As the Summer Transfer Window kicks into its stride, shortly after the end of eventful, dramatic season and National League Playoff Final, all clubs up and down the county, at every level, are beginning to focus in on what players they’d like to recruit in preparation for what will be an exciting 2025/26 season. For Rochdale and Jim McNulty, Summer business seems to have started at a steady pace, with just one new addition being announced so far, in the form of experienced right back, Bryce Hosannah and another right-sided fullback, Dan Moss, from Woking.
During the 2024/25 season, Dale opted against signing a permanent Number One ahead of a campaign in which high expectations were held by their fans. Despite hitting these expectations by finishing fourth in a very competitive division, Rochdale went through five goalkeeper during last season. This constant change and failure to retain a consistent figure in between the goal-posts certainly wouldn’t have helped matters for Dale.
In this goalkeeping-focused-recruitment-piece, I will be aiming to find the perfect permanent, starting goalkeeper for Rochdale; someone who can play 40+ games for McNulty’s side next season, becoming a constant in Dale’s defensive unit. I will be taking a lot at FIVE different options that Rochdale could potentially look to sign this Summer, ahead of another season where expectations will be high, in an extremely competitive division, housing huge budgets such as Forest Green, Carlisle United and York City.
Before we begin, I’d like to take some time to say thankyou to all who are reading this blog piece – I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions on who Rochdale should sign as a permanent goalkeeper next season. Any shares would be greatly appreciated as well as feedback, as I’m always looking to improve my work. Enjoy the read!
So, without further-ado, let’s get to work…
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Paul Farman (35yo) – Free Transfer
My first suggestion is also my most experienced option out of my five picks; you won’t find many more experienced goalkeepers available than Paul Farman, who has hundreds of appearances in both League Two and The National League, including a promotion out of this division, with Lincoln City, where Farman was a key player in that superb side, including that special FA Cup run, including a clean sheet at Turf Moor.
Paul Farman, 35, has spent the previous four seasons racking up over 100 appearances for The Bluebirds in League Two, becoming an ever-present on match days, up until the end of March, this season, where Wyll Stanway took the reigns. Barrow actually train in Manchester so Farman is unlikely to have to relocate very far, if he was to join Rochdale.
Farman has been a consistent, solid pair of hands for Barrow, since their promotion into The Football League, becoming a key reason in the club solidifying themselves into League Two. He’s less physically capable these days, and his reactions would have dropped off slightly, however, I think Farman still has plenty to offer in The National League and his experience and understanding of how to get promoted out of this division, would be so valuable for Dale.
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Zan-Luk Leban (22yo) – Free Transfer
From Paul Farman, a player who has made hundreds of appearances across The National League and Football League, down to my second pick, someone who has made just 43 appearances in senior football, all coming in The National League North, in an extremely successful loan spell at Farley Celtic. In his other seasons in professional football, Zan-Luk Leban has been a goalkeeping option for Everton’s youth sides in PL2.
At 22 years of age, it’s no surprise to see Leban wanting to leave Everton for an opportunity at first team, senior football, for just the second time in his career. His stock is still fairly high from his impressive spell at Farsley and I believe he will find himself a National League club this Summer. Living in Liverpool, a relocation to Rochdale isn’t a difficult one and it would likely guarantee him first team football and a platform in which he can improve and progress as a senior goalkeeper.
The Slovenian Under-21s International is a brilliant shot-stopper who often displays excellent reflexes, reactions and agility to halter the opposition from getting a goal. He’s a good modern-day goalkeeper who matches his superb goalkeeping attributes, with a great passing range and ability to play brave passes into risky areas. This suits the way that Dale want to play under McNulty.
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Owen Evans (28yo) – Free Transfer
Option one of my five suggestions was for Rochdale to sign an extremely experienced head who has hundreds of appearances across The National League and League Two, as well as a promotion out of this level. Option two was a young goalkeeper who has just one season of senior experience in a league below The National League. For my third option, I’ve gone for a player who is entering their prime years as a goalkeeper, but has seriously struggled to settle down anywhere for a prolonged period of time.
My suggestion? 28 year-old goalkeeper, Owen Evans, who was recently announce to be leaving Cheltenham at the end of the season, after spending the end of last season as the Champions number one. He’s experienced many ups and downs in football but having experienced a promotion out of this division is something he can take onto his next club.
