Huish Hugh Ciderspace Away Travel Guides » Rochdale AFC

Club Background

Rochdale AFC was formed in 1907. The club spent the early years of its life playing in various local leagues before becoming founder members of the Third Division (North) in 1921. In a taste of things to come the club finished bottom of the league in their inaugural season and a couple of years later, in 1924, Rochdale were actually expelled for a brief period after a misunderstanding concerning payments to players, before eventually being reinstated in time for the following season.

Well, we can’t all be Manchester United or Arsenal, and Rochdale are certainly not either of those clubs. They’ve spent most of their existence at the very bottom of the League structure, whether that was in the old Third Division (North), the Fourth Division after restructuring, or the Third Division again after the next bout of restructuring, or League Two………hope you’re keeping up. They survived a number of flirtations with re-election. The closest call was in 1980 when only a single vote (26 to 25) kept them in the Football League at the expense of Altrincham. It later emerged that two clubs who had pledged their support to Alty had failed to vote. The Grimsby Town delegate was in the wrong room, and the Luton Town representative got the meeting time incorrect and turned up late.

Until 2010, Dale had only ever been promoted once, in 1968-69, when they finished third in the Fourth Division. They lasted five seasons in the Third division (the equivalent of today’s League One) before being relegated back to the basement. Their record isn’t much better in the FA Cup, the 5th round being the furthest the club have ever gone, once in 1990 and again the season before last, when they lost 3-1 at Wolves. In short statistically (and yes we all know about lies, damned lies and…….) they are the least achieving club in the Football League.

Rochdale did reach the Division Three play-offs in 2001-02 and had high hopes of building on that improvement under Paul Simpson. However a season that began well tailed off into lower-mid-table mediocrity and Simpson paid the price with his job at the end of it. Former Grimsby boss Alan Buckley was appointed as manager. He only lasted until December when sacked encouraged to depart by ‘mutual consent’. The new man at the helm was Steve Parkin, with the brief to keep them up after eight losses from ten in the fag-end days of Buckley. In fact not that new as it is his second spell at Rochdale, his first from 1999-2001 ending when he was lured away from Spotland by Barnsley. That he achieved, with Dale finishing in 21st.

Parkin lasted a fairly respectable three years in the job before disappearing in December 2006. Rochdale chose to appoint from within for his successor. Their Director of Youth, Keith Hill, who was a long serving player between 1996 and 2001 at Spotland, was offered the main job. His impact was impressive, taking them to the League Two play-off final in his first full season, then the play-off semi-finals in his second season. He got it right on the third attempt, taking them up automatically at the end of the 2009-10 season and giving Dale fans a nosebleed by sending them to third tier football for the first time in 1974. They were tipped to fail; instead they were the season’s surprise package, finishing 9th at the end of the 2010-11 season.

The snag was that got Hill noticed a little bit too much. Championship side Barnsley came calling, and Dale lost him on June 1st 2011. Replacing him was Manchester City Youth Team Coach Steve Eyre, in his first ever ‘front line’ management position. It didn’t go too well and he lasted half a season, followed by Chris Beech. They were to end the 2011-12 season 24th in the table, and back down into League Two. During 2012, Accrington legend John Coleman managed them for a year, but in January 2013 the prodigal son returned, as Keith Hill left Barnsley, and eighteen months later, lightning struck twice, as he gained them promotion from League Two again, giving them League One football for the 2014-15 season.

Indeed 2014-15 was the club’s most successful yet as they missed out on the play-offs by six points, finishing eighth and reaching the FA Cup’s fourth round. Having come eighth that year, they finished one place lower in 2016-17, but only just missed relegation the season after whilst enjoying a run to the fifth round of the Cup where they held Tottenham Hotspur to a 2-2 draw at Spotland before losing 6-1 in the replay at Wembley Stadium. The 2018-19 season proved to be Hill’s last as he was sacked after six years with Dale in 22nd place, he was replaced by former midfielder Brian Barry-Murphy who led them to 16th place and safety.

