A guide to Dale’s seven new opponents…
A guide to Dale’s seven new opponents…
Following last season’s relegation from the Championship and promotion to League One from League Two, Dale have seven new opponents to play during the 2017-18 campaign – Blackpool, Blackburn Rovers, Doncaster Rovers, Rotherham United, Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic.
Here are the dates for your diary:
Portsmouth v Rochdale: Saturday 5th August
Rochdale v Portsmouth: Saturday 7th April
Rochdale v Blackburn Rovers: Saturday 9th September
Blackburn Rovers v Rochdale: Boxing Day
Rochdale v Doncaster Rovers: Tuesday 12th September
Doncaster v Rochdale: Saturday 30th December
Blackpool v Rochdale: Tuesday 26th September
Rochdale v Blackpool: New Year’s Day
Rochdale v Rotherham United: Saturday 7th October
Rotherham United v Rochdale: Saturday 10th March
Plymouth Argyle v Rochdale: Saturday 28th October
Rochdale v Plymouth Argyle: Saturday 3rd March
Rochdale v Wigan Athletic: Saturday 11th November
Wigan Athletic v Rochdale: Saturday 24th February
Getting To Know You
Take a look at Dale’s seven new opponents…
Name: Blackburn Rovers
Nickname: Rovers
Founded: 1875
Stadium: Ewood Park – 31, 367 capacity
Distance from Crown Oil Arena (round trip): 37.6
Manager: Tony Mowbray, appointed in February 2017
2016-17 League finish: Blackburn Rovers just missed out on staying in the Championship. They were relegated on the final day on the season on goal difference
2016-17 top scorer: Danny Graham, 13 goals and 4 assists
Summer signings: Tony Mowbray has brought in midfielders Peter Whittingham and Richie Smallwood so far this summer
Last meeting: September 6th 2000, League Cup – Blackburn Rovers 6-1 Rochdale
Name: Blackpool
Nickname: The Seasiders
Founded: 1887
Stadium: Bloomfield Road – 17, 338 capacity
Distance from Crown Oil Arena (round trip): 110.4
Manager: Gary Bowyer, appointed in June 2016
2016-17 League finish: Blackpool were promoted to League One after beating Exeter City 2-1 in the play-off final at Wembley. They had finished seventh in League Two on 70 points
2016-17 top scorer: Mark Cullen and Brad Potts scored 13 goals each and five and nine assists, respectively
Summer signings: Full-back Ollie Turton and defender Peter Hartley have joined the club, while Nathan Delfouenso has signed a new deal
Last meeting: April 16th 2016, League One – Rochdale 3-0 Blackpool (Eastham, Bunney & Mendez-Laing). Watch the goals HERE.
Name: Doncaster Rovers
Nickname: Rovers
Founded: 1879
Stadium: The Keepmoat Stadium – 25, 231 capacity
Distance from Crown Oil Arena (round trip): 132.2
Manager: Darren Ferguson, appointed in October 2015
2016-17 League finish: Doncaster Rovers were automatically promoted to League One after finishing third in League Two on 85 points
2016-17 top scorer: John Marquis, 26 goals and 2 assists
Summer signings: Forward Alex Kiwomya and defender Danny Andrew have joined the club
Last meeting: April 2nd 2016, League One – Rochdale 2-2 Doncaster Rovers (Camps & Canavan). Watch the highlights HERE.
Name: Plymouth Argyle
Nickname: The Pilgrims, The Green Army
Founded: 1886 as Argyle FC
Stadium: Home Park – 17,800 capacity
Distance from Crown Oil Arena (round trip): 597.6
Manager: Derek Adams, appointed in June 2015
2016-17 League finish: They won automatic promotion to the division after finishing the season second in League Two on 87 points. The missed out on being crowed Champions on goal difference
2016-17 top scorer: Graham Carey, 15 goals and 15 assists
Summer signings: Midfielder Ruben Lameiras and former Dale defender Ryan Edwards have joined the Pilgrims so far
Last meeting: January 18th 2014, League Two – Rochdale 3-0 Plymouth Argyle (Allen, Henderson & Rose). Watch the goals HERE.
Name: Portsmouth
Nickname: Pompey
Founded: 1898
Stadium: Fratton Park – 21, 100 capacity
Distance from Crown Oil Arena (round trip): 520.4
Manager: Kenny Jackett, appointed in June 2017
2016-17 League finish: Portsmouth were crowned Champions of League Two after topping the table on 87 points
2016-17 top scorer: Kal Naismith, 14 goals and 6 assists
Summer signings: Gareth Evans, Ben Close and Brandon Haunship have all signed new deals with the club
Last meeting: March 25th 2014, League Two – Rochdale 3-0 Portsmouth (Lund, Henderson & Vincenti). Watch the goals HERE.
Name: Rotherham United
Nickname: The Millers
Founded: 1925
Stadium: New York Stadium – 12,000 capacity
Distance from Crown Oil Arena (round trip): 123.4
Manager: Paul Warne, appointed in April 2017
2016-17 League finish: Rotherham were relegated to League One after finishing bottom of the Championship on 23 points
2016-17 top scorer: Danny Ward, 11 goals and 4 assists
Summer signings: Defender Michael Ihiekwe and midfielder Darren Potter have joined the club this summer
Last meeting: December 7th 2013, FA Cup – Rotherham United 1-2 Rochdale (Lund & Vincenti). Watch the goals HERE.
Name: Wigan Athletic
Nickname: Latics
Founded: 1932
Stadium: DW Stadium – 25, 138 capacity
Distance from Crown Oil Arena (round trip): 53.8
Manager: Paul Cook, appointed in May 2017
2016-17 League finish: Wigan Athletic were relegated back to League One at the first time of asking, after finishing the season second bottom of the Championship on 42 points
2016-17 top scorer: Will Grigg, 7 goals and 2 assists
Summer signings: Defender Terrell Thomas has joined the club, while midfielder David Perkins has signed a new deal
Last meeting: March 28th 2016, League One – Wigan Athletic 1-0 Rochdale. Watch the highlights HERE.