The 2002–03 Rochdale A.F.C. season was the club's 82nd season in the Football League, and the 29th consecutive season in the fourth tier (League Division Three).
| 2002–03 season | |
|---|---|
| Chairman | David Kilpatrick |
| Manager | Paul Simpson |
| League Division Three | 19th |
| FA Cup | Fifth Round |
| League Cup | First Round |
| Top goalscorer | League: Lee McEvilly All: Lee McEvilly/Paul Connor |
Statistics edit
| No. | Pos | Nat | Player | Total | League Division 3 | FA Cup | League Cup | League Trophy | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||||
| MF |  ENG
|
Chris Beech | 19 | 2 | 16 + 2 | 1 | 1 + 0 | 1 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Clive Platt | 49 | 9 | 40 + 2 | 6 | 6 + 0 | 3 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Darren Hockenhull | 7 | 1 | 6 + 1 | 1 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
David Flitcroft | 48 | 2 | 40 + 1 | 2 | 5 + 1 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF |  WAL
|
Gareth Griffiths | 47 | 7 | 41 + 1 | 6 | 3 + 0 | 1 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF |  NIR
|
Gavin Melaugh | 24 | 2 | 17 + 2 | 1 | 5 + 0 | 1 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Ian Bishop | 9 | 0 | 5 + 3 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF |  ESP
|
Jesús Fernández Mengual | 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| GK | ENG
|
John Baker | 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Kevin Townson | 28 | 1 | 5 + 19 | 1 | 0 + 2 | 0 | 0 + 1 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF |  IRL
|
Lee Andrews | 8 | 0 | 8 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Lee Duffy | 27 | 0 | 19 + 3 | 0 | 3 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Lee Hodges | 8 | 0 | 3 + 4 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| FW | NIR
|
Lee McEvilly | 43 | 15 | 27 + 10 | 14 | 4 + 1 | 1 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Matt Doughty | 47 | 0 | 39 + 2 | 0 | 4 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| GK |  SCO
|
Matt Gilks | 22 | 0 | 19 + 1 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Michael Oliver | 24 | 2 | 17 + 3 | 2 | 2 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Michael Taylor | 2 | 0 | 2 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| GK | ENG
|
Neil Bennett | 1 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| GK | WAL
|
Neil Edwards | 32 | 0 | 26 + 0 | 0 | 5 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF | NIR
|
Paddy McCourt | 30 | 3 | 12 + 14 | 2 | 0 + 2 | 1 | 0 + 1 | 0 | 0 + 1 | 0 | |
| FW | ENG
|
Paul Connor | 46 | 15 | 30 + 9 | 12 | 5 + 0 | 3 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 1 | 0 | |
| MF | ENG
|
Paul Simpson | 41 | 11 | 30 + 5 | 10 | 3 + 1 | 1 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Richard Jobson | 20 | 0 | 15 + 1 | 0 | 3 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| FW | NIR
|
Rory Patterson | 9 | 0 | 2 + 6 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 1 | 0 | |
| 29 | DF | NIR
|
Scott Warner | 9 | 0 | 6 + 1 | 0 | 2 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 |
| DF |  AUS
|
Shane Cansdell-Sherriff | 4 | 0 | 3 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| FW | IRL
|
Shane Murphy | 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Simon Grand | 28 | 2 | 22 + 1 | 2 | 5 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Stephen Hill | 12 | 1 | 9 + 1 | 1 | 2 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | ENG
|
Steve Macauley | 7 | 0 | 6 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | |
| DF | WAL
|
Wayne Evans | 47 | 0 | 40 + 0 | 0 | 6 + 0 | 0 | 1 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
| MF | IRL
|
Kieron Durkan | 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | 0 + 0 | 0 | |
League Division Three edit
| 10 August 2002 1 | Rochdale | 1–0 | Leyton Orient | Rochdale |
Macauley 23'Connor  90' |
