Scott Oldham referees Dale for the second time in four weeks when we open our 2020/21 FA Cup campaign on Saturday.

The self-employed joiner from Poulton-le-Fylde, who is in his fourth season on the National List, was in charge for our 2-1 defeat at Accrington last month and Saturday will be his eighth Dale appointment.

We first saw Scott in October 2017 when he refereed Dale’s 1-0 home win over Bristol Rovers, although on that occasion he was a late replacement for the injured Tom Nield.

He returned to the Crown Oil Arena in March 2018 for the 1-1 draw with AFC Wimbledon and then three weeks later, he was an 11th hour replacement for Andy Haines in Dale’s thrilling, but ultimately frustrating 3-3 draw with Portsmouth.

Mr Oldham was back at Spotland in October 2018 for the 3-2 home loss to Doncaster, before taking charge at Walsall four months later where both Ethans — Ebanks-Landell and Hamilton — were on target in Dale’s 2-1 defeat of The Saddlers.

More recently, his last appointment at the Crown Oil Arena was in this week 12 months ago when Ipswich won 1-0 on their first-ever visit to this part of Lancashire.

This will be Scott’s ninth game of the season; the previous eight have seen him show 16 yellow cards.

Photo: Action Images

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