The annual released list was made public on Tuesday and there were some big names on it.
Steven Davies is the pick of the players on the list. He's already entered the Dale history books with his heroics against Spurs earning us that trip to Wembley, but you'd have to assume his injury record has played a part with this decision. He's started just 24 league games for the club during his two years at Spotland, with just eight of them coming this season. Of course, a lot more appearances came off the bench, including many of his shining moments. His time at the club will definitely be fondly remembered.
Keith Keane is the next big name heading out of Spotland. He did really well last season and was one of the stand out performers but his season pretty much ended in the 21st minute of the opening day of the season when he was sent off at Portsmouth. He made four further appearances for Dale but it was an injury plagued season and his depature will come as no surprise.
The decision to release Mark Kitching was somewhat of a surprise. After initial hype from the manager, his career at Dale seemed to be dwindling away but he has been called upon at key moments in the season, with plenty of potential showed. But with a number of young midfielders at the club knocking on the door of the first team, its perhaps as much to do with others as it is Kitching.
Another one out the door is Niall Canavan. After initially joining Dale on loan from Scunthorpe, he was a regular last season but has been confined to the odd cameo this season and the decision to release him was very much expected.
The decision to release Reece Brown has been on the cards since August. It wasn't a transfer that worked out for either party. His last appearance came for the club against Bury back in August and he wasn't even given a run out in the EFL Trophy games.