Rochdale host York City on Saturday in a winner-take-all clash for automatic promotion from the National League. Rochdale must win to secure the second promotion spot, while York City, who lead by two points, need only a draw to go up. The match at the Crown Oil Arena is sold out, and York City are showing the game on big screens at their LNER Community Stadium for fans unable to travel.
Rochdale secured their place in the decider with a dramatic 1-0 win over Braintree Town, courtesy of a 99th-minute goal by Emmanuel Dieseruvwe. The club has endured a turbulent few years: they were relegated from the Football League in 2023 for the first time in 102 years, and two years ago faced liquidation before Sir Peter Ogden loaned £300,000 and later purchased the club in May 2024. The club also mourns former player Joe Thompson, who died a year ago at age 36. Rochdale's Ian Henderson, at 41 the oldest player in any of the top five leagues, has been a key figure throughout.
Ahead of the match, Rochdale and York City released a joint statement calling for more than two automatic promotion spots from the National League. The statement described the title race as "one of the most thrilling, exciting and unpredictable in football history" and argued that the National League is effectively a "League 3" with fully professional clubs. Both clubs pledged to continue fighting for "3UP" — three automatic promotion places — and called on the National League, Football Regulator, EFL and Premier League to resolve the issue.
So I have those emotions. I know in some ways survival was the polar opposite of what we’re going for now. But how it was done and who it was done by – my old friend – magnified the significance 10-fold. What happened back then is relevant to now.
Elsewhere, Morecambe have been relegated from the National League after dropping from League One in 2023 and League Two in 2025. Manager Jim Bentley will take charge of his final game before moving into an unspecified supporting role.
Bury FC are likely to win the Northern Premier League West title if they avoid defeat against Atherton Collieries. The club's average attendance of 3,698 is almost five times that of the next best-supported side in the division, reflecting strong fan support as they continue their climb back through the non-league pyramid.
York City have won 17 of their past 20 games, including their last home match against Yeovil Town, and will be confident of securing the point they need. The outcome of Saturday's match will also affect the play-off picture, with the loser entering the post-season tournament.