Dale’s Carabao Cup first round tie at Bradford City on Saturday will be refereed by DECLAN BROWN.

The Manchester official joined the newly-aligned National List last season, although he had already taken charge of a couple of games in the National League towards the end of 2024/25.

He spent the majority of that term refereeing in National League North, culminating in Chorley v King’s Lynn in the play-offs.

Last season started at Brackley v Eastleigh on the opening day, before Declan appeared at Spotland on August Bank Holiday Monday for Dale’s 1-0 home win over Sutton United.

He was then quite active in the National League and League Two, refereeing 20 matches in those divisions, including Dale’s 2-2 draw at Halifax in late February

Declan ended the campaign with a middle at Swindon v Accrington on 18th April..

MATCH STAT
This is only the third League Cup tie between Dale and Bradford City.

In 1982/83, the teams were drawn together in round two, with Bradford winning 1-0 at Spotland and 4-0 in return leg at Valley Parade.

Twenty-one years ago, early in the 2005/06 season, Dale met City at Spotland, again in a second round tie. On a chastening evening, The Bantams cantered to a 5-0 win, with Dean Windass netting a hat-trick and Dale having Gary Jones sent-off when his team was already 3-0 down.

You can watch the action here (if you really want to):

Photo: Action Images via Reuters