The Fleet did the double over Rochdale last season and Jimmy McNulty’s side make the trip to the Kuflink Stadium for only the second time in their history.
Last time out
Rochdale secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Braintree Town last Saturday with the only goal of the match coming in the seventh minute through Kairo Mitchell while just missed out on a point against Dale’s local rivals Oldham Athletic. Rochdale had a free week as their first National League Cup tie comes later in the year, while a much-changed Fleet team took on West Brom’s U21s.
Previous affairs
The two sides have only faced each other twice, with the Fleet pocketing the three points on both occasions. On the opening day of the campaign, Ebbsfleet travelled to the Crown Oil Arena live on TNT Sports and a memorable goal from Luke O’Neill at the end of the first half secured the points. In the reverse fixture in March, Dominic Poleon opened the scoring with 15 minutes on the clock whilst Mitchell levelled the playing field minutes before half-time. It looked to be a point a piece until Dominic Samuel arrived with a strike in the 92nd minute to secure a crucial three points in the Fleet’s season.
Who’s who
Luke McNicholas is in goal on a season-long loan from Wrexham. The 24-year-old played in Ireland with Sligo Rovers, Finn Harps and then Cliftonville, before joining Wrexham in August 2023.
Defender Kyron Gordon arrived from AFC Fylde at the start of the year. The 22-year-old has featured 31 times for the Dale and was a product of the Sheffield United Academy.
Joining from Notts County at the start of the 2023/24 season, Kairo Mitchell has become a valuable player for McNulty’s side. In all competitions, Mitchell has scored 23 goals in 50 goals for his side. The 26-year-old is also a Grenada international.
Fellow forward Ian Henderson is 39 years old but still adding games to his total of 400 at Rochdale and almost 800 in senior football, and he is the club’s all-time leading goalscorer.
Rochdale have a couple of famous family members too, with defender Kyle Ferguson the son of former Rangers skipper Barry Ferguson and midfielder Harvey Gilmour the brother of ex-Chelsea and current Napoli star Billy Gilmour.
The manager
Having spent eight years at Rochdale as a player, Jimmy McNulty began his managerial career at the club at the beginning of their first National League campaign last season, following a period at the end of the 2022/23 season as interim boss. He has 25 wins from 68 games.
Club connections
Summer signing for the Dale, Tobi Adebayo-Rowling (pictured below) spent two seasons at the Kuflink Stadium racking up 44 appearances for the Fleet before making the move to Notts County. Veteran forward Ian Henderson also spent time with Mark Cousins at Colchester United.
Matchday information
Tickets can be purchased here with prices rising at midnight by £1.
Car-parking is available for the special matchday price of £3 at Ebbsfleet International Car Park C. This is cash only and parking is available from 12:30pm. Please make sure you get a ticket from the steward in attendance and not from the ticketing machines which will not apply the discounted matchday price.
Supporters are reminded that alcohol will not be permitted to be consumed within view of the pitch and that matches will be segregated as required at the Swanscombe End (or the far end of it). Please cooperate with the instructions of our security team and stewards.
Away supporters
Website : visitors’ guide
Away fans are allocated a section of the Swanscombe End and a number of priority seats in the Old Stand. Access is via the turnstiles at the Swanscombe End, situated to the left of the main entrance along Stonebridge Road and then up through the car-park.
Away fans have access to refreshments, food and a bar in the Swanscombe End. Our popular Eat Street van will be available for food (hot dogs and burgers) and beverages. Beers on tap include Hofmeister and Iron Pier, found in the away facility, clearly visible between the standing terrace and seating area. Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic refreshments along with sausage rolls and pasties can also be found in this bar.
Programmes
Programmes can be pre-ordered online with your ticket, or through our online club shop here. In the ground, you can purchase in the club shop, just past the main home turnstiles, at the Plough End social club and for away fans in the Old Sponsors Lounge/portakabin bar. Please note, pre-ordered programmes must be collected from the club shop at the main reception entrance BEFORE entering the ground.
