The
BURKS
Welcome to the web site of Rochdale AFC's semi-detached supporters from down south, now in their 48th
season of following 'The Dale'.
Last Updated: 14th May 2026
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 391 BURKS. Each BURK is awarded a cap for match attendance and by May 2026, 4751 caps have been awarded in the 788 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 saw Rochdale under new ownership and in a much better financial position and a playoff finish was achieved and a run to the semi finals of the FA Trophy.
The 2025/26 season saw Rochdale win the playoff final and a place back in the Football League, with a dramatic penalty shoot out win at Wembley, having missed out winning the league on the final day of the regular season.
