Dale’s first EFL game since May 2023 at Newport County on Saturday will be refereed by HARRISON BLAIR.

This will be the first Dale appointment for Mr Blair, who quickly progressed from refereeing in National League South in 2024/25 to the National List last season.

His first National League match was Solihull Moors v Yeovil just short of a year ago, but he didn’t referee in the EFL until mid-February when he oversaw the League Two game between MK Dons and Saturday’s opponents, Newport County.

He progressed to officiate three more times in League Two, before ending last term at Wycombe v Rotherham in League One.

Based in Woking and in his early 30s, Harrison works as a Business Development Executive at Towergate Health and Protection. He was awarded the BAMREF accolade of Best Newcomer of the Year in 2024

MATCH STAT
Saturday will be the second time Dale have faced Newport County on the opening day of the season.

The teams drew 1-1 at Somerton Park as the 1967/68 campaign kicked-off, with Laurie Calloway giving Dale a 20th minute lead, before future Spotland forward Terry Melling levelled for Newport a minute into the second half.

Photo: Action Images via Reuters