Dale’s rearranged game at home to Southend United on Saturday will be refereed by ANDREW HUMPHRIES.

Coincidentally, the Northamptonshire-based official was also the man in the middle for our play-off encounter against The Shrimpers in May, which was the first time he had refereed Dale despite previously being appointed to two of our matches!

In October 2023, Andrew was scheduled to take charge of the FA Cup tie at Hereford, only to swap with another referee, while three months later, he 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 went on to be part of the single National List last season, which has resulted in him refereeing more often in the EFL than in the National League.

Mr Humphries’ 18 appointments this term have included only three in the fifth tier, but seven in League One and three in League Two.

His most recent outings were at Luton v Huddersfield and MK Dons v Fleetwood and in total this term, Andrew’s 18 matches have yielded 53 yellow cards and three reds.

A school teacher in Daventry, he 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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