One of the Football League’s best-performing younger officials will be in charge of Dale’s first trip to Ashton Gate in 31 years on Saturday.
Nottinghamshire referee James Adcock is the man in charge, yet for someone in only his fourth season in the middle at league level, he has made great strides.
James ended his first campaign in the Football League by refereeing the League Two play-off semi-final between Cheltenham and Torquay, while in 2012/13 he took charge of Bradford v Burton at the same stage.
All this came after he oversaw the 2011 Blue Square Premier League play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Luton at the City of Manchester Stadium to round-off his non-league career.
Mr Adcock didn’t receive an appointment in last season’s play-offs, but refereed 13 Championship games in the first half of this term, which is the highest figure among the Football League’s referees.
James was also in FA Cup action this season, refereeing the televised Gateshead v Warrington tie and the third round replay between Bradford and Millwall.
His most recent Dale game was at Newport on the final day of last season when for a few minutes we had our hands on the League Two title!
Before then James was at Spotland in October 2012 for the 0-0 home draw with Bradford, a game in which we had Bobby Grant sent-off in the first half.
Prior to that, Dale met the PE teacher three times in 2011/12, but alarmingly lost each time!
The 29-year-old was in charge of our 2-0 home defeat by Leyton Orient in October 2011, the fixture which saw Gary Jones make his 500th appearance for the club.
We also saw him for another 2-0 loss three months later when two second half goals gave Hartlepool three points at Victoria Park.
Mr Adcock’s third Dale game that term was at Yeovil on Easter Saturday 2012, where we lost 3-1.
So far this season James has refereed 28 matches, showing 94 yellow cards and nine red.
He was most recently at Dagenham v Burton last Saturday.