List of Rochdale A.F.C. seasons
# List of Rochdale A.F.C. seasons

Rochdale Association Football Club is an English professional association football club based in the town of Rochdale in Greater Manchester. The club plays in the Football League Two, the fourth tier in the English football league system. The club's colours are black and blue and they play their home games at Spotland Stadium, which has a capacity of 10,249. Formed in 1907 and nicknamed the Dale, they were accepted into the Football League in 1921. Since then, the club has remained in the bottom two professional divisions of English Football until they were relegated to the National League at the end of the 2022–23 season.

## History

Rochdale A.F.C. was formed in 1907. After World War I the Football League was expanded and the club unsuccessfully applied to join. In 1921 Rochdale was recommended to be included in the new Third Division North, and played their first League game at home against Accrington Stanley on 27 August 1921, winning 6–3. However, this first season ended with the club at the bottom of the League, having to reapply for membership.

The club reached the League Cup final in 1962. This was the first time a club from the bottom league division had reached the final of a major competition – where they lost to Norwich City.

The club's first promotion came in 1969, earned by a team largely assembled by manager Bob Stokoe, though it was Stokoe's assistant, Len Richley who steered Rochdale to promotion after Stokoe moved to Carlisle United. In the early stages of the 1969–70 season, Rochdale topped the Division Three table, sparking hopes of a second successive promotion. The team's form significantly declined around Christmas 1969, however, and a failure to halt the team's decline led to the dismissal of Richley. He was succeeded by Dick Conner, who stabilised the club's form and steered them to a 9th-place finish. The following three seasons saw the club finish in the lower reaches of the Division Three table, narrowly avoiding relegation each time. The board viewed merely surviving in Division Three as unacceptable and replaced Conner with Walter Joyce for the 1973–74 season. This move failed to pay off, and Rochdale was relegated after a campaign in which they won only 2 of 46 league games.

The club finished bottom of the league in 1977–78, but was successful in their bid for re-election. Rochdale finished bottom for a second time in 1979–80, but was again re-elected – by one vote over Altrincham. In 1989–90 the club reached the fifth round of the FA Cup for the first time, but lost 1–0 to Crystal Palace.

The club reached the fifth round of the FA Cup again in 2003, but lost 3–1 at Wolverhampton.

Keith Hill, initially appointed as caretaker-manager in December 2006, became arguably the club's most successful manager to date. Hill and his assistant manager David Flitcroft led Rochdale to a 5th-placed finish in 2007–08, securing a play-off place. After beating Darlington 5–4 on penalties in the semi-finals, Rochdale reached Wembley for the first time in their history. Despite taking the lead in the match, they lost the final 3–2 to Stockport County.

In the 2008–09 season, Rochdale reached the League Two play-offs for the second consecutive season but lost 2–1 on aggregate to Gillingham in the playoff semi-finals.

The next season ended a 41-year wait for promotion with a win over Northampton Town as Rochdale secured the third automatic promotion spot. Rochdale continued their progression under Keith Hill, now with the club for 4 years, finishing 9th in the League One with 68 points, equaling their highest league finish since 1969–70.

On 1 June 2011 manager Keith Hill joined Championship side Barnsley. Former Manchester City apprentice and youth coach Steve Eyre was confirmed as Hill's replacement on 12 June 2011. Eyre's spell at Spotland did not last long, as he was sacked after 27 competitive games in charge, the team having recorded just 4 league wins in this time.

On 24 January 2012, Accrington Stanley's John Coleman was confirmed manager as the successor to Steve Eyre and left his club where he had been for more than a decade. John Coleman's first match in charge was a 3–0 win at home over Bury in the local derby. However, on 21 April, Rochdale lost 2–1 to Chesterfield resulting in relegation from League One after two years in the league. John Coleman's and Jimmy Bell's contracts were terminated by Rochdale on 21 January 2013 following a poor run in form. In January 2013, Keith Hill, previously in charge of Rochdale from 2007 to 2011, was appointed as the new manager.

Rochdale were promoted to League One on 26 April 2014, after beating Cheltenham Town 2–0. Playing at the club's highest level the 2014–15 season was the club's most successful yet. Apart from a couple of games, they remained in the top half of the league all season, eventually finishing in eighth place, their highest league placing.

