Darren Handley is the referee for Dale’s home game against Swindon on Saturday.

The Bolton official is in his third season on the referees’ list and this is his third match at the Crown Oil Arena as the man in the middle.

His first refereeing appointment was in February when he took charge of the 1-0 midweek win over Fleetwood, while in July, Darren refereed the 1-1 friendly draw with Blackburn.

However, Mr Handley did appear at the Crown Oil Arena in his days as a linesman, most notably in August 2007 for the Carling Cup tie against Stoke.

The game ended 2-2 after 120 minutes, before Dale won on penalties against a Stoke side destined to reach the Premier League nine months later.

Darren, a PE teacher, was promoted from the Conference list at the end of the 2013/14 season and refereed Oxford v Burton as his first league appointment.

He has officiated mainly in the bottom two divisions since then, as well as a handful of Championship fixtures last season.

On the opening day of this season he refereed Swindon’s home game versus Coventry, while his most recent appointment was last Saturday at Wycombe v Morecambe.

Altogether, Mr Handley has taken charge of 17 games this season, showing 61 yellow cards and two red.

Photo: Action Images

Rochdale Polls