Hands up who remembers ‘The Slump Starts Here’!
Chesterfield at home in November 2009 was the relevant game and Monday’s referee, Phil Gibbs, was the man in the middle that afternoon at what was his most recent Dale match.
Of course, Dale lost 3-2 to Chesterfield and robshaker, who has disappeared off the face of the earth, leapt onto our messageboard with glee to report news of Dale’s impending doom.
That was the second time Mr Gibbs had refereed Dale that season as he was also in charge of the first home game of the promotion campaign against Aldershot.
Fans may recall we won 1-0 that afternoon thanks to a rather fortuitous last-minute penalty, which was converted by Tom Kennedy.
Earlier in the game, Phil had sent-off Nathan Stanton for dragging back Marvin Morgan as he broke for goal.
We also saw the 46-year old Assistant Headteacher at Notts County in October 2008 when Lee Thorpe’s brace helped Dale to a 2-1 midweek win.
Before Good Friday, when he refereed Wycombe v Accrington, Mr Gibbs had overseen 31 matches this term, showing 76 yellow cards and two red.