## Seasons

| Year | League | Lvl | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Position | Leading league scorer | Leading league scorer | FA Cup | FA Cup | FL Cup | FL Cup | FL Trophy | FL Trophy | Average home attendance |
| - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Year | League | Lvl | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Position | Name | Goals | Res | Rec | Res | Rec | Res | Rec | Average home attendance |
| 1908–09 | Lancashire Combination Division Two | | 38 | 16 | 6 | 16 | 58 | 60 | -2 | 38 | 10th of 20 | Patrick Galvin | 10 | PR | 0-0-1 | | | | | |
| 1909–10 | Lancashire Combination Division Two | | 38 | 23 | 8 | 7 | 92 | 33 | +59 | 54 | 4th of 20 Promoted | Albert Worth | 19 | QR1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | |
| 1910–11 | Lancashire Combination Division One | | 38 | 25 | 6 | 7 | 87 | 45 | +32 | 56 | 1st of 20 | Tom Fleetwood | 18 | QR5 | 5-3-1 | | | | | |
| 1911–12 | Lancashire Combination Division One | | 32 | 23 | 4 | 5 | 81 | 24 | +57 | 50 | 1st of 17 | Alf Gregson | 21 | QR4 | 0-0-1 | | | | | |
| 1912–13 | Central League | | 38 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 67 | 51 | +16 | 44 | 7th of 20 | Tom Page | 15 | R1 | 5-1-1 | | | | | |
| 1913–14 | Central League | | 38 | 15 | 9 | 14 | 60 | 51 | +9 | 39 | 10th of 20 | Jack Allan | 17 | QR4 | 0-0-1 | | | | | |
| 1914–15 | Central League | | 38 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 63 | 50 | +13 | 37 | 9th of 20 | William Brown | 21 | R2 | 4-0-1 | | | | | |
| No competitive football was played between 1915 and 1919 due to the World War I. |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1919–20 | Central League | | 42 | 12 | 10 | 20 | 59 | 88 | -29 | 34 | 19th of 22 | Tom Hesmondhalgh | 12 | R1 | 3-0-1 | | | | | |
| 1920–21 | Central League | | 42 | 19 | 5 | 18 | 63 | 73 | -10 | 43 | 10th of 22 | Harry Dennison | 22 | R1 | 3-1-1 | | | | | |
| Football League Third Division North created. The club were invited to join. |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1921–22 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 38 | 11 | 4 | 23 | 52 | 77 | -25 | 26 | 20th of 20 | Harry Dennison | 17 | QR5 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 4,550 |
| 1922–23 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 38 | 13 | 10 | 15 | 42 | 53 | -11 | 36 | 12th of 20 | William Sandham George Guy | 7 | QR4 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 5,460 |
| 1923–24 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 25 | 12 | 5 | 60 | 26 | +34 | 62 | 2nd of 22 | Bill Prouse Albert Whitehurst | 14 | QR5 | 0-1-1 | | | | | 6,255 |
| 1924–25 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 21 | 7 | 14 | 75 | 53 | +22 | 49 | 6th of 22 | Harry Anstiss | 23 | QR6 | 1-0-1 | | | | | 5,055 |
| 1925–26 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 27 | 5 | 10 | 104 | 58 | +46 | 59 | 3rd of 22 | Billy Fergusson | 19 | R2 | 1-1-1 | | | | | 6,030 |
| 1926–27 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 26 | 6 | 10 | 105 | 65 | +40 | 58 | 2nd of 22 | Albert Whitehurst | 44 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 6,181 |
| 1927–28 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 17 | 7 | 18 | 74 | 77 | -3 | 41 | 13th of 22 | Albert Whitehurst | 32 | R2 | 1-0-1 | | | | | 4,222 |
| 1928–29 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 13 | 10 | 19 | 79 | 96 | -17 | 36 | 17th of 22 | Jack Milsom | 25 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 5,355 |
| 1929–30 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 18 | 7 | 17 | 89 | 91 | -2 | 43 | 10th of 22 | Tom Tippett | 29 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 3,440 |
| 1930–31 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 12 | 6 | 24 | 62 | 107 | -45 | 30 | 21st of 22 | Tom Tippett | 18 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 3,162 |
| 1931–32 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 40 | 4 | 3 | 33 | 48 | 135 | -87 | 11 | 21st of 21 | Reg Watson | 8 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 3,070 |
| 1932–33 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 13 | 7 | 22 | 58 | 80 | -22 | 33 | 18th of 22 | George Snow Bill Watson | 12 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 4,669 |
