For our final League game of the season, we bring you our usual Refwatch feature courtesy as always of TVOS.' This week its Tony Bates from Staffordshire.
One of the league’s most experienced officials comes to Spotland on Saturday when we welcome Tony Bates from Staffordshire for the second time this season.
He was last here in September for the dramatic game against MK Dons, when Dale scored twice in injury time to record a 3-2 win.
Tony has been a league referee for 12 years, with his first game being Dale’s visit to Swansea on the opening day of the 1996/97 campaign.
Fans will remember Dale lost 2-1, but we were delighted when Jan Molby missed a penalty and was then sent off by Mr Bates.
Earlier that year, Mr Bates was one of the English linesmen at Euro ’96, which was, of course, held in this country.
The other linesman on duty with him was our old friend Peter Walton!
In total, Tony has refereed 12 Dale matches, while a little bit of research (i.e. looking through my programmes) shows that he was on the line when we beat Rotherham 5-3 in the FA Cup in November 1995, sending millions of visiting fans back to Millmoor well before the final whistle!
Here is Mr Bates’ full record at Dale matches:
17 August 1996 Swansea
C v Rochdale Lost 1-2
30 November 1996 Rochdale v Scunthorpe U Lost
1-2
26 April 1997 Rochdale v Cambridge U Won
3-0
16 August 1997 Rochdale v Mansfield T Won
2-0
23 January 1999 Rochdale v Brentford Won
2-0
11 January 2000 Rochdale v Macclesfield T Won
3-2 (AWS)
16 September 2000 Rochdale v Torquay U Won
2-1
29 September 2001 Rochdale v Mansfield T Won
3-1
14 September 2002 Rochdale v Shrewsbury T Drew
1-1
7 February 2004 Rochdale v Mansfield T Won
3-0
8 March 2005 Rochdale v Northampton T Won
1-0
1 September 2007 Rochdale v MK Dons Won
3-2
This season Tony has refereed 34 matches, showing a total of 76 yellow cards and two red.
Other famous Tonys
Other famous Bates