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His name was Coleman, he was no showman He had a mate called Jimmy Bell, and some funny friends as well His many signings had people whining Because he spent a lot of cash but results weren't coming back He went on holiday, though it was just mid-way Through the busy season, he was on was on his way To the Copa, Copacabana The hottest spot north of Havana Meanwhile at Rochdale, with Chairman going pale Faking and diving had Rochdale fans hiding Down at Rochdale, Things weren't so good ------ Along came Keith Hill, intending to thrill He made new signings here and there, though he didn't have much hair He got them working, instead of shirking Things were getting back on track and the fans were coming back But then there came a day, they played Newport away Over a thousand Dale fans made the trip that day And they were joyful, and with good reason The hottest day throughout the season Because at Spotland, a week before-hand Toys that were broken had just won promotion But at Newport They lost the game.
I travelled up to watch The Dale upon a Saturday I always like to see the game no matter who they play I must have caught the train, changing at Manchester and Crewe And read the paper on the way, there really wasn't that much else to do But disappointing games ensued for so much of the time With poor performances, and heaps of disappointing players signed I must have bought my lunch from Rochdale's branch of Subway when I felt the need to munch I had no expectation that The Dale would win the game The day before Keith came ---------------------------------------- I must have left my home in time to travel to the game Prepared for disappointment but I did it all the same But narrow team formations with no thought for width or style Made life-long supporters turn their faces, and look away and hide A while before the end I used to sometimes slip away I didn't like to do it, I thought I'd try again another day The same each week we got Undoubtedly they must have seen attendance figures drop And every game they carried on with more or less the same The day before Keith came ---------------------------------------- I got there just in time to buy a programme and a pie And took my seat just as the teams came out across the line I'm sure I got to Spotland about twenty-five to three There's not, I think, a single league or cup game that I didn't see I must have left the ground just as the final whistle blew Then on the train back home, I bought a cup of tea to drink at Crewe A friend came with me too Although we were the laughing stock of League Division Two It's funny, but I had no sense of living with such shame The day before Keith came ---------------------------------------- Then home to watch TV Although the Football League Show was on far too late for me I'm sure I heard the sound of Bury laughing at our pain The day before Keith came
Long, long time ago, I can still remember how supporting Rochdale made me smile. And I knew if he had one chance, Keith Hill would wear fantastic pants, And Dale fans would be happy for a while. But Bell and Coleman made me shiver, With every team sheet they delivered. Bad news in the morning, Attendances were falling. I can't remember how I sighed, When I read that they had both resigned, But felt such great relief inside, The day we stopped the Slide.
[Chorus] So bye-bye to the slip and the slide We're in motion for promotion with Keith Hill on our side Them Rochdale boys have gone and put back the pride And the threat of relegation has died.
Did you make the trip to Crewe, and to Mansfiled, York and Wycombe too, As the fixture list told you to? And do you have Dale Player in your home, And do you cheer loud for every goal, And do you dance around your room alone? Now I knew our lads were gonna win, Cause I saw them training in the gym. They all would slay the ghosts, With Josh Lillis between the posts. I was a lonely Dale fan on the road, And supporting Dale was a heavy load, But Keith Hill came and soon took hold Of the team, and stopped the slide.
Chorus
I met a girl wearing black and blue, I asked her if she'd heard the news, And she just cheered and walked away. And I went down to the old club store, Where I'd spent some money years before, But the men there had all gone on holiday. And in the streets the children screamed, The lads played ball and Bury dreamed. But Bury's dreams were broken, The Dale had won promotion. And the men who worried me the most: John Coleman and his co-host, They headed for the Irish coast The day we stopped the slide.