Braintree Town’s first visit to Spotland on Saturday will be refereed by GARRETH RHODES.
Based in Selby, this will be Mr Rhodes’ fourth match at the Crown Oil Arena since Dale’s relegation to the National League, as he was in the middle for last term’s opening day encounter against Ebbsfleet and the fixtures versus Kidderminster Harriers in January and Oxford City in March.
Dale won one, drew one and lost one of those three games, so something has to give in that record this weekend.
An Operations Manager for a construction company, as a youngster, Garreth had trials with professional clubs and represented West Riding County FA at U18 level.
He didn’t make it into the professional game, but went on to play for Tadcaster Albion and Selby Town in the Northern Counties East League.
Injuries brought Mr Rhodes’ playing career to a premature end and he started refereeing in 2008. After 10 years he reached his current level of Panel Select referee and is in his seventh season at his current level.
Saturday will be Garreth’s third National League appointment this term, after refereeing Halifax v Aldershot and Oldham v Gateshead last month.