Rochdale will return to League Two for the first time since 2023 after a dramatic penalty shootout victory at Wembley.
Sam Beckwith and Casey Pettit celebrate promotion(Image: Getty Images)
Rochdale’s promotion dream carried more than just 11 players to Wembley on Sunday evening. It carried a town and a wider community of supporters from far beyond it, all desperate to believe again.
Supporters were seen arriving through the early hours of the morning, with 30 coaches setting off from Rochdale alone, alongside thousands more fans travelling independently. Blue and white scarves slowly filled the streets around the stadium. In the distance, chants of “Dale, Dale, Dale” could already be heard echoing as fans gathered, with “come on Dale” shouted constantly as kick-off edged closer and anticipation built.
For many, the journey wasn’t just about a final, it was more personal.
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Mollie Baker, 21, originally from Rochdale but now based in Malta, made the long journey back to be part of the occasion.
Dale manager Jim McNulty on the Wembley pitch(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
She spoke about growing up around the club and following it through every high and low. “I’m a big supporter of the Dale. We go and travel quite often,” she said, describing how football at Rochdale had always been part of family life.
She reflected on the club’s recent struggles, including relegation and fears over its future, saying the chance to be at Wembley felt almost unreal.
“It’s amazing, it doesn’t feel like it’s true.”
Alongside her was Jesus, 34, from Albacete in Spain, whose connection to Rochdale began in an unexpected way.
“I started playing with the team on FIFA,” he said. “Then I started to follow them in real life and everything started.”
Since around 2012–2013, he has followed Rochdale and said he has made friendships through the club along the way.
“It’s my first time in England, I went to get a photo with the Big Ben,” he said. “But this game is more important.”
By the time supporters made their way into Wembley, the Rochdale end had become a sea of blue and white. Flags waved, scarves stretched high, and chants of “Dale, Dale, Dale” and “come on Dale” echoed constantly around the stadium.
Tobi Adebayo-Rowling celebrates with fans (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Throughout the entire game, the support never stopped. Families stood together cheering on their loved ones on the pitch, while strangers around them became united in song and encouragement.
Shouts of motivation rang out constantly, fans urging every tackle, every pass and every forward run, refusing to let the atmosphere drop even in the most difficult moments.
Even when behind, the fans stayed loud, clapping, singing and pushing their side forward as Rochdale fought their way back into the game. The equaliser late on sent the stands into chaos, with celebrations spilling across supporters.
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In extra time, it became a test of endurance and nerves, with Rochdale’s goalkeeper making key interventions to keep his side alive as the match headed towards penalties.
As the final minutes ticked away, tension filled Wembley, but the support never disappeared, only tightening into nervous anticipation as penalties loomed.
Rochdale held their nerve in a dramatic shootout, winning 3–1 on penalties after Boreham Wood were put under immense pressure from the spot.
The moment it was confirmed, Wembley erupted.
Dale fans pose for a pic on Wembley Way(Image: Getty Images)
Fans screamed, jumped, cried and embraced as emotion poured out across the stands. Even long after the final whistle, supporters remained inside the stadium singing, cheering and celebrating with the players.
Brendan and Susan Reilly, who had travelled from Kent, described the experience as overwhelming. Brendan said he was “elated” and felt the late drama was “just incredible”, while Susan admitted the nerves were intense throughout, saying she “couldn’t look” during penalties and felt a mix of anxiety and joy as each kick went in.
Rochdale were finally able to confirm their return to the English Football League, joining League Two for the 2023 season.
