Referee Thomas Kirk will take charge of a game at Spotland for the third time since July when he referees Dale’s Boxing Day fixture against Hartlepool United.

The Altrincham-based whistler is in his first season on the National List and in July he refereed Dale’s home friendly against Port Vale, before returning three weeks later for the League Two fixture versus Grimsby.

Boxing Day will be Mr Kirk’s 23rd appointment in what has been a busy first half of the season at league level.

The majority of his games have been in the north of the country, but in recent months Thomas has refereed Exeter v Oxford, Cambridge v Port Vale, MK Dons v Taunton (FA Cup), Colchester v Bristol Rovers (Papa John’s Trophy) and Gillingham v Dagenham & Redbridge (FA Cup).

His 22 matches have seen him show 77 yellow cards and two red cards.

Photo: Action Images

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