Wycombe on Saturday, so we've done our usual and got TVOS to preview the man we'll all be putting our trust in to ensure that the game is officiated fairly - Mr Clive Penton.
After waiting eight years for Clive Penton to referee a Dale game, we will see him for the second time in seven weeks when he takes charge of the crucial clash at Wycombe on Saturday.
The Sussex official was the man in the middle at Aldershot on 31st January, when Dale won 4-2 after leading 4-0 at the interval.
Clive was fairly anonymous that day, until the closing stages when he not only gave the Shots a penalty for a foul that was outside the area, he also sent off Nathan Stanton for the challenge.
Thankfully the red card was later rescinded, but with Stanton walking a disciplinary tightrope, this appointment could be a coincidence too many!
Earlier this year, Mr Penton incurred the wrath of Neil Warnock (or Colin to his mates) during Crystal Palace’s home game against Ipswich.
Warnock accused Penton of being too old and not up with play, comments which came about after Palace had a goal disallowed in controversial circumstances.
Of course the subsequent 4-1 defeat was all Clive’s fault, as it was Michael Oliver’s fault when Palace conceded four more at Watford the following weekend!
However, Mr Penton is in his last season on the league list, so Warnock’s comments are hardly likely to ruffle too many feathers.
Given he has been a league referee since 2001, it does seem odd that Clive had never overseen a Dale game before this term, although his Sussex location means there have been a limited number of opportunities for him.
However, TVOS wasn’t to be beaten and I did find the following after scouting around my programme collection.
Clive was down as the referee for our game at Leyton Orient on 1st February 2003, but the match was postponed till later in the month, when Alan Butler took charge.
However, he did appear at a Leyton Orient v Dale fixture, one which is still talked about to this day.
The game in question was on 23rd August 1997 and Clive was one of the linesmen who watched on with the rest of us as referee Rob Styles gave the O’s two penalties and sent-off Keith Hill and Mark Leonard, Hilly’s red card coming after just 19 seconds!
REFWORLD PROFILE: http://www.refworld.com/referee/160/0
Note:Mr Penton has refereed only one match since January and was replaced at Brentford v Chesterfield on Tuesday, so there may well be a late change for our match at Wycombe.
Other famous Clives
Clive Platt
Clive Tyldesley
Clive Lloyd
Clive Dunn
Clive Everton