Stephen has committed to returning to the Crown Oil Arena on 4th March to entertain diners with stories of his exploits at Dale after signing for Keith Hill on leaving Barnsley.
Name: Stephen Dawson
DOB: 4th December 1985
Dale debut: 16th August 2014 v Bristol City 1-1
Also played for: Mansfield Town, Bury, Leyton Orient, Barnsley, Scunthorpe United, Hereford
Time at Dale: Stephen signed for Rochdale on a one-year contract after leaving Barnsley at the end of the 2013/14 season, he was offered a new contract by the Club following their relegation, however, he turned down a new contract making him a free agent. The move to Spotland saw him working under Keith Hill for a second spell, previously having spent almost a year working under “the Gaffer” at Barnsley. Upon joining Dale, Keith said of the move “Stephen Dawson has got a lot of aggression and he’s pedigree. He’s played a lot of Championship and League One football and it was great to get the deal done”
He made his Rochdale debut on 16th August 2014, in a 1-2 defeat against Chesterfield, home debut on 23rd August in a 1–1 draw against Bristol City then establishing himself in the midfield position, in a 4–0 win over Crawley Town on 6th September 2014, he set up two goals for Matt Done and Calvin Andrew. He played his last game for the Club in a 0–3 defeat against Oldham Athletic on 24 March 2015. Despite suffering an injury setback that saw out him of the first team, he made 30 appearances in the league that season finishing a very credible 8th place, Dale’s highest-ever league placing.
Time after Dale: Stephen was offered a new contract by the Club, however, he turned down a contract from Rochdale in favour of joining Scunthorpe United. “We offered Stephen a deal on the same terms and would have been flexible in negotiating upwards but not to the extent that Scunthorpe have. They are going to be a big hitter in League One next season financially. They were last season when you consider the investment that their new Chairman has made since he took over and there has been a big investment in Stephen Dawson. We gave Stephen an opportunity last year because when we came to us he wasn’t match fit and he hadn’t had a good summer. I thought he was tremendous for us and I’m really thankful that we gave him that opportunity. I would like wish Stephen all the best. I wish I could have kept him but I can’t look negatively on what the Board of Directors and the Chairman provide for me as a Manager. I also need to make sure that I’m looking after the financial well-being of the football club because so many Managers don’t”
Clearly, Keith had a high regard for Stephen and upset at his departure from Rochdale.
Upon leaving professional football, Stephen looked to pass on his vast knowledge on to local kids at junior football club, R Kix Academy and is now working on an Alternative Education programme, no doubt passing on his vast knowledge and experience to the youngsters he’s teaching.