Dale’s FA Trophy fourth round tie at Tamworth on Tuesday will be refereed by RICHARD HOLMES.

The Chorley-based official regularly referees in National League North, but Saturday will be his first game between two teams from the higher division.

However, he has already overseen a match at Tamworth this season after refereeing their 1-0 home win over AFC Fylde in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round in October.

Mr Holmes started this campaign at Macclesfield v Merthyr Town, while his last game was South Shields’ 6-0 home defeat of Spennymoor on Boxing Day.

Richard’s only previous Dale appointment came back in July 2021 when he was the man in the middle for a pre-season friendly away to AFC Fylde, which Robbie Stockdale’s men won 1-0 courtesy of a Jake Beesley goal.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters