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Reply | Dale Sign Jenkins
at 14:12 8 Jul 2026
Solid signing - and clearly well thought of by South Shields fans and the fact we've paid a fee.
Hoping for a bit of a flurry through the door today/this week to get everyone excited ready for pre-season. Although I'm starting to think we'll be seeing a number of trialists to plug some gaps. |
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Reply | New home kit
at 17:26 3 Jul 2026
Yeah I don't associate our colours as anything other than blue and black stripes personally. This has happened on more than one occasion where we've deviated back into a blue primary kit. Wonder if there's someone in the club who keeps floating this idea.
Also notice that whenever there's a fans vote on kits then stripes always wins. Certainly won't be purchasing this one whereas a striped kit I any well have done.
I'm not a particular fan of O'Neills either, we've had them a couple of years now and their sportswear isn't exactly inventive and doesn't have people rushing to buy stock. I was disappointed when we announced we'd extended our agreement with them.
A rare misstep |
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Reply | New Manager speculation
at 10:51 9 Jun 2026
Definitely intrigued if it's Ian Watson (and looks to be assistant Carl Magnay?)
Not without risk but surely every appointment is. I would imagine questions were asked regarding how they step up two divisions, and whoever's involved in the interview process happy with the answer. There's an abundance of managers out there we've clearly made a move for someone who fits the profile from further away than the M62.
Key difference here is player recruitment, whoever comes in has a solid core capable squad and then a relative blank canvas and solid budget to make moves in the transfer market and set up their style of play. Imagine the difficult job if Jim had signed everyone up for another year then jumped ship?
This could be an exciting pre-season (again) as we see the real start of the new era.
No real expectations going into next season just yet but anyone who comes in wanting to play fast gets a thumbs up from me. That could get Spotland rocking early in the season. |
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Reply | Challinor leaves Stockport
at 08:51 3 Jun 2026
If he goes he goes with best wishes and luck for what could be a tough job for him.
He's certainly not irreplaceable, but it does sting a bit given the momentum we've built over the past 12+ months. Jim's given a lot of talk of his love for the club and how proud he has been to be part of this new era. The Ogden's have backed him tenfold and undoubtedly we wouldn't be anywhere close to where we are now without their support. He's thrived off that and I think their loyalty deserves his to be honest.
The football I could take nor leave. We were spoilt with some unbelievable moments last season but that was a one off and papered over some significant cracks at times.
My only concern is the momentum going through summer. 2000 season tickets sold so far and we're barely in June. How much does that stall if Jim takes all the backroom staff + KG for instance. We're looking at another 4/5 weeks before someone comes in and starts implementing ideas.
Let's not immediately look internally. Let's be ambitious for a manager with an ethos we can get behind. Who knows the player market well so we can keep momentum going into next season. |
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Reply | Looking forward to next season
at 10:40 15 May 2026
My thoughts on those out of contract..
Gordon - yes
Tutonda - no
Allarakhia - no
Gomez-Mancini - no
Pritchard - yes
Barlow - no
Burger - yes
Myles - no
McBride - maybe??
Hosannah - no
Duku - no
Smith - no
Edwards - yes
Henderson - yes
Anyone that's a no I don't believe has EFL quality and I think the NL is their level. Taz is a shame as he works hard and is obviously very popular, but he hasn't kicked on in my eyes and struggled to really contribute past some tricky wing play.
My only uncertainty is McBride. We've seen some good games from him and I wonder if the team/play adapts next year whether we might see the best out of him. There's probably better on the market though.
Feels a bit ruthless given the circumstances but this is a huge step up and realisitcally below top 5 in NL is dross. We need to be ambitious (within budget) with a team that's reflective of the level.
I expect our playing style to adapt next year to better suit L2 with players who have more to offer.
Would also love Whatmuff/Perry back - but think they're both destined for bigger things. The positive in our favour is that they're parent clubs are now both PL sides and we've been promoted. |
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Reply | Hard Work Starts Now?.
at 13:35 13 May 2026
I for one am chomping at the bit to buy a season ticket after not having one for a number of years.
Hoping there's plenty more like myself. |
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Reply | Wembley
at 07:39 9 May 2026
It looks like we've near enough sold 102-113 (minus about 200 tickets). Then theres 2 sold out blocks in level 2.+ We'll have 101 which would be used for staff and families etc.
AI guesstimates at just over 10k. I think we're there personally with another day of sales. The club have probably been tracking it and were aware tickets weren't flying out the door during the week so a tracker via social media would feel a bit pointless and possibly open to ridicule when all focus should be on the team this week.
Either way it'll be bouncing in there and I'll be down to London on the train first thing. UTD |
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Reply | Wembley
at 10:42 6 May 2026
I'm not going to get too hung up on the amount attending on Sunday - I still think we'll hit roughly 10k which is about par for most clubs in and around our level - Oldham are an ex premier league side who were in their first promotion season since the early 90s? They can harp on about attendances all they want but their day trippers haven't exactly been flocking to Boundary Park this season.
The atmosphere is the more important topic, I see the 10k (minus some Exiles) as our total available fanbase and we want to make this as positive experience so that we're getting the most back into Spotland next season and beyond.
