The 'Dale Way

'Who won the National League Cup in 2024/25?' One of the more niche football questions for a competition that has attracted a fair bit of negativity and is likely to pass by largely unnoticed again in the new season.

Not all National League clubs have opted to participate in 2025/26 but Rochdale are in and offer a really clear explanation on their website as to why they are doing so.

Their four matches at Spotland will all be free admission, including the opening fixture against Burnley on August 12 which the club are looking at making a daytime kick-off as a good summer holiday activity.