| 1933–34 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 9 | 6 | 27 | 53 | 103 | -50 | 24 | 22nd of 22 | Jack Robson | 10 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 3,823 |
| 1934–35 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 11 | 11 | 20 | 53 | 71 | -18 | 33 | 20th of 22 | Len Clarke | 13 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 4,593 |
| 1935–36 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 10 | 13 | 19 | 58 | 88 | -30 | 33 | 20th of 22 | Joe Wiggins | 14 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 4,827 |
| 1936–37 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 69 | 86 | -17 | 35 | 18th of 22 | Wally Hunt | 24 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 4,669 |
| 1937–38 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 13 | 11 | 18 | 67 | 78 | -11 | 37 | 17th of 22 | Jimmy Wynn | 20 | R1 | 0-1-1 | | | | | 5,374 |
| 1938–39 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 15 | 9 | 18 | 92 | 82 | +10 | 39 | 15th of 22 | Jimmy Wynn | 28 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 6,110 |
| No competitive football was played between 1939 and 1946 due to the World War II. |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1945–46 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | R3 | 2-2-2 | | | | | |
| 1946–47 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 19 | 10 | 13 | 80 | 64 | +16 | 48 | 6th of 22 | Joe Hargreaves | 23 | R3 | 2-0-1 | | | | | 7,577 |
| 1947–48 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 15 | 11 | 16 | 48 | 72 | +24 | 41 | 12th of 22 | Hugh O'Donnell | 9 | R2 | 1-1-1 | | | | | 8,124 |
| 1948–49 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 18 | 9 | 15 | 55 | 53 | +2 | 45 | 7th of 22 | Jack Connor | 10 | R1 | 0-1-1 | | | | | 8,616 |
| 1949–50 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 42 | 21 | 9 | 12 | 68 | 41 | +27 | 51 | 3rd of 22 | Jack Connor | 16 | R2 | 1-0-1 | | | | | 8,372 |
| 1950–51 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 17 | 11 | 18 | 69 | 62 | +7 | 45 | 11th of 24 | Jack Connor | 16 | R3 | 2-0-1 | | | | | 6,519 |
| 1951–52 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 47 | 79 | -32 | 35 | 21st of 24 | Alan Middlebrough | 10 | R3 | 2-0-1 | | | | | 4,992 |
| 1952–53 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 14 | 5 | 27 | 62 | 83 | -21 | 33 | 22nd of 24 | Bert Foulds | 13 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 6,200 |
| 1953–54 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 15 | 10 | 21 | 59 | 77 | -18 | 40 | 19th of 24 | Jack Haines | 11 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 6,121 |
| 1954–55 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 17 | 14 | 15 | 69 | 66 | +3 | 48 | 12th of 22 | Eric Gemmell | 19 | R3 | 2-1-1 | | | | | 6,202 |
| 1955–56 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 17 | 13 | 16 | 66 | 84 | -18 | 47 | 12th of 24 | Eric Gemmell | 13 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 4,833 |
| 1956–57 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 65 | 65 | 0 | 48 | 13th of 24 | Frank Lord | 15 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 6,280 |
| 1957–58 | Football League Third Division North | 3 | 46 | 19 | 8 | 19 | 79 | 67 | +12 | 46 | 10th of 24 | Jimmy Dailey | 19 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | | | 6,352 |
| Regional Third divisions merged creating nationwide Third Division and Fourth Division. Club qualified to join Third Division. |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1958–59 | Football League Third Division | 3 | 46 | 8 | 12 | 26 | 37 | 79 | -42 | 28 | 24th of 24 Relegated | Eddie Wainwright | 8 | R1 | 0-2-1 | | | | | 4,810 |
| 1959–60 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 65 | 60 | +5 | 46 | 12th of 24 | Stanley Milburn | 15 | R2 | 1-2-1 | | | | | 4,599 |
| 1960–61 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 17 | 8 | 21 | 60 | 66 | -6 | 42 | 17th of 24 | Ronnie Cairns | 20 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R3 | 2-1-1 | | | 3,930 |
| 1961–62 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 44 | 19 | 7 | 18 | 71 | 71 | 0 | 45 | 12th of 23 | Ronnie Cairns | 15 | R2 | 1-0-1 | F | 5-1-3 | | | 4,024 |