The cup competitions proved to be light relief to battling at the foot of League Two with a 1-1 draw followed by a penalty shoot-out defeat at Manchester United in the EFL Cup and a third round home tie against Newcastle United in the FA Cup, followed by a defeat in the replay. The COVID-19 pandemic called an end to the 2019-20 season with Rochdale finishing 18th on a points per game basis. The 2020-21 season saw Rochdale relegated from League One and Barry-Murphy fell on his sword to be replaced by Robbie Stockdale in the summer of 2021, he lasted a season with captain Jim McNulty taking temporary charge before Jim Bentley was appointed in the summer of 2022.

In October 2022, the club were given a six-point deduction, suspended for two years, for failing to comply with EFL regulations over an attempted take over in the summer of 2021. To be honest, there was not a lot to cheer about for Dale fans and Bentley was given the sack in March 2023 with the club ten points from safety at the bottom of League Two with eight games remaining. McNulty was given the job on a temporary basis, but failed to save them from the drop in to non-League football after 102 years.

It didn’t get much better with financial issues overshadowing their first season in the National League with chairman Simon Gauge warning they faced liquidation if no investment was found. It had looked like American group World Soccer Holdings were going to do the deal, but in the end local businessman Peter Ogden completed a deal at the end of the 2023-24 season with the club finishing 11th in their first season as a non-League club.

Rochdale may not have pulled up many trees on the pitch over the years, but off the pitch they have a reputation for giving away fans a warm and friendly welcome. Not that they will care, but Spotland will always hold a place in the hearts of Yeovil fans – the site of our first ever game in the Football League after a mere 108 year wait, and a victory to boot.

We’ve Met Before

Previous Results for Yeovil Town First Team vs

Results Summary For Yeovil Town First Team vs Rochdale

Club Statistics

RECENT RESULTS

LEAGUE ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 2926 – vs FC Halifax Town – 22/10/24
Lowest League Attendance:  1705 – vs Tamworth – 17/12/24
Average League Attendance: 2,465

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Club Information

Address :

Rochdale Football Club,
The Crown Oil Arena,
Sandy Lane,
Rochdale,
Lancashire
OL11 5DR
(Click for map)

Telephone Number : 01706 644648
Email: office@rochdaleafc.co.uk

Co-chairman : Simon Gauge, Cameron Ogden
Chief Operating Officer: George Delves
Ticket Office Manager: Jan Marsh
Head of Safeguarding: Nicola Toolan
Media Manager: Greg Jones
Head Coach: Jimmy McNulty

Capacity : 10,249 (all seater)
Surface: Grass
Record Attendance : 24,231 (v Notts County 10th Dec 1949)

Nickname : The Dale
Colours : Shirt – blue and black with white trim; shorts – black with blue trim; socks – blue.
Programme: £3.00

Ticketing

Tickets are now on sale for our trip to Greater Manchester on Saturday 25th January. You can buy them by clicking – HERE. Visiting supporters are housed in Block U of the  Pearl Street Stand which is behind one of the goals at Spotland.

Prices :

Adult: £22
Senior (65 years and over): £17
Young Person (Under-22 years): £10
Junior (Under-14 years): £5

Disabled Supporters

The club offers a concessionary price in designated areas of the ground specifically reserved for wheelchair-using supporters. They are charged at the appropriate rate for their age with their carers being free of charge (Tickets must be obtained from the ticket office).

Ambulant Disabled are also charged the appropriate rate for their age for their ticket however, should they need a full time carer to accompany them, the carer is admitted free of charge (Tickets must be obtained from the ticket office).

Click HERE for ticket information. 

The club has 33 positions for wheelchair supporters with adjoining seats for their Personal Assistants (carers), if required. These are situated in Willbutts Lane Stand (16) for away supporters. Main Stand (8) and Smith Metals Family Stand (Pearl Street Stand) (9) for home supporters.

Car parking for disabled supporters

Rochdale AFC have two disabled parking bays reserved for away supporters, who can book the spaces by contacting Jan Marsh at least 24 hours prior to the game on 01706644648 or by emailing Jan@rochdaleafc.co.uk. Cost of £5 to be pre-paid in advance of the match.

Official Away Travel

The Green & White Supporters’ Club is running away travel to Rochdale on Saturday 25th January, 3p.m. kick-off.

Details are as follows:

Members: Adult £40; Concession £38
Non-Members: Adult £43; Concession £41
Coach departs Huish Park: 7.15am

To book, call Paul Hadlow on 07736 044570 (after 6.00 p.m. please).

