Paul Marsden will sort of referee Dale for the first time when we entertain Coventry on Saturday.

We say ‘sort of’ as back in April 2015, he was a linesman at Spotland for the final home game of the season against MK Dons when an injury to the match referee saw Mr Marsden pressed into action in the second half.

That was one of a number of Dale appointments on the line for the Leyland-based official, but his promotion to the National List this season now sees him return in a refereeing capacity in his own right.

Paul started the season refereeing Mansfield v Newport in League Two and although the majority of his appointments have been in the basement division, he has also taken charge of games in League One, the FA Cup and Checkatrade Trophy.

His last League One fixture was Doncaster v Burton three weeks ago, while Mr Marsden’s most recent match was Tranmere v Northampton on Tuesday night.

In total, the Senior Assistant Principal at Hodgson Academy in Blackpool, has refereed 23 games this term, showing 63 yellow cards and six red.

Photo: Action Images

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