Rochdale Football Club news

Rochdale Football Club news

Le Fondre still top of Hill's wish list

Despite three failed bids to sign Adam Le Fondre from Stockport, Rochdale manager Keith Hill remains determined to secure the striker's services for the coming season. Le Fondre has been a summer transfer target for Dale ever since his successful two month loan spell with the club last season, in which he played seven games and scored four goals.

Keith Hill said: "I am quite sure that the Adam Le Fondre scenario will continue to go on and on. I am not going to deny the fact that he has been our numnber one target, top priority because he is a proven goalscorer. We will try our best to recruit him but we have to be patient.

"I remember being at Cheltenham and the then manager Steve Cotterill tried to recruit a striker right at the beginning of the pre-season and he didn't get him until the day before the season started; that striker went on to score 26 league goals that season and helped Cheltenham gain promotion.

"We are prepared to be patient and Adam will always be a target for us but we might have to look at alternatives because he is a contracted Stockport player."

Pre-Season fixtures finalised

Rochdale's full list of pre-season fixtures reads:

• Tuesday 17 July - Rossendale United - away - 7.30pm
• Saturday 21 July - Southport - away - 3pm
• Tuesday 24 July - Oldham Athletic - home - 7.30pm
• Saturday 28 July - Huddersfield Town - home - 3pm
• Tuesday 31 July - Droylsden - away - 7.30pm
• Saturday 4 August - Northwich Victoria - 3pm

Bowlee training facility nearing completion

After years of trying, Rochdale Football Club now have a place of their own to train, with the facility at Bowlee expected to be ready for when the players return for pre-season training next week. Gary Green from Rochdale Council described the facility as "superb. The playing area has been fully drained and laser levelled and will be to Premiership standard by the time the players are ready for it in August."

Bowlee has been used by the club in the past but there are now two fenced areas available. The players will use the original area for the first few days of their return, whilst work on the new pitch continues having recently been fed. By the time the season kicks off both areas will be at Rochdale manager Keith Hill's disposal.

The site offers a large car park and refurbished changing facilities.

No Punishment for Peterborough

The Football League has decided to take no further action against Peterborough United following the incident after the final whistle of last season's game against Dale. Though no action is being taken over an incident that saw Dale loanee Glenn Poole attacked by a so-called "fan", warnings have been issued as to Peterborough's future conduct.

Peterborough have banned the "fan" for life and he has also been given a three year banning order in Court, which means that he is unable to attend any games in England and Wales in that time.