We are extremely proud to be welcoming members of Dale's 1968/69 promotion team and their families to the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday for our final home game of the season.
It's to celebrate 50 years since that special day.
It was the final home match of the 1968/69 season, on May 10th 1969, also against Southend United, that saw Dale record a 3-0 win over the Shrimpers at Spotland to achieve our first ever promotion. The squad secured promotion from Division Four to Division Three.
Rochdale have only ever had two other promotions in the Club’s history, in 2010 and 2014, both under the management of Keith Hill.
We are delighted and honoured to welcome back home Tony Buck, Dennis Butler, Vinny Leech, Steve Melledew, Derek Ryder, Billy Rudd, Graham Smith and Reg Jenkins' wife, Norma.
The boys will enjoy pre-match hospitality in the Board Room and will be making a special appearance on the pitch at half-time, so we hope you'll give them the warm reception they deserve.
Up the Dale!