Dale’s Vanarama National League play-off eliminator at home to Southend United on Thursday night will be refereed by ANDREW HUMPHRIES.

The Northamptonshire-based official has never previously refereed a Dale game despite being appointed to two!

In October 2023, he was scheduled to take charge of our FA Cup tie at Hereford, only to swap with another referee, while three months later, Andrew was appointed to Dale’s televised midweek trip to Altrincham, until the game was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

That was his first season refereeing in the National League, but Andrew has gone on to be part of the single list this season, which has resulted in him refereeing almost as often in the EFL as he has in the fifth tier.

His 13 National League appointments included Southend’s home game versus Altrincham in March, while he was most recently in action on the final day of the EFL season at Newport v Tranmere.

Mr Humphries’ 23 games have yielded 69 yellow cards and six red cards.

A school teacher in Daventry, Andrew shouldn’t be found wanting for fitness, having once completed 11 marathons in 11 days raising money for MS research.

Photo: Action Images

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