Let Me Hear Your Trumpets Ringing Out

Nobes salutes some of the clubs and managers who, despite staying out of the spotlight this season, deserve recognition.

Barnsley boss Mark Robins has overseen a year of progress at Oakwell

They say no news is good news. Find that your club is constantly overlooked and fails to grab the national media's attention, and you can count on that being because things are ticking along just nicely.

No manager being sacked and, although not involved in the race for promotion, there's no relegation battle to be fought either.

It's all too easy to gloss over such clubs and the work of their managers. However, they are often the bosses who consistently do the best jobs without receiving the recognition they merit.

Take Barnsley's Mark Robins, for example. When the Reds turned to the 41-year-old last term, they found themselves struggling at the foot of the table after a poor start to the campaign.

However, the former Rotherham manager soon turned things around and, at one point in the spring, the Oakwell outfit were even on the cusp of the play offs.

A late dip in form eventually saw them finish 18th in a congested mid-table. However, he has built on that first season with a term of solid progression and development.

Saturday's 4-1 defeat to resurgent Leicester left the Tykes in 13th, a full 13 points clear of the bottom three. Also, since a 4-0 loss at QPR on the opening weekend, they haven't dropped lower than 18th all term.

For a club who fought the drop for three successive seasons under his predecessor, Simon Davey, it's clear that Robins has moved the team on to another level.

Not that he's had the greatest resources available to him. Indeed, Barnsley are outperforming sides with higher wage bills who have spent more, and that is testament to the manager.

Coaxing consistently fine performances, as well as goals, from winger Adam Hammill also earned the club £4 million from Woverhampton Wanderers in the January transfer window as they sought to secure his services.

He will undoubtedly be a loss to the Reds for the remainder of the season, but they were quick to replace his goal threat with the signing of Bristol City striker Danny Haynes.

The summer captures of centre half Jason Shackell and Serbian midfielder Goran Lovre have also been astute moves, and Garry O'Connor from Birmingham is a proven forward in the Championship.

Robins, who notably had to overcome financial problems, points deductions, and a temporary home when in charge at Rotherham, is proving himself to be a young manager of increasing capability - who gets the best out of what he has available.

Not that he's the only one. Indeed, across South Yorkshire, Sean O'Driscoll continues to establish Doncaster in the second tier, as well as furthering their reputation as purveyors and protectors of the beautiful game.

It's earned the boss himself admirers - he was strongly linked with the Sheffield United job over Christmas. Perhaps that has proved a distraction, with Rovers losing four of their last five games to drop to 15th.

However, they still remain secure in the middle of the table, which is no mean feat for a side on modest resources with some of the smallest attendances in the Championship.

It is also a sign of the job the Irishman performs at the Keepmoat that pundits were all confident that Rovers wouldn't figure in the fight for survival at the bottom.

Although not advocating the same footballing principles as O'Driscoll, Millwall boss Kenny Jackett also deserves praise for the way his side have adapted to life in the second tier.

Kenny Jackett is ensuring promoted Millwall make a bright return to the Championship

I spoke after their opening day 3-0 win at Bristol City that the Lions were in good hands under Jackett's guidance. A hard-working pragmatist, opposition managers always speak in glowing terms about his team's endeavour and the danger they pose.

While they may not be the prettiest team to watch in the Championship, they also don't have the money of some of their rivals. Fine recent form has even propelled them up to 7th - albeit having played more games than some of the sides around them.

However, successive promotions aren't out of the question should the London side repeat their exploits of 2002 in qualifying for the play offs the season after coming up from the third tier.

It is a tier itself which is home, too, to managers quietly and efficiently going about their business.

Take Exeter City's Paul Tisdale, a manager who has rejected offers from other clubs to remain in Devon.

The Grecians are one of the smallest clubs in League One, but Tisdale has stayed loyal to them to help further his managerial education while competing against most illustrious opponents.

After a last gasp escape from relegation on the final day last season, City have held a place in mid table since August.

Not only that, but he guided them through to the regional final of the JPT this season - the run ending with an aggregate defeat to Brentford over two legs to deny them an appearance at Wembley.

They also continue to play the brand of fluid passing football which the manager has implemented since their days in the Conference. It's the mix of style and substance on a limited budget that so often eludes other bosses.