Report | Smith 20' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,252 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
| 13 August 2002 2 | Lincoln City | 2–0 | Rochdale | Lincoln |
| Yeo 58'
58' Cropper 81'Mayo 81'Smith 85' |
Report | Stadium: Sincil Bank Attendance: 2,894 Referee: Joe Ross |
| 17 August 2002 3 | Bristol Rovers | 1–2 | Rochdale | Bristol |
| Tait 13' Bryant 45' |
Report | Platt 36' 50' Simpson 78' |
Stadium: Memorial Stadium Attendance: 6,478 Referee: Mark Warren |
| 24 August 2002 4 | Rochdale | 1–1 | Darlington | Rochdale |
| McEvilly 7' Griffiths 58'Evans 85' |
Report | Nicholls 13' Conlon 33'Wainwright 44' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,834 Referee: Scott Mathieson |
| 26 August 2002 5 | Wrexham | 2–5 | Rochdale | Wrexham |
| Thomas 13' Morrell 38' 75'Lawrence 41'Holmes 45' |
Report | McEvilly 17' Simpson 22', 42', 59'Griffiths 24'Oliver 50' |
Stadium: Racecourse Ground Attendance: 4,340 Referee: Paul Rejer |
| 31 August 2002 6 | Rochdale | 1–2 | Southend United | Rochdale |
| Macauley 0' Duffy 32'McEvilly 60'Griffiths 84' |
Report | Rawle 36' Jones 44'Beard 58'Smith 60'Bramble 83' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,852 Referee: Carl Boyeson |
| 6 September 2002 7 | Carlisle United | 0–2 | Rochdale | Carlisle |
| Summerbell 61' Kelly 83' |
Report | Platt 11' Simpson 21' |
Stadium: Brunton Park Attendance: 4,501 Referee: Roy Pearson |
| 14 September 2002 8 | Rochdale | 1–1 | Shrewsbury Town | Rochdale |
| Simpson 79' (pen.) |
Report | Jemson 5' Van Blerk 39'Tolley 64' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,914 Referee: Tony Bates |
| 17 September 2002 9 | Rochdale | 4–3 | Cambridge United | Rochdale |
| Bridges 6' (o.g.) Simpson 60'Flitcroft 71'Townson 90'Oliver 90'McEvilly 90' |
Report | Duncan 11'  14'Bridges 23'Tudor 42'Wanless 52' (pen.)
79' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,392 Referee: Graham Laws |
| 21 September 2002 10 | Kidderminster Harriers | 0–0 | Rochdale | Kidderminster |
| Broughton 26' |
Report | Griffiths 47' |
Stadium: Aggborough Stadium Attendance: 2,685 Referee: Keith Hill |
| 28 September 2002 11 | Rochdale | 3–1 | Macclesfield Town | Rochdale |
| Griffiths 13' Connor 21', 65'Platt 81' |
Report | Welsh 34' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,090 Referee: Mark Clattenburg |
| 5 October 2002 12 | Swansea City | 1–1 | Rochdale | Swansea |
| Thomas 32' Freestone 45'Mumford 45'Howard 66' |
Report | Platt 43'Oliver 45'Flitcroft 69'Connor 71' |
Stadium: Vetch Field Attendance: 3,732 Referee: Rob Styles |
| 12 October 2002 13 | Hull City | 3–0 | Rochdale | Hull |
| Jevons 28' Branch 45', 84' 60'Whittle 90' |
Report | Flitcroft 13' Jobson 42'Griffiths 61' |
Stadium: Boothferry Park Attendance: 9,057 Referee: Phil Crossley |
| 19 October 2002 14 | Rochdale | 1–2 | Scunthorpe United | Rochdale |
| Oliver 7' Flitcroft 20'Jobson 29'Evans 43'McCourt 51'Simpson 86' |
Report | Graves 5' Carruthers 50', 72'Sparrow 56'McCombe 62' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,442 Referee: Mark Cowburn |
| 26 October 2002 15 | Boston United | 3–1 | Rochdale | Boston |
| Weatherstone 20' Battersby 64'Douglas 90' |
Report | Duffy 28' Flitcroft 81' 82' |
Stadium: York Street Attendance: 2,653 Referee: Brian Curson |
| 29 October 2002 16 | Rochdale | 3–3 | Exeter City | Rochdale |
| Beech 41' Simpson 59'Griffiths 86'Platt 89'Flitcroft 90' |
Report | Flack 1', 75'
65' Thomas 79'Coppinger 90' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 1,944 Referee: Colin Webster |
| 2 November 2002 17 | Rochdale | 0–1 | Rushden & Diamonds | Rochdale |
| Report | Lowe 10' Mills 45'Darby 64' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,628 Referee: Phil Prosser |
| 9 November 2002 18 | Oxford United | 2–0 | Rochdale | Oxford |
| Hunt 17' Whitehead 19'Basham 70' |
Report | Stadium: Kassam Stadium Attendance: 4,547 Referee: Grant Hegley |
