palace. Southport Football Club are an English football club, based in Southport, Merseyside. ... Wigan Athletic Football Club is a professional football team based in Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. ... This article is about the English FA Cup. ... Crystal Palace Football Club is an English professional football team based in the London Borough of Croydon. ...

Steve Parkin was appointed as manager in 1998, but left to take over at Barnsley in November 2001. John Hollins was appointed as his successor and, after more than two decades of mediocrity, in which the club finished in the top 10 only three times, the club finished the season in fifth place, entering the promotion play-offs where they lost to Rushden & Diamonds in the semi-finals. The following season the club reached the fifth round of the FA Cup again the following season, but lost 3-1 at Wolves. Hollins was replaced by Paul Simpson in 2002, and Alan Buckley appointed and sacked as manager in 2003. Parkin then returned to the club as manager, until being sacked in December 2006. His replacement, Keith Hill, who was initially appointed as caretaker-manager, led Rochdale to a 5th-placed finish in 2007-08, securing a play-off place. After beating Darlington 5-4 on penalties in the semi-finals, Rochdale reached Wembley for the first time in their history. However, despite taking the lead in the match, they lost the final 3-2 to Stockport County. Steve Parkin Born 7 November 1965 is a football (soccer) manager currently in charge of Rochdale A.F.C. Parkin started his managerial career at Mansfield Town at the start of the 96/97 season after Andy King was sacked. ... Barnsley Football Club are an English football league team, based in the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire and nicknamed the Tykes (a Tyke is a traditional Yorkshire character rugged, hardworking and with great pride in their roots). ... John William Hollins MBE (born July 16, 1946) is an English former football player and coach. ... Rushden & Diamonds F.C. is a professional football club based in Irthlingborough, England. ... Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club are an English professional football club based in Wolverhampton, West Midlands. ... Paul Simpson is a musician, vocalist, lyricist and writer from Liverpool, England. ... Alan Buckley (born 20 April 1951 in Mansfield, England) is an English football manager for League Two side Grimsby Town and was a former footballer. ... Keith Hill (born Bolton, May 17, 1969) is an English former footballer, currently manager of Rochdale A.F.C. As a player, Hill was a central defender, beginning his career with Blackburn Rovers, moving on to Plymouth Argyle in 1992 in a joint deal with Craig Skinner. ... Darlington Football Club (also known as Darlo or The Quakers) are an English football team based in the English town of Darlington, currently playing in Football League Two. ... For the old stadium, see Wembley Stadium (1923). ... Stockport County Football Club is an English football club based in Stockport, England. ...

Colours and badge

Rochdale home colours, used until the 2006/07 season.

Rochdale's current home colours are black and blue shirts, white shorts and blue socks, which is a totally new kit introduced for the 08/09 season. Previously, Dale's usual colours were all-blue, which was introduced in 1949 - previous to this, Rochdale wore black and white stripes, which was influenced by the strong Newcastle United side of 1907 (the year Rochdale were formed). This black and white kit was re-introduced in the 07/08 season as the one-off centenary kit; the new Internazionale-influenced design is an amalgamation of both the striped kit and the blue kit to herald the second century of Dale's existence. Other kits have included white shirts with black shorts, white shirts with blue shorts and a blue shirt with white sleeves. Current Rochdale kits and training gear are manufactured by Nike. Image File history File links left arm of kit template File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... body of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... rightarm of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... Year 1949 (MCMXLIX) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... For the Australian soccer club see Newcastle United (Australia). ... Football Club Internazionale Milano (commonly, but incorrectly, known as Inter Milan) is an Italian football club, playing in the Serie A (first division). ... Nike, Inc. ...

