Football Season Review

After avoiding relegation on the last day of the 2017/18 season, Rochdale entered the new campaign looking to get back to their normal level from the current decade, which is being a solid midtable League One club. The Dale's struggles in the previous season were caused by their shocking home form and their home results have improved a bit, but not enough for them to stay clear of trouble. After spending the majority of the first half of the season hovering just outside the relegation places, they entered a shocking run of form midway through the second half of the season, with the run resulting in Keith Hill losing his job. The decision to sack Hill was described by the board as "the hardest decision they ever made" and unsurprisingly so, as he had two spells in charge of the Dale which lasted for a total of eleven years. Hill was replaced by Brian Barry-Murphy, a former player turned coach, who managed to significantly improve their fortunes and guide them to safety with a game to spare. The Dale will be delighted to have improved following their managerial change, but it remains to be seen how they will cope in the long-term without Hill, who is the man credited for making them a stable League One club.

Player of the Season: Ian Henderson