Dale squad beginning to take shape

Rochdale Football Club

Preparation for next season is gathering pace at Rochdale Football Club with the news of more summer signings. Following the capture of goalkeeper Jamie Spencer last week, four more players have signed on the dotted line and will be officially unveiled on 2 July.

Ben Muirhead is the biggest of the new names, arriving from Bradford City after a successful loan spell at Rochdale at the back end of last season. The pacy winger marked his Dale debut by scoring the winner at Notts County in February. Muirhead became an instant hit with the fans, making 12 appearances during his stay and grabbing two further goals, both in the memorable 7-2 victory over Stockport.

Tom Kennedy joins the club having been released by local rivals Bury. The attacking full back played in both games against Rochdale last season, making 43 appearances during the campaign in total for the Shakers.

In addition these two more-experienced players, two youngsters have been snapped up from local sides that no longer require their services. Kallum Higginbotham comes from Oldham Athletic and is a striker who has regularly been on the score sheet for their reserve and youth teams. The youngster scored a hat-trick against Rochdale in the Lancashire Youth Cup final and he must have impressed the watching Dale manager.

Finally, Nathan D’Laryea arrives having been released by Manchester City. He was highly rated by many at the City of Manchester Stadium and some deemed that he was unfortunate to be released by them. He made one football league appearance, whilst on loan at Macclesfield Town last term, and captained City’s reserve side throughout the campaign.

Pre-Season Fixtures Announced

Following the team’s pre-season training camp in Cadiz, Rochdale will begin their pre-season matches in late July. Rochdale will take on Oldham in the Rose Bowl, the annual pre-season fixture between the two sides, in which Dale will hope to win back the trophy from the Latics after they prevailed on penalties last pre-season. The game will take place at Spotland on 24 July, 7.45pm kick off.

Huddersfield Town will make the short journey to Spotland on Saturday 28 July at 3.00pm.

Finally, Rochdale will visit Northwich Victoria a week before the season proper begins on Saturday 4 August, also at 3.00pm. A host of former Dale players now ply their trade for the Vics with former fans favourites Gareth Griffiths, Kevin Townson and Tony Gallimore all helping them to become an established Conference side.