Some clubs spend a long time in the National League, while some only have fleeting moments in the fifth tier of the English top-flight. In recent years, an increasing number of long-serving football league clubs have dropped down to the National League or even lower in England’s football pyramid.
One club, which has spent most of its existence in the Football League, is the north west outfit, Rochdale.
In the EFL for decades
Rochdale had been in the EFL since the 1958/59 season, when the regional third divisions joined together to form the third and fourth divisions of the English Football League.
In fact, from 2014 until 2021, Dale was in the third tier of the English game, League One. After finishing mid-table in their first three seasons in League One, they struggled to survive.
In season 2020/21, Dale succumbed to relegation to League Two. Unfortunately, they even struggled to survive in the fourth tier of the English game after the club suffered financial issues that nearly saw it fold.
Rochdale was saved in March 2024, but by then, the club had suffered relegation to the National League. Relegation meant the end of over six decades in the Football League for Dale.
A mixed spell in the National League
With the club back on an even financial keel, Rochdale embarked on their first season in the National League, looking for stability and an immediate return to the EFL.
Dale endured an inconsistent campaign in the fifth tier of the English game. A mixed campaign saw Rochdale finish in 11th place in the table, having recorded just 16 league wins, but finishing nine points adrift of the play-offs.
Last season, 2024/25, saw a more impressive campaign in the fifth tier, as Dale finished fourth-place in the table, qualifying for the play-offs. They were never really in contention for the automatic promotion spot, as they finished 28 points behind the eventual champions Barnet in the regular season campaign.
A fourth-place finish and a play-off spot were certainly nothing to be sniffed at, especially after the mid-table finish of the previous season. There was real hope that Dale could soon be back where many believe they belong.
Unfortunately for everybody connected with the club, their play-off journey ended in the eliminator, as Dale suffered a 4-3 extra-time defeat against another former recently relegated EFL Southend United.
The defeat was even more disappointing, as Rochdale were 3-1 up at one point, but two goals in the last 20 minutes took the game into extra time. A 110th-minute winner from Charley Kendall broke Dale’s hearts.
A highly promising start to the 2025/26 campaign
The club didn’t dwell on the play-off loss for long. In fact, Dale has hit the ground running in the new season, as after seven games in the National League campaign, they currently sit second-place in the table after recording six wins and suffering just one defeat.
However, Jimmy McNulty’s team has a game in hand of early league leaders Forest Green Rovers, who are just two points ahead. It may be early in the season, but it is an encouraging start to the campaign.
One player who has been key in the team’s strong start to the campaign is striker Emmanuel Dieseruvwe, who has scored seven in as many league games.
The 30-year-old forward joined Dale on a free transfer from Hartlepool in the summer. The former Sheffield Wednesday youngster could prove to be one of the bargains of the summer.
Midfielder Harvey Gilmour has also impressed, creating three goals in the National League this season. He has already bettered his assist tally of two from last season. If the pair can continue in their current vein of form, then Dale can be right up there challenging for the automatic promotion spot.
Although they haven’t been out of the EFL for long, everybody associated with the club will be optimistic that the team can climb back up the English football league pyramid.
The team’s performances so far this season suggest that Rochdale will be one of the leading candidates to win promotion, with or without the help of the nerve-wracking play-offs. The team needs to maintain their current momentum to make this a successful campaign.
Matt Tomiak
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