We are sad to announce that the club have today lost it's appeal to have the red card received by midfielder Dave Perkins against Darlington on Saturday rescinded.

The club presented what it thought was good case and supported it with video evidence but a FA Tribunal upheld the decision made by referee Beeby.

David will now miss the Bank Holiday Monday Play Off Final at Wembley and Chairman Chris Dunphy reacted angrily to what is heartbreaking decision.

"I am personally outraged to be honest because anybody who saw that on television could see that there was no contact .We felt confident that the decision could be overturned and we are stunned. The referee got it wrong and everyone can see that he got it wrong and this underlines the poor standard of refereeing that we have seen at Rochdale this season"  

The official verdict of the panel was:-
Result: Claim for wrongful dismissal rejected - 5 match suspension with immediate effect ( because this was Davids 3rd red card of the season)