Keith Hill is not one of them though. The Rochdale supremo wrote his name into the Lancashire outfit's history books when promotion last term ended more than 35 years spent in the basement division.

However, after a poor sequence of results at the end of last season, allied with a difficult time in the summer transfer market, Dale fans were concerned their stay in League One would be a brief one.

They currently sit in 9th though, and continue to adhere to playing the game the right way.

The boss has also shown great character and nerve to turn around a worrying slide down the table from the dizzy heights of 4th to just above the drop zone in 18th. Even if Dale do end up in the bottom half, they have been one of the season's surprise packages.

As have Milton Keynes Dons. Indeed, naming the then 29-year-old Karl Robinson as manager last summer was a surprise in itself.

The youngest manager in the Football League was also taking over at a tricky time in the short history of the club. Paul Ince brought an end to his second spell at stadium:mk last season citing budget cuts and differing ambitions for his departure.

It appeared as though the ambitious Dons, who reached the play offs in 2009, would now have to scale back their dreams. However, Robinson has them competing once again for the top six.

To be doing so in his first job, as well as outperforming Ince despite less money to work with, is an achievement which should not be overlooked. You may not like the Dons, but the manager deserves some kudos.

The experienced Paul Sturrock is giving a masterclass in crisis management at Southend

While they profit under the leadership of a rookie, it's an experienced pro who is once again proving his worth in League Two at Southend United.

The Shrimpers went close to going out of business during the summer after relegation from League One, and a transfer embargo was only lifted days before they kicked off their season against fellow financially-troubled Stockport.

However, unlike the currently flailing Hatters, United boss Paul Sturrock used his many years in the game, as well as his various contacts, to fashion together a team that, while quickly assembled, currently sit just three points off the top seven.

It's no mean feat to bring a large collection of players in all at the same time and gel them into an effective and winning unit in a matter of months.

While promotion via the play offs may well prove beyond them this term, the Scot, who has previously guided both Plymouth and Swindon out of League Two, will be a good bet to lead the side from the Essex coast up next season.

Down on the South Coast, another boss who consistently does his job well - without receiving the recognition he deserves - is Torquay United's Paul Buckle.

During their time in the Conference he guided the Gulls to Wembley on three occasions - including winning the play off final in 2009 to return to the Football League.

Last season, he established them back in League Two and the Devonians have kicked on from there, comfortably sitting in mid table and earlier in the campaign went nearly 1000 minutes without conceding a goal.

It's not just their league form which should be praised though, but their recent record in the FA Cup also tells the tale of a manager who treats the competition with respect - not afraid to progress at the cost of not playing in the league.

They've reached the third round in three of the last four seasons, twice making the fourth round, and claimed the scalps of Blackpool and Coventry along the way.

Buckle has also earned praise for the way he conducts himself, including the dignified manner in which he dealt with their disappointing FA Cup exit amid the antics of Crawley last month. No surprise bigger clubs are already sniffing around the 40-year-old.

It's a mystery why John Coleman continues to be overlooked for positions though. There is arguably no manager in the Football League who so regularly gets his side to punch above their weight than the Accrington Stanley boss.

No club in the Football League attracts smaller crowds or works with an inferior budget than the Lancashire outfit. However, they are well on their way to securing a sixth successive year in League Two.

Coleman is the architect behind it and, although he can sometimes let his passion overtake him, it is impossible not to admire his achievements and longevity at the Crown Ground.

Basement division rivals Lincoln were rumoured to be interested in the Liverpudlian earlier in the campaign, but he eventually signed a new deal to remain with Stanley.

While it would be a wrench to leave the club after 12 years though, it is remarkable that more clubs haven't tested his loyalty by giving him the chance to prove what he can do at a bigger club with greater resources.

If only he could afford a bigger trumpet.

Big Match Review - Rochdale 2 FC United 3

Rochdale 2-3 FC United of Manchester

Friday November 5, Spotland, (Att: 7,048)

Michael Norton's controversial winner deep into injury time earned FC United of Manchester a shock FA Cup victory over League One Rochdale.

The match exploded into life in the second half, by which stage the Northern Premier League side were already 1-0 up.

Neat approach play ended with Jerome Wright slipping the ball through for Nicky Platt to clip the ball over the advancing Josh Lillis three minutes before the interval.

That lead was then doubled soon after the restart when good play down the left resulted in the ball being played back for Jake Cotterill to thunder a drive into the top corner from 25 yards.

