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Unacceptable
at 15:15 7 Sep 2026

I have never understood the vindictiveness from a couple of individuals to Simon Gauge.

This is the man who used £500,000 of his family money to keep the club alive during its darkest hours, effectively wrote it off by converting it to a minority share, and during his time as drector and chairman never received any remuneration from the club ( unlike the unmentionable Bottomley, and others). Didn`t sell his shares to the other unmentionables unlike some "heros" like Mr Dunphy.

I think his efforts deserve some appreciation. The club would certainly have folded if he had not stepped in.

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Refwatch - Rochdale v Shrewsbury Town
at 14:55 2 Sep 2026

Has it escaped everyone`s notice that we now have only 3 fit defenders in the squad plus the 2 rookie loanees?
Moss
TAR
Sherring
Wilson
Tasker

With EEL and Bilongo presumably out for some time, this is asking something of Dan Moss.

Beckwith seems to be permanently injured and has not set foot on a pitch this season, also has never been tested at Div 2 level.

I remember at this time last year saying how unbalanced the squad was with so many midfielders. Now with a squad of 27, we are decimated in defence.

However in wingers we rejoice. If ever there was a case for all out attack this is it.

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Crawley Town on Saturday - A Celebration of returning to the EFL.
at 15:30 18 Aug 2026

We will need the Dale faithful, and the players will need them doubly so.

In my humble opinion we are suffering mainly due to lack of forward movement from midfield. I recall there were many matches last season where we had less shots on goal than the opposition, but our conversion was very good. Opposing keepers rarely had too much work to do. In the later matches , when pressed in midfield we were not half as effective.

Messrs East and Gilmore need to up their game. They both have League 2 experience and at 27/28 should be at their peak.

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Saturday Selection - Thoughts?
at 15:50 29 Jul 2026

Luke Hannant will be 33 in November and Mani D will be 32 in February.

I think some older heads in key positions is a good thing in most teams.

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Saturday Selection - Thoughts?
at 12:56 29 Jul 2026

Strange comments to me.

EEL has played hundreds of games at this "higher grade" and higher.

Beckwith has played precisely none.

EEL has brought on Nevet and Perry into sound back four young players. His anticipation makes up for any lack of speed.

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Rochdale books
at 15:18 26 Jul 2026

Thanks to all for that. So I did miss a few.

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Dale v Farnham Town
at 12:51 26 Jul 2026

There are certain McNulty features of play that I hope the new management will revise.

1. When we defend from set pieces, especially corners, can we at least leave one man up, so taking two opponents out of the attack and giving the keeper an immediate outball.
2. Do we have to have zonal marking? I appreciate theoretically it clears the playing area from some congestion, but instead leaves areas for big defenders to come into the penalty area with momentum to attack often with free headers.
3. Ryan East`s corners last season were so predictable with very little variety. Luke Hannant?
4. I can`t believe that this season we will get away with only one keeper in the matchday squad. With a smaller squad surely we can find room without upsetting players.

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Rochdale books
at 11:44 26 Jul 2026

The Official History 1907-2001 by Steven Phillipps was a data book- it`s the only one I know of.

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Rochdale books
at 11:26 26 Jul 2026

With Chris Fitzgerald`s new book out soon, I will have a library of 10 Dale books published between 1990 and today.

The Survivors
Kicking in the Wind
Official History 1907-2001
Echoes of `69
Believe in the Sign
The Overcoat men
The Rochdale division
The longest Winter
Into the Unknown
+ the latest

Have I missed any?

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Is Corey Edwards taking part in training?
at 12:32 17 Jul 2026

Corey Edwards started 5 times in the N/L and 3 times in the N/L Cup the season before last, and looked a superb prospect to me as a 17 year-old.

Did he actually make any starts for Stockport or even make the bench?

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I know things take time....
at 14:59 16 Jul 2026

Whilst it is frustrating to see problems in recruitment, let`s not forget how essential the replacement programme is. If we are honest , the final 7 games of last season up to and including the final, although we only lost one of them, were not good displays. We got through with a lot of good luck and determination, but the shortcomings were showing through. The late goals risked the outcome but showed the character.

I for one was surprised at Jim`s retained list on the 18th May which showed his dissatisfaction with the squad strength especially with 6 midfield and wide players amongst the 10 dropped. I expected him to be more cautious about large-scale replacements, especially after he joined Stockport two weeks later. We owe him that.

It is essential we get the right recruits. At present it is a very inexperienced squad in terms of FL experience. Only Hendo, EEL, Hannant, Rodney and Hayes have 100 league starts, and some , like Beckwith and Pettit have never played FL football.

Patience is a virtue.

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26/27 squad
at 17:02 6 Jul 2026

Josh last played Div 2 football with Barrow 2 years ago, and at 39 is 2 years younger than Hendo. Also he can self-coach.

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26/27 squad
at 12:46 5 Jul 2026

One of the biggest question marks is over the choice of keepers.

I have no info concerning Div 2 usage of keepers last year, but Jim took a complete flier last season by not having a second keeper on the bench, and got away with it!

I can`t see this happening again. So choice of keepers is likely to be critical (Age, experience, fitness etc). Also Whatmuff had a huge influence on our game plan.

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Henderson signs new deal
at 12:23 4 Jul 2026

Really pleased. Hendo still capable of influencing matches with his skills and experience in moving the line.

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I know things take time....
at 11:50 30 Jun 2026

The whole question re previous FL experience was aired earlier here. It`s worth bearing in mind that Beckwith and Pettit are the only "major" players who have never set foot in the Football League yet. Bilongo for instance has some 40 League appearances to his name.

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I know things take time....
at 11:34 30 Jun 2026

I`m guessing but it may be they are waiting until the old contracts end. It would probably be what a commercial payroll operator would do, though different from what a football club does. Remember we still don`t know the situation re Hendo, Smith and Edwards as far as I am aware.
Ogdens influence?

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Now confirmed.
at 16:58 18 Jun 2026

Welcome to Carl Magnay.

With this new management team hopefully we can now look forward to bolstering the squad of players.

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Good bye Jason and Doney!
at 17:25 17 Jun 2026

South Shields originally stated that Carl Magnay was joining Ian Watson at Rochdale, but I have not heard that confirmed at this end, Presumably now an announcement will be made.

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RochdaleAFC.com Podcast - Episode 100
at 10:58 17 Jun 2026

I found the comments by Cameron re the spending limits sounded very reassuring. It appears that any expenditure of what we call "capital" nature is exempt from the calculations entirely. so anything on stadium or ground development is clear, as is expenditure designed to attract people to the club. Only "revenue" costs , mainly payroll and signing costs, are caught. It also magnifies the importance of bringing through young players for sales to offset signings. Many bigger clubs will fall foul of this.

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RochdaleAFC.com Podcast - Episode 100
at 10:48 17 Jun 2026

You know, you are becoming quite a spokesman for the club and its management. Have you ever thought of broadening your horizons into a political scene?
I believe there may be a vacancy or two in Manchester Town Hall and Ashton in Makerfield shortly.
Seriously though, you have summed up the Ogden perspective very nicely and we are very fortunate to have that driving force behind us. Also the involvement of the MBC in Bowlee and hopefully other worthwhile causes, and why not the Coop?

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