You have to say that it did not look promising for the annual Exiles Day on 29 March 2025 at the Crown Oil Arena. Was that 14-match unbeaten run destined to end? Dale’s previous two home games had seen them concede seven goals in defeats to Boston and York. Aldershot were on a run of 8 league matches unbeaten.
With the Exiles in town, we need not have worried. A comfortable 4-0 victory ensued and a Devante Rodney brace puts him top of Dale Exiles Day scorers with four!
As ever, Exiles enjoyed their day out. The Trust and club did everyone proud. The dressing room tour, the splendid buffet, the chats with the manager and co-chairman, the raffle, the privilege of being match day ball sponsor….many attendees have done it all before but it was no less enjoyable. Manager Jim McNulty greeted young Freddie Brockerton-Baker with, “Freddie, my man!” and Co-chairman Cameron Ogden was described as a breath of fresh air by one regular. Keith Hicks had invited former player Willie Burns again and he entertained Exiles and hospitality diners before the match. Scott Goulding and Murray Knight made sure everything went to plan on the day and we look forward to the release of fixtures for next season in anticipation of preserving that remarkable record in 2026. But first, Spennymoor Town and at stake the small matter of a place at Wembley.