It seemed to sting Keith Hill's men into life and they hit back within five minutes as Anthony Elding glanced a header in from Brian Barry-Murphy's free kick.

That vulnerability from dead balls cost FC United again with 12 minutes left as Craig Dawson rose highest from a corner to power a header in for Dale's leveller.

Just as things were heading for a replay at Gigg Lane though, the Non League outfit snatched a winner.

After a through-ball had been collected by Lillis, he seemed to temporarily lose control of the ball and Norton pounced to take the ball away from the keeper and roll it in.

The Spotland faithful were outraged as the 3,000 visiting supporters were sent into ecstasy.

It saw FC United of Manchester through to the second round for the first time in their history. Rochdale must now focus on survival in League One.

Big Match Preview

Rochdale vs. FC United of Manchester

Friday November 5, 19:45, Spotland

You can expect fireworks both on and off the pitch this Guy Fawkes Night as the FA Cup proper kicks off with a tasty looking local affair involving Rochdale and FC United of Manchester.

It pits the Non League club borne out of the frustration of disenchanted Manchester United supporters against one of the many smaller Football League outfits in the North West.

With plenty of away supporters from the well-supported club expected to descend on Spotland, an electric atmosphere is expected as they seek to claim a famous scalp.

This is actually the first time that FCUM, who were only formed in 2005, have made it through to the First Round of the Cup.

On their path they've seen off the likes of Radcliffe Borough, Gainsborough, Norton & Stockton, and then more than 3,000 saw them defeat Conference side Barrow to earn their trip to Dale.

They currently play in the Northern Premier Division, where they lie in mid table in 15th position. It's been an inconsistent season for Karl Marginson's men so far though - with six wins and six defeats from their 12 matches.

Key men for the Red Rebels if they're to cause an upset include top scorer Mike Norton, who has bagged 12 goals to date.

Experienced former Football League striker Glynn Hurst - who played for Dale's local rivals Bury - is another to watch with five goals in eight appearances this term.

Will Rochdale boss Keith Hill still be smiling come full time tomorrow?

For their opponents, Friday evening's game will represent a rare occasion this season when they go into the match as firm favourites.

Currently enjoying life in League One for the first time in over 30 years, Keith Hill's men have made a surprisingly encouraging start to life in the third tier.

They currently sit in mid-table and are just three points off the play off positions. Along the way too, they have achieved some notable scalps - beating highly tipped duo Southampton and Huddersfield.

After a poor end to last season's promotion campaign and a difficult summer in the transfer market, Hill will be pleased with his team's progress as they look to consolidate in League One.

A switch in tactics has been key to Dale's season so far - and has brought the best out of long-serving captain Gary Jones, currently the team's top scorer with seven to his name.

Striker Chris O'Grady has also chipped in with five and is a difficult prospect for opposition defences.

With the television cameras in attendance, obviously some people are anticipating a potential upset as well as an entertaining encounter.

However, with Dale comfortable in their division, a Cup run would be a welcome addition to their season and I expect home advantage and the four divisions difference to see them through.

Nobes' Prediction: Rochdale 3 FC United of Manchester 1

What if... re-election hadn't ended?

Our series where we take a look back at pivotal moments in Football League history continues as Nobes asks what would have happened had automatic promotion from the Non Leagues not been introduced?

Walls come tumbling down: change was in the air 23 years ago

It's with a huge degree of bias that I say the following: 1987 was a special year. Indeed, there was plenty going on 23 years ago.

Maggie Thatcher was wrapping up a second landslide victory to stay in Number 10 for a third term. She then gave the go ahead for the Channel Tunnel to be constructed.

It was also the year of the Great Storm - Britain's worst for nearly 300 years - that battered parts of south and east England. Famously, the previous evening BBC weatherman Michael Fish had dismissed the storm happening.

In popular culture, Americans first caught a glimpse of a TV family called The Simpsons.

After far too many years of an ageing Roger Moore as James Bond getting cosy with much too young lasses we had a new 007, as well, with Timothy Dalton taking over the reins.

Things, it seemed, were changing. Typified by, perhaps, the most famous quote of all 1987 from US President Ronald Reagan who, on a visit to Berlin, demanded: "Mr Gorbachev - tear down this wall!"

That wouldn't happen for another couple of years. However, one barrier was being removed a little closer to home - that between the Football and Non Leagues.

