OVERVIEW
After 18 years in the Football League, Morecambe’s stay in England’s top four divisions came to an end with defeat to Salford City in April. This was the Shrimps’ second-ever relegation in history, added to from the 2023 bottom four finish back into League Two. Their last venture in the National League lasted 12 years after reaching their highest-ever position at the time in 1995 with a large stint in the Northern Premier League beforehand between 1968 and 1995. The 2021 League Two Playoff final at Wembley Stadium saw Morecambe edge out Newport County to secure two seasons in the third tier and in that second season, despite gaining two extra points than the previous, were relegated back to League Two with the second season syndrome hitting them again in 2024/25.
2024/25 SEASON
On 12th July 2024, Morecambe’s EFL registration embargo which was handed to them in March was lifted and they wasted no time in adding to their squad as 15 new arrivals including former Dale man Max Taylor signed on the same day. It’s safe to say the campaign under the stewardship for a third spell of Derek Adams began poorly with five straight defeats which featured no goals and the first two wins of the season only coming in the EFL Trophy. They sat rooted at the back end of the standings and headed to Barrow in October winless in all ten league games, a gritty 1-0 win got the side in red off the mark. However, they ended 2024 without a win at home with the three points coming on the road at Harrogate, Swindon and Carlisle during that time. They broke that duct on New Year’s Day over Tranmere Rovers but only managed five more wins in their next 16 before six consecutive defeats to end the campaign sent them down.
Last Match – Sat 3rd May – Morecambe 1-2 Harrogate Town (12′ M.Taylor).
Morecambe XI – R.Schofield, C.Jones, M.Taylor (58′ D.Tutonda), J.Stott, A.Lewis (84′ A.Fairclough), P.Lewis, T.White, B.Tollitt (58′ J.Slew), C.Cooke (58′ Y.Songo’o), H.Hope (73′ A.Dallas), L.Angol.
Unused subs – H.Burgoyne, M.Dackers.
MANAGER
Scotsman Derek Adams ended his senior career and began his coaching one at Ross County lasting eight years across two spells after a brief outing as Hibernian’s Assistant Coach. His first move to England as a coach saw him take over at Plymouth Argyle and in his first season reached the League Two Playoff final but suffered defeat to AFC Wimbledon although bounced back to finish second and win promotion the following campaign.
His first of three Morecambe stints began in 2019 as he replaced ex-Dale gaffer Jim Bentley and two years later, won promotion to the third tier again. After less than a year at Bradford City, he returned to the club in February 2022 to make up his second spell in charge. Adams headed back home to Scotland to Ross County for a third time there but that only lasted four months before Morecambe came calling again last summer.
NEW SIGNINGS
19th June – Jack Stretton (Burton Albion).
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Since the turn of the century, a total of 25 players have swapped red for blue or vice versa. Four of those made over 100 appearances for Dale in the shape of Rhys Bennett, Alan Goodall, Michael Rose and Adam Rundle. The same number of players went on to hit three digits as well as Lewis Alessandra, Ryan Edwards, Jack Redshaw and Jordan Slew enjoyed lengthy spells with the Shrimps.
Most recently, in 2022 Dale signed Toumani Diagouraga from Morecambe and two years later, Max Taylor left the COA for the Mazuma Stadium.
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 14
Rochdale Wins – 5
Draws – 5
Morecambe Wins – 4
Our recent encounter – Morecambe 1-2 Dale (8 Sep 2020)
First ever encounter – Morecambe 1-1 Dale (27 Oct 2007)
Biggest Dale win – Dale 4-1 Morecambe (28 Dec 2009)
Biggest Morecambe win – Morecambe 3-0 Dale (2 Mar 2013)
Last Dale line-up – J.Lynch, R.McLaughlin (46′ J.Keohane), Y.Amankwah (72′ A.Newby), J.McNulty, J.Dunne, L.Bradley, A.Morley, E.Brierley, O.Rathbone (64′ S.Dooley), F.Tavares, K.Baah.
Unused subs – B.Wade, E.O’Connell, H.Hopper.
MAZUMA STADIUM
For just shy of 100 years, Christie Park played host to the First Team matches before plans for a new stadium began in 2008. Two years later, what was known as the Globe Arena opened it’s doors for the first time in July as they planned to host Bolton Wanderers in a friendly but due to site works, the pre-season fixtures were postponed.
The record attendance stands at 5,831 which was set in April 2022 with a vital game at home to Sunderland in League One and despite defeat, the Shrimps went on to maintain their divisional status.
