National League

Rochdale turn final-day heartbreak into Wembley glory

Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty saw all the headlines and comments after the incredible final day showdown where they had a hand on the title in stoppage-time before York City snatched it away.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
17 May 2026

By Matt Badcock
Blown it, celebrated too early, heartbroken, impossible to come back from.

Rochdale boss Jimmy McNulty saw all the headlines and comments after the incredible final day showdown where they had a hand on the title in stoppage-time before York City snatched it away.
Despite hitting 106 points, Dale’s promotion dream hinged on navigating the precarious play-off route. Surely they were too deflated to pick themselves off the canvas?
“That was the national narrative wasn’t it?” McNulty said. “Anybody who didn’t support Rochdale, national narrative was: It’s impossible to pick thi...

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