Oxford City’s first visit to Spotland on Saturday will be refereed by GARRETH RHODES.

Based in Selby, this will be Mr Rhodes’ third match of the season at the Crown Oil Arena, as he was in the middle for our opening day encounter against Ebbsfleet and the home fixture versus Kidderminster Harriers two months ago.

He was also due to referee the home game versus Altrincham in November, but was replaced by Andrew Miller.

An Operations Manager for a construction company, as a youngster, Garreth had trials with professional clubs and represented West Riding County FA at U18 level.

He didn’t make it into the professional game, but went on to play for Tadcaster Albion and Selby Town in the Northern Counties East League.

Injuries brought Mr Rhodes’ playing career to a premature end and he started refereeing in 2008. After 10 years he reached his current level of Panel Select referee and is in his sixth season at National League level.

Saturday will be Garreth’s 15th National League appointment this term, in addition to Northampton Town v Oxford United in the EFL Trophy and Curzon Ashton v Barnet in the first round of the FA Cup.

Those appointments have yielded 68 yellow cards and five reds.

Photo: Action Images

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