Dale are in early action at the Crown Oil Arena on Saturday as we take on Oldham Athletic.
The Latics’ form has dipped slightly in recent weeks, following two wins from their first three. They come into the game after two straight defeats, including their first at home this season.
ADMISSION DETAILS
Tickets go off sale on Friday at 5pm. Supporters who have attended at least ONE game can purchase a ticket, existing Season Ticket holders can purchase extra tickets during the window, with a maximum restriction of four per person.
There will be no sales on matchday.
Click HERE for the ticketing details.
MATCHDAY GUIDE
Our Matchday Guide provides you a detailed look into what you can expect on the day.
Click HERE to read through in more detail.
JOINT STATEMENT
Rochdale AFC and Oldham Athletic have released a joint statement for supporters attending the game.
Click HERE to read.
ERNIE COOKSEY TROPHY
The Clubs will once again play for the Ernie Cooksey trophy, in honour of the former Dale and Oldham man who sadly lost his life to cancer in 2008.
FOLLOW THE ACTION
Should you not be with us in-person, the game can be watched live on Sky Sports +.
Click HERE to access Dale Player, taking you through the action with live audio commentary. Monthly and yearly passes are available.
PRE-MATCH INTERVIEW
Both Ian Watson and Dan Moss were on pre-match media duties before Dale’s League Two home clash.
Watch both interviews HERE.
TEAM NEWS
Ed Francis is back in contention after serving his one-match suspension, with Laurence Maguire and Cian Hayes returning in last weekend’s draw.
The gaffer expressed that there will be no further returns this weekend, with Sam Beckwith, Devante Rodney and Bryant Bilongo all missing out.
Ryan East, Ethan Ebanks-Landell, Casey Pettit and Will Jenkins are the longer-term absentees.
THE OPPOSITION
Overview – Oldham Athletic’s three-year stay in the National League came to an end in 2025 as they gained promotion through the Playoffs, with an entertaining 3-2 victory over Southend United. This fixture returns with our visitors having enjoyed their first season back in League Two, falling just ten points short of the Playoffs after four straight defeats that ended the season abruptly. In Mellon’s fourth year in charge, they’ve collated seven points from a possible 18 so far. Oldham have got the better of Dale in the last six meetings.
Manager – Micky Mellon – 54yo, appointed October 2023. The former midfielder took just one full season to get Oldham back into the Football League, having been brought in midway through the previous campaign. Having began his managerial career in 2008, his experience in the EFL told after guiding them to a tenth-placed finish last time out.
Last Game – Oldham Athletic 1-2 Chesterfield (50′ Fawunmi).
Top League Goalscorer (2026/27) – Calum Kavanagh (3).
New Signings
Aston Wilson (GK).
Gus Scott-Morriss (RB).
Ryan Delaney (CB).
Lewis Temple (CB).
Zain Tahir (CB).
Ollie Norburn (CM).
Keenan Appiah-Forson (CM).
Noah Chilvers (CM).
Tom Hill (CM).
Kai Payne (CM).
Elliott Nevitt (FW).
Favour Fawunmi (FW).
PLAYED FOR BOTH
Teammates at Oldham last season, Kane Taylor and Luke Hannant re-united during the summer after the former joined on loan from Aston Villa. We can also add Mani Dieseruvwe to that list, who spent six months with The Latics from Salford City in 2020.
We’ll also see a returning face to the Crown Oil Arena in the shape of Ryan Delaney. In January 2018, Dale signed the central defender from Burton Albion, as he made 57 appearances across two seasons. He joined Oldham in the summer.
WE’VE MET BEFORE
Games Played – 66
Rochdale Wins – 18
Draws – 23
Oldham Wins – 25
Most recent matchup – Oldham Athletic 1-1 Dale (15th Mar 2025).
First ever matchup – Oldham Athletic 3-0 Dale (30th Jan 1915).
OFFICIALS
Referee | Stephen Parkinson.
Assistants | Drew Dutton & Jake Topp.
Fourth Official | Richard Aspinall.
