Jubilant Rochdale fans cheer dramatic EFL return

Hundreds of jubilant Rochdale fans have turned out for a civic reception to welcome their heroes' return to the English Football League (EFL) "after a hell of a season".

Dale won a dramatic National League play-off final against Boreham Wood on penalties at Wembley on Sunday.

Elated supporters turned out for the celebrations at Rochdale Town Hall Square on Tuesday evening after a "rollercoaster of emotions" at Wembley which followed York snatching the title in the final game of the regular season with a goal in the 13th minute of stoppage time.

Dale fan Jamie Wright said: "If this had been a film or a documentary, you'd think it was far-fetched! It's just been absolutely incredible."

Rochdale won 3-1 in the penalty shoot-out against York after the game finished 2-2 after extra-time.

Wright told BBC North West Tonight it had been a nail-biting final four games for the club - not just on Sunday.

"If this had been a film or a documentary, you'd think it was far-fetched," he explained.

Sharon Jopson said Rochdale's promotion was "brilliant" and meant so much to the town.

She said it had brought everyone together.

"It's unbelievable for the community," she added, her eyes filling up. "It's been a rollercoaster of emotions.

Ken Brannon said he had been watching Rochdale for 71 years - since he was a seven-year-old schoolboy.

He admitted to being a "bag of nerves" during the penalty shoot-out.

A much younger fan, Jamie, said: "I'm feeling really happy because Rochdale won the promotion final."

His mum, Nicola, was just as pleased although she admitted it had been "tiring since Sunday but we're elated".

Charlie Stansfield said she was feeling "much better than I was on Sunday, I thought I was going to have a heart attack and die".

She added: "It has been a hell of a season."

Charlie and her friend Joanne Mawson have both been watching Rochdale for 35 years and said they have never had a season like it.

"I feel like I've aged about 40 years," she joked.

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