| 1962–63 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 20 | 11 | 15 | 67 | 59 | +8 | 51 | 7th of 24 | Ronnie Cairns | 14 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | | | 3,306 |
| 1963–64 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 12 | 15 | 19 | 56 | 59 | -3 | 39 | 20th of 24 | Joe Richardson | 11 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 1-1-1 | | | 3,020 |
| 1964–65 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 22 | 14 | 10 | 74 | 53 | +21 | 58 | 6th of 24 | Reg Jenkins | 25 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | | | 4,686 |
| 1965–66 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 16 | 5 | 25 | 71 | 87 | -16 | 37 | 21st of 24 | Reg Jenkins Bob Stephenson | 13 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R2 | 1-1-1 | | | 2,974 |
| 1966–67 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 13 | 11 | 22 | 53 | 75 | -22 | 37 | 21st of 24 | Reg Jenkins | 14 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | 2,443 |
| 1967–68 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 51 | 72 | -21 | 38 | 19th of 24 | Joe Fletcher | 15 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | 2,292 |
| 1968–69 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 18 | 20 | 8 | 68 | 35 | +33 | 56 | 3rd of 24 Promoted | Dennis Butler | 16 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | 5,399 |
| 1969–70 | Football League Third Division | 3 | 46 | 18 | 10 | 18 | 69 | 60 | +9 | 46 | 9th of 24 | Reg Jenkins | 20 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | 6,109 |
| 1970–71 | Football League Third Division | 3 | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 61 | 68 | -7 | 43 | 16th of 24 | Reg Jenkins | 13 | R4 | 3-1-1 | R2 | 1-1-1 | | | 4,866 |
| 1971–72 | Football League Third Division | 3 | 46 | 12 | 13 | 21 | 57 | 83 | -26 | 37 | 18th of 24 | Peter Gowans | 9 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-2-1 | | | 4,387 |
| 1972–73 | Football League Third Division | 3 | 46 | 14 | 17 | 15 | 48 | 54 | -6 | 45 | 13th of 24 | Reg Jenkins Malcolm Darling | 8 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | | | 3,186 |
| 1973–74 | Football League Third Division | 3 | 46 | 2 | 17 | 27 | 38 | 94 | -56 | 21 | 24th of 24 Relegated | Leo Skeete | 9 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | | | 1,890 |
| 1974–75 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 13 | 13 | 20 | 59 | 75 | -16 | 39 | 19th of 24 | Tony Whelan Bob Mountford | 10 | R2 | 1-2-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | | | 1,507 |
| 1975–76 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 12 | 18 | 16 | 40 | 54 | -14 | 42 | 15th of 24 | Bob Mountford | 14 | R3 | 2-4-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | | | 1,594 |
| 1976–77 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 13 | 12 | 21 | 50 | 59 | -9 | 38 | 18th of 24 | Bob Mountford | 11 | R1 | 0-2-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | | | 1,745 |
| 1977–78 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 8 | 8 | 30 | 43 | 85 | -42 | 24 | 24th of 24 | Terry Owen | 9 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-1-1 | | | 1,275 |
| 1978–79 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 47 | 64 | -17 | 39 | 20th of 24 | Terry Owen | 11 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | | | 1,767 |
| 1979–80 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 7 | 13 | 26 | 33 | 79 | -46 | 27 | 24th of 24 | Chris Jones | 9 | R3 | 2-2-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | | | 1,926 |
| 1980–81 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 60 | 70 | -10 | 43 | 15th of 24 | Barry Wellings | 14 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | | | 2,460 |
| 1981–82 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 50 | 62 | -12 | 46 | 21st of 24 | Mark Hilditch | 14 | R1 | 0-2-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | | | 1,837 |
| 1982–83 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 55 | 73 | -16 | 49 | 20th of 24 | Micky French | 11 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-3 | | | 1,688 |
