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Rochdale FC were founded in 1907 and joined the Manchester League that same year.

The following season, they joined the Lancashire Combination, and after winning the Combination title, applied unsuccessfully to join the Football League.

Elected to the League

They applied again in 1919, before eventually being elected to Division Three North in 1921.

At the end of their first season, Dale had to seek re-election but thereafter their form improved and they narrowly missed promotion in 1924 and 1927.

The Thirties brought another slump in form and the club had to apply for re-election three times in the years leading up to World War II.

In 1958, they finished in tenth place, which was good enough to secure a place in Division Three when the regional divisions were scrapped the following season.

However, they could not cope with the higher standard and were relegated to Division Four in 1959.

League Cup Finalists

They spent the next decade rooted in Division Four but there was one highlight when they reached final of the League Cup in 1962, losing to Norwich City.

In 1968 the club finished third in Division Four to win their first, and so far, only promotion.

Catastrophic Season

They lasted at the higher level until 1973-74, when a catastrophic season saw them win only two matches, and finish in last place.

They had to apply for re-election four times between 1978 and 1984.

Tommy Cannon (of comedy act, Cannon and Ball) became chairman in 1984, but his tenure was a disaster and he resigned in 1988 leaving the club deep in debt.

The club was saved from disaster partly by a deal with Rochdale Hornets Rugby League Club to groundshare at Spotland.

Play-off Disappointment

In 2002, Dale reached the play-offs, but failed to secure promotion.

The reached the play-offs again in 2008, but again fell at the final hurdle, losing 3-2 to Stockport County in the final.

They again failed in the play-offs in 2009, this time losing to eventual winners Gillingham.

Promotion at Last!

The following season, Rochdale finally secured promotion via a third place finish. They had been stuck in the bottom division since 1969.

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