Rochdale AFC Making Early Push for Football League Return with Strong National League Form
Recent Success Marks New Chapter
Rochdale AFC have made an impressive start to the 2025/26 season, currently occupying second place in the National League table with five wins from their first six matches. They sit just behind Forest Green Rovers, with a game in hand.
Club’s Journey and Current Status
The club faced a significant change in their history when they were relegated to the National League in April 2023, ending their 102-year stint in the Football League. At the time of their relegation, they held the record for playing the most seasons in the Football League without reaching the top two tiers (95 seasons).
The club faced financial difficulties during their transition, but found stability when the family of local businessman Peter Ogden completed a £2 million takeover in May 2024. Their first National League season saw them finish 11th, followed by a fourth-place finish in 2024-25, though they unfortunately lost in the play-off eliminator against Southend United.
Current Season and Squad Development
The team ended August 2025 at the top of the National League table after an impressive 3-1 victory at Wealdstone. The club has strengthened their squad with several new signings across all positions, including Mason Terry in goal, defensive additions Kyle Smith, Tommy Smith, Manny Omrore, and Frankie Terry, midfield reinforcements Fletcher Hubbard, Elliot Thorpe, and Goran Babic, plus attacking options Lewis Walker, Sahid Kamara, and Freddie Hockey. Walker and Terry are currently the team’s joint-top scorers in the league.
Looking Forward
The team continues to play their home matches at their traditional home, now known as the Crown Oil Arena through a sponsorship deal with the Bury-based fuel company Crown Oil. Their upcoming fixtures include a National League Cup Group A match against Blackburn Rovers U21s on Tuesday, September 16th, 2025, as the club aims to maintain their strong start to the season and push for promotion back to the Football League.
