Dale to face Wembley opponents in friendly

Rochdale will face the team that were promoted to League One at their expense in a pre-season friendly at Spotland.

The two play-off finalists will go head to head once more on Tuesday 22 July, kick off 7.30pm.

Of course a victory for Dale will do little to avenge their Wembley defeat against Stockport but Keith Hill's men will be hoping his side can compete against Jim Gannon's men to show what they may be capable of during the season ahead.

Hill hold's Gannon's Stockport side in high regard, with both managers adopting similar policies; using young players to play attacking football.

The game is the first of Dale's friendlies on home soil. When they return from their pre-season traning camp in Spain, Rochdale will travel to Rossendale United on Saturday 19 July, kick off 3pm, three days ahead of the Stockport fixture.

Bolton Wanderers visit Spotland on Friday 25 July, 7.30 kick off, in the most high profile of Dale's pre-season fixtures, while a reserve side will travel to Northwich Victoria the next day, kick off 3.00pm.

The schedule is completed by away trips to Hyde United on Wednesday 30 July, 7.30pm kick off, and Southport on Saturday 2 August, kick off 3.00pm, before the League campaign begins in earnest at Grimsby on Saturday 9 August.