A bit of history from Duncan Battman (BURK member #11 and SMAC vice president)…..

When the smoke was last changing colour in the Vatican a couple of disenchanted football fans set out on a journey that, almost Christ-like, led to multitudes (231 at the last count) following them in a change of colour pilgrimage. Bath university students Chris Bates and Nick Webb, at the time living in London, ignored the lure of a Tottenham versus Arsenal game one fateful weekend and instead hitched North in search of football with its feet firmly on the ground. The game they chose to see that day took them to Spotland and featured the bottom two teams in the old division four, Crewe and of course, below them, Rochdale. 

Not knowing whom they would support as they travelled north on the Friday night they found themselves with time to contemplate at Knutsford services where they spent a lift-less and pretty much sleepless night. Saturday morning found their thumbs back in working order and the journey restarted. Upon arrival at the Dale they found themselves gravitating to the home end (helped in no small part by the warm welcome they were given in the local pub before the game). It seemed on the day to be the right choice as the Dale ran out 2-1 winners and leapfrogged over the Railwaymen into 91st place in the football league.

After the game, drinks in the club bar were the call of the day (not something often available at White Hart Lane); with post match chats with some of the players with whom their adventure was shared and applauded. A love affair had begun and very soon after the BURKS (Bath University Rochdale Keen Supporters) were born. 

Now 25 years on the BURKS still regularly meet at Dale games from Exeter to Carlisle, two even made it up to Stenhousmuir. It may be that success has been more the bedfellow of Dario Gradi’s boys since that day in 1978 but fun and friendships, mixed with a liberal helping of quality beers and dubious curries, have been the spoils of the BURKS. 

2004's first round of the FA cup, played at Gigg Lane, bury, was a celebration of the longevity of an idea that grew into an obsession. We were able to celebrate our silver jubilee with a win!