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

The Dale have had sponsored shirts since 1983, the most notable sponsor being Carcraft. They are currently sponsored by MMC Estates, a housing company that currently is working in the Spodden Valley area. Other former sponsors include All-in-One Garden Centre, Smith Metals, Carcraft and Keytech. Image File history File links Kit_left_arm_black_stripes. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links Kit_right_arm_black_stripes. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... socks of kit template File links The following pages link to this file: Arsenal F.C. Ajax Amsterdam AZ Alkmaar A.S. Roma Torino Calcio A.C. Milan ACF Fiorentina Bristol City F.C. Charlton Athletic F.C. Chievo Verona Chelsea F.C. England national football team Wikipedia:WikiProject Football... For the Jimi Hendrix song, see 1983. ... Carcraft is an independent group of used car hypermarkets established in 1951 in Rochdale, Lancashire, England. ... The River Spodden is a watercourse in north west England. ...

Rochdale's away kit is white shirts with blue shorts. Other historical away kits have included yellow, teal, green and red.

Rochdale's badge is an adaptation of the old Rochdale town crest, featuring various industrial and heraldic imagery. The blue ring around the outside features the club's full name and also the nickname. Rochdale's motto is the Latin "Crede Signo", which roughly translated means "Believe in the Sign". For other uses, see Latins and Latin (disambiguation). ...

Stadium

Main article: Spotland Stadium

Rochdale play their home matches at Spotland, which has a capacity of 10,249. The stadium was built exclusively for the Dale in 1920, but since 1988 the ground has been jointly owned by the football club, Rochdale Council and Rochdale Hornets. However it is largely expected that Rochdale will buy Hornets' share of the ground. Spotland Stadium Spotland Stadium (or simply Spotland) is a sports venue located in Rochdale, Greater Manchester. ... Year 1920 (MCMXX) was a leap year starting on Thursday (link will display 1920) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Rochdale shown within England Sovereign state Constituent country Region North West England Ceremonial county Greater Manchester Admin HQ Rochdale (Town Hall) Founded 1 April 1974 Borough status Government  - Type Metropolitan borough  - Governing body Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council  - Mayor Cllr. ... Rochdale Hornets are a British Rugby League Football Club. ...

Current squad

As of 14 June 2008.

No. Position Player 1 GK James Spencer 2 DF Simon Ramsden 3 DF Tom Kennedy 4 DF Nathan Stanton 6 MF Ciaran Toner 7 MF Ben Muirhead 8 MF Gary Jones (c) 9 FW Chris Dagnall 10 FW Adam le Fondre 11 MF Adam Rundle

No. Position Player 12 DF Nathan D'Laryea 15 MF Joe Thompson 16 MF David Perkins 18 MF Kallum Higginbotham 19 FW Lee Thorpe 20 DF Raphale Evans 21 GK Sam Russell 23 DF Rory McArdle 30 FW Will Buckley 31 DF Marcus Holness