If you are getting in touch by email, please make it clear which match you are booking for and that you give your full name, the names of people that are travelling and a contact telephone number.

You may be asked to pay a £5 deposit to reserve your seat.

Directions To The Ground

General

Spotland – or the Crown Oil Arena if you must – is located to the west of Rochdale town centre in a reasonably flanked by a major park (Denehurst Park) and the town cemetery. The area immediately around the stadium is fairly green and leafy, not a huge amount going on there, and need to give yourself at least 20 minutes (probably more like half-an-hour) to walk to the town centre.

By Road

From north, south, east and west:
Approach Rochdale via the M62. Exit the motorway at Junction 20 and follow the signs for Rochdale A627(M). Bear left at the first roundabout you come to on the A627(M), passing B & Q on your right. You will quickly approach another roundabout at which point you will pick up signs for ‘Spotland Stadium’. Alternatively, carry straight on across this roundabout (2nd exit) and follow the road for approximately 2 miles: Spotland will be visible on the right hand side.

Parking

By Rail

If you’re on the train and travelling from Yeovil, it seems like a fool’s errand if you want to make it back the same day. The best case scenario is at least a five-and-a-half hour journey starting at Yeovil Pen Mill (Great Western Railways) to Bristol Temple Meads and then from there to Manchester Piccadilly (Cross Country), then it is a walk across to  the city centre to Manchester Victoria, probably a 20/25-minute walk, and take the Northern service to Rochdale. If you got the 08:23 departure from Pen Mill, you could feasibly be in Rochdale for 13:51 – it’s a three-mile walk from the station to Spotland which will probably set you back under a tenner. It is possible to do it from Yeovil Junction, but that involves more changes (Yeovil Junction-London Waterloo-London Euston-Manchester Piccadilly-Manchester Victoria-Rochdale). It’ll cost you more money, take longer and mean you would need the 06:20 out of Yeovil to get there for kick-off, so probably forget it. On the return leg, the latest train that would get you back to Pen Mill on the same day goes at 16:32 (that’s before the match finishes, by the way) and gets you in with an additional change at Birmingham New Street at 22:15 at Pen Mill. There’s a 17:21 which would get you to Yeovil Junction via Birmingham New Street and Exeter St David’s by 00:05 the following day. Told you it was a stupid idea!

By Bus

The Transport for Greater Manchester website offers a very handy guide for your journey to and from Spotland, but if you can get yourself to the main Rochdale Interchange your best bet is the Number 468 service which stops outside Spotland – nine stops in total.

By Taxi
Uber is available in Greater Manchester and selection of taxi companies in Rochdale can be found – here.

Web Resources

Web Sites

Rochdale AFC – official site
Dale Trust – supporters trust site
The Rochdale Forum – a relatively well used online message board

Social Media

@OfficiallyDale – official X/Twitter
Rochdale AFC – official Facebook page
@OfficiallyDale – official Instagram

@DaleTrust – supporters’ trust X/Twitter
Rochdale Supporters Trust – supporters’ trust Facebook

@RochdaleFan – as the handle suggests, a fan page on X/Twitter

Local Press

Manchester Evening News – Rochdale FC page
Rochdale Online – can’t actually see any sports news on it

Food & Drink

General

It may have been a while since we last visited Spotland, but always found them welcoming folk and the supporters’ trust has a handy guide for away supporters – here – which suggests they good folk. There’s a club bar and a couple of pubs within a short walking distance of the ground, but if you’re after a session your best bet would be to head for the town centre and 

Club Bar

The Dale Bar/Ratcliffe Suite is accessible from the Sandy Lane end of the ground and aimed at providing somewhere for away supporters. The supporters’ trust describe it as “massive”, so we are assuming it is pretty big. There’s Sky Sports in there, but no food. Regular beers: JW Lees Bitter.  Opening times: Mon–Sat 11:30-23:00; Sun 11:00-23:00.
Address: Dale Bar, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, OL11 5DR.

Local Pubs :

Cemetery Hotel: Don’t be put off by the name, it has a pretty lively atmosphere – fortunately not quite enough to wake the dead – and is probably a ten minute walk from the ground. The Cemetery is recognised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) as having a nationally important historic pub interior for its Edwardian decor. There are three separate rooms off a main bar area. The front left room has impressive tiles and splendid mahogany seating areas. This is a popular place on match days with one room displaying club memorabilia. Six Real Ales are available on Handpump with 1 cider. Regular beers: Timothy Taylor Landlord + Guest Ales. Opening times: Mon–Thu 16:00-23:00;

Fri 12:00-01:00 next day; Sat 10:00-01:00 next day; Sun 10:00-22:30.
Address: Cemetery Hotel, 470 Bury Road, Rochdale, OL11 5EU. Telephone: 01706 645635.

Twisted Mule Brewery & Taphouse:  Under a ten-minute walk from the stadium, situated at the junction of Mellor Street and Edenfield Road, this new brewery and taphouse is on the ground floor of a very tastefully restored old cotton mill. Inside the stripped back brick walls and Cast Iron roof columns give a taste of its former use. An eclectic mix of antique chairs and tables fits very well in with nature of the building. There is a long bar against the back wall sports four handpumps and 10 keg lines. (includes one craft keg cider) Cask beers are going to be in house mainly (From around September 2024 onwards when the brewery starts production) and guests from other local Micros – the accent is firmly on local beers. Pizza coming soon. Opening times: Mon closed; Tue 16:00-22:00; Wed 12:00-22:00; Thu 16:00-22:00; Fri and Sat 12:00-23:30; Sun 13:00-20:00
Address: Twisted Mule Brewery & Taphouse, Spotland Bridge Mill, Mellor St, Rochdale, OL11 5BU Telephone: 07870 155951

Albion: A bit of a trek from the stadium (minimum 30-minute walk) and a food-orientated pub with an extensive menu. Regular beers: JW Lees Bitter, JW Lees Manchester Pale Ale, Wainwright Gold. Opening times: Mon 12:00-23:00; Tue–Sun 12:00-00:00. 
Address: Albion, 600 Whitworth Road, Rochdale, OL12 0SW. Telephone: 01706 550608.

The Healey: Another one which is a hike from the ground, but has always been an excellent pub which has featured in the Good Beer Guide for 36 of the last 40 years. It continues its long tradition of selling beautifully kept beers. There are three Robinsons cask beers on sale. The Westons cider on sale on hand pump is no longer considered to be a real cider. The indoor dining areas are complimented by a decked and covered area for Alfresco Dining. The Beer Garden has a covered smoking area, plus a petanque piste to the rear. Excellent food is served until 9pm Mon-Sat and until 6pm Sundays. Children are welcome when food is being served. Regular beers: Robinsons Tied House – up to 3 Cask. Opening times: Sun-Thurs 11:30-22:00; Fri-Sat 11:30-23:00.
Address: The Healey, 172 Shawclough Road, Rochdale, OL12 6LW. 01706 645453.

Town Centre

Our Gracie’s: Micropub named after Gracie Fields that opened on 1st December 2023 in the heart of Rochdale town centre. Offering an impressive 5 cask ale hand pumps many of which are regularly LocAle ales, 8 keg beer taps featuring local breweries, Six draught real ciders (or perries) on sale from the cool fridge next to the bar. Plus a great selection of premium spirits. CAMRA discount for all members on Real Ale and Real Cider and Perry just show your current membership card at the bar. Regular beers: Eagles Crag Pale Eagle, Phoenix Arizona, Wakey Wakey Bright & Early, Whitworth –seasonal. Opening times: Mon–Sun 13:00-23:00.
Address: Our Gracie’s, 13 The Butts, Rochdale, OL16 1ES. Telephone: 01706 334454.

Lucky Duck: Microbar with small upstairs seating area. Toilets are upstairs. Pool table upstairs. The quirkiest pub in Rochdale with the quirkiest barman in Rochdale. Duck friendly. Regular beers: Cask regular Ales from Phoenix & Rossendale. Opening times: Mon–Sun 13:00-23:00. 
Address: Lucky Duck, 1 The Butts, Rochdale, OL16 1ES. Telephone: 07498 213436.

