Rochdale travel to sunny Southport for their final pre-season match thus taking that bit closer to some actual proper soccer! Chaff's match preview online now.
For the second year running, Rochdale travel to Haig Avenue to take on Southport in a pre-season friendly. Last year, we were beaten in what was a poor performance but this season, Keith Hill's men will be looking to sign off from their pre-season preparations with a positive performance and result.
To be honest I can't remember much about last season's game other than young Tommo beating some horrible 5 tiiiiiiiiimes singing Mickey Mousers at pool with ultimate ease in the pre match boozer, Jerome Watt looking quite good while on trial and some drunkard falling asleep right behind me!
One former Dale player surely to feature will be John Doolan. He left Rochdale at the end of last season though it had been announced beforehand that he was to be leaving. Nothing against Sloop John D as he'd given his all for Dale and been a good signing overall but at 34 years old, the rigours of the Football League had become a bit much for him to take.
He joined Southport as player/assistant manager to Gary Brabin but Doolan's foot was barely in the door before Brabin had walked out to join Cambridge United as their manager. Doolan's position remained though as Liam Watson was named manager after leaving Burscough. Watson named both Doolan and fellow team-mate Chris Price as joint assistant managers to help out while he juggles being a manager with his day job.
2007-08 was a good season for the Sandgrounders as they finished in the playoffs but couldn't make it out of the Conference North after being beaten in the semi finals.
The players to watch out for seem to be, firstly Ciaran Kilheeney who has joined from Burscough where he was joint top scorer for the Conference North with 21 goals. Tony Gray who also knows where the net is at that level scoring 29 goals in all competitions last season and also former Wigan, Accrington and Blackpool defender Kevin Lee.
Kick off for the match will be 3pm and admission prices are £8 for adults and £5 for concessions according to their ticket office.
For Sat-Nav users, the post code is PR8 6JZ.
Directions (taken from their website)