THE DALE ARE UP!
When Keith Hill decided to return to Rochdale as their manager in January 2013 there were many fans wondering if this was the club going forward or going backwards.
On Saturday 26th April at 4.50pm the doubters were clearly silenced, after a terrific season of results saw Rochdale AFC gain automatic promotion with a 2-0 home win over Cheltenham Town. to say the fans were overjoyed would be
an understatement as the fans flooded onto
the pitch at the final whistle. i was a guest of
director graham rawlinson to witness a
great celebration on the pitch as players
posed for selfies with fans as players were
crowd-surfed by the ecstatic supporters. it
proved to be a culmination of arguably the
finest season in the clubs history seeing
rochdale top of the league for long periods
together with a convincing home win against the once mighty Leeds United in the Fa cup
ups and downs over the years. The die hard
fans are to be congratulated on their never
failing support of a club definitely on the up
and going places with their in the pink manager
Keith Hill. The players celebrated their
promotion with their annual end of season
awards ceremony at The Ratcliffe Suite that
evening. Scott Hogan was named as supporters
player of the year, Players Player of the year
went to goalkeeper Josh Lillis for a second
year in a row. Ian Henderson won Goal of The
Season for his cracking finish against Leeds
on the 4th January 2014.
United in the FA Cup.
positive boost to fans who have endured many
clubs success by organising a victory parade
This promotion will prove to be a really
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Rochdale Borough Council shared in the
and celebration at Rochdale Town on Tuesday 6th May. The open top bus left Rochdale stadium on its way to the Town Hall where it was greeted by a noisy and excited crowd along The Esplanade. Camera crews from Granada Reports and Look North West were there to talk to the manager, players and fans. The light rain did not dampen their spirits as they cheered their manager, back room staff, directors and players onto the Town Hall Balcony. The outgoing Mayor Peter Rush gave out the players medals and congratulated the Manager and players for making his term in office such a fantastic year of sporting success in the town. Colin Meredith