We were extremely proud and privileged to welcome members of Dale's 1968/69 promotion team and their families to the Crown Oil Arena for our final home game of the season.
They were invited as part of celebrations to mark 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.
Dennis Butler, Vinny Leech, Steve Melledew, Derek Ryder, Billy Rudd, Graham Smith and Reg Jenkins' wife Norma and son Andrew enjoyed pre-match hospitality in the Board Room before making a special appearance on the pitch at half-time.
Thank you for giving them such a warm reception.
If you missed the game, or just want to take another look at they moment they stepped out onto the Crown Oil Arena pitch, you can do so via our YouTube channel by clicking through on the embedded link below.
Main photo (left to right): Vinny Leech, Billy Rudd, Graham Smith, Norma Jenkins, Steve Melledew, Dennis Butler & Derek Ryder