Up until 1987, clubs seeking to gain promotion to the Football League from the Conference had to be elected by current League members.

It was the ultimate 'closed shop' with members able to prevent new clubs joining in favour of keeping the established order in place.

Indeed, the first eight winners of the Conference - established as the outright top division of Non League football in 1979 - failed to win election to the league.

Things had to change - and, in '87, they did. For the first time, the side who finished 92nd in the Football League would drop out of the top four tiers and be replaced by the Conference winners - as long as their ground met regulations.

So, it was probably appropriate that, in May 1987, Starship sat on top of the UK charts with 'Nothing's Gonna Stop Us Now.' It was the prevailing mood among the ambitious clubs of the Conference desperate for their chance in the big time.

Neil Warnock and Martin O'Neill both led clubs into the Football League

That feeling was exhibited no more than on the North Sea coast - where the seaside town of Scarborough was celebrating their team having soared to the Conference title under the management of an ambitious Yorkshireman called Neil Warnock.

The Seadogs were to take their place in the Football League - eventually replacing Lincoln City - relegated after a frantic final day scrap also involving Torquay, and former English champions, Burnley.

The Imps became the first club to ever automatically be relegated from the 92 club - although they bounced back at the first attempt. No doubt they were thankful for the same rule they were cursing only 12 months earlier.

It was the beginning of the constant flow between the two divisions which - albeit thrice interrupted in the mid-1990s because of the condition of the grounds of the Conference winners - has become a natural feature of the English game.

In doing so, too, it opened the door to so many clubs previously restricted to try and make their mark in the Football League.

Just imagine, for a minute though, what might have happened had re-election not been scrapped? What if the team who won the Conference had to rely on a vote to gain membership of the Football League?

Without the change to the rules in 1987, what would fate have held for the likes of Wycombe Wanderers - Buckinghamshire's first professional club long before the MK Dons came into existence?

The Chairboys gained entry into the Football League in 1993 under Martin O'Neill and soon established themselves in what is now League One - remaining there for a decade.

In the past 17 years, they've also made it both the League Cup and FA Cup semi finals - memorably giving Chelsea and Liverpool runs for their respective money. Without automatic promotion, it may never have happened.

Yeovil Town, too, finally reached the promised land in 2004 after near misses in elections. After winning promotion in only their second season, they're now in their sixth consecutive season in the third tier.

Two clubs who, until the rules were changed, would never have been able to be the credit to the Football League they have become. Two counties in Buckinghamshire and Somerset that would never have enjoyed 92 club status.

Some could argue that they would have got there eventually. With persistence, a vote would have gone their way.

Altrincham's Moss Lane could have been a Football League ground in the '80s

Possibly, but history also shows that clubs who missed the boat have never got as close again.

Take the example of Enfield. The Hertfordshire outfit won the Conference title in 1983 and 1986 - the final season of re-election. They missed out in the vote on both occasions.

It was to prove their high point. The club spiralled back down the pyramid and financial problems eventually saw them wound up and a new club created in 2007.

Altrincham, too, are another club who seemed to have missed the Football League boat. The Greater Manchester outfit won the first two Conference titles but lost out in the re-election process both times.

That included, in 1980, losing out by just a single vote. Although they are still in the Conference, they are now a small fish competing alongside a plethora of ex-League teams. They may never return to those same heights.

For every Yeovil, Wycombe, or Boston - who lost out on a vote in 1978 before finally winning promotion in 2002 - there are clubs like Wealdstone and Runcorn who drifted into obscurity when they didn't win election as Conference champions.

The Football League landscape could look very different to what it does now - and not just with the teams who could have made it, but those who've dropped down.

This season's Conference has more of a look of a 'League Three' about it than the top division of Non League football. True, there are still Histons and Eastbournes.

However, a division including the likes of Luton, Grimsby, Mansfield, Wrexham, York, Darlington, and Cambridge deserves respect.

The second relegation place - following on from the removal of re-election - has not only opened the door to many Non League outfits, but also seen an increase in the quality and size of clubs in the Conference.

It's also unlikely the likes of Carlisle, Exeter, Shrewsbury, or Oxford - all relegated from League Two before being subsequently re-promoted - would have ever lost a re-election vote.

All four clubs dropped down but returned stronger than when they went down into the Non Leagues. Arguably, it allowed them to start again and get things moving in the right direction.