Evans has spent time in the North before, at Wigan Athletic, between 2017 and 2021, where he saw loans to Sutton, Macclesfield and Cheltenham. This probably shows that a relocation back to North-West wouldn’t be out of the realms of possibility for the former Welsh Youth-International. His calmness and composure really pushed The Bees on seeing off the competition to come home with The National League Trophy – Something that could really help Dale next season. Building a strong defence is vital for McNulty.
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Ben Winterbottom (23yo) – Free Transfer
My penultimate option will likely be a popular and favoured option among Dale fans as well as, potentially, being the most realistic option, as there seems to genuine interest from McNulty and Rochdale. I’ve gone for a player who’s has a high-profile youth career, spending time at Blackburn Rovers and Liverpool, before most recently joining Brentford back in 2022. Ben Winterbottom, 23, was then released by The Bees this Summer, and will be looking for a permanent home.
Winterbottom has now had a full season of experience in The National League, as I spent the entirety of last season on loan at relegated side, AFC Fylde. However, The Coasters relegation was very little to do with the performances of their young goalkeeper, who was actually one of the best performing goalkeepers in the division, making 4.2 saves per game at a save percentage of 71%.
Despite spending the past 3 seasons at Brentford, it’s clear that Winterbottom is aiming for a return to the North West next season. I am struggling to see a much better fit than Rochdale; a club with high aspirations of promotion and a big club for the level as well. He’s a modern-day goalkeeper who enjoys displaying his excellent passing range, often being able to pick out long, accurate passes to start counterattacks. His shot-stopping heroics from last season is certainly another tick in his box – I really can’t look beyond Ben Winterbottom for Rochdale.
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Archie Mair (24yo) – Free Transfer
We’ve so far been through four candidates who could potentially be options for Rochdale as a Number One goalkeeper for the upcoming season, giving a mixture of options, sometimes utilising experience, sometimes noticing potential and using Talent ID. My final candidate is a player who has relocated a number of times in his short career to date, mainly out on loan, since joining Norwich City back in 2019.
Archie Mair was announced to have been released by The Canaries this Summer and the 24 year-old, modern-day goalkeeper, will be desperate to get playing first team football, especially after a frustrating season on loan at Motherwell… Yeah she’s fine, thanks for asking! He’s had three interesting stints in The National League at King’s Lynn, Notts County and then Gateshead. He’s also spent time at Dartford, Morecambe, as well as the previously mentioned Motherwell… I’ve already told you! She’s fine thanks!
Mair still has a lot of convincing to do before I believe he’d be a solid goalkeeper at the level. He’s an excellent ball-player; Fantastic passing range. Composed in possession and willing to take risks. However, his shot-stopping is something which I still have question-marks over. He’s clearly willing to relocate and his previously spent time in the North-West with Morecambe; he’s definitely an option for Dale!
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Here is my 1-5 picks taking into account realism and ability, among other things:
[1] – Ben Winterbottom // Genuine interest. North-West location. National League proven. Potential to improve.
[2] – Paul Farman // National League winner. Trained in Manchester with Barrow. Hundreds of appearances in NL + EFL. Leadership + Experience.
[3] – Zan-Luk Leban // Potential to improve. North-West location. Lack of senior experience. Never played @ NL level.
[4] – Owen Evans // Spent time in the North-West @ Wigan. Unable to fully settle @ a club previously. Slightly unrealistic? Think he’ll re-sign for Barnet in L2.
[5] – Archie Mair // Spent time in the North-West @ Morecambe. Not fully convinced on him. Often clumsy + mistake-prone, despite being excellent in possession. Potentially wanting to move back to Scotland?
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That is the end of my “Searching for Rochdale’s Perfect goalkeeper” piece – I’m interested to know who you think is the best option for Dale and also; what do you think of my suggestions?
Thankyou for reading! I would appreciate any feedback or support on the blog, either commenting on this piece or through social media. I hope you enjoyed the read.
If you have any requests for blog pieces you’d like to see, make sure to comment on this post/blog or give me a message via Twitter or email – @Calowenh@icloud.com
Callum Hallett 
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