Dale fans are like father, like son

A Rochdale father and son are avid football supporters have been cheering on The Dale for a combined 115 years.

Eighty-three-year-old Peter Kelly Snr, who is thought to be one of Rochdale Football Club's oldest fans, has been a supporter for 73 years.

The father of three, grandfather of seven and great-grandfather of five became hooked after watching his first home game with his father when he was 10-years-old.

And in turn he handed down his love of the club to his son Peter Kelly Jnr, 50, who has been following the team for 42 years.

The devoted pair have held a season ticket for 15 years and they travel to away matches together as well as home games.

In 1949 Peter Snr, from Bamford Road, Heywood, slipped out of work early to watch Rochdale play Notts County, a game that was watched by 24,000 people – a record for Rochdale.

And a fond memory for Peter Jnr was having time off school to watch the FA Cup third round match against Coventry in January 1971.

Last year they travelled to Wembley with Peter Jnr's daughter Debbie and his twin brother David to cheer on Rochdale in the League Two play-off against Stockport.