Would the Crewe and Dario Gradi story have been the same without re-election?

With re-election, they could have survived by the skin of their teeth and never found any forward momentum - continuing instead to toil around the lower reaches of the basement division.

The argument could even be extended further - what if re-election had never existed in the first place? With the bottom club immediately being relegated, things could have been massively different.

For instance, how about that bastion of good football, producing young talent, and punching above their weight? Crewe Alexandra may be a neutral's favourite, but no club has finished bottom of the Football League more often.

On eight occasions, Alex have finished propping everyone else up. Most recently in 1984, when they survived re-election and temporarily denied Maidstone United a place in the Football League.

Had they slipped down in '84 - the first season under the management of one Dario Gradi - what would have happened to the conveyor belt of talent that produced the likes of David Platt, Danny Murphy, and Robbie Savage?

The Cheshire club may never have enjoyed the success they did in competing in the second tier for a number of years had they lost any one of their re-election votes.

It's also unlikely the term the 'Rochdale Division' would ever have entered the footballing lexicon had Dale lost one of a number of re-election votes they had to endure.

Most notably, just one vote saw them survive the drop in 1980 at the expense of the aforementioned Altrincham. Even in 1978, it was Southport who took the drop at their expense when Wigan Athletic entered the Football League.

Dale spent 36 consecutive seasons in the basement division until promotion last term - nobody has spent a longer continuous spell in it.

They also hold the dubious record of having the lowest average position of all the continuous members of the Football League in the past 90 years. Crucially, though, because of their continued election victories, they are continuous.

However, had they slipped down into the Non Leagues, what would have happened to the Spotland outfit? With so many clubs surrounding them in Lancashire, how long would they have taken to return, if ever?

Fortunately, such questions are no longer restricted to the hypothetical. Common sense prevailed back in '87. The closed shop opened its doors - improved immeasurably for it - and has never looked back since.

It was 1987, truly a special year.

Up The Dale

After they win their first promotion in over 40 years, Nobes salutes Keith Hill and Rochdale's success in League Two.

Rochdale players celebrate promotion to League One at the weekend

The last time Rochdale won promotion, man had yet to step foot on the moon. Now, after the Lancashire club's 1-0 win over Northampton secured a place in League One, they're just over it.

To put it into context - the kind that will have Nick Clegg salivating even more - the last time Rochdale played outside the basement division was also the last time Britain had a hung parliament - 1974.

Since then, they've been marooned in League Two - or the other various names it's been called over the years. So much so, it became known as the 'Rochdale division.'

As the ecstatic Dale fans sang on Saturday though: "It needs a new name, it needs a new name - the Rochdale division, it needs a new name."

It's this kind of self-deprecating humour amongst long-suffering support which makes this promotion so popular with neutral fans all over the country. No team has deserved promotion more than Rochdale.

It is a promotion - only the second in the club's history - which owes much to the work of manager Keith Hill and his assistant David Flitcroft. Their success is a sign of how, given time, a manager can find the formula for success.

When the duo took over at Spotland in late 2006, Dale were struggling at the foot of the table, nervously looking over their shoulder at relegation.

They needn't have worried for long - the team were transformed in the matter of a few whirlwind months. Playing the kind of enterprising, attacking football that all fans want to see, Dale rocketed up the division.

Thirteen wins in 22 games saw them finish 9th - just five points off the play-offs. It was a dramatic turnaround in form that hinted at brighter things to come.

In the following campaign - the club's centenary - Hill's men again began slowly, but another strong conclusion to the campaign earned them 5th place and a shot in the play-offs.

A dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Darlington in the semi-finals took them to their first ever appearance at Wembley. It wasn't to have the dream ending though, narrowly losing to Jim Gannon's young Stockport side.

They picked themselves up from the floor and went at it again - never wavering from a commitment to playing attractive, positive football. Again, they finished in the top seven - this time missing out in the semis to Gillingham.

Manager Keith Hill has written himself into the history books at Rochdale

It's a sign of how starved of success the Spotland faithful have been though that successful play-off finishes - albeit both ended without winning promotion - represented some of the club's best years.

Now, this season, they have led from the very front. Despite having to sell striker Adam Le Fondre to rivals Rotherham, Hill has crafted a strike partnership between Chris Dagnall and Chris O'Grady that has plundered 41 goals between them.