| 1983–84 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 11 | 13 | 22 | 52 | 80 | -28 | 46 | 22nd of 24 | Peter Farrell Vernon Allatt | 8 | R3 | 2-0-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | 1,491 |
| 1984–85 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 55 | 69 | -14 | 53 | 17th of 24 | Barry Diamond | 15 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | R2 | 1-1-1 | 1,434 |
| 1985–86 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 57 | 77 | -20 | 55 | 18th of 24 | Steve Taylor | 25 | R3 | 2-1-1 | R1 | 1-0-1 | G | 1-0-1 | 1,790 |
| 1986–87 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 11 | 17 | 18 | 54 | 73 | -19 | 50 | 21st of 24 | Lyndon Simmonds | 10 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 1-2-1 | AQF | 1-3-0 | 2,151 |
| 1987–88 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 11 | 15 | 20 | 47 | 76 | -29 | 48 | 21st of 24 | Lyndon Simmonds | 12 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-1-2 | R1 | 0-1-2 | 1,939 |
| 1988–89 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 13 | 14 | 19 | 56 | 82 | -26 | 53 | 18th of 24 | David Frain | 12 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | G | 0-0-2 | 1,968 |
| 1989–90 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 20 | 6 | 20 | 52 | 55 | -3 | 66 | 12th of 22 | Steve O'Shaughnessy | 8 | R5 | 4-0-1 | R1 | 1-0-1 | G | 0-1-2 | 2,027 |
| 1990–91 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 46 | 15 | 17 | 14 | 50 | 53 | -3 | 62 | 12th of 22 | Peter Costello | 10 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R2 | 1-1-2 | R1 | 1-0-2 | 2,238 |
| 1991–92 | Football League Fourth Division | 4 | 42 | 18 | 13 | 11 | 57 | 53 | +4 | 67 | 8th of 22 | Andy Flounders | 17 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R2 | 2-1-1 | G | 0-1-1 | 2,657 |
| Football League divisions renamed after the Premier League creation. |||||||||||||||||||||
| 1992–93 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 42 | 16 | 10 | 16 | 70 | 70 | 0 | 58 | 11th of 22 | Andy Flounders Steve Whitehall | 14 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | R2 | 1-1-1 | 2,312 |
| 1993–94 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 42 | 16 | 12 | 14 | 63 | 51 | +12 | 60 | 9th of 22 | Dave Lancaster Steve Whitehall | 14 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 1-1-2 | R2 | 0-0-1 | 2,657 |
| 1994–95 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 42 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 44 | 67 | -23 | 50 | 15th of 22 | Steve Whitehall | 10 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | AF | 5-1-1 | 2,184 |
| 1995–96 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 41 | 13 | 19 | 57 | 61 | -4 | 55 | 15th of 24 | Steve Whitehall | 20 | R3 | 2-1-1 | R1 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-2 | 2,214 |
| 1996–97 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 58 | 58 | 0 | 58 | 14th of 24 | Steve Whitehall Alex Russell | 9 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R1 | 1-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | 1,829 |
| 1997–98 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 17 | 7 | 22 | 56 | 55 | +1 | 58 | 18th of 24 | Robbie Painter | 16 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | 1,847 |
| 1998–99 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 13 | 15 | 18 | 42 | 55 | -13 | 54 | 19th of 24 | Michael Holt Andy Morris | 7 | R2 | 1-2-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | ASF | 2-0-1 | 2,125 |
| 1999–2000 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 57 | 54 | +3 | 68 | 10th of 24 | Tony Ellis | 11 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-2 | AF | 2-1-2 | 2,774 |
| 2000–01 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 18 | 17 | 11 | 59 | 48 | +11 | 71 | 8th of 24 | Paul Connor | 10 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | 3,249 |
| 2001–02 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 21 | 15 | 10 | 65 | 52 | +13 | 78 | 5th of 24 | Kevin Townson | 14 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R2 | 1-1-0 | R2 | 1-0-1 | 3,431 |
| 3,431 |||||||||||
| 2002–03 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 63 | 70 | -7 | 52 | 19th of 24 | Lee McEvilly | 15 | R5 | 4-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | 2,740 |
