Like Carlisle United, fans of Rochdale will be full of hope ahead of the upcoming campaign thanks to progress made off the pitch.
Dale enjoyed a solid first-ever campaign in non-league, finishing 11th under the stewardship of Jim McNulty, who featured as a defender for the Lancashire club for more than seven seasons.
The centre-back even registered himself as a player manager last season, after injury issues piled up and money wasn’t available for new signings.
Despite flirting with a playoff finish for much of the season, Dale fans’ main concern in 2024 was securing the future of the club.
Hostile takeover attempts and the cost of living crisis have played their part in the Dale’s demise, which saw them drop from the upper ends of the third tier to non-league for the first time in their 117-year history.
In February, chairman Simon Gauge suggested that without investment, the club would face liquidation by March.
Fortunately, local businessman Sir Peter Ogden stepped up and completed a £2m takeover of the club in May, marking a ‘new era’ at Spotland.
The new board have promised sustainable growth at the club, and certainly won’t be throwing money at the situation à la Wrexham and Chesterfield, but they have also suggested that a return to the EFL within three seasons is the goal.
Summer signings have lined up with both the club and manager’s long-term vision.
McNulty favoured an extremely patient style approach last season and signings from similar possession hungry sides such as Notts County, Gateshead and Wealdstone suggests that the style of play is here to stay.
Dale fans are perhaps most excited about the prospect of having a fully-fit Devante Rodney at their disposal.
The powerful striker committed to a new two-year deal at the Crown Oil Arena this summer, having missed much of last season with heart and hamstring issues, before plundering in six goals in his final nine appearances.
He will form a formidable strike partnership with Kairo Mitchell that could trouble Carlisle United’s defence at the weekend, with club legend Ian Henderson also likely to feature from the bench as he looks to add to his already record-breaking tally at the club, ahead of his 40th birthday.
The addition of left-back Sam Beckwith also exemplifies the progression made at the club following relegation, with the former Maidenhead man choosing to sign for Dale ahead of EFL sides, having featured in the National League team of the season last year.
McNulty has experimented with a three-at-the-back formation in pre-season, with Beckwith featuring alongside Kyron Gordon and captain Ethan Ebanks-Landell, who also committed his future to the club this summer after some much-improved performances in non-league.
New signings also include wing-back Tobi Adebayo-Rowling from Notts County, which also suggests that a potential change from the 4-4-2 formation which was utilised last season.
Whichever formation Dale line up in on Saturday, Carlisle fans can be sure that the home side will look to dominate the ball and try to isolate defenders against wingers one-on-one, with fellow summer additions Aidan Barlow, Connor McBride and Tarryn Allarakhia all likely to feature out wide.
The home side will have to replace the goals of Cian Hayes and Tyrese Sinclair this season, with both moving onto pastures new this summer, while talented teenager George Nevett also deservedly earned a move to Peterborough United thanks to his incredible debut season at the age of 17.
Dale have also added Finlay Armstrong on a permanent deal after he left Fleetwood, while Aaron Henry and Luke McNicholas joined on loan from Charlton Athletic and Wrexham respectively.
Winger Ody Alfa also joined the club earlier this week, signing a one-year deal after leaving Chelmsford City.
After three experimentative line-ups produced a 3-0 defeat to Warrington Town, and draws against Fleetwood Town and Macclesfield, a first home fixture of pre-season is likely to see McNulty selected a stronger side against Carlisle this weekend, with trialists also expected to appear.
Paul Simpson can certainly expect a tough match when facing his former side this weekend, as Dale will look to dominate the ball and dictate the game.
He will have to be wary of Rodney, who has picked up where he left off last season with two goals already in pre-season, while Mitchell and the tricky Allarakhia could prove a handful in attack.
Predicted lineup (3-4-1-2)
McNicholas (GK), Gordon (CB), Ebanks-Landell (CB), Beckwith (CB), Adebayo-Rowling (RWB), Allarakhia (LWB), Henry (CM), Gilmour (CM), East (CAM), Rodney (ST), Mitchell (ST).