Centre half Craig Dawson, a revelation since signing from Non League Radcliffe Borough, has caught the eye of Premier League teams such has been his performance this term.

Dale hit top spot at the beginning of December with a 2-0 win at Bradford - part of an 11 match unbeaten run in the middle of winter.

It was a position at the summit they only relinquished last week to a Notts County side who have been relentless since the appointment of Steve Cotterill.

The pair meet this evening at Meadow Lane, with the winners in pole position to secure the title. Hill is not too fussed about adding silverware to their promotion success, advocating his players celebrating their achievement over the weekend.

In a thinly veiled attack on County's overspending this season he claimed that "if we don't catch up with Notts County - the taxman will."

The odds are against Dale ousting in-form Notts and securing the title. If the neutrals had their way though - there'd only be one winner.

The Stagnation Game

As things stand, League Two could have a very different look about it next season.

That's because its two longest-serving members - Rochdale and Darlington - are both on course to be playing in different divisions next term.

So, with that in mind, added to Preston being on course for an 11th consecutive year in the Championship next season, Lakes discusses supporting a stagnated side, and the effect it can have on a club.

We came, we saw, we conquered. It's a mantra familiar to all football fans who have watched their teams win automatic promotion to the next league up. The world of football is alight, the game has been beaten. Checkmate.

Some sides get promoted and realise the game hasn't been won at all. The game is just beginning and the real battle is against relegation. Some sides continue their impetuous drives and win promotion again.

Fans are treated to exciting fooball, whether going up or down, and the prospect of a thrilling season.

Then there's a third category: the purgatorial teams who sit somewhere in the ether between promotion and relegation.

They may flirt with both prospects, but ultimately have found their level. Too much depth to go down, not enough quality to go up.

Teams like Rochdale, Darlington, Oldham, Macclesfield, Lincoln, Burnley - until last season - and my very own Preston North End fit into this category.

For fans of these teams, it all comes down to buying a ticket for the league lottery and hoping for the best every season.

Without external investment they won't have the funds to go up and, with a squad of established players at their level, they probably won't go down.

So what's wrong with that? Surely when Preston were promoted to the Championship, that was the aim? To establish yourself at a higher level.

But priorities change so frequently in football. Fans are as greedy as chairmen and get stroppy if their side isn't pushing for the next level, even if they are not ready for it.

Preston fans have seen their side playing in the same division for the last 10 years

And herein lies a big problem. Fans. While chairmen, directors, and players may be happy to see their income stay at a predictable, safe level, fans will always be pushing for more money to be spent.

They're more fickle these days, driven on by the incessant TV footage of Premier League bigwig footballers masterbating into silver cups. Success is everything, and time waits for no man.

In some ways, being established helps.

For Preston, the longest serving members of the highest tier outside the Premier League, it offers the opportunity for seniority in the game and implies an established club, which up and coming players can rely on for a safe season and first team football.

Managers and players can both treat it as a stepping stone at which to achieve greatness before moving on, and in a way that's what Preston have always done.

But for every manager that moves on, the dream of shaking John Terry's hand or stroking Peter Crouch off in the bath at full time becomes more distant.

The team stagnates, falls backwards again in an inexorable cycle of peaks and troughs. Normality resumes, and the club's level becomes quickly apparent again.

For me, it's fine. We get to play good sides in a competitve league. Why do we need more than that?

Mind you, tossing off Peter Crouch in the bath does sound good.

Big Match Review - Bury 1 Rochdale 0

League Two

Bury 1-0 Rochdale

Monday February 1, Gigg Lane, (Att: 6,528)

Bury edged out local rivals Rochdale to move back into the automatic promotion places in League Two thanks to Ryan Lowe's late winner.

Both sides struggled to get their passing games going, but away keeper Frank Fielding had to be alert to prevent Stephen Dawson from giving the Shakers the lead.

Keith Hill's visitors began to improve after the break and missed a glorious chance to take the lead when Chris O'Grady could only shoot wide with the goal gaping.

And they were made to pay 12 minutes from time when the home side made the breakthrough. Andy Morrell slipping through Lowe to keep his composure and finish past Fielding.

Dale pressed but couldn't find a way back into the game, however, despite suffering their first defeat in 13 they remain seven points clear at the top of the table.

