Dale bring in Kennedy

Photo: Jon Coluccio

Jason Kennedy and Rory McArdle lock horns during Darlington's recent visit to Spotland.

Rochdale have made their first pre-season signing with the aquisition of Jason Kennedy from Darlington on a two year contract.

The move has been met with wholesale approval from the Dale fanbase with the all-action midfield player tagged as one of the best in the division by supporters of League Two football.

Kennedy has done more than enough to justify his signing in fixtures against Rochdale alone. The 23-year old rifled a stunning opening goal in the opening leg of Dale's play-off encounter with Darlington last year and repeated the feat in the league game at Spotland last month in front of the Sky television cameras.

Ultimately, however, supporters' fondest memory of the midfielder is probably when he missed the crucial penalty in the shootout in the return leg at Spotland, allowing Ben Muirhead to score the penalty that sent Dale to Wembley.

Kennedy was an ever-present for Darlington last season and his strike against Dale was one of five goals during the campaign.