Dale are swiftly back in action and at home again as we take on Gillingham.
Both sides were awaiting their first maximum results of the campaign in midweek, with Dale taking up that opportunity with a 3-0 win over Shrewsbury Town. Gillingham, meanwhile, were held to a draw at Chesterfield, now sitting on the same points as Dale.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Tickets are on sale via our online ticketing provider Fanbase until kick-off, with supporters able to buy online 24/7 HERE, which is the easiest and quickest way to do so. Your ticket will be saved to your phone, which can then be scanned at the turnstiles.
Click HERE for the ticketing details.
MATCHDAY GUIDE
Our Matchday Guide provides you a detailed look into what you can expect on the day, from Season Ticket Collections to new kiosks.
Click HERE to read through in more detail.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Click HERE to access Dale Player, taking you through the action with live audio commentary. Monthly and yearly passes are available.
PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW
Deadline Day signing Charlie Tasker joined on loan from Brighton and we caught up with the youngster.
You can watch the interview in full HERE.
TEAM NEWS
Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Sam Sherring and Ryan East all picked up injuries in our match at Colchester United, with the skipper being forced off on Tuesday evening. All three are doubts for this weekend.
Cian Hayes, Laurence Maguire, Devante Rodney and Sam Beckwith are nearing a return to fitness but Saturday’s game comes too soon.
New signings Glenn Middleton and Charlie Tasker are in line to make their Dale debuts.
Bryant Bilongo, Casey Pettit and Will Jenkins remain the longer-term absentees.
THE OPPOSITION
Overview – The Gills are into their fifth consecutive season in League Two, following relegation in 2022 after a large spell in the third tier. The two-time playoff final winners have staggered in terms of gaining promotion again, with a 12th placed finish the best so far. Three of their four seasons has seen the Kent-based outfit finish 17th, as they look to turn around a slow start to this campaign too with three draws and one defeat.
Manager – Gareth Ainsworth – 53yo, appointed March 2025. The experienced manager took over at the Gills following a slump in results at the turn of the year, replacing former Dale boss John Coleman. The form turned on it’s head with 18 league games unbeaten pulling the Gills to safety. This was added to by a 17th placed finish last term.
Last Game – Chesterfield 1-1 Gillingham (58′ Hale).
Top League Goalscorer (2026/27) – Conor McManus & Ronan Hale (1).
New Signings
Lennon MacLorg (GK)
Ollie Wright (GK)
Liam Gordon (CB)
Samuel Tabares (CB)
Jack Daley (CB)
Conor McManus (LB)
Zane Albarus (CM)
Nick Freeman (CM)
Eli King (CM)
Zech Obiero (CM)
James Brophy (FW)
Will Goodwin (FW)
Kadeem Harris (FW)
Lamin Sillah (FW)
Sheldon Kendall (FW)
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Goalkeeper Lennon MacLorg came through the youth ranks at Rochdale up to a second-year scholar, training with the First Team on a regular basis before joining Charlton Athletic. The 20-year-old signed for Gillingham during the summer, his boyhood club.
Previous players include Josh Andrews, Danny Lloyd and David Tutonda.
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 54
Rochdale Wins – 16
Draws – 19
Gillingham Wins – 16
Most recent matchup – Dale 0-2 Gillingham (18th Feb 2023).
First ever matchup – Dale 2-0 Gillingham (9th Jan 1915).
OFFICIALS
Referee | Jamie Robinson.
Assistants | Daniel Woodward & Aaron Hallam.
Fourth Official | Steven Copeland.
