Steve Martin is the man in the middle when Dale make the midweek trip to Walsall on Tuesday.

Fans will be hoping this is a lucky omen as Mr Martin was also the referee when Dale recorded their 3-2 Tuesday night win at Swindon in October.

The Staffordshire-based whistler is in his third season as a Football League referee and Tuesday will be his fourth Dale appointment.

He refereed our FA Cup tie at Morecambe in November 2012, which ended in a 1-1 draw, while two months earlier Steve was in charge for the fine 3-2 win at Rotherham on our first visit to the New York Stadium.

Mr Martin has made great strides since those early days and regularly referees in the Championship, as well as League One and League Two.

In total this term he has officiated at 22 games, showing 66 yellow cards and two red.

His most recent appointment was Barnsley v Oldham on Tuesday, while he has also refereed Championship games at Blackpool and Wigan since the turn of the year.

Photo: Action Images

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