Rochdale Hornets 2026 squad numbers confirmed

Rochdale Hornets' squad numbers have been revealed ahead of the 2026 season.

In total, seven of the club's signings during the off-season have been handed starting shirts. 

From last season's Hornets squad, Max Flanagan has been given number one following Gregg McNally's retirement.

Tom Ashton and Ben Will are also big movers: Ashton vacates 20 to take shirt number three, whereas Will has moved from 21 to five.

There is a brand-new six and seven combination, with Jamie Dallimore and Jordan Paga taking the shirts vacated by Martyn Ridyard and Lewis Else. 

Jaden Dayes and new signing Lewis Hatton have been awarded the starting front-row numbers, with hooker Ross Whitmore - who joined the club midway through last season - taking nine. 

Completing the starting 13 shirts are a trio of new recruits - Matty Unsworth, Ethan Wood and Jordan Syme. 

Rochdale Hornets head coach Gary Thornton said: "The release of our squad numbers marks another important milestone ahead of the new season.

"With the squad we've assembled, I'm confident that there is real depth in every position, with a blend of youth and experience ready to challenge for a spot in our matchday 17. 

"That's something Andy Mazey and I have been working hard towards, to ensure we have the personnel needed to deal with what we know will be an unrelenting Betfred Championship 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.

"The group have worked really hard ahead of Sunday's opening pre-season friendly, and I'm excited to see how some of our new combinations play out as we take another big step towards the 2026 campaign."

Below, you can view the full list of squad numbers ahead of the upcoming Betfred Championship season:

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
15. In loving memory of Freddie Lowe
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