Rochdale players celebrated their first promotion since 1969 on Saturday

Rochdale chairman Chris Dunphy is already planning for life in League One after they clinched promotion.

He told BBC Radio Manchester: "We've discussed the budget already for next season, but at least now we can plan for which division we're in."

Dunphy, 59, was appointed chairman in 2006 and runs a church heating business from inside the offices of Spotland.

"I was here last time we got promoted and everyone had a pitch invasion then - but I was only 18," he said.

Although not putting a specific figure on Dale's budget for next season, Dunphy did reserve special praise for manager Keith Hill: "He's done a great job on a relatively small budget so far so that's all you can do when you get gates the size that you get at Rochdale - but we're lucky we've got such a talented squad.

"We balanced the books this season with [Will] Buckley going to Watford and Adam Le Fondre at the beginning of the season, and that's all you can do if you're trying to keep the business afloat as well.

"I'm pleased with how we've done it this season and we'll have to look to keeping it the same next season."

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