It's Tuesday, it's Chester and it's referee Richard Beeby who'll be risking strangulation by heading to the Deva Stadium to take charge of Dale against Chester City.

Keith Hill won’t have good memories of the referee at Chester on Tuesday night. 

In his first season on the league list, 1999/2000, Mr Beeby sent Hilly off in the 44th minute of our home game with Darlington for two bookable offences. 

Since then we have met him on five other occasions, including the FA Cup tie at Charlton in January 2005 and last season’s 1-1 draw at Walsall. 

Richard quickly established himself as a league referee and was soon gaining several high profile appointments around the country.

This culminated in him being appointed to the Second Division play-off final between Bristol City and Brighton in May 2004 and a Premier League game between Aston Villa and Manchester City 12 months later. 

He never fully joined the Select Group of Premier League referees, but did take charge of two more games at that level in 2005/06. 

Last term Richard refereed the play-off semi-final between Bristol Rovers and Lincoln, while his biggest game this season was probably the Bristol City v Manchester City Carling Cup tie. 

Richard also refereed Brighton v Mansfield in the third round of the FA Cup, plus the third round replay between Hereford and Tranmere. 

In total this season he has taken charge of 23 matches, showing 40 yellow cards and 4 red.

Other famous Richards

• Richard the Third
• Richard Hadlee
• Richard Wild
• Little Richard
• Cliff Richard

Photo: Action Images

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