Big Match Preview

League Two

Bury vs. Rochdale

Monday February 1, 19:45, Gigg Lane

Few games in League Two have been bigger this season and when fourth-placed Bury host near neighbours, and runaway leaders, Rochdale, more than local bragging rights will be at stake.

Dale, beaten in the play-offs in the last two seasons, have been in scintilating form as they have stormed to the top of the basement division this term.

Keith Hill's side have a ten point lead at the summit, and a goal difference of +33 dwarves any other in the league. Their 13 match unbeaten run has left the Spotland outfit looking on course for a first promotion since 1969.

However, their 36-year spell in the lowest tier of the Football League could be set to end in title winning glory, and a win on Monday evening would complete a double over their Lancashire rivals.

Dale's success has been built on an abundance of attacking options with strikers Chris O'Grady and Chris Dagnall notching 15 and 14 goals respectively so far this term.

With young talent like Joe Thompson, and the bargain summer recruit of centre half Craig Dawson, the attractive football and skill of Hill's side has unsurprisingly caught the attention of bigger clubs

The club are determined to resist offers for Dawson though and, having sold Will Buckley to Watford this week, the rest of the squad should be kept together to finally deliver the most anticipated of all promotions.

All of which means that local rivals Bury will be desperate to put a spanner in the works of Dale's promotion charge, as well as further their own hopes for elevation from the basement division.

Shakers boss Alan Knill is mounting another promotion campaign

Like their neighbours, the Shakers were losers in the end of season play-offs last May, and appeared to suffer a hangover as they got off to a slow start this campaign.

Six points from their opening seven games was not the start fans had been expecting, however, Alan Knill's men have only lost three games since.

And, after winning their last three matches - including a win at high-flying Bournemouth, the Shakers rose into the automatic promotion places for the first time this season, before slipping to fourth in midweek.

Their form at Gigg Lane has also improved - unbeaten in eight, including six wins. It's a marked improvement from their opening four games - all lost without scoring.

Most pleasing to Knill will be the fact his side's improvement has come without the services of injured striker Andy Bishop, last season's top marksmen, with the form of forwards Ryan Lowe and Mike Jones covering his loss.

It promises to be a highly entertaining clash therefore between two sides in top-form, and with great attacking talent on show.

Dale are flying and should certainly secure promotion and probably the League Two title this season, but perhaps they're due a loss?

It can often be the way too that local rivals always seem to prove a stumbling block - even for the very best sides - and Bury just might be that to Rochdale.

Nobes' Prediction: Bury 2 Rochdale 1

Fan Files: Rochdale

Here at Soccer AM/MW, we like to believe we're the voice of lower league fans. Of course, in reality, we're probably not.

However, we do like to gauge what's really happening in the lower divisions, so what better way to find that out than ask the people who know best - the fans themselves.

In the first of a new series, we get the inside information on what life is really like in League Two, and who would know better than a Rochdale supporter.

Jon Hudson has been following the Dale for 15 years. He ranks the play-off semi final win on penalties over Darlington in 2008, which took them to Wembley for the first time, as the greatest moment supporting his team.

The 2003/4 season holds less fond memories though as, after defeat to relegation rivals Macclesfield, and with struggling York having two games in hand, the Lancashire club were staring relegation to the Conference in the face.

Of course, they survived, and are now embarking on their 36th consecutive season in the basement division.

So then Jon, what's it like never having seen your team win promotion or be relegated? There must be a good percentage of Dale fans who've never seen either?

It is strange actually, because most other football fans have experienced the emotions that come with both situations. I wouldn't know how to approach a new season going into a new division because everything I have ever known has been geared towards League Two football.

You would need to be at least 40 to remember the last time we changed divisions, which is amazing really, so you would think that at least a quarter of Dale fans have never seen us in a different division.

What's it like seeing sides like Hull in the Premier League, and Plymouth and Scunthorpe in the Championship? These were sides you were playing regularly not so long ago?

Again, it is a bit odd because, as you say, we were playing these sides every year for a long time. It does make you a bit jealous, but the reality is that Hull and Plymouth are far bigger clubs than ourselves and always had much more potential.

I suppose we should be looking at what Scunthorpe have achieved in trying to become a side that can challenge at the top end of League One, but I can't see it happening any time soon!

Re-developed, but Spotland has been a
basement division ground since 1974

League Two has a reputation for being a division of cloggers and ruffians, is that fair and accurate?

