Dale’s local derby at Oldham Athletic on Saturday will be refereed by ALEX CHILOWICZ.
This is a very interesting appointment, as not only does it make Alex the first non-British referee at a Dale match, but he is also the first American.
After spending six years refereeing in the MLS in the USA, Mr Chilowicz relocated to England in the Autumn of 2023 and joined the National List, with his first game being Sutton United v Mansfield Town.
This came two months after his final MLS match at Philadelphia Union v Atlanta United.
Alex refereed extensively in the EFL from Christmas onwards last season, travelling all over the country from his London base. If nothing else, it allowed him to learn where places were in England.
He officiated games at Salford, Wigan, Tranmere (on three consecutive weekends!) and Accrington, while this term he has been to Crewe, Wrexham, Bolton and Blackpool, so he is certainly familiar with the North-West.
The 37-year-old’s most recent game in the middle was Leyton Orient v Northampton last Saturday, while on Monday night he was the VAR at West Ham v Newcastle in the Premier League, a role he already had experience in from his time in America.
Saturday will be Alex’s 29th match of the season as a referee. He has shown 93 yellow cards and seven red cards to date.