Refwatch Preview: Dale v Preston
Dale will cross swords with a new referee on Saturday when Paul Tierney takes charge of the Lancashire derby at home to Preston.
The Wigan-based official is in his sixth season on the referees’ list, but this will be his first appointment as the man in the middle at a Dale game.
However, he was on the line for two of the most memorable Rochdale matches of modern times.
In September 2007, Paul was one of the assistants for the 3-2 home win over MK Dons in which Dale scored twice in injury time to clinch the points.
Eight months later, he returned for the play-off semi-final second leg against Darlington when we all remember Dale winning on penalties to get to Wembley.
Mr Tierney has quickly climbed the ladder since his promotion and last season refereed the League Two play-off semi-final second leg between Southend and Burton.
However, all the above appointments were surpassed earlier this term when Paul was put in charge of Swansea v WBA in the Premier League as part of a trial scheme for officials with the potential to progress to the top flight.
He followed that up with the big East Midlands meeting between twice former European Champions, Nottingham Forest, and Derby, as well as the Capital One Cup third round tie, Manchester City v Sheffield Wednesday.
In total this term Mr Tierney has officiated at 13 games, showing 40 yellow cards and four red.
His most recent league appointment was Hartlepool v Luton a fortnight ago in which a certain Richard Wild was running the line, while on Tuesday he refereed the Capital One Cup fourth round tie between Bournemouth and WBA.
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