Our final away day of the calendar year takes us to Morecambe!
This will be our first visit to the Mazuma Mobile Stadium in over 12 years after the Shrimps’ relegation in the summer. Our hosts could climb out of the bottom four with a positive result.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Tickets for the game go off sale on Christmas Day at 11.59pm, make sure you have purchased a ticket in advance.
Click HERE for full details.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Uk & overseas supporters can watch the match, live on DAZN. Please note that the game will not feature enhanced coverage.
Alternatively, you can listen to the game in full on Dale Player, with our commentary team on air around ten minutes before kick-off. Click HERE to sign up to our audio subscription service.
We will be streaming the game back to those who wish to join us at the Crown Oil Arena. Click HERE for all the details.
THE OPPOSITION
Overview – Morecambe’s rise to the EFL was completed in 2007, winning the Playoff final over Exeter City. After 14 years in the fourth tier, Derek Adams led the side to League One for the first time in history, again with Playoff glory. Despite survival in the 2021/22 season, they were relegated the following campaign even with a healthier points tally than the previous one. It would be a similar story back in League Two and after two seasons, their 18-year stay in the Football League came to an end. After a summer of turmoil off the field, the Panjab Warriors secured ownership of the club shortly after the National League had got underway. Over 25 players were signed which saw just two wins from their opening 13 games, now conceding the second-most goals of all 24.
Manager – Ashvir Singh Johal – 30yo, appointed 19th Aug 2025. Becoming the first-ever Sikh to take charge of a professional British club, Ashvir worked under Kolo Toure at Wigan and Cesc Fabregas at Como before taking the solo road. Won his first game in charge with four further wins since.
Last Game – Brackley Town 0-2 Morecambe (31′ 68′ Thomas).
Top League Goalscorer (2025/26) – Ben Tollitt, Admiral Muskwe & Jack Nolan (4).
New Signings
Archie Mair (GK).
Myles Boney (GK).
Jamal Blackman (GK).
Lewis Payne (RB).
Alie Sesay (CB).
Maldini Kacurri (CB).
Ludwig Francillette (CB).
Raheem Conte (LB).
Ben Williams (LB).
Mo Sangare (CM).
Arjan Raikhy (CM).
Miguel Azeez (CM).
Elijah Dixon-Bonner (CM).
George Thomas (CM).
Jake Cain (CM).
Ma’kel Campbell (CM).
Emerson Sutton (FW).
Josh Eppiah (FW).
Tom Tweedy (FW).
Admiral Muskwe (FW).
Jack Nolan (FW).
Harry Panayiotou (FW).
Joe Nuttall (FW).
Daniel Ogwuru (FW).
Rolando Aarons (FW).
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 14
Rochdale Wins – 5
Draws – 5
Morecambe Wins – 4
Most recent encounter – Morecambe 1-2 Rochdale (8th Sept 2020).
First ever encounter – Morecambe 1-1 Rochdale (27th Oct 2007).
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Defender David Tutonda spent two full seasons with Morecambe between 2023 and 2025 before signing for Dale, becoming our fifth summer signing at the time. He made 42 appearances with the seaside outfit.
Morecambe themselves are without any Dale links in their current squad but did have Max Taylor in their ranks towards the end of the League Two campaign last season.
Jack Kingdon came through the Shrimps’ academy before he joined Manchester United, from where he spent half of last season on loan at the COA. Other players include Michael Rose, Simon Grand and Adam Rundle.
THE MAZUMA MOBILE STADIUM
Take a look at Morecambe’s away supporters visiting guide, with details on location, away pubs and much more.
Click HERE to view.
OFFICIALS
Referee | Aaron Jackson.
Assistants | Jordan Brooks & Jack Nield.
Fourth Official | Alexander Beckett.
