Strength in depth target for McNulty

ROCHDALE'S interest in the race for promotion to the EFL may be over for the season - but Jim McNulty is adamant their fourth-place finish in the Vanarama National League is 'the start of something'.

- RICHARD PARTINGTON

Last summer, McNulty and then new owners the Ogdens spoke of a three-year project to return to the Football League.

And while Dale's attempt to reach that target in year one fell short, McNulty believes it will stand them in good stead.

“It's a very, very difficult league to get out of, the National League,” he said.

“It’s insane really, the one up rather than three up system. In other leagues you get three up, three down - if we'd have been in one of the football leagues this season, we'd have been one place off in the first year of a new project, months after nearly going bankrupt as a club and not paying any of our employees, not paying the team, not paying all the staff and nearly disappearing.

“One year on, first year into a build, we were a few points off an automatic promotion place. That's fantastic, an unbelievable reflection of everyone's commitment this season that I’m really proud of. We've learned that we might have to commit a little more. We probably have to strengthen even more.