Dale’s televised game at Aldershot Town on Saturday will be refereed by JAMES DURKIN.

The Dorset-based official is the son of former Premier League and FIFA referee Paul Durkin, who retired in 2004.

Paul refereed at France ‘98 (his solitary game was Italy v Austria), having taken charge of the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Newcastle in the same year.

James has been refereeing in the National League since the 2019/20 season, when his first game was Sutton United v Barnet.

He has been a regular on the appointments list since then and we saw him at Spotland last September for the 4-2 win over Barnet.

James was appointed to a number of League Two fixtures towards the end of last term, before his biggest achievement came when he refereed the National League play-off final at Wembley between Bromley and Solihull Moors.

Saturday will be his first National League appointment of this season, although he has taken charge of two more League Two games.

Photo: Action Images

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