The
BURKS
Welcome to the web site of Rochdale AFC's semi-detached supporters from down south, now in their 47th
season of following 'The Dale'.
Last Updated: 11th August 2024.
The BURKS were formed by Bath University football loving student friends who in 1978 decided to visit the team that was bottom of the football league, Division 4 as it was then known. The rest, as they say is history...
Founded on 4th November 1978 (Rochdale 2, Crewe Alexandra 1), the BURKS have been following the 'Dale's footballing fortunes through thick and (mainly) thin ever since.
Loyal to the club in the face of adversity, the BURKS match attendances from December '79 to November '83 went without seeing a single win. And then it was not until May 1985 that another win could be celebrated.
Throughout the subsequent decades our numbers have increased to the current day a grand total of 368 BURKS. Each BURK is awarded a cap for match attendance and by April 2024, 4514 caps have been awarded in the 755 matches attended.
Sadly, the 2022/23 season saw Rochdale relegated to the National League, after 102 years as a Football League club. With over half of the teams in the National League teams located "down south", the BURKS will be out supporting Dale and hoping for better days.
The 2023/24 season was Rochdale's first campaign the National League. A mid-table finish was achieved despite a financial crisis towards the end of the season, with the club seeking new investment to provide financial stability.
The 2024/25 season sees Rochdale under new ownership and in a much better financial position to compete for a play-off place.
