 It wasn't until on 12 October 2007 when he made his Rochdale debut, where he played 46 minutes, in a 2-1 win over Grimsby Town.After extending his loan spell with the club, he played nine times for the Dale and impressed with his performances that manager Keith Hill made him Rochdale's first signing of the January 2008 transfer window, joining on a free transfer.Holness' first game after signing for the club on a permanent basis came on 26 January 2008, in a 1-0 win over Milton Keynes Dons.