However, it seemed his biggest impact was to spark the out of form Adam Rundle back into form, and Rundle very quickly regained his place. Indeed, within two months of signing for Dale, Prendergast was out of the door with a loan spell at Darlington.

His days at Spotland looked numbered, but a much rumoured permanent switch to Darlo failed to materialise and he was forced to start pre-season with Dale.

It wasn't looking good at all, with displays in the friendlies far from impressive. Indeed, one game at Droylseden had him the weakest player in a Dale side which pretty much consisted of youth and reserve.

But he proved many people wrong, especially myself, when the season started. He might not have had many starts for the side, but he proved himself to be a highly valuable asset off the bench, and he weighed in with some valuable goals.

The left winger had put any disappointments from the previous season behind him, and he was contributing greatly. However, he couldn't break past Rundle, and was handed a free transfer in January 2008 to join up with former Dale defender Mark Jackson at Farsley Celtic.