Dale’s National League fixture at home to Solihull Moors on Tuesday will be refereed by STEVEN COPELAND.

The Wallasey-based police detective was in the middle three times in our debut season in the National League, but we haven’t seen him since, although he was scheduled to referee Dale v Gateshead in March, only to be replaced by Dale Baines.

Back in August 2023, Steven was the man in the middle four first-ever away game at this level, the 1-0 win at Oxford City, while four months later he took charge of Dale’s 5-1 home defeat to Gateshead in the FA Trophy.

In February 2024, Mr Copeland refereed our 3-0 reverse at Altrincham.

One of the National League’s longest-serving referees, Steven is in his seventh campaign at this level.

He has had a quiet start to the season so far, having only overseen Tamworth v Truro, Harrogate v Chesterfield (League Two) and Oldham v Manchester City U21 (EFL Trophy).

Photo: Action Images

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