One of the Football League’s best-performing younger officials will be in charge of our Roses battle with Bradford on Tuesday night.
Nottinghamshire referee James Adcock is the man in charge, yet for someone in only his second season in the middle at league level, he is already making great strides.
He ended last term by refereeing the League Two play-off semi-final between Cheltenham and Torquay, which came just 12 months after he oversaw the Blue Square Premier League play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Luton at the City of Manchester Stadium.
His progress this season is evidenced by James receiving a Capital One Cup appointment at a Premier League ground (Aston Villa v Tranmere), as well as last Tuesday’s third round tie between Swindon and Burnley.
Dale met the PE teacher three times last season, but alarmingly we lost each time!
The 26-year-old was in charge of our 2-0 home defeat by Leyton Orient in October, the game which saw Gary Jones make his 500th appearance for the club.
We also saw him for another 2-0 loss in January when two second half goals gave Hartlepool three points at Victoria Park.
Mr Adcock’s third Dale game was at Yeovil on Easter Saturday, where we lost 3-1.
Before the weekend, when James was at MK Dons v Crewe, he had refereed eight matches this term, showing 34 yellow cards and one red.