Rochdale AFC chosen to help celebrate League anniversary

Rochdale AFC club badge

It was announced this week that Rochdale Football Club has been selected by the Football League to play in one of six special league fixtures on the opening weekend of the 2013/14 campaign to mark the 125th anniversary of the Leagues first season (1888/89).

The six matches - two in each division - will feature a number of the founder members of the world's original league football competition, as well as other pairings of historical significance.

The visit of Hartlepool United to Rochdale on Saturday 3 August will be the 137th encounter between the two clubs - the most played Football League match between current members.

In announcing the 125th Anniversary fixtures, Football League Chairman Greg Clarke said:

“For 125 years, Football League clubs have delivered a compelling spectacle, week after week. In the process, attracting a total audience of more than 2.2 billion people and building indelible relationships with their local communities.

“Our clubs and their supporters are the heartbeat of the domestic game, giving English league football a breadth and popularity that is unrivalled anywhere in the world.

Dale's neighbours Accrington Stanley will visit The Football League’s newest ground and newest member - Rodney Parade the home of the re-formed Newport County.

In the Championship, four founder members will go head-to-head with Derby County, League champions in 1972 and 1975 hosting Blackburn Rovers, champions of England in 1912, 1914 and 1995.

Lancashire rivals Burnley and Bolton Wanderers will face each other at Turf Moor, one of only three grounds used in the 1888/89 league season that is still in use today. The two clubs have met each other in league football on 114 occasions.

Another of the original grounds, Deepdale, will host the meeting of founder members Preston North End and Wolverhampton Wanderers in League 1. Since hosting its first league match on the opening day of the very first season, Deepdale has staged 2,342 Football League matches, more than any other stadium. Also in League 1, the world’s oldest Football League club, Notts County will be the visitors at the world’s oldest professional football ground – Bramall Lane, home of Sheffield United.