Paul Marsden will sort of referee Dale for the second time when we entertain Gillingham 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 in 2018 saw him return in a refereeing capacity in his own right last February.

On that occasion Paul was the man in the middle for the home game against Coventry, which the visitors won 1-0 with a goal midway through the second half.

Since his promotion to the National List, Mr Marsden has refereed primarily in League One and League Two, as well as in all three cup competitions.

He took charge of 34 games last season and so far this term, the Senior Assistant Principal at Hodgson Academy in Blackpool has refereed 21 matches, showing 72 yellow cards and one red.

His most recent game was Cheltenham v Walsall in League Two a fortnight ago, while Paul’s last League One appointment was Fleetwood v Bristol Rovers on 29th December.

Photo: Action Images

Rochdale Polls