Referee Clive will be in the middle while his son Michael is set to run the line for Rotherham's League Cup tie against Port Vale.

The pair have officiated the same game before but this is the first time they - or any father-son team - will be in charge for a cup tie.

And 43-year-old Clive has told his son not to expect any favours whatsoever!

"I will treat him just like any other official. I won't be looking to protect him," he told the Sun newspaper.

"He might be my son but I am not looking to lay down any ground rules. He's capable of looking after himself.

"We've both done the same non-league games before but never anything as big as this. We're both looking forward to it."

Even though the pair live in the same house in Newcastle, they will have to travel separately to the match at Millmoor.

Clive added: "It's bonkers but it ensures that the game will still go ahead even if one of us breaks down."

Michael, 20, expects some ribbing from the home fans and said: "I would imagine the supporters will come up with some good chants and give us some good banter.

"I won't let it affect me and I will just get on with the job to the best of my ability."

While fans tonight will witness the first father-son duo, members of the same family have officiated at matches in the past.

Arthur Ellis, who refereed at the 1954 World Cup finals, was assisted by his brother Frank at the 1956 European Cup final between Real Madrid and Reims.