| 23 November 2002 19 | Rochdale | 0–1 | York City | Rochdale |
| Doughty 23' Griffiths 87' |
Report | Potter 35' Duffield 71' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,056 Referee: Mark Cowburn |
| 30 November 2002 20 | Torquay United | 2–2 | Rochdale | Torquay |
| Gritton 52' Benefield 73'Hazell 90' |
Report | Connor 74' Griffiths 78' 64' 88' |
Stadium: Plainmoor Attendance: 2,754 Referee: Peter Walton |
| 14 December 2002 21 | Rochdale | 4–0 | Hartlepool United | Rochdale |
| Platt 24' McEvilly 43', 62'Connor 56'Townson 85' |
Report | Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,059 Referee: Mike Pike |
| 21 December 2002 22 | Bury | 1–1 | Rochdale | Bury |
| Newby 62' Billy 74' |
Report | Melaugh 7' Flitcroft 20'Doughty 35'McEvilly 66' 74' |
Stadium: Gigg Lane Attendance: 5,827 Referee: Roy Pearson |
| 26 December 2002 23 | Rochdale | 2–2 | Wrexham | Rochdale |
| Connor 2', 18' Duffy 67'Jobson 74' |
Report | Morrell 23', 75' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,727 Referee: Steve Baines |
| 28 December 2002 24 | Bournemouth | 3–3 | Rochdale | Bournemouth |
| Browning 6' S. Fletcher 45'O'Connor 87' (pen.)C. Fletcher 88' |
Report | Flitcroft 16' Melaugh 36'McEvilly 45' (pen.)Grand 61'Platt 73'Warner 85' |
Stadium: Dean Court Attendance: 6,240 Referee: Paul Rejer |
| 18 January 2003 25 | Southend United | 1–0 | Rochdale | Southend |
| Beard 41' Bramble 89' |
Report | Grand 55' |
Stadium: Roots Hall Attendance: 3,645 Referee: Iain Williamson |
| 21 January 2003 26 | Rochdale | 0–1 | Lincoln City | Rochdale |
| Flitcroft 44' |
Report | Morgan 16' Yeo 41'Futcher 83' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,122 Referee: Carl Boyeson |
| 8 February 2003 27 | Rochdale | 2–1 | Oxford United | Rochdale |
| Grand 40' Oliver 44'Melaugh 89' |
Report | Savage 71' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,764 Referee: Mike Pike |
| 11 February 2003 28 | Darlington | 1–0 | Rochdale | Darlington |
| Conlon 76' Whitehead 90' |
Report | Platt 21' Simpson 69' |
Stadium: Feethams Attendance: 2,479 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
| 22 February 2003 29 | Rochdale | 0–1 | Carlisle United | Rochdale |
| Flitcroft 41' |
Report | Green 62' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 3,247 Referee: Richard Beeby |
| 25 February 2003 30 | Leyton Orient | 0–1 | Rochdale | London |
| Toner 45' Tate 90' |
Report | McEvilly 31' 45' (pen.) Andrews 90' |
Stadium: Brisbane Road Attendance: 2,633 Referee: Frazer Stretton |
| 1 March 2003 31 | Shrewsbury Town | 3–1 | Rochdale | Shrewsbury |
| Jagielka 5', 40' Lowe 67' |
Report | Evans 64' Melaugh 77'McEvilly 84' |
Stadium: Gay Meadow Attendance: 3,423 Referee: Brian Curson |
| 4 March 2003 32 | Cambridge United | 2–2 | Rochdale | Cambridge |
| Kitson 4' Tudor 45'Iriekpen 80' |
Report | McEvilly 2' 37' McCourt 51' 70'Duffy 70' |
Stadium: Abbey Stadium Attendance: 2,586 Referee: Howard Webb |
| 11 March 2003 33 | Rochdale | 1–1 | Bournemouth | Rochdale |
| Duffy 30' Griffiths 49' |
Report | Fletcher 31' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 1,958 Referee: Andy Penn |
| 15 March 2003 34 | Rochdale | 1–0 | Boston United | Rochdale |
| Flitcroft 33' McEvilly 75' (pen.)Duffy 85' |
Report | Chapman 37' Ellender 68' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,538 Referee: Trevor Parkes |
| 18 March 2003 35 | Scunthorpe United | 3–1 | Rochdale | Scunthorpe |
| Hayes 10', 66' Kilford 31'Beagrie 51'Carruthers 52'Graves 61' |
Report | McCourt 13' Flitcroft 21'McEvilly 45'Duffy 79'Grand 89' |
Stadium: Glanford Park Attendance: 3,616 Referee: Mark Clattenburg |
| 22 March 2003 36 | Exeter City | 1–1 | Rochdale | Exeter |
| Walker 15' (pen.) Curran 87' |
Report | Connor 30' (pen.) Beech 43' |
Stadium: St James Park Attendance: 4,003 Referee: Keith Hill |
| 24 March 2003 37 | Rushden & Diamonds | 3–3 | Rochdale | Irthlingborough |
| Hall 49' Lowe 65', 73' |
Report | Simpson 27' Grand 63'McCourt 87' |
Stadium: Nene Park Attendance: 3,444 Referee: Lee Cable |
| 5 April 2003 38 | Rochdale | 0–2 | Torquay United | Rochdale |
| Melaugh 49' |
Report | Griffiths 18' (o.g.) Clist 52'Gritton 71' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,216 Referee: Phil Joslin |
| 8 April 2003 39 | Rochdale | 1–1 | Bristol Rovers | Rochdale |
| Connor 21' |
Report | Astafjevs 44' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 1,658 Referee: Matt Messias |
| 12 April 2003 40 | York City | 2–2 | Rochdale | York |
| Graydon 35' (pen.) 39' Edmondson 63' |
Report | Connor 3' 36' McCourt 25'McEvilly 70' (pen.) |
Stadium: Bootham Crescent Attendance: 3,966 Referee: Paul Robinson |
| 15 April 2003 41 | Rochdale | 0–1 | Kidderminster Harriers | Rochdale |
| Flitcroft 80' |
Report | Hinton 80' Shilton 83' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 1,810 Referee: Eddie Ilderton |
| 18 April 2003 42 | Rochdale | 1–2 | Bury | Rochdale |
| 15:00 BST | Flitcroft 22' Simpson 24'Stuart 34' (o.g.) |
Report | Nelson 23' Cramb 71' (pen.)Connell 90' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 4,513 Referee: Mike Dean |
| 21 April 2003 43 | Hartlepool United | 2–2 | Rochdale | Hartlepool |
| Widdrington 42', 52' |
Report | Grand 23' McEvilly 45' |
Stadium: Victoria Park Attendance: 5,408 Referee: Steve Baines |
| 26 April 2003 44 | Rochdale | 1–2 | Swansea City | Rochdale |
| Griffiths 43' |
Report | Nugent 18' Richards 68' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,777 Referee: Frazer Stretton |
| 29 April 2003 45 | Rochdale | 2–1 | Hull City | Rochdale |
| McEvilly 6' Griffiths 16'Hockenhull 18' 27'Evans 81' |
Report | Melton 24' Burgess 65'Reeves 87' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,225 Referee: Phil Prosser |
| 3 May 2003 46 | Macclesfield Town | 3–2 | Rochdale | Macclesfield |
| Lightbourne 34' Hockenhull 48' (o.g.)Askey 88'Tipton 90' |
Report | Hockenhull 27' McEvilly 36' (pen.)Patterson 51'Hill 70' |
Stadium: Moss Rose Attendance: 2,873 Referee: Keith Hill |
FA Cup edit
| 16 November 2002 1 | Rochdale | 3–2 | Peterborough United | Rochdale |
| Connor 3' Platt 12'Beech 61' |
Report | Burton 11' Daníelsson 25'Fenn 83'Clarke 88' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,566 Referee: Alan Kaye |
| 7 December 2002 2 | Bristol Rovers | 1–1 | Rochdale | Bristol |
| Plummer 59' Allen 73' |
Report | Platt 6' |
Stadium: Memorial Stadium Attendance: 4,369 Referee: Trevor Parkes |
| 17 December 2002 2 | Rochdale | 3–2 | Bristol Rovers | Rochdale |
| Platt 34' 65' Flitcroft 47'Connor 48'McCourt 74' 80' |
Report | Barrett 19' 85' Astafjevs 46'Tait 51' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,206 Referee: Trevor Parkes |
| 4 January 2003 3 | Preston North End | 1–2 | Rochdale | Preston |
| Lucketti 20' Anderson 48' 58'Broomes 53' |
Report | Jobson 18' McEvilly 39'Simpson 54'Connor 64'Flitcroft 88'Grand 90' |
Stadium: Deepdale Attendance: 8,762 Referee: Roy Pearson |
| 25 January 2003 4 | Rochdale | 2–0 | Coventry City | Rochdale |
| Connor 33' Griffiths 47' |
Report | Pead 37' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 9,156 Referee: Mick Fletcher |
| 16 February 2003 5 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 3–1 | Rochdale | Wolverhampton |
| 19:00 GMT | Ndah 32' Miller 79'Proudlock 90' |
Report | Grand 31' Melaugh 41' 52' |
Stadium: Molineux Stadium Attendance: 23,921 Referee: Uriah Rennie |
League Cup edit
| 11 September 2002 1 | Sheffield Wednesday | 1–0 | Rochdale | Sheffield |
| Sibon 2' |
Report | Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium Attendance: 8,815 Referee: George Cain |
League Trophy edit
| 22 October 2002 1 | Rochdale | 0–1 | Bury | Rochdale |
| Macauley 69' |
Report | Johnrose 24' Woodthorpe 72'Hill 89' |
Stadium: Spotland Stadium Attendance: 2,486 Referee: Mike Ryan |