Cumbrian referee Anthony Backhouse is the man in the middle for Dale’s first home game of the season versus Peterborough on Saturday.

The Workington official is in his second season on the referees’ list and this will be his second Dale appointment in that time.

His previous Dale game was the 2-1 home loss to Blackpool on New Year’s Day, which turned into a thoroughly miserable affair played in pouring rain on an increasingly flooded pitch!

Prior to that Mr Backhouse was appointed to Dale’s Checkatrade Trophy group match against Blackburn last November, only to be replaced by Seb Stockbridge.

Mr Backhouse began last season with Coventry v Notts County in League Two and went on to referee in the bottom two divisions for the whole campaign, as well as in each cup competition.

This follows on from the ultimate accolade in non-league football when he refereed Forest Green v Tranmere in the 2016/17 National League play-off final at Wembley.

Last Saturday Anthony took charge of Accrington v Gillingham in League One.

Ref Ratings 2018-19
Darren Drysdale - Burton (a) 6.0

Photo: Action Images

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