For notable past players, please see Rochdale A.F.C. players is the 165th day of the year (166th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... A football goalkeeper leaves the ground to parry a shot on goal In many team sports, a goalkeeper (termed goaltender, netminder, goalie, or keeper in some sports) is a designated player that is charged with directly preventing the opposite team from scoring by defending the goal. ... James Spencer (born April 11, 1985 in Stockport, Cheshire) is an English football player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Simon Ramsden (born December 17, 1981 in Bishop Auckland) is an English footballer playing for Football League Two side Rochdale. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Tom Kennedy signed for Rochdale in June having spent most of his career the Manchester based, Bury FC. The attacking left back was released by Bury manager Chris Casper after what can only be described as a conflict of personalities between Kennedy and Casper. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Image File history File links Ulster_banner. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Ciaran Toner (born June 30, 1981) is a Northern Irish football player, playing for Grimsby Town in the Football League Two. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Ben Muirhead is an English footballer who current plays for Bradford City of the English Football League One Ben Muirhead career stats at Soccerbase Category: ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Gary Roy Jones (born June 3, 1977 in Birkenhead, England) is an English footballer, currently playing for Rochdale. ... The team captain of a football team, sometimes known as the skipper, is a team member chosen to be the on-pitch leader of the team: it is often one of the older or more experienced members of the squad, or a player that can heavily influence a game. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... This article is about association football players. ... Chris Dagnall (born April 15, 1986) is an English footballer, currently playing for Rochdale. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... This article is about association football players. ... Adam le Fondre (born December 2, 1986 in Stockport, Cheshire), is an English football player. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Adam Rundle (born 8 July 1984 in Durham) is an English footballer who plays for Rochdale A.F.C. He is a left-sided midfielder who began his career in Newcastle Uniteds youth team, but was released in 2001 without being offered a professional contract. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Nathan DLaryea born 3 September 1985 in Manchester is a English professional footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester City. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Joseph Joe Thompson (born in Rochdale, England) is an English footballer, currently playing for Rochdale. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... David Perkins (born June 21, 1982 in Heysham, England) is an English footballer, currently playing for Rochdale. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... For the Australian Rules position, see Midfielder (Australian Rules). ... Kallum Higginbotham (born 15th June 1989 in Salford, England) is an English footballer who currently plays as striker for Rochdale. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... This article is about association football players. ... Lee Anthony Thorpe (born December 14, 1975 in Wolverhampton) is an English professional footballer, currently playing for Torquay United. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... A football goalkeeper leaves the ground to parry a shot on goal In many team sports, a goalkeeper (termed goaltender, netminder, goalie, or keeper in some sports) is a designated player that is charged with directly preventing the opposite team from scoring by defending the goal. ... Sam Russell was brought to the club by David Hodgson in the Summer of 2004. ... Image File history File links Ulster_banner. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ... Young Sheffield Wednesday defender recently loaned out to Rochdale. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... This article is about association football players. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_England. ... The Bolton players in white are defending - the nearest player is trying to prevent the Fulham forward in cyan from crossing the ball. ...

Player Records

• Most league goals in a season - 44 Albert Whitehurst (1926-27)
• Most league goals in total - 129 Reg Jenkins (1964-73)
• Most league appearances - 323 Gary Jones

Albert John Whitehurst (born June 22, 1898 in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, England; died 1976) was an English footballer who was a Centre Forward. ... Gary Jones is a English professional football player, who usually plays as a centre forward, but has played in an attacking midfield role and as a centre back. ...

Club Records

• Fewest league wins in a season - 2 1973–74
• Most Points gained in a season - 80 2007–08 Football League Two

The 1973-74 season the 94th season of competitive football in England. ... The 2007–08 season is the 128th season of competitive football in England. ... Football League Two (often referred to as League Two for short or Coca-Cola Football League 2 for sponsorship reasons) is the third-highest division of The Football League and fourth-highest division overall in the English football league system. ...

Youth Set-up

The center of excellence is a very well set-up system at rochdale, the U15's won there league and had the top goal scorer; Daniel Selvidge(51) who could be set to leave the club. Rochdale have seen many tallent leave in the last year, such as; Hallam Hope (U15) Jamie Patel (U12) James Heywood (U14) and Darius Mayson (U17). The U15 & U16 sides are now set to go on tour to ireland this summer where they will meet sides such as; Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Wigan, Bayern Munchen, Real Betis, Barcalonea, Zante FC, Inter Milan, Lazio, Bolton Wanderers, and that is just the seeded teams. Captains and Goal Scorers: U11 - Captain: Sean Clover, TGS: George James U12 - Captain: James Cambell, TGS: James Cambell U13 - Captain: Andrew Strasbourg, TGS: Daniel Condron U14 - Captain: James Heywood, TGS: James Heywood (Now at Wigan Fc) U15 - Captain: Daniel Selvidge, TGS: Daniel Selvidge U16 - Captain: Ross Ellison, TGS: Michael Ellison (Siblings)

References

External links

• Rochdale A.F.C. on BBC Sport: Club News - Recent results - Upcoming fixtures - Club stats
• Official Site
• Rochdaleafc.com unofficial site and message board
• Rochdale at Historicalkits.co.uk
• There's Always Next Year