x

Refwatch Preview: Macclesfield (h)

Macc come to Spotland this afternoon, and here's our lowdown on the man in black.

Steve Cook will make his first ever visit to Spotland when he takes charge of Saturday’s game with Macclesfield.

The 25-year old referee is listed as being based in Surrey, but recent weeks have seen him referee games at Bradford and Accrington, in-between matches in the south.

Mr Cook has some history with Dale, as well as with this particular fixture.

He was the man in the middle when we won 4-3 at Shrewsbury in September 2007, a game that was his first in the Football League.

Some of his decision-making bordered on the farcical that afternoon when he looked out of his depth and incapable of officiating at this level.

He showed seven yellow cards in a match that was never dirty; it just appeared as though his card was his only method of trying to take control.

Three months later he was back for our match at Macclesfield and this time he was much-improved and got through the game with the minimum of fuss.

Fans may recall getting soaked to the skin that day as Dale came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2, with Glenn Murray heading a last-minute equaliser.

It’s just over 12 months since we last saw Steve at a Dale game, although the number of Dale fans who will remember it are few and far between.

That’s because he was the referee for our 1-1 draw at Gillingham last November, when the Football League’s fixtures computer decided to send us on our longest trip of the season on a Tuesday night!

REFWORLD PROFILE: http://www.refworld.com/referee/130/1

5 famous Steves

5 famous Cooks

What to read next:

Swans v U’s : Latest news, injuries, facts and Vitor on solidarity
This evening we look to on the pitch matters leading up to tomorrow afternoons big game against Oxford United (3pm) at the swansea.com. Vitor Matos has already stated that he has a full squad to choose from, and all that comes with our match day morning focus tomorrow plus team news.
Swansea City : Is there any good news ahead ? One last effort with the Home Office
Swans head coach, Vitor Matos had an interesting pre match gathering this week and possibly put paid to Malick Yalcouyé’s immediate involvement this weekend. Of course that would depend on how you view the words of the Portuguese who is already seeing more and more about his task ahead.
Swans fans fears could become reality this December
The month of December comes around with a few extra fixtures and the end of those six fixtures is a catalyst for some teams. The Swans have issues on the pitch and some are stating off it as well.
Swansea City : Jack Butty sails again with his cannons primed
The vultures were circling overhead. The bleached bones of the dead lay all around. Wait…a movement…a moving hand. A hen peckered face turns to the light and screams out, ‘Jack Butty here. I’m back with my latest missive from the defiles of dreadful duplicity.’ The cheers of voices were raised. Jack Butty looked around, ‘You lot can pipe down. You’re all gonners and gooners.’ And so, it came to pass…
New coaches in at the Swans ? Work permits examined & current issues
The Swansea City coaching mystery took another weird step yesterday when we received some information on Tozé Mendes, the new assistant manager to Vitor Matos. Well, in certain quarters he is Vitor’s assistant.
Why is Vitor still on his own ? Defensive insights in Swans collapse at West Brom
It all was going so nicely, well for fifteen minutes of the game yesterday at The Hawthorns. The script unfolded as soon as West Bromwich Albion got ahold of the game. A game which ended just the way most expected.
Swans collapse in a disastrous seventy five minutes of football
A brilliant start from Swansea City this afternoon dived into another order from the menu of disastrous football. Starters of no idea after fifteen minutes, with a main course of incompetence and a big desert of stupidity. They are now equal third bottom with Portsmouth who the Swans play at home on Tuesday 9th December (7:45pm) after a home game next Saturday against Oxford United (3pm)
West Bromwich Albion 3 - 2 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
West Bromwich Albion v Swansea City : Match Build Up & Team News
The Swans are at the Hawthorns this afternoon for their Championship fixture against West Bromwich Albion. We will carry some team news later and then will have the official announcement after that.
Big game weekend : Players, Focus, Mason v Matos & a reality check
Swansea City travel to the midlands today with one focus, do not lose the game and begin to rebuild the fans confidence in the team. By all accounts Vitor Matos has identified two glaring errors in the Swans training processes prior to his arrival, the more astute will have picked them up in this weeks public conversations.