IT was a disappointing 2025 for Rochdale Hornets with Gary Thornton’s side finishing sixth with just nine wins from 18 games.
The fact that the Hornets had finished third the year before makes that look even more abject on reflection, but it has been a time for massive change ahead of the 2026 season.
As of now, 15 new faces have made their way through the doors of the Crown Oil Arena, whilst as many as 13 have departed as Thornton looks to create a new squad ahead of the league merger.
Bringing in experienced heads such as Jamie Dallimore, Junior Sa’u and Luke Waterworth will help Thornton’s side try and stem the tide against the might of the Championship, but the loss of Lewis Else and the retirement of Duane Straugheir, Martyn Ridyard and Gregg McNally will undoubtedly cause some disruption.
It’s only a matter of time to see if the Hornets’ upheaval of players will make it difficult for the squad to gel, but Thornton is experienced enough to quicken that process.
One to watch
Outside back TJ Boyd arrives at the Hornets having signed a one-year deal from Leigh Leopards.
In both 2024 and 2025, Boyd was crowned Reserves Team Player of the Year, highlighting just how much of a good signing this is for the Hornets for 2026.
The 21-year-old came personally recommended by Leigh reserves boss Stuart Littler, who has decades of experience in the sport. Leigh’s loss is very much Rochdale’s gain.
Squad: 1 Max Flanagan, 2 Dan Nixon, 3 Tom Ashton, 4 Junior Sa’u, 5 Ben Will, 6 Jamie Dallimore, 7 Jordan Paga, 8 Jaden Dayes, 9 Ross Whitmore, 10 Lewis Hatton, 11 Matty Unsworth, 12 Ethan Wood, 13 Jordan Syme, 14 Morgan Punchard, 16 Jordan Andrade, 17 Dylan Kelly-Duffy, 18 Danny Lynch, 19 Luke Waterworth, 20 Joe Hickey, 21 TJ Boyd, 22 Jack Holmes, 23 Jamie Pye, 24 Ben Metcalfe, – Dan Lloyd
Ins: Jamie Dallimore (North Wales), Jordan Paga (Swinton), Matty Unsworth (North Wales), Jordan Syme (Hunslet), Ethan Wood (Rochdale), Junior Sa’u (Keighley), Danny Lynch (Swinton), Dylan Kelly-Duffy (Wigan), Luke Waterworth (unattached), Lewis Hatton (Keighley), Joe Hickey (Warrington), TJ Boyd (Leigh), Jack Holmes (North Wales), Jamie Pye (Salford), Paddy Jones (North Wales), Ben Metcalfe (Rochdale M), Dan Lloyd (Bradford Salem RU)
Outs: Duane Straugheir, Martyn Ridyard, Gregg McNally (all retired), Luke Forber (North Wales), Ben Killan (Swinton), Lewis Else (Midlands), Jack Miller (Goole), Luke Nelmes (Dewsbury), Joe Lowe (Whitehaven), Emmerson Whittel (Hunslet), Darcy Simpson, Elijah Simpson (both Hunslet), Myles Harrop (Hunslet)