I think that would have been fair about 15 years ago. When I started supporting Rochdale all that seems to stick in my mind is rock hard centre backs that just hoofed anything that came near them as far as possible!

Our average age was probably just over 27, and full of journeymen. If you look through our team today you find a squad of young, very technically gifted players and over recent years this approach seems to be gaining popularity as a new breed of manager seems to be appearing.

If you look at the likes of Andy Scott, Jim Gannon, our own Keith Hill, and even Alan Knill at Bury, everyone seems to carry such a fresh modern approach to things, which is good to see.

The division seems to be a mix of stars of the future, and stars of days gone by. Any names stand out that you never expected to see Dale playing against, or who you never expected to make it big?

I think the most high profile player that I ever saw at Spotland has to be Peter Beardsley when he played for Hartlepool at the end of his career.

I remember it creating interest at the time, although he obviously didn't add many onto the 1,943 crowd at ours! Paul Gascoigne joining Boston was another big surprise, although he didn't play against us.

There have been a few transfers from this division which I have questioned, to be honest.

The most recent one is Reuben Reid to West Brom. He is a good player, but his attitude has always been in question and I would have never had him down as Premier League standard, which is obviously what they are aiming for at the Hawthorns.

I also never expected to see Patrick McCourt (right) make it after he left us, but credit to him. He went home and got his life back together and is now playing for Celtic! I saw him playing for them in the Wembley Cup in pre-season and he went on a trademark mazy run past four Spurs defenders. I'd love to see him break into the side and do really well there.

So, back to the current day, and what about your manager, Keith Hill, tell us about him. He doesn't seem to have put a foot wrong since he took charge?

It's funny how things can turn out sometimes. I had my doubts when he was appointed, how often do you see the usual honeymoon, but after two 4-0 wins, how can you not give the guy the job full time?

The second half to the 2006/7 season was the best football we have ever played, in my opinion. We just went into every game with no pressure and scored so many goals it was untrue. To go from second bottom to just missing out on a play-off space in 23 games is amazing.

The pressure was on us to achieve in our centenary season, and it would have been easy to revert to typical Rochdale, but Hill put together a great squad and took us to Wembley for the first time in our history - and all in his first full season as a manager.

Again, the pressure was on after the play-off final defeat, but we went again and finished in the top seven in successive seasons for the first time since the 1940s.

He will have a tougher job this year as budgets have been cut, but he has to go down as our best manager ever for me. What he has done throughout this club has been absolutely first class.

Rochdale boss Keith Hill has enjoyed great success in Lancashire

So, after a couple of recent misses, could this finally be Rochdale's year for promotion?

If I'm honest, no, I don't think we will get promoted this season. The cut in the playing budget has left us thin in terms of numbers, but we still have a quality starting line-up.

However, the sale of Adam Le Fondre has left us short of a quality finisher, and we are still looking for a replacement for Glenn Murray. I still think we will be top half, but can't see us pulling up any trees this time around.

Any other tips for League Two this season? Sides you expect to struggle or succeed? And which teams have impressed you to date?

Well, I don't think I'm going to surprise many people with my tips here.

It's looking like Notts County are just going to have too much quality in the long run. I didn't think they would actually start that well with so many new players, but they just have so much money that surely they can't make a mess of it, although questions still remain over their manager Ian McParland for me.

Again no surprises, but Accrington are going to be in for another long, hard season. With their crowds and low budget they've done well to stay here for three seasons, but I think this time is going to be one too far.

So far I have personally seen Port Vale, Aldershot, and Cheltenham, and haven't been impressed with any of them. In fact, if we hadn't been missing that slight cutting edge, we'd have comfortably beaten all three of them.

So finally then, Jon, tell us, what's the best thing about being a Rochdale supporter?

It might sound odd, but I think it has to be our uniqueness in never moving anywhere. It is our unique selling point and sets us apart from other small league clubs.

We are a small bunch of fans, but very loyal and with a good sense of humour, and there is just the pride in following our home town team that is very unsuccessful but has achieved simply by surviving.

I believe that if we do achieve that elusive promotion it will mean far more to us than it would to the supporters of any other club.

Jon, thanks very much for your time.

Soccer AM/MW would also like to thank Jon for his expert IT skills in creating the banners which adorn the top of this blog.

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