The Motorama Main Stand. Spotland is shared with Rochdale Hornets. Photo © 2003-04 Ciderspace

Well, we can't all be Manchester United or Arsenal, and Rochdale are certainly not either of those clubs. They've spent most of their existence at the very bottom of the League structure, whether that was in the old Third Division (North), the Fourth Division after restructuring, or the Third Division again after the next bout of restructuring, or League Two.........hope you're keeping up. They survived a number of flirtations with re-election. The closest call was in 1980 when only a single vote (26 to 25) kept them in the Football League at the expense of Altrincham. It later emerged that two clubs who had pledged their support to Alty had failed to vote. The Grimsby Town delegate was in the wrong room, and the Luton Town representative got the meeting time incorrect and turned up late.

Dale have only ever been promoted once, in 1968-69, when they finished third in the Fourth Division. They lasted five seasons in the Third division (the equivalent of today's League One) before being relegated back to the basement. Their record isn't much better in the FA Cup, the 5th round being the furthest the club have ever gone, once in 1990 and again the season before last, when they lost 3-1 at Wolves. In short statistically (and yes we all know about lies, damned lies and.......) they are the least achieving club in the Football League.

At the Pearl Street End, containing the Family Stand area. Photo © 2003-04 Ciderspace

Rochdale did reach the Division Three play-offs in 2001-02 and had high hopes of building on that improvement under Paul Simpson. However a season that began well tailed off into lower-mid-table mediocrity and Simpson paid the price with his job at the end of it. Former Grimsby boss Alan Buckley was appointed as manager. He only lasted until December when sacked encouraged to depart by 'mutual consent'. The new man at the helm was Steve Parkin, with the brief to keep them up after eight losses from ten in the fag-end days of Buckley. In fact not that new as it is his second spell at Rochdale, his first from 1999-2001 ending when he was lured away from Spotland by Barnsley. That he achieved, with Dale finishing in 21st.

The Sandy Lane End, only area of Spotland not redeveloped and containing the last of the terracing. Photo © 2003-04 Ciderspace

Rochdale may not have pulled up many trees on the pitch over the years, but off the pitch they have a reputation for giving away fans a warm and friendly welcome. Not that they will care, but Spotland will always hold a place in the hearts of Yeovil fans - the site of our first ever game in the Football League after a mere 108 year wait, and a victory to boot.

The Per-fit Windows Stand, latest addition at Spotland, packed with Yeovil fans in 2003. 3,644 capacity, but we don't expect to come quite as close to filling it this time around! Photo © 2003-04 Ciderspace

Prediction corner:
Given their history it would be a brave person who predicted anything other than the regular battle this season for Rochdale. Steve Parkin was relatively successful in his first spell but whether he has the resources to take Dale forward is open to question. In ins and outs so far this close season suggests not, with little in the way of permanent new signings. In our opinion Parkin is good enough to do the best that can be expected with slim pickings, but that best is survival. 18th.

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FORTHCOMING FIXTURES

CLUB GOALSCORERS

Name

LGE

FAC

FAT

LGC

CC

Total

ATTENDANCE STATISTICS

Highest League Attendance: 0, vs ,
Lowest League Attendance: 999999, vs ,
Average League Attendance: Not Applicable

CURRENT LEAGUE SEQUENCE STATISTICS

Games Without A Win:	0		Games Without A Home Win:	0
Games Without An Away Win:	0		Games Without Defeat:	0
Games Without A Home Defeat:	0		Games Without An Away Defeat:	0
Games Without A Draw:	0		Games Without A Score Draw:	0
Games Without A No-Score Draw:	0		Games Without Scoring:	0
Games Without Conceding:	0		Home Results Sequence:
Away Results Sequence:			Overall Results Sequence:

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Local Pubs :

Also close to Sandy Lane, at 470 Bury Road, is the rather off-puttingly named Cemetery Hotel. A range of real ales are on offer here. A short way along the road at No. 520 is The Dog and Partridge, which gets a good review on Fanzone.

A few minutes from the ground in Willbutts Lane is The Church Inn which is used to away fans on match days. Willbutts Lane also has a Fish and Chip Shop, and the entrances for the areas of the stadium allocated to visiting supporters.

There are two breweries in Rochdale. Thomas McGuinness Brewing Company started in 1991. Its tied pub is the Cask and Feather (listed below), which generally has its range of five or six beers (depending on season) available, though the beer can be found in a few other outlets in the area. Pictish Brewing Company started up in 2000 and supplies free trade outlets around the North West so finding it is pot-luck.

This is not cider country!

Albion Freehouse and Bistro: Multi-roomed local with a bistro attached. The home cooked food attracts customers from miles around. Opening times are 12.00 noon - 2.30 p.m. and 5.00 p.m. - 11.00 p.m. Beers are Boddingtons, Lees, a couple from Timothy Taylor, Phoenix Monkeytown Mild and usually two more guests. Albion Freehouse and Bistro, 600, Whitworth Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 0SW. Tel: 01706 648540. Map: Click Here.

