TVOS is back with his preview of the man in charge of this weekend's televised game with Darlington.
When you think of referee Andy D’Urso, you see him being surrounded by a group of baying Manchester United players for daring to give a penalty against them at Old Trafford many years ago.
That was in D’Urso’s formative days as a Premiership referee and although he went on to establish himself at that level and earn a FIFA badge, he was removed from the Select Group after making a few technical, rather than serious errors.
At the same time, the likes of Rob Styles and Stuart Attwell seem to get away with all sorts of faux-pas!
Nevertheless, Mr D’Urso has continued to receive high profile Football League appointments, including last season’s League One play-off final between Doncaster and Leeds and regular live Sky games this term.
He was also the man in the middle for the infamous Barnsley v Sheffield United game earlier in the season when the Tykes’ Ian Hume had his face rearranged by a challenge from Chris Morgan.
It would seem that Andy is on a mission to tick off all 92 league grounds as Saturday will mark his first ever visit to Spotland, despite him being on the league list since 1994.
In the last few months he has travelled from his Essex home to Oldham, Burnley and Carlisle and last Saturday took charge of Preston v Blackpool.
Dale last met him back in April 1999 for a 1-1 midweek draw at Cambridge. This was his fifth Dale game in total, the full list being:
REFWORLD PROFILE: http://www.refworld.com/referee/101/1
5 famous Andys