"Up the Dale"

A visit to Spotland for Dale's last home game of the 2009/2010 season. Promotion - their first for 41 years - had already been secured, so this game against Burton Albion was pure party. Even a 2-1 defeat couldn't sour the day. Spotland itself is a great example of a lower league stadium: good quality grandstands on all four sides, which feel close to the action and generate an intense, noisy atmosphere even when only half-full. The fans are tough and passionate, how football fans always used to be.

Location

Thirty or forty minutes' walk from Rochdale station. Not the worst hike in the world, but cold in May so probably no fun at all in the middle of winter.

View

Good seats with a view that couldn't be faulted, right in the midst of the local die-hards in the TDS Stand behind the goal at the east end of the ground.

Facilities

Toilets not overwhelming in numbers but fit for purpose, with Sky Sports on the telly outside.

Food & Drink

Did not partake of food so cannot comment on quality, but a family of lardies on the seats in front seemed to be waddling to and fro throughout the match with an endless supply of pies and coke. A place for healthy eating, this is not.

Police & Stewards

One of the stewards managed to upset a likely lad, who then seemed intent upon violent retribution. Other stewards and police managed to pacify him, whereas several of his fellow supporters were itching to rush down and "back him", irrespective of what had kicked off the dispute in the first place. Had he been ejected a modest riot would almost certainly have followed. So credit to the stewards for containing the matter, but points dropped for allowing it to get that far in the first place.

Atmosphere

Fantastic passionate vocal support from the TDS Stand. Dwindled a bit after half an hour, which coincided with the Dale losing momentum and shipping two soft goals, after which the noise levels went up and stayed up for the remainder of the match but to no avail. Also of note: the best set of pre-match and half-time music to be heard at any stadium.

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