How Rochdale and York stole the Premier League’s thunder with a title decider for the ages
NATIONAL LEAGUE D-DAY: Rochdale and York are both centurions, having amassed a combined total of 212 points - but only one will earn Football League status when they meet on the final day of the National League season. Will Castle previews one of the most tantalising match-ups in English football’s recent memory
There is arguably no harder feat in English football than navigating your way to the sole automatic promotion spot that earns Football League status. Huddling around a phone after the final whistle of an emphatic win over Yeovil Town, York City’s players were getting ready to celebrate this seismic triumph. They really should’ve known better.
At Sutton United, it was 97 minutes. Against Wealdstone, it was 90 minutes. Away to already-relegated Braintree Town, having conceded a 91st minute equaliser, title-chasing Rochdale once again required last-gasp heroics to keep their hopes of automatic promotion from the National League alive.
That they did through top scorer Emmanuel Dieseruvwe - or as he’s colloquially known “Mani D” - as the clock struck 99 minutes. Unadulterated Rochdale limbs ensued in another sketchy, uncovered standing-only away end, while a familiar wave of frustration, dejection and disbelief took over the York players. It would go to the final day, and the highest-stakes final day in non-league memory at that.
Because with two points separating them, Rochdale end their season hosting York for a place in the Football League. Yes, this definitely did happen! 😅 #rafc pic.
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