Kennedy and Thorpe extend contracts

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Tom Kennedy has extended his Rochdale contract to the end of next season.

Rochdale were boosted yesterday by the news that defender Tom Kennedy and striker Lee Thorpe have extended their stays with the club.

The news brought a pleasing end to what has been a reasonably quiet transfer window for manager Keith Hill, with the extension of goalkeeper Frank Fielding's loan the only other signing to come in or out of Spotland on deadline day.

Kennedy's signing will be the most pleasing for Dale fans after speculation that he may leave the club had been circling since last summer. The left full back will now be at Spotland until 30 June 2010.

Since signing from Bury in the summer of 2007, Kennedy has made 83 appearances for the club, scoring four goals, including two direct from free kicks this season. He has been an ever present in the Dale side during the current campaign.

Lee Thorpe has signed a contract extension to the end of the season. The striker has been out injured in recent weeks, having not played since Dale were knocked out of the FA Cup at Forest Green in November. Thorpe has played 28 games for Dale since signing from Brentford in January last year, hitting six goals, including a brace to see Dale come from behind to beat Notts County earlier this season.

Kennedy will continue his run in the side at Chester tonight, where he scored he Dale's four nil win last season, while Thorpe remains sidelined through injury.