James Bell will be the man in the middle for Dale’s game at Bradford City on Saturday.

The Sheffield official is in his second season on the National List and this will be his third Dale appointment in that time.

Last October James was at the Crown Oil Arena for the exciting 2-2 home draw with Sunderland, while in March, he refereed Dale’s 2-0 defeat at champions Hull City.

James’ first game at EFL level was Grimsby v Harrogate in the EFL Trophy in September 2020, before he refereed Mansfield v Tranmere on the opening day of the last league season.

He progressed to take charge of 31 games in all competitions last term, including one at Bradford when they hosted Grimsby in April.

Before Tuesday night, when he was due at Cambridge v Gillingham, Mr Bell had refereed nine matches this season, showing 32 yellow cards.

Saturday’s game at Valley Parade will feel like a relatively short trip for him because, as well as Cambridge, James’ other appointments have seen him travel from Sheffield to places like Forest Green, MK Dons, Wycombe, Cardiff and Charlton!

Photo: Action Images

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