Dale’s ‘home’ game against Brackley Town at Accrington Stanley on Saturday will be refereed by JAMES BANCROFT.

This will be Mr Bancroft’s third Dale appointment since he joined the National List, but the first of this season.

In September 2024, he took charge of our 2-1 home defeat to Solihull Moors, while last February, James was the man in the middle for the 0-0 draw at FC Halifax Town.

The County Durham official is in his second season refereeing on the National List, but Saturday will only be his sixth appointment of the campaign at this level.

He has shown 14 yellow cards in the previous five matches, the most recent of which was Boston United v Aldershot Town a fortnight ago.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters