Dale boss denies Walsall link

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Keith Hill has been quick to show his commitment to Rochdale after reports linking him with the Walsall manager's job emerged yesterday.

Rochdale manager Keith Hill has been quick to dismiss reports linking him with the vacant Walsall job.

News broke yesterday (Sunday 11 January) linking Hill with the Walsall post after their manager Jimmy Mullen was sacked by the League One club on Saturday.

This made for a nervous couple of hours for Dale fans before sources at the club firmly denied the rumours and then Hill himself spoke out and re-affirmed his commitment to Rochdale.

"I honestly don't know where this has come from - it is completely out of left field," Hill said in an official statement. "I can categorically state that I have never, whilst I have been contracted to this club, applied for any jobs. I want everyone to know that I am 100% committed, with Dave Flitcroft, to the club, to the board, to the players and to the supporters. I would want also to assure everyone that we are all totally focussed and working towards our goal of achieving the success that everyone at Rochdale Football Club so richly deserves."

Hill has been in charge at Spotland for two years, during which time he has dramatically turned around the club's on the field fortunes. In his first few months in charge he steered Dale away from the relegation zone and by the end of the 2006/2007 season the side even came close to a late play-off surge. Progress continued last term and culminated in Dale's first ever appearance at Wembley, losing out in the League Two play-off final to Stockport. The club are well placed to continue their progress this term, currently lying eighth in the table with games in hand.