Messageboard regular Sandyman will need to sit down when he sees the referee for Saturday’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday is his old friend Peter Walton.

Mr Walton, a Select Group official, was a regular at Dale games in the early days of his league career, but Sandyman’s ire was raised after his performance the last time we saw him.

The match was at home to Wycombe in September 2006, when Walton failed to send off the visitors’ goalkeeper, despite him pole-axing Morike Sako just outside the area to prevent what would have been a goalscoring opportunity (I’m not sure I can add the word ‘clear’ when referring to Sako!)

Wycombe went on to win the game 2-0 and Walton compounded his error in his newspaper column in the Daventry Express the following week with some selective journalism as to why Dale fans were angry with him.

Unfortunately the archive has disappeared off the internet, so you’ll have to take our word for it.

Other Dale games refereed by Mr Walton include the 2-1 home win over Leyton Orient in September 1998 that saved Graham Barrow’s job and both matches in the FA Cup tie with Rotherham three months later.

Fans may recall that Mark Monington was sent off against Orient and also in the cup replay at Millmoor!

Walton also sent off Gareth Griffiths in a 2-2 draw at Torquay in November 2002.

No wonder Sandyman has it in for him!

Peter was also appointed to Dale’s postponed Boxing Day game at Notts County, although Saturday’s appearance at Spotland could see that changed for our trip to Meadow Lane in April.

The Northamptonshire referee joined the Select Group in 2003 and was granted an extension to continue this season, despite passing the retirement age of 48.

He has refereed 16 Premier League games so far this term, most notably Blackpool v Manchester United last month.

REFWORLD PROFILE: http://refworld.com/referee/23/0/peter-walton

Yorkshire_Dale added 17:19 - Feb 11 This guy has the potential to be a right tosser,with a capital "T" Just hope Hilly has warned the players to be tres careful........he may just want to steal the limelight, I fear.
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D_Dale added 19:42 - Feb 11 What have we done to deserve this! I just hope he's been around long enough to ignore the whining, as in the Hillsborough match, that's likely to come from Clinton Morrison etc.
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Sandyman added 19:56 - Feb 11 With a Manager of the month award and the most consistently anti-Dale ref on the circuit on the same day, we're doomed I tell you, doomed. I recall only too well Walton's bizarre justification for allowing Wycombe's 'keeper to karate kick 6'7" Morike Sako in the chest. And the habitual sendings off for Mark Monington. There have been times at Spotland where he has milked the derision of home supporters like a pantomime villain, loving the attention for his seemingly deliberate wrongdoings. http://cc.fulhamfc.com/forum/topics/never-seen-such-a-bent-ref?xg_source=activit and http://europa.servers.rbl-mer.misp.co.uk/~cardiffc/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=33244&sta indicate little improvement. