As we continue our look into Rovers opponents for the 2024/25 Vanarama National League season it’s time to take a trip to the north-west.
AFC FYLDE - ‘THE COASTERS’
Rovers will meet AFC Fylde for the first time in our history when we make the 364-mile round trip to Mill Farm next season.
The club founded in 1988 as Kirkham & Wesham were later named AFC Fylde in 2008 enjoying seasons of success in recent times including becoming the first team to lift both the FA Trophy and FA Vase in 2019 under Dave Challinor.
BACK IN THE FIFTH TIER
Following their 2022/23 National League North title win, the Coasters returned the fifth tier of English football for the first since 2020.
They managed an 18th placed finish - the club's second-lowest finish in the National League - just three points above the drop zone.
The side also saw a changeover in management as Adam Murray left the club to become Cheltenham Town’s assistant manager before being replaced by Chris Beech in December.
STAR PLAYER - NICK HAUGHTON
Despite a low finish in the league, goals were no issue for the Coasters finding the net 74 times with 18 of those coming from attacking midfielder, Nick Haughton.
The 29-year-old was confirmed the club’s top scorer last campaign netting four times in his final six games whilst also chipping in with seven assists in 43 appearances.
FC HALIFAX TOWN - ‘THE SHAYMEN’
The Shaymen were reborn in 2008 following the dissolvement of Halifax Town AFC and took just five years to climb from the Northern Premier League Div One North right back to the National League in 2013.
Rovers will visit the largest stadium in the National League, The Shay Stadium, for the first time since 2016 when Rovers ran out 2-0 winners.
PLAY-OFF SEASON
Chris Millington guided his Shaymen side to a seventh place finish last season securing a spot in the play-offs for the third time in the last five season.
The Shaymen fell to a 4-2 defeat to eventual finalists Solihull Moors keeping Millington’s side in the National League for an eight straight season.
NON-LEAGUE TO PREMIER LEAGUE TITLE
The Shaymen have no better former star player than Premier League champion and Leicester City forward, Jamie Vardy.
The 37-year-old was a part of the Shaymen during their 2010/11 Northern Premier League Premier Division title winning season.
Vardy scored 28 goals in 41 appearances which earned him a move to Fleetwood Town (in the Conference at the time) before quickly moving to Leicester City.
ROCHDALE - ‘THE DALE’
Since their formation in 1907, the Dale spent 102 years of their history in the Football League before their relegation to the National League in 2023.
Rovers last met with the Dale in 2022 as a Rob Edwards’ side defeated them 2-1 on our way to lifting the League Two title and continuing our unbeaten run over Dale.
BACK AFTER A CENTURY
After over a century in the Football League, Jim McNulty led his Dale side to an 11th place finish in the National League last campaign.
Alongside a mid-table finish, Dale had disappointment in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy bowing out in their first round of each to Gateshead (FA Trophy) and Hereford FC (FA Cup).
SAFE HANDS AT ROVERS AND DALE
Rovers have seen a couple of players feature for both Dale and us including two of the club's former goalkeepers in Sam Russell and Robert Sanchez.
Russell made 46 appearances for the Dale between 2007-2009 before moving to Wrexham and following his loan stint with Rovers Sanchez joined Dale on loan for the 2019/20 season making 35 appearances.
VOCAL SUPPORT
The Dale have some well-known singers as fans in Lisa Stansfield, best known for her 1989 song ‘All Around the World’ and her inclusion in Band Aid alongside Tommy Cannon - one half of the double act Cannon and Ball.
ALTRINCHAM - ‘THE ROBINS’
Another side Rovers will visit in Greater Manchester this season, the Robins haven’t made a name for themselves in the leagues but more so in the FA Cup as the ‘Giant-killers’.
The Robins hold the record for most Football League sides knocked out by a team that has spent their entire history in non-league (17) with some notable sides being Sheffield United, Blackpool and Birmingham City.
HIGHEST FINISH
Last season saw the Robins finish fourth in the National League, the club's highest finish since 1995, seeing them into the play-offs after finishing the season six matches unbeaten.
With Gateshead removed from the play-offs due to their stadium issues, the Robins made the second round but lost to the eventual promotion earners Bromley.
FANBASE
The Robins’ J David Stadium holds just under 8,000 fans and last season their home average attendance was ranked 11th with just over 2,000 per game.
OLDHAM ATHLETIC - ‘THE LATICS’
The final of the Greater Manchester teams Rovers will have to take on next season is one of the founding members of the Premier League, Oldham Athletic.
The Latics spent three years in the top flight between 1992-1995 as part of their 115-year stay in the Football League which came to an end in 2022.
LAST TIME OUT
Last season saw the Latics play out their second campaign in the National League finishing a respectable tenth - an improvement on a 12th place finish the season prior.
Former Tranmere Rovers, Barnsley and Shrewsbury Town manager Micky Mellon took charge in October - he replaced David Unsworth following an indifferent start to the season.
WINDASS IN GOAL
The Latics have boasted some impressive players over the years and none more so than Hull City’s 2008 Championship Play-off final winning goal scorer, Dean Windass.
Following Hull’s promotion to the Premier League, Windass was sent on loan to the Latics for the second half of the 2008/09 season.
Windass was remembered for a stint in goal - he held onto a 0-0 draw with Leicester City, but his stay at Boundary Park lasted just 10 games.
SCHOLES IS A LATIC
The fanbase of the Latics boast some famous names such as scientist Brian Cox, ex-Leeds Rhinos rugby league player, Kevin Sinfield, and Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes.
Scholes grew a supporter of the Latics being born just a short trip down the road in Salford and also had a short stint as their manager during the 2018/19 season.
