The 2010-11 campaign was an exhilarating return to the third tier after a 36-year absence for Rochdale, as The Dale, under the inspired guidance of Keith Hill, secured a sensational 9th-place finish in League One, their highest league position since 1970. Defying all expectations, the squad mounted a genuine, albeit late-fading, play-off challenge, achieving a fantastic early season form that included a memorable 2-0 victory over Southampton. Spearheading the charge was the talismanic captain and midfielder Gary Jones, whose 17 league goals proved vital in a season built on grit, a tactical shift to a 'more free flowing' style, and the surprising 10-goal contribution of central defender Craig Dawson. This year of overachievement, marked by an 11-game unbeaten run in early 2011, ultimately cemented Keith Hill's legacy before his summer departure and remains a fondly remembered chapter in the club's history.