No offence intended, but a slightly odd clientele when we called in © Hugh Gleave Britannia Inn: This is a two-roomed pub situated five minutes from the town centre. They have Lees GB Mild and Lees Bitter as two core ales, with others available on a rotational basis. Unusual features of this pub include a collection of plates in one room and a large fireplace, both situated in the Lounge Bar. The exterior also has an unusual spire shaped like a witches hat. Parking is available. Meals are available both lunchtime (12 noon - 1.30pm) and evening (5pm - 6.30pm) and there is also accommodation available in the form of three double rooms. TVs are included in the rooms, as well as tea/coffee making facilities and a morning breakfast is included in the price. Britannia Inn, 4 Lomax Street, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 0DN. Tel: 01706 646391. Map: Click Here.

Highly recommended © Hugh Gleave Cask and Feather: The brew pub of the local McGuinness Brewery. Near the top of the hill between the bus and railway stations. Long way from the stadium, but worth it. A cracking friendly cheap drinkers pub, though it does do food at lunchtime. Not surprisingly its beers are the McGuinness range: Feather Pluckers Mild, Best Bitter, Junction Bitter, Tommy Todd's Porter, plus occasional seasonals. Opening is 11-11. Cask and Feather, 1, Oldham Road, Rochdale, Manchester, OL16 1UA. Tel: 01706 711476. Map: Click Here.

Popular with fans, on the corner of Sandy Lane and Bury Road. © Martin Baker Cemetery Hotel: Free House and one star hotel. Opening is 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. with home-made food served from 12.00 to 14.30, but only rolls at the bar in the evening. Serves Taylor Landlord - oh, and some other beers: Black Sheep, Jennings, John Smith's and guests. Plenty of home fans use it, but a very friendly relaxed atmosphere. Cemetery Hotel, 470, Bury Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL11 5EU. Tel: 01706 645635. Map: Click Here.

Healey Hotel: For those that prefer a peaceful time not so close to football stadia on matchdays this is about a mile and a half from the ground on the B6377. Traditional terrace pub with three rooms, one non-smoking (that'll be the nice and empty one where all the tedious crusaders could go, but when it comes down to it hardly ever do). Beers are Robinson's Best, Cumbria Way and Old Tom (which should carry a Government health warning at 8.5%). Opening 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. except Tuesdays and Wednesdays when you have to wait until 3.00 p.m. for a drink. Healey Hotel, 172, Shawclough Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 6LW. Tel: 01706 645453. Map: Click Here.

Right outside Spotland in the car park © Martin Baker Ratcliffe Arms: In the club car park, so you can't get much closer. Open all day from 11.30 with food served from 12.00. Beers are J.W.Lees of Manchester. Pool, darts, and Sky TV are on offer. Children are allowed on matchdays, and there are disabled facilities. Ratcliffe Arms, Sandy Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL115DR. Tel: 01706861040. Map: Click Here.

It was dark when we called in....... © Hugh Gleave The Church Inn: Popular matchday venue, adjacent to the ground and, well we never - a church. Football-friendly three-roomed pub with garden terrace and adjoining bowling green, Sky and pool table, conveniently situated for away fans. Good value local JW Lees and John Smith's beer. Serves snacks but not meals. Quite boisterous, but friendly enough - but then Rochdale had won. The Church Inn, Willbutts Lane, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL115BE. Tel: 01706639879. Map: Click Here.

The Dog & Partridge © Martin Baker The Dog and Partridge: This was a good pub when visited in our first year in the Football League. Sadly no longer. Our 2004-05 visit lasted as long as it took us to turn round and walk straight back out again. Pseudy cr*p menu, and no drinks that weren't fizzy and served through huge chrome dispensers - far be it for us to suggest the size is to compensate for something lacking in the trouser department of the punters there....... The Dog and Partridge, 520 Bury Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL11 4DQ. Tel: 01706343759. Map: Click Here.

The Merry Monk: This is a Victorian-era locals pub with an out-door drinking area and its own car park. Three varieties of Hydes ales are usually on the pumps, along with a guest beer or two. There are plenty of pub games on offer to occupy your time in the form of bull, bar billiards, darts and even pentanque outside. No food served. 12.00 noon - 11.00 p.m. The Merry Monk, 234, College Road, Rochdale, Lancashire, OL12 6AF. Tel: 01706 646919. Map: Click Here.

Likelihood the Natives Will Understand You :

Low, we're deep in Coronation Street territory here. You'll be able to understand them, but vice-versa? Forget it.....

Top-Tip :

Stay overnight - in nearby Manchester for a banging night out. Mad for it!

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[No responsibilty is taken for any inaccuracies. This page is entirely the product of bias and prejudice.]

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