Norden-based referee RICHARD WILD is the man in the middle for Dale’s first pre-season friendly at Northwich on Tuesday.
Wild, nicknamed ‘Wilf’, has been refereeing for several years, but has made rapid strides in that time, meaning he is now eligible for such prestigious friendly matches.
He has also learned that this season he can act as an assistant referee (linesman) at Blue Square Premier level, so a trip to somewhere like The Shay could prove good value.
Dale fans will of course remember Mr Wild from his days working in the Club Shop when he was heavily involved in designing and producing popular kits.
He also helped boost and maintain Goldbond at record levels, in addition to providing humorous, insightful commentary in the early days of DalePlayer and its predecessors.
This role produced a moment as comedic as the time Brian Johnston was unable to stop himself laughing on Test Match Special.
Commentating on a midweek draw at Yeovil, Wilf got so excited over a Dale goal that he fell off his seat live on air! All listeners could hear was the clatter of a piece of Somerset furniture as “Leo Bertosssssssssssssss” echoed through the speakers!
Nowadays, Richard works at Blackpool FC, although he has made the occasional midweek visit to Spotland to watch Dale lose.
Obviously he will be totally impartial at Northwich, but there are likely to be a few choice words heading in his direction for most of the evening!