Merseyside referee STEVEN COPELAND will take charge of Dale for the second time this season when we host Gateshead on Saturday in our first-ever FA Trophy tie.
The Wallasey-based police detective refereed our first away game of the campaign at Oxford City in August, which Dale won 1-0 courtesy of Ian Henderson’s second half goal.
He was then due to appear at Spotland for the league fixture versus Gateshead in October, but was replaced by John Mulligan.
Mr Copeland is one of the National League’s longest-serving referees and is in his fifth campaign at this level.
His 11 games this term, which include Port Vale v Crewe in the EFL Trophy, have seen him show 42 yellow cards and four reds.