Rotherham United welcome Shrewsbury Town to the New York Stadium on Saturday when Derbyshire’s James Oldham is in the middle.

Beginning his career at the tender age of sixteen James progressed through the non-league pyramid and was in the middle for the 2018/19 National League Play-Off Final at Wembley where Salford City defeated AFC Fylde. Following that season, he earned a promotion to the EFL national list.

This will be James’ fourth time in the middle for a Millers game the last one being in March when Bolton Wanderers were the visitors to the New York Stadium. Sam Nombe scored two first half goals to give Rotherham the lead going in at half-time but Chris Forino pulled one back six minutes into the second half and Sam Dalby equalised seven minutes from time. There were four yellow cards that afternoon Ted Cann, Joe Rafferty and Brandon Cover getting them for the Millers.

He was also in the middle in November 2020 in the Football League Trophy game at Sincil Bank. Lincoln City, who had to win by four clear goals, were awarded a penalty on just twelve minutes after Matthew Olosunde fouled Tom Pett in the area and John Akinde put the spot-kick beyond Lewis Price into the net. Two minutes later Akinde scored the Imps and his second of the game with substitute Tyler Walker making it three just before full-time. Olosunde and Price saw yellow on the night.

James was also in charge of our Carabao Cup tie in September 2020 at Moor Lane. Former Miller Ian Henderson scored from the penalty spot for Salford City with six minutes to go but a Matt Crooks header on the stroke of full-time saw the game go to penalties which the hosts won four-two.

So far this season James has been in the middle for seven games, five of those being in the National League and has shown thirty-one yellow cards and one red.

Running the line on Saturday we have Matthew Jones and Marvyn Amphlett and the Fourth Official will be Kevin Mulraine.