Dale’s first home midweek game of the season against Maidenhead United on Tuesday will be refereed by PAUL COOPER.

No, that’s not the penalty-saving former Ipswich goalkeeper, but a Police Officer and Dog Instructor with the Durham Police Force.

Mr Cooper joined the National League list for last season, but only refereed seven games up to November, when presumably some form of in jury hampered his progress.

He was a busy man in those games, with the first four yielding 27 yellow cards and six red cards!

The cards died down in his later appointments and he only showed two in his solitary match this season, which was Oldham’s opening day 3-0 home win over Braintree Town.

Photo: Action Images

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