We all want a winning team, but for new younger supporters they also want a good atmosphere that they can enjoy.
Whilst the atmosphere all season has been great (shoutout to U block) the past 2 weeks in particular have been fantastic to witness and we can add to that on Sunday with a belting atmosphere and hopefully promotion to boot.
This is how the club builds |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Scunthorpe United (Playoff Semi-Final)
at 09:40 5 May 2026
Despite a few wobbly moments that performance felt a lot more like the Dale we've been watching most of the season. I'm hopeful that the extra time off and lack of mid week games is allowing us to rest properly now we're at the final hurdle.
We really are so much better when Mani is holding up the ball and bringing others into play.
Luke Hannant MOTM for me although a couple of great performances across the team. His pace, willingness to get forward and seek out a pass was the difference for me and gave us the perfect platform to shake off the York cobwebs and be in relative cruise control for large periods of the game.
Onto Wembley, let's just get this done now and hopefully never look back. It's called the Rochdale division for a reason. |
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Reply | Playoff kickoff
at 15:50 29 Apr 2026
Definitely sold out - they were open and selling when I purchased mine |
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Reply | Playoff kickoff
at 15:36 29 Apr 2026
Already looking extremely strong sales in just 20 mins of general. Hoping for a full sell out now. If you didn't enjoy up to 90+6 on Saturday (the rest didn't happen...) then football just isn't for you |
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Reply | The emotional side of it
at 10:01 27 Apr 2026
Through the complete heartbreak of Saturday there is an immense sense of pride and hope that runs through my veins this week.
2 years ago our club was dead and Saturday showed that it's heart beats stronger than it ever has done.
The build up the ENTIRE season is that we're bang average, we'll fall away, it's Rochdale we're not good enough, the fans never turn up. We've heard it all before.
What I saw on Saturday was a togetherness between fans, staff and players that was above anything I've experienced in 25 years of support. I honestly don't believe another team in the league (York included) would have backed the lads like we did knowing what was on the line and what we nearly lost as a community.
Every ball won was cheered like a goal in itself, and the goal itself, the outpouring of emotion in the stands (not the pitch) will live with me forever.
We dust ourselves down and go again Sunday but the weekend reminded me in more ways than one why I love RAFC that simply cannot be replaced by trophies that so many other clubs around us seem defined by.
It's the hope that kills you, but I'm daring to dream again. UTD |
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Reply | Refwatch - Braintree Town v Rochdale
at 00:09 19 Apr 2026
I had actually made peace with not winning the league last week but this team continues to show utter balls to the wall resilience. The performance does not matter.
That transcended words.
They deserve our absolute support from minute 1 to 90 + next week and I'll feel privileged to be there regardless of the result.
UTD |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Wealdstone
at 22:33 11 Apr 2026
I want to add a bit of praise for Luke Hannant today. Settling in defensively but I think he clearly adds quality moving forward whether it's a cross or shot. Something we really need at times. Scored two very good goals for us as well one of which could prove the most important |
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Reply | TVOS Preview - Rochdale v Wealdstone
at 20:03 11 Apr 2026
I've been really critical of the team the past couple of weeks. And I won't for one minute think that was a 'good performance'.
BUT this is a results business and especially now all we need is wins.
I was texting my in laws (York fans) after 70 mins saying congratulations. But the boys have found a way and it keeps us alive for another week.
I genuinely couldn't breathe waiting for full time. God knows how they feel on the pitch.
We fight another week. Let's go. UTD |
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Reply | Refwatch - Hartlepool United v Rochdale
at 17:07 6 Apr 2026
Same as Friday. Slow and tired. Can't even argue with York scoring late. They probably had more shots in the last 5 minutes than we've had for two games. Awful.
We don't deserve the title. Best rest up ready for a difficult play off campaign |
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Reply | Refwatch - Rochdale v Morecambe
at 17:19 3 Apr 2026
There needs to be a study on our ability to pull out turgid performances every time a decent crowd show up.
4500 was a great turnout. Turned into embarrassment seeing people leave with 5 minutes left in a generational title race.
I've been a supporter of Jim but I feel these results have been coming for a while now and it's down to his tactics.
Our past 10 fixtures have all been decided by one goal (minus the draws) whereas our challengers York have seemingly been sweeping past teams for months bar the odd bad result here and there.
People will moan about York scoring late goals so often but you know why they do it? Because they relentlessly attack until they force a way through. Even at 3-2, I constantly feel like we're missing another gear or 10% of urgency
We move away from the ball in the hope of a defensive error. We spend too long holding onto the ball and getting caught. We keep looking for a cute pass and don't challenge enough for 50/50s. It's fine when teams don't want to match us but these gritty games need more effort Feels like watching us run through treacle sometimes.
Our one saving grace for the last 4 fixtures is the return of Gilmour. I think we've missed him more than we realised. He brought more tenacity and urgency in 20 minutes than the rest of the team did in 90.
Also I think the players need to question why a 42 year old is the one stepping up at this key moment.
This one really stings today and it was completely avoidable. As was Halifax, Scunthorpe etc |
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