'Footballing justice' served for jubilant Rochdale

Breaking news from the world of sport: 'Footballing justice' served for jubilant RochdaleImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Jimmy McNulty said justice was done as Rochdale were promoted from the National League via the play-offs after a season in which they earned 106 pointsByAlex HoadBBC Sport England, AtWembley StadiumPublished1 hour agoFated. They may have had to wait an extra 15 days and travel 220 miles south of their Crown Oil Arena home to get the job done, but on Sunday Rochdale finally got their moment in the sun after their National League title dreams were snatched away by York City in one of the most memorable season climaxes English football has ever seen. Many neutrals - and certainly boss Jimmy McNulty - felt justice was served as Dale beat Boreham Wood on penalties to join the Minstermen in the EFL after three years away following an incredible season that saw them accrue 106 points.

That was 16 more than fourth-placed Wood, who were left to wonder what might have been after a dramatic promotion final at Wembley that saw the Hertfordshire side leading 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining and coming within moments of a first promotion to the EFL in their 78-year history. Mani Dieseruvwe's headed equaliser in the dying seconds of added time was his third stoppage-time goal in four matches and made it the sixth straight year the season finale had gone to extra time and the fourth time in that span a shootout was needed to decide who joins the 92. Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mani Dieseruvwe celebrates Rochdale's penalty shootout win over Boreham WoodRochdale's Wembley win triggers more three-up calls Published25 minutes agoBoreham Wood's Garrard can't argue with 'football Gods' Published1 hour agoRochdale beat Boreham Wood on penalties to seal EFL return Cometh the hour, cometh the ManiThere was a time when Rochdale was only really known for not doing much of anything.

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After being relegated from the old Division Three in 1974, Dale spent the next 36 years stuck in the fourth tier, never going up, never going down - to the point it became known in some quarters as 'the Rochdale division'. The class of 2026 have, however, forged a new identity, one built around heart-stopping drama and a never-say-die attitude, one embodied perfectly by Wembley hero Dieseruvwe. The 31-year-old has represented more than a dozen clubs since coming through Sheffield Wednesday's academy and signing his first pro deal at Hillsborough in 2013.

He's played up, down and across the northern half of the country, from National League North to National League to League Two to League One and all the way back again - helping Salford and Grimsby secure EFL promotions of their own along the way - before returning to non-league football where things finally clicked for him at Hartlepool in 2023. His 23 goals in 39 National League games for Pools were followed by another 16 last season and led to Rochdale offering him a two-year deal last summer.

The story has climbed to the top of the sports agenda, with fans and analysts following closely.