Dale go to deepest, darkest Essex this weekend, trying to overcome one of our most miserable runs by taking on Southend United.

You have to go back to 1985 to find the last time that Dale came away from Southend victorious. On a Friday night in May, Vic Halom's side had a rich run of form (by their standards) and pulled off a win thanks to goals from Phil Dwyer and Steve Taylor.

The full Dale team that night was Dave Redfern, Peter Robinson, Dave Grant, Ian McMahon, Joe Cooke, Phil Dwyer, Dave Thompson, Barry Diamond, Steve Taylor, Les Chapman, Paul Heaton.

Since then, it's just been one long string of depressing results. The closest to a win came when we found ourselves 3-0 up at half time after three goals in seven minutes, only to blow it in the second half. Dale boss Keith Hill was in the Dale side that day.

Our last eight visits since that 3-3 have seen a return of two draws and six defeats, with just four goals to our credit. But if you want positives, we are at least on an unbeaten run of one game down there.

Given that victory was a Friday night, there wouldn't have been many Dale supporters in attendance at Roots Hall. Were you there?

Photo: Action Images

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