The Baum: A former CAMRA national pub of the year, the Baum has never let the mantle slip and has been a regular winner of the branch pub of the year. It is situated just off St Marys Gate and a 10 minute easy walk from the tram / bus station. Inside the pub is laid out in a way that is quite intimate, with bare wood floors and a traditional feel to it. There is a conservatory area at the back, with a walled beer garden and smoking area. Beer wise there is an ever-changing menu of seven real ales, all immaculately kept and served by knowledgeable and friendly bar staff. Real ciders may be on hand pull. Fair selection of world bottled beer and draught continental lagers. Food is served daily and is excellent quality at a reasonable price. The pub is in the heritage area of Rochdale and next door to the Rochdale Pioneers museum, well worth a visit in its own respect. Opening times: Mon–Sat 12:00-23:00; Sun 12:00-22:00.
Address: The Baum, 35 Toad Lane, Rochdale, OL12 0NU. Telephone: 01706 352186. Email: info@thebaum.co.uk.

Pint Pot: Cosy ground floor micropub on the street between the two main shopping areas. Four hand pumps serve a changing selection of beers predominantly from micro breweries across the country, with usually a dark beer on. Friendly bar staff who are very knowledgeable about real ale, a temperature controlled cellar keeps the beer at its optimum. No food although some delicious home made sausage rolls are usually on offer. Opening times: Mon and Tue closed; Wed and Thu 12:00-22:00; Fri and Sat 12:00-24:00; Sun 14:00-22:00.
Address: Pint Pot, 8a Baillie St, Rochdale, OL16 1JG. Telephone: 07870 155951.

Regal Moon (Wetherspoons): Historic interest. Pub is a former cinema in the Art Deco style. Other historic sites close by. As a Wetherspoon’s pub there is the usual wide range of Real ales of all types plus keg and bottled beers. Cask ale available from up to 18 hand-pulls. The Westons, Gwynt Y Ddraig and Thistly Cross ciders on sale on gravity from the fridges are no longer considered to be real ciders following the revised definition of real cider in July 2021.The Wetherspoon menu plus Pizzas offers good food at very reasonable prices. Quiet in the sense of no loud television but can be noisy as it is very well patronised for most of every day. Single space venue of large proportions. Refurbished after the 2015 Boxing Day flood. Thankfully the mannequin organist still remains on his perch above the bar. Breakfast 8am -12 noon Full menu 8am -11pm. Regular beers: Greene King Abbot, Moorhouse’s Blonde Witch, Ossett Silver King, Ruddles Best Bitter. Opening times: Mon–Thu 08:00-24:00; Fri and Sat 08:00-01:00 next day; Sun 08:00-00:00.
Address: Regal Moon, The Butts, Rochdale, OL16 1HB. Telephone: 01706 657434. Email: p182@jdwetherspoon.co.uk 

Flying Horse Hotel: First built in 1691 and re-built in 1926 this is an impressive Edwardian stone built free house, situated in the Town Hall Square, with many original architectural features remaining. Twelve cask ales are usually available on hand pump. The use of the word ‘traditional’ under the heading ‘Cask Ciders’ on the ‘Untappd’ display board behind the bar may be confusing. Live sporting events are shown on TV and live music plays Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The hotel features log fires and provides accommodation. The menu features meat from the local butcher and pies made on the premises. A function room is available for hire and there is a heated smokers’ area outside. Ben, Sarah and Lucy and their friendly staff wait to give you a warm welcome. Greater Manchester Pub Of The Year in 2018 & 2019. Opening times: Mon–Thu 11:30-23:00; Fri 11:30-01:00 next day; Sat 10:00-01:00 next day; Sun 10:00-22:00.
Address: Flying Horse Hotel, 37 Packer Street, Rochdale, OL16 1NJ. Telephone: 01706 801776. Email:  enquiries@theflyinghorsehotel.co.uk 

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You: Low, we’re deep in Coronation Street territory here. You’ll be able to understand them, but vice-versa? Forget it…..

Top-Tip: Stay overnight – in nearby Manchester for a banging night out. Mad for it!

Local Amenities: Greater Manchester as a whole is well-served by public transport and The Bee Network, which covers the area’s tram and bus network, does a pretty good job of getting people around. The old fire station has been converted in to a museum – they like museums here.

Other Points Of Interest: Rochdale has been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently, but it is the birthplace of the co-operative movement. Back in 1844, the Rochdale Pioneers opened a shop selling food at fair prices and with honest weights and measures with the town’s community, largely mill weavers, facing poor working conditions and low wages. There’s a museum to the work of The Pioneers in the town centre – see here if you’re interested.

[No responsibility is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice. ]