Since then, in a similar manner to Cheltenham, Rochdale have been forced to compete with the love of rugby in the area, in this case the code of rugby league along with the giant Manchester clubs attracting potential Dale fans just down the road.
The club entered the Football League in 1927 and have only been promoted once since then and have never made it into the top two divisions. Their best ever finish came in 1970, when they ended ninth in Division Three.
Dale player-manager Billy Smith can claim to have scored the first ever English League goal directly from a corner, when he performed the feat in the 1930s.
They were relegated back to the basement in 1974 after a dismal season that saw them only win two matches and they have been in the bottom division ever since.
Adverse weather conditions meant that the club couldn't play a home game between December 1978 and March 1979.
In 1962, Rochdale became the one and only Division Four outfit to make it to a major final in English football. They reached the final of the League Cup when they were beaten over two legs by Norwich City.
Former players at Spotland include the father of Liverpool and England star Michael Owen, Terry, who was top scorer and Player of the Year for Dale in 1977 after joining from Chester. Joe Fagan also had a spell on the backroom staff at Rochdale before making his name as boss of Liverpool.
Recent years have seen an upturn in fortunes for the Lancashire club and with the help of Rochdale Hornets, Spotland is now a stadium to be proud of as well as one of the most welcoming in the League.
As Cheltenham were defeating Hartlepool to earn a place in the play-off final three years ago, Rochdale were beaten by Rushden. Dale have a good record against Cheltenham and some of their performances, most notably at Whaddon Road have suggested that they are capable of holding their own at the higher level.
After 32 consecutive seasons in the basement surely the fans of Rochdale deserve the slice of luck needed to make the step up.