The first of two home games to be played at Accrington’s Wham Stadium!
With the mid-season pitch rebuild taking place, our games against Hartlepool United and Brackley Town will be held at Stanley. Dale head into the game with five straight league wins, whereas the Pools search for their first in four.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Tickets for the game are on general sale, following a priority period for Season Ticket holders. Only the Ticket Office at the Wham Stadium is open for those wishing to purchase on the day.
Click HERE for full admission details.
MATCHDAY GUIDE
Our Matchday Guide provides you a detailed look into what you can expect on the day. This guide also takes you through what to expect for Saturday’s visit of Brackley Town.
Click HERE to read through.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
The match will be shown live on DAZN on Tuesday evening and you can sign up for the online service HERE.
Dale Player is available for audio commentary, taking you through the action ensuring you don’t miss a thing.
Click HERE to sign up for monthly or yearly passes for Dale Player.
THE OPPOSITION
Overview – Hartlepool United are halfway through their third consecutive campaign in the National League and have steadily progressed with 12th and 11th-placed finishes so far. Their 89-year Football League stay ended in 2017 and are now looking for a second promotion since that time. Mani Dieseruvwe was top goalscorer in both the fifth-tier seasons so far and stands as Dale’s top marksman with 12 netted. Simon Grayson took the reigns after Anthony Limbrick’s departure in the summer, and despite just 15 games in the job, the experienced coach was sacked with one win from 11. Former midfielder Featherstone took over and went seven games unbeaten before a recent poor run.
Manager – Nicky Featherstone – 37yo, appt 5th December 2025. Sixth in the club’s all-time appearance holder, Nicky became manager earlier this month, following an interim spell after Grayson’s sacking. He won four of his eight games, with none since his permanent move. He netted against Dale last season at the Crown Oil Arena in our 5-1 victory.
Last Game – Hartlepool United 1-2 Scunthorpe United (78′ Daly).
Top League Goalscorer (2025/26) – Alex Reid (5).
New Signings
George Evans (GK).
Jay Benn (RB).
Reiss McNally (CB).
Maxim Kouogun (CB).
Besart Topalloj (LB).
Cameron John (LB).
Brad Walker (CM).
Matty Daly (CM).
Pharrell Brown (CM).
Nathan Ferguson (CM).
Jermaine Francis (FW).
Danny Johnson (FW).
Alex Reid (FW).
Ashley Nathaniel-George (FW).
Vadaine Oliver (FW).
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Dale completed not one, but two signings from Hartlepool United, in the shape of Anthony Gomez-Mancini and Mani Dieseruvwe, with the latter scoring 43 goals in 89 games. The Frenchman Mancini also spent two seasons in the North East, after joining in the same summer.
The third ex-Hartlepool man in the Dale squad is Devante Rodney, who broke through in the 2016/17 season and scored his first two professional goals in a final day win over Doncaster Rovers.
As for the Pools, they brought in former Dale man Cameron John on loan from York City. The 26-year-old has scored twice since the summer move. Other names include Chris Beech, Jason Kennedy and Joe Bunney.
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 154
Rochdale Wins – 62
Draws – 38
Hartlepool United Wins – 54
Most recent encounter – Dale 5-1 Hartlepool United (26th April 2025).
First ever encounter – Hartlepool United 5-3 Dale (31st Dec 1921).
OFFICIALS
Referee | William Davis.
Assistants | Thomas Wall & Mark Bates.
Fourth Official | Jonathan Maskrey.
