A new book is being released to celebrate Dale's promotion to League One from everyone's favourite Dale author Mark Hodkinson.

"The Sun Also Rises (and other Football Stories)" will be released in August to mark Dale's achievement in leaving the basement division after what felt like a million years in trying.

Mark's previous books on Dale such as "Life Sentence" and "Believe in the Sign" have proved to be very popular in recent years, and this book is believed to be the only one to have documented last year's historic season.

There's more than just Dale in the book with a collection of Mark's other writings based on all matters of football which will interest all.

The book can be ordered from the Pomona website by clicking here.

The full press release states:

At last, it’s up the Dale. After a record 36 years in the basement division of the Football League, Rochdale AFC finally won promotion in the 2009/10 season. The underdog of English football had their day in the sun and with them at every kick was lifelong fan and acclaimed writer, Mark Hodkinson.

Devotees endured years of defeats and jibes and misery until the management team of Keith Hill and David Flitcroft built their promotion-winning squad. Hodkinson brings wry and penetrating insights into a momentous season, while pondering on family ties and loyalty, the passion and philosophy of football support.

Other matters football – from Hodkinson’s pieces first published in The Times - include interviews with Paul Gascoigne; Colin Bell and Mike Doyle of Manchester City; the irrepressible Stuart Hall; the late comic Bernard Manning; Barry Hines of Kes fame, plus a range of topics from cortisone use to racism in football, from sport finance to the perils of being a football reporter. And, of course, Subbuteo

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