Dale’s first trip to Eastleigh on Saturday will be refereed by PAUL JOHNSON.
Mr Johnson is based in Surrey and this is his second full season officiating in the National League.
He was promoted midway through the 2021/22 campaign and continued into last term when he refereed seven games, showing 35 yellow cards and two reds.
Paul’s first appointment this season was Dale’s 1-1 draw at Kidderminster in September, while his most recent match was Dagenham & Redbridge v Altrincham on 2nd March.