Rochdale Supporters Trust FC reach IFA Cup semi-finals

Rochdale Supporters Trust FC celebrating their champion victory against Preston North End B in 2016

Current champions of the IFA Cup, Rochdale Supporters Trust FC, have reached the semi-finals stage of this years’ competition, and will face St Johnstone on 3 June.

Last year, Rochdale Supporters were crowned champions after defeating Preston North End B Supporters Team 3-2 in the final at the UCLAN Sports Arena. On their way to the final, they also recorded victories against West Bromich Albion, Queens Park, Hearts and Watford FC.

This year, the team are still going strong and have reached the 2017 semi-finals, where they will face St Johnstone, who they lost against two years ago.

The other teams to have reached this stage are Gillingham, who Rochdale Supporters have beaten before, and Stirling, a team they have not yet faced.

If they win this years’ IFA Cup Final, the club could write its name in the history books, marking a back-to-back win.

Speaking of their win, manager Rhys Wolstenholme said: “It gave us all an overwhelming feeling of pride, and in a way, relief, as we knew we had a great team but had always tended to fall at the last few hurdles since the team won the league over ten years ago.”

Of the upcoming semi-final, he said: “I’m very much looking forward to the game. There is no doubting that it’s going to be difficult challenge as St Johnstone are in terrific form and have a very strong team.

“However, I am confident if we play to our potential, and to our strengths, that we can progress to our second consecutive IFA British final.”

The feat has also been acknowledged by The Sun Football, in recognition of the club’s achievements.

It read: “Following a club is so much more than just watching your team. It’s supporting them home and away, come rain or shine.

“In Rochdale, the fans go one step further by representing the club in the IFA Cup to face off against rival supporters. Hundreds of fans travel the country each week to face off against rival supporters. And Rochdale’s are officially the best in the country.

“Last year they were IFA Champions beating West Brom, Hearts and Watford before overcoming Preston in the final. And unlike the current Premier League champions, there’s no second season syndrome.

“Rochdale are just one game from the final again this year where they can write their name in the history books by winning back-to-back finals. After the match, the fans take their place on the terraces to support ‘The Dale’, knowing they’ve done more than their bit for the club that they love.”

The IFA Challenge Cup is the IFA’s season-long knockout competition, which first took place during the 1997/98 season and has since gone from strength to strength, with 30 teams from across the UK entered into the 2016/17 tournament.

Teams are drawn on a national basis from round one, as the tournament takes shape and teams ‘criss-cross’ the UK in search of cup glory. The semi-finals are played at a neutral venue, while the IFA Cup Final takes place on the Friday night before the annual WorldNET tournament.

Fixtures are organised in the same way as regular IFA league games. All IFA Challenge Cup ties must count as ‘Cup and League double headers’, which allows the result to stand for both competitions.

The final is expected to take place around Friday 14 July.