| 2003–04 | Football League Third Division | 4 | 46 | 12 | 14 | 20 | 49 | 58 | -9 | 50 | 21st of 24 | Kevin Townson | 10 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | 3,277 |
| Football League divisions renamed. |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2004–05 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 16 | 18 | 12 | 54 | 48 | +6 | 66 | 9th of 24 | Grant Holt | 17 | R3 | 2-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | 2,690 |
| 2005–06 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 66 | 69 | -3 | 56 | 14th of 24 | Rickie Lambert | 22 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | 2,808 |
| 2006–07 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 18 | 12 | 16 | 70 | 50 | +20 | 66 | 9th of 24 | Chris Dagnall | 17 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 0-2-0 | 2,898 |
| 2007–08 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 23 | 11 | 12 | 77 | 54 | +23 | 80 | 5th of 24 | Adam Le Fondre | 16 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 0-2-0 | R2 | 0-0-1 | 3,057 |
| 3,057 |||||||||||
| 2008–09 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 19 | 13 | 14 | 70 | 59 | +11 | 70 | 6th of 24 | Adam Le Fondre | 18 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R1 | 0-1-0 | AQF | 0-1-1 | 3,222 |
| 3,222 |||||||||||
| 2009–10 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 25 | 7 | 14 | 82 | 48 | +34 | 82 | 3rd of 24 Promoted | Chris O'Grady | 22 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | 3,443 |
| 2010–11 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 63 | 55 | +8 | 68 | 9th of 24 | Gary Jones | 17 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | 3,537 |
| 2011–12 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 8 | 14 | 24 | 47 | 81 | -34 | 38 | 24th of 24 Relegated | Ashley Grimes | 8 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R3 | 2-0-1 | AQF | 0-2-0 | 3,109 |
| 2012–13 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 16 | 13 | 17 | 68 | 70 | -2 | 61 | 12th of 24 | Bobby Grant | 15 | R1 | 0-1-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 0-2-0 | 2,439 |
| 2013–14 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 24 | 9 | 13 | 69 | 48 | +21 | 81 | 3rd of 24 Promoted | Scott Hogan | 17 | R4 | 3-0-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | AQF | 1-0-1 | 2,900 |
| 2014–15 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 19 | 6 | 21 | 72 | 66 | +6 | 63 | 8th of 24 | Ian Henderson | 22 | R4 | 3-2-1 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | 3,309 |
| 2015–16 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 68 | 61 | +7 | 69 | 10th of 24 | Ian Henderson | 13 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 0-1-1 | AQF | 1-0-1 | 3,098 |
| 2016–17 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 19 | 12 | 15 | 71 | 62 | +9 | 69 | 9th of 24 | Ian Henderson | 15 | R4 | 3-1-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 2-1-1 | 3,556 |
| 2017–18 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 11 | 18 | 17 | 49 | 57 | -8 | 51 | 20th of 24 | Ian Henderson | 13 | R5 | 4-2-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R3 | 1-3-1 | 3,471 |
| 2018–19 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 15 | 9 | 22 | 54 | 87 | -33 | 54 | 16th of 24 | Ian Henderson | 20 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R3 | 3-1-1 | 3,574 |
| 2019–20 | Football League One | 3 | 34 | 10 | 6 | 18 | 39 | 57 | -18 | 36 | 18th of 24 | Ian Henderson | 15 | R3 | 2-3-1 | R3 | 2-0-1 | R1 | 2-0-1 | 3,632 |
| 2020–21 | Football League One | 3 | 46 | 11 | 14 | 21 | 61 | 78 | -17 | 47 | 21st of 24 Relegated | Matty Lund Stephen Humphrys | 11 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R1 | 1-0-2 | – |
| 2021–22 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 12 | 17 | 17 | 51 | 59 | -8 | 53 | 18th of 24 | Jake Beesley | 9 | R2 | 1-1-1 | R3 | 1-0-1 | R1 | 1-0-2 | 2,882 |
| 2022–23 | Football League Two | 4 | 46 | 9 | 11 | 26 | 46 | 70 | -24 | 38 | 24th of 24 Relegated | Devante Rodney | 11 | R1 | 0-0-1 | R2 | 1-0-1 | R2 | 1-2-0 | 3,029 |

* ↑ Average home attendance = for league games only
* ↑ COVID-19 prevented fans from attending games
