ROCHDALE HORNETS head coach Gary Thornton has hailed the “real depth” at his disposal following the release of his side’s squad numbers for 2025.
Two new signings have been given starting shirts, with Josh Johnson receiving number eight and Oli Burton taking nine.
Joe Taira will wear number 26 on his return to the Hornets, while there are promotions for Lameck Juma, who moves from 22 to three, and Deane Meadows, who picks up the eleven shirt having worn 18 last season.
But a squad number has not yet been allocated to Dec O’Donnell, the former Leigh, Workington and Oldham hooker who became Rochdale’s tenth new signing last week after two years in the amateur game, most recently with Wigan St Patricks.
Thornton said: “What is clear is that we now have real depth in every position.
“That’s something (Rochdale chairman) Andy Mazey and I have been working hard towards, to ensure we have the personnel needed to deal with a long and gruelling season.
“However, it is just a number and comes with no guarantees. It’s what’s inside the shirt that counts, not what’s written on the outside.
“The lads will need to work hard consistently for a spot in the matchday 17, no matter what number they wear.”
Squad numbers: 1 Gregg McNally, 2 Dan Nixon, 3 Lameck Juma, 4 Myles Harrop, 5 Luke Forber, 6 Martyn Ridyard, 7 Lewis Else, 8 Josh Johnson, 9 Oli Burton, 10 Luke Nelmes, 11 Deane Meadows, 12 Duane Straugheir, 13 Emmerson Whittel, 14 Max Falanagan, 16 Jordan Andrade, 17 Ben Killan, 18 Zac Baker, 19 Jaden Dayes, 20 Tom Ashton, 21 Ben Will, 22 Lewis Hollidge, 23 Morgan Punchard, 24 Lewis Fairhurst, 25 Tom Spencer, 26 Joe Taira, 27 Toby Brannan, – Dec O’Donnell.