Dale under the microscope in our League One preview
Name: Rochdale Association Football ClubFounded: 1907
Stadium: Spotland
Capacity: 10,249
Manager: Keith Hill
Last Season: 8th in League One
Dale impressed in their first season in the third-tier following promotion, securing an eighth place finish in League One, seven points shy of the Play-Offs.
Under the guidance of their experienced manager Keith Hill, Rochdale will be hoping for similar fortunes, once the season commences in August.
Boltonian Hill began his career with Blackburn Rovers in 1987 – turning out 96 times in a five-year stay at Ewood Park, moving onto Plymouth Argyle in 1992.
After 123 appearances for the Pilgrims, Hill, who played as a defender, joined Rochdale in 1996, and made 176 appearances over six years.
In his later playing days, he featured for Cheltenham Town, Wrexham and Morecambe.
Hill joined Rochdale’s coaching staff as the club’s Director of Youth after his retirement, with Hill promoted to first-team duties in December 2006 – following Steve Parkin’s departure.
With Hill in charge on a permanent basis, two successive Play-Off heartache’s followed, before Dale finally secured promotion to League One in April 2010.
Barnsley came calling in May 2011, and despite keeping the Oakwell outfit up in 2011/12, he was sacked in December 2012, and returned to Rochdale at the turn of the year.
In his second spell at Spotland, the 46-year-old led Dale to promotion back England’s third-tier in 2013/14.
Rochdale fans will look to striker Ian Henderson to deliver the goods for them next season.
Henderson is a product of Norwich City’s youth side, and subsequently turned out 68 times over a six-year period for the Canaries, netting six goals. He would also spend a brief stint at Rotherham United, before leaving in 2007.
Spells at Northampton Town, Luton Town and Turkish side Ankaragucu followed, before Henderson returned to England in January 2010, after sealing a move to Colchester United.
Three years, 118 appearances and 24 goals later, and the 30-year-old on his travels again, as he signed for Rochdale in May 2013.
Henderson was Dale’s top scorer last season, netting 22 times in all competitions.
The Cod Army have met with Dale seven times, with Graham Alexander’s side coming out on top by a 1-0 score-line in March.