Tom, despite his tender years is a highly experienced, attack minded full back who was suprisingly released by neighbours Bury in the summer and 2007 and was quickly snapped up by Dale boss Keith Hill.

A regular at Gigg Lane Kennedy made a total of 158 appearances scoring 6 goals for his home town club  who will have made the short journey down the A58 looking to kick start his career having fallen out of favour with this former club in the latter stages of his final season there.

A skilful player with an excellent range of passing and with a more than useful delivery from dead ball situations his style is sure to suit the way that Hill likes his teams to play.He was a virtaul ever present during a highly successful first season at the club that eventually saw the team make a first ever visit to Wembley in the end of season Play off Final.

Tom started the 2008/9 season with his usual level of consistency and went into the New Year as the only ever present outfield player and ended it with the most appearances, the Player of the Year Award and an extension to his contract that will see him stay at spotland for at least another 12 months. He was also named in the League Two Team of the Season for his outstanding performances at left-back.