Rochdale

AFC

Rochdale AFC is a football club based in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, England. Formed in 1892 as Rochdale Rovers, the club played its early years in the Lancashire League. After winning the Lancashire League in 1896 and 1898, Rovers joined the Football League Second Division in 1898. In their inaugural season in the Football League, Rovers finished in 8th place. The club experienced financial difficulties in the early 1920s and was forced to sell players to survive. Rovers achieved success in the 1930s, winning the FA Cup in 1934 and the League Cup in 1935. Rovers were relegated to the Second Division in 1939 but achieved promotion back to the Football League in 1947. The club went bankrupt in 1962 and was re-formed as Rochdale AFC in 1965. The club has been relegated twice, in 1986 and 2004, but has since returned to the Football League. Rochdale AFC play their home games at The Dale, which was inaugurated in 2007.