Young Dale side holding its own in elite competition...
Earlier this season, Dale’s under 15 side qualified for the Premier League Floodlit Cup, and having already played four of their six group games, the team is holding its own against three of the country’s elite Academies.
Rochdale were drawn in Group C alongside Blackburn Rovers, Manchester United and last year’s winners Manchester City, having secured qualification to the elite competition.
After finding their stride following defeats to City, the young Dale side have gone on to draw with Rovers and beat United. With two games left to play, they’ve given themselves a chance of progressing to the knock-out stages. Their two remaining games will be played in the next few weeks.
Category Two and Category Three sides were invited to qualify for this season’s competition, which was launched last year for Category One teams. Dale (category three) were one of just eight Category Two and Category Three clubs from across the country to qualify, after beating Bury and Wigan Athletic, and drawing with Barnsley, to top their qualifying group.
The Premier League Floodlit Cup was launched to give young players the opportunity of playing competitive football, whilst allowing them to adapt to the demands and conditions of evening matches that senior players face on a regular basis.