Dale Tonge

Dale Tonge (born 7 May 1985) is an English former professional footballer who played as a full-back or midfielder.

Career Tonge came through the youth ranks with Barnsley and made his debut on 17 April 2004 against Brentford.

On 20 March 2007, it was announced that he had joined Gillingham on loan. He made his Gillingham debut in the 5–0 away defeat to Carlisle United on 24 March, and returned to Barnsley one month later.

He was released by Barnsley at the end of the 2006–07 season, On 25 May 2007, he signed for Rotherham United, on a two-year deal.

On 25 October 2008, he scored his first career goal in a 2–1 win versus Macclesfield Town.

On 2 May 2009, Tonge was shown his first ever red card for professional foul in a 1–0 defeat to Exeter on the final day of the season, making almost 50 appearances in the 2008–09 season.

Tonge's following season was plagued with injury. He broke a foot in late 2009 while only managing 24 appearances and also missing the chance to play at Wembley in the league two playoff final against Dagenham & Redbridge.

He agreed a new two-year contract with the club in June 2011.

On 2 May 2013, Tonge was released by Rotherham. He then signed for Torquay United on 2 July 2013, signed by ex-Rotherham manager Alan Knill. On 24 April 2015, Tonge was released by Torquay.

Tonge was on trial at Chester, before signing for them permanently. In 2016, he joined FC United of Manchester. He left the club in 2017.

Coaching career Tonge began his coaching career with Barnsley as Assistant Youth Development Phase Coach, before then becoming the Lead. In February 2019, he was promoted to first-team assistant manager, though he left the club in November 2019. In July 2021, he was appointed Professional Development Phase Coach at Scunthorpe United.

In March 2022, Tonge was appointed to the role of first-team coach at Peterborough United.

In June 2025, Tonge returned to former club Rotherham United as assistant manager after the club had agreed a compensation fee with Peterborough United. He departed the club in March 2026.

On 29 June 2026, he was added to the Huddersfield Town coaching staff, sharing the role of assistant head coach with Jon Stead.

Career statistics + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2003–04 Second Division

2004–05 League One

2005–06 League One

2006–07 Championship

45!!0!!5!!0!!4!!0!!1!!0!!55!!0 Gillingham (loan) 2006–07 League Two

2008–09 League Two

2009–10 League Two

2010–11 League Two

2011–12 League Two

2012–13 League Two

163!!1!!7!!0!!6!!0!!9!!1!!185!!2

2013–14 League Two

2014–15 Conference Premier

53!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!1!!0!!56!!0 Chester 2015–16 National League

Stockport County 2015–16 National League North

2015–16 National League North

2016–17

Rotherham United Football League Two second-place promotion: 2012–13