Long Eaton-based referee James Adcock will referee Dale for the third time this season when we travel south to Yeovil on Saturday.

The 26-year-old was in charge of our 2-0 home defeat by Leyton Orient in October, the game which saw Dale captain Gary Jones make his 500th appearance for the club.

We also saw him for another 2-0 loss in January when two second half goals gave Hartlepool three points at Victoria Park.

James in his debut season on the league list, although he was given the League Two encounter between Macclesfield and Wycombe last February as part of a pre-promotion trial.

That turned into an eventful afternoon for Mr Adcock, who had to witness a mass brawl that ended with three red cards being shown and fines handed out to both clubs!

However, it didn’t stop his progress and James was rewarded with the biggest game in non-league football at the end of last season – the Blue Square Premier League play-off final between AFC Wimbledon and Luton at the City of Manchester Stadium.

The PE teacher started this season with the League Two encounter between Oxford and Bradford and has so far refereed 28 games, showing 74 yellow cards and six red.

He must also be one of the most travelled officials on the circuit, with his Nottinghamshire base leading to appointments at such far flung places as Torquay, Exeter, Carlisle, Colchester, Barrow (FA Cup) and Plymouth.

Photo: Action Images

Southampton Polls