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Carabao Cup · 2026/27

Rochdale Carabao Cup fixtures and results 2026/27

Rochdale's 1962 League Cup final belongs to an early version of the competition, when the trophy was decided over two legs. Tony Collins led a fourth-tier side through a route that included a replay, a bye and a closely fought semi-final. Current Dale fixtures appear above; the guide below explains that distinctive earlier campaign.

UK kick-off times · GMT / BSTUpdated twice daily · Last fixture check: 14 Nov 2026, 18:00 GMT
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Rochdale: cup campaign

League Two · Eliminated

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Bradford City 2–0 Rochdale. Full time. Bradford City go through. Rochdale are out of this season’s Carabao Cup.

Rochdale fixtures, results and UK TV

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Tony Collins took a fourth-tier club to the final

Rochdale reached the 1962 League Cup final under Tony Collins, the Football League's first black manager. Dale were playing in the fourth division, while their final opponents, Norwich, were in the second. Norwich won the final 4–0 on aggregate.

The club's history identifies Rochdale as the first bottom-division side to reach the final. That is the achievement to recognise: a place in the competition's deciding tie from the fourth tier, even though the trophy ultimately went to Norwich.

This was a two-match final, so it should not be pictured as a single Wembley afternoon. The aggregate result combines separate home and away legs. For supporters exploring the story, the manager, league level and format provide the essential context before the individual scores. Rochdale's own history places the run among the club's major milestones.

A replay, a bye and a narrow Blackburn semi-final

Dale started with a goalless draw at Southampton and won the home replay 2–1. Doncaster were then beaten 4–0 and Charlton 1–0, both at home. A fourth-round bye took Rochdale into the quarter-final, where York were defeated 2–1.

The Blackburn semi-final was decided over two legs. Rochdale won 3–1 at home and lost 2–1 away, progressing 4–3 on aggregate. That narrow combined margin secured the place in the final after the earlier home victories.

Norwich won 3–0 at Rochdale and 1–0 in the return, producing the 4–0 aggregate result. The campaign therefore contains three different reasons for its match count: an opening replay, a round without a match and two-leg ties at the end. Reading those stages separately makes the 1961/62 route much easier to follow.

Rochdale's 1962 final explained

Who managed Rochdale during the final run?

Tony Collins led Dale to the 1962 League Cup final. He was the first black manager in the Football League.

Did Rochdale play Norwich at Wembley?

No. The final was played over two legs, with Norwich winning 3–0 at Rochdale and 1–0 at home for a 4–0 aggregate victory.

How close was the Blackburn semi-final?

Rochdale advanced by one goal overall. Their 3–1 home win and 2–1 away defeat combined to give Dale a 4–3 aggregate success.

Guide review

Reviewed . Scores are checked twice daily. Fixture times and TV selections can change.