'Memories flood back' - Rochdale & York meet again after April drama

Rochdale and York City meet for the first time since last season's dramatic title decider [Press Association] It is just over six months since one of the greatest games to decide a title. Rochdale and York City had clinched a huge 212 points between them heading into an extraordinary final-day showdown at Crown Oil Arena. In the end, York City clinched automatic promotion from the National League by the barest of margins, snatching a 1-1 draw courtesy of Josh Stones' stunning equaliser in the 13th minute of stoppage time. Having ensured promotion in dramatic circumstances of their own through a tough play-off campaign, Rochdale joined them in League Two this term, with the pair facing each other for the first time since their epic fixture in late April. Plenty has changed for both clubs as they adapt to life back in the English Football League (EFL). How are both clubs faring this season? And will they forever be linked by that historic day? A day to live long in the memory Josh Stones scored his 18th league goal of the season to secure the title for York [Getty Images] Saturday, 25 April 2026 will live long in the memory of not just both sets of supporters but neutrals as well, with fans across the world choosing to follow a fifth-tier football match on a busy day's action in late April. The game came to life in the final stages. After York had spurned a fantastic opportunity to open the scoring late on through Stones, Rochdale fans inside the ground began to sense luck may be on their side. Not least when Ian Henderson, Rochdale's cult hero, swung in a peach of a cross with the outside of his foot which was headed home at the far post by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe in the 95th minute. Cue bedlam. Rochdale fans stormed the pitch in pure elation and emotion. They thought they were promoted. "As a local radio commentator you want to capture what fans are feeling. As Emmanuel Dieseruvwe headed in on the 95th minute, myself and former Rochdale player Joe Bunney went big," BBC Radio Manchester commentator Alex Whitington said. "It felt like that was the moment. We stood up to describe the pitch invasion and stayed standing to call Dale home." But that gave the York players, and management staff, time to reset. More than six minutes passed between Rochdale's goal and York restarting the match. The visitors still believed. In the 13th minute of stoppage time, Stones made no mistake with his second opportunity of the game, managing to squeeze the ball over the line following pinball in the penalty area - sending York up with virtually the final kick of the season. "There was a split-second moment when then Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty thought the referee had blown the whistle for full-time, only to find out that in fact the whistle meant his side were staying in the National League - momentarily," BBC Radio York's Dave Ward said. Whitington added: "Stones' equaliser was bedlam. Not least because from our angle it wasn't clear if the ball had crossed the line. "I cried 'oh no' four times. I think that encapsulates the emotion perfectly. I may never commentate on another ending like it." Rochdale were forced into the play-offs where they eventually produced another comeback, this time against Boreham Wood at Wembley to seal their EFL return. "The supporters can't wait to get back - they will love the banter. The rivalry between the fans will be brilliant and all those memories will come flooding back," Ward added. York win promotion with 103rd-minute equaliser at Rochdale Their day, until it wasn't - the title decider that had it all Minstermen making progress under Lindsey National League champions York City decided to make the unusual move of swapping managers in the summer despite their last-gasp title win. Stuart Maynard departed the club in July and was replaced by former Crawley boss Scott Lindsey the following day - a move met with anger by many supporters at the time. After an unbeaten run of five league matches between September and October, Lindsey's reign in North Yorkshire is now beginning to take shape and the Minstermen are inside the play-off places despite losing their past two games. Last season's National League top scorer Ollie Pearce has continued to bang the goals in since stepping up to the EFL for the first time. Pearce has scored eight in all competitions this season, including inside 10 seconds in York's 4-0 thumping of Northampton Town last Saturday in the FA Cup. It was the competition's third-quickest goal of all time. The 31-year-old striker has been ably supported by Alex Newby in the absence of Stones who has struggled with injuries this campaign. Attacking midfielder Newby has six league goals so far this term, and the returning Stones did get his name on the scoresheet during the win against the Cobblers. Looking to Saturday's match, Lindsey underlined the importance of using the psychological advantage last season's final-day showdown might provide. "The importance is the players feel that environment when they turn up at the stadium again. They will have good memories, so we'll definitely be leaning on that," Lindsey told BBC Radio York. "I may mention about the last time they were there. It can only be a good thing what happened there last time." Survival key for Dale in first year back Rochdale also changed their manager in the summer - although their hand was rather more forced. McNulty made the short journey to Stockport County and in came former South Shields boss Ian Watson. Dale had a tough start to life back in the EFL after three years away and Watson was given a vote of confidence by the board in early September to give him time to turn the club's fortunes around. It had an immediate effect. Rochdale drew with Walsall and then went on to beat local rivals Oldham Athletic and Fleetwood Town in their next three matches - yet Rochdale welcome their opponents on the back of a five-game winless run. Last season's 27-goal striker Dieseruvwe is yet to find the net in the league this term and Rochdale are 13 places below Saturday's opponents, however, just five points separate them in a tightly packed League Two table after 14 matches. Ian Henderson, at 41 years old, is continuing to cast his spell on the EFL. Into his second stint at Spotland, and 13th season as a Rochdale player, Henderson has scored twice in his past three league games despite not yet starting a match. While York have loftier ambitions, 22nd place or higher in Rochdale's first season back in the fourth tier come close of play on 8 May would represent a successful return to the EFL.