One of the Football League’s best-performing younger officials will be in charge of Dale’s first trip to Millwall in 50 years on Saturday.

Nottinghamshire referee James Adcock is the man in charge, yet for someone in only his fifth season in the middle at league level, he has made great strides.

He ended his first campaign in the Football League by refereeing the League Two play-off semi-final between Cheltenham and Torquay, while in 2012/13 he took charge of Bradford v Burton at the same stage.

All this came after James oversaw the 2011 Blue Square Premier League play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Luton at the City of Manchester Stadium to round-off his non-league career.

Mr Adcock didn’t receive an appointment in last season’s play-offs, but he refereed 17 Championship games, as well as the crucial Morecambe v Southend match on the final day of the season in which The Shrimpers missed out on automatic promotion.

He was also in notable FA Cup action, refereeing the televised Gateshead v Warrington tie and the third round replay between Bradford and Millwall.

This calibre of appointments has continued for James this campaign as he has refereed four Championship matches and on Tuesday night was the fourth official at Aston Villa v Birmingham in the Capital One Cup.

His most recent Dale game was the 1-0 defeat at Bristol City in February and worryingly ahead of Saturday, we are still to win with Mr Adcock in charge, as this list shows:

Oct 11 Leyton Orient (h), L 0-2

Jan 12 Hartlepool (a), L 0-2

Apr 12 Yeovil (a), L 1-3

Oct 12 Bradford (h), D 0-0

May 14 Newport (a), L 1-2

Feb 15 Bristol City (a), L 0-1

All together this season, James has refereed eight matches, showing 20 yellow cards.

Photo: Action Images

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