Rochdale: Dale ‘wouldn’t have it any other way’ after dramatic campaign

There was a time when Rochdale was known for not really doing much.

After being relegated from the old Division Three in 1974, Dale spent the next 36 years stuck in the fourth tier, never going up, never going down – at this stage it became known in some quarters as the ‘Rochdale Division’.

The Class of 2026, however, have forged a new identity, one built around heartbreaking drama and a never-say-die attitude, perfectly embodied by Wembley hero Dzeruve.

The 31-year-old has represented more than a dozen clubs since arriving at Sheffield Wednesday’s academy and signing his first pro contract at Hillsborough in 2013.

He played up, down and across the northern half of the country from National League North to League Two to League One – helping Salford and Grimsby secure their own EFL promotions – before returning to non-league football where things finally clicked for him at Hartlepool in 2023.

His 23 goals in 39 National League games for Poole followed up with 16 goals last season and Rochdale offered him a two-year deal last summer.

27 league goals (and eight assists to boot) in 42 appearances are some way of repaying the club’s faith.

A 99th-minute winner at Braintree on 18 April kept Dale’s title hopes alive and seven days later, a 95th-minute goal won Rochdale automatic promotion against York, only for a pitch invasion and subsequent City leveler eight minutes later to condemn Dale to the play-offs. But Deserves were back in the final after James Clarke’s deflection powered in a header from Casey Pettit’s deep cross from the right.

“It’s unbelievable. It’s surreal. I honestly don’t know what happened,” Dseruwe said, holding a cold beer in the mixed zone in the bowels of Wembley Stadium after the on-field celebrations.

“The last kick of the game… again. We were able to take it to extra time and win on penalties – it’s an incredible feeling.”

DeSeruvwe’s Dale career began with both goals in a 2-0 win at The Wood in August and he added two more in a 4-1 home win in the reverse fixture in February.

“It’s a crazy game, when you come here, it’s not like the league season, the pitch is brilliant. There was a lot of action but you have to believe until the final whistle,” he said.

“We were still in the game, even at 2-0, as little as we felt, and once (Tyler Smith) got that goal we believed and thankfully equalized and won on penalties.”