Founded: 1907
Nickname: The Dale
Honours: Football League Third Division North: Runners–up: 1923–24, 1926–27

The present Rochdale AFC was formed following a public meeting convened by Mr. Harvey Rigg and chaired by Mr Herbert Hopkinson, held in the Central Schools Council, Fleece Street on May 14th, 1907.

“At a meeting convened by Mr. Harvey Rigg in Central Council Schools, Fleece Street, Rochdale, last evening, with Mr. H. Hopkinson in the chair, it was decided to form a club to be called The Rochdale Association Football Club.”– From the Rochdale Observer, May 15th 1907.”

The club’s first game, on September 3rd 1907, was a friendly against Second Division Oldham Athletic who, not surprisingly won 4-1.

The Dale’s first league game, in the Manchester League, was played at Spotland (then known as St. Clement’s Playing Fields), on September 7th 1907, against Tongue. The game attracted 2,000 spectators and ended in a 2-2 draw.

Rochdale ended the 1907/08 season in tenth place, having played 30, won 10, drawn 8 and lost 12 for a total of 28 points. 49 goals were scored and 63 conceded.

Storylines – Rochdale

We look at some storylines leading up to tonights game.

MK Dons 4 Northampton 3 – League One

Peter Kioso looked to have put the visitors back on course for victory when he made it 3-2 in the 78th minute, but Cameron Jerome levelled before Brown struck in the 88th minute to snatch the points for the hosts.

Northampton opened the scoring in just the second minute when Mark Marshall’s free-kick was volleyed in by Fraser Horsfall.

The home side equalised 10 minutes later as Andrew Surman struck a fierce first-time volley from the edge of the area past Jonathan Mitchell.

And MK Dons were ahead in the 34th minute when Will Grigg curled a low shot into the bottom right corner.

Ryan Watson levelled the scores seconds after half-time as the midfielder dribbled into the area and drilled a low shot into the net.

The topsy-turvy game changed again when Northampton reclaimed the lead 12 minutes from time when Marshall’s free-kick was flicked in by Kioso.

But, Dons substitute Jerome made it 3-3 when he raced on to a long ball and fired a first-time shot home.

And the home side scored the winner with two minutes of normal time left when Brown converted Daniel Harvie’s cross at the near post.

Rochdale 0 Plymouth 0- League One

Scott Fraser’s 80th-minute penalty, awarded by referee Declan Bourne for a handball off Matt O’Riley’s fierce hit, was the defining moment of a tight game which further disrupted City’s push for promotion from the third tier.

Hull have now failed to score in their last three league games, with Russell Martin’s enterprising side the latest team to cash in.

MK Dons played with adventure from the outset and created the best chance of the first half when Matt Ingram brilliantly kept out Will Griggs’ rising half-volley at the back post.

The Tigers had wasted a good chance before that after Keane Lewis-Potter’s first touch let him down when through on goal.

Mallik Wilks should also have done better with a wayward strike over the crossbar after 24 minutes.

Dons goalkeeper Andrew Fisher later needed to be alert to tip over Greg Docherty’s goal-bound drive on the hour.

The visitors understandably became more conservative once Fraser scored, although Hull should have equalised late on when centre-back Jacob Greaves headed over inside the six-yard box.

Rochdale 1 Northampton 1 – League One

Keith Curle’s side looked on course for victory having led 1-0 since the 20th minute when Harry Smith climbed to meet Mark Marshall’s corner with a towering header which ripped into the roof of Jay Lynch’s net.

Dale pushed for a leveller and went close when Alex Newby had a free-kick saved by Jonathan Mitchell, while Humphrys fired another set-piece narrowly wide of the upright.

But, for all Dale’s first-half possession, Northampton could have had a second when Smith met a Marshall cross from the left but undercooked his header and Lynch was able to make the save.

The introduction of Kwadwo Baah gave Dale greater impetus and he was pivotal in their equaliser, earning a free-kick on the apex of the penalty area. Humphrys rifled the set-piece into the top corner of Mitchell’s goal.

Smith went close again in time added on when he caught Lynch off his line and headed goalward, Eoghan O’Connell clearing the ball off the line.

REWIND – Northampton 3 Rochdale 1

Played	Won	Draw	Lost	F	A
64	20	23	10	16	30

Biggest Win over MK Dons	24/01/1987 – 5-0 – Graham Carr – County Ground
Biggest Loss over MK Dons	05/05/1979 – 4-1 – Spotland
First-Ever Game	1959 – 2-2 – Spotland – Dave Bowen

Played for Both – Rochdale

Ahead of Tuesday nights game v Rochdale, we look at players that have played for both the Cobblers and Rochdale. How many can you remember?

Read Article

Samuel Barrott will be the man in the middle for Saturday afternoons away trip to Stadium:MK.

This is 42 year old Johnson’s 20th season as a Football League referee.

The former Bristol Evening Post newspaper printer, now property maintenance officer, was promoted to the Football League National panel of referees at the start of the 2014/15 season, having spent six seasons been an official in the National Conference.

He began officiating during his late teens in the Bristol and Suburban and Gloucestershire County Leagues before taking charge of Western League and Southern League fixtures.

His latest Cobblers Game

Date	Comp	Match	Y	R
14/11/20	League One	Northampton 0 Accrington 0	2	0
13/08/19	EFL Cup	Swansea 3 Northampton 1	1	0
09/10/18	League Trophy	Oxford 1 Northampton 2	6	1
01/01/19	League Two	Forest Green 2 Northampton 1	4	0
19/04/19	League Two	Northampton 3 Macclesfield 1	2	0

His latest Rochdale Games

Date	Comp	Match	Y	R
08/12/18	League One	AFC Wimbledon 1 Rochdale 1	2	0

All season ticket holders will have access to watch the Rochdale game on Tuesday on iFollow.

To check….

1. Log in to iFollow
2. Click your name in the top navigation bar to get to the ‘My Account page’
3. Click the + sign next to ‘Purchased Packages’blob:https://cobblerspast.com/d08decca-adba-489d-bc71-ec1a6cbd1b80

If you have access, you will see ‘Season Ticket – Northampton Town’ listed here.

If you experience any issues, please email ifollow@ntfc.co.uk

Thank you for your support.

Non season ticket holders can purchase the game for £10.

Northampton Town has the fewest scored goals (23) in League One
Northampton Town has the fewest scored goals (8) at home in League One
Northampton Town have conceded at least twice as many goals as they have scored.
Northampton Town is in the worst form (0-2-4)
Rochdale has the most conceded goals in the first half (33) in League One
Rochdale have played more matches over 2,5 goals away than home.
Rochdale have scored at least twice as many goals away as Northampton Town have scored home.
Rochdale haven’t played a single 0-0 game away.

Stats	NORTHAMPTON	Rochdale
Games Played	29	29
Goals	23	41
Shots on target	89	109
Shooting accuracy	40.30%	48.00%
Goals conceded	47	55
Clean sheets	6	5
Yellow cards	53	38
Red Cards	3	1