Nigel Miller will make his tenth and probably final visit to Spotland on Friday for Dale’s game with Aldershot.
The County Durham official is thought to be in his last season on the league list and has been rewarded for his services by being appointed to the JPT Final between Crewe and Southend a week on Sunday.
Indeed, all four of Friday’s officials will be the team on duty at Wembley as they get in some practice working together before their big day.
They had been due to officiate as a team at Chesterfield v Plymouth last Saturday, but the game was one of many postponed because of the snow.
We have already seen Mr Miller this season as he refereed our home game with Morecambe in October, which Dale lost 1-2.
Indeed – and this run has to end sometime – Dale have lost their last five matches in which Nigel has been the referee, as shown in this list:
Dec 2003 v Boston (h), W 1-0
Oct 2004 v Yeovil (h), W 2-1
Nov 2005 v Chester (h), D 2-2
Apr 2007 v Macclesfield (h), W 5-0
Mar 2008 v Stockport (a), L 0-2
Oct 2008 v Carlisle (h, JPT), D 2-2
Nov 2009 v Notts Co (h), W 2-1
Aug 2010 v Colchester (h), L 1-2
Mar 2011 v Huddersfield (a), L 1-2
Aug 2011 v Sheffield Wed (a), L 0-2
Mar 2012 v Tranmere (h), L 0-2
Oct 2012 v Morecambe (h), L 1-2
Mr Miller was recently in the news when he refereed the Championship fixture between Bolton and Brighton.
The Seagulls’ Ashley Barnes foolishly tried to trip up the referee and was hit with something like a seven-match ban for his actions.
That was one of four red cards Nigel has shown in his 31 games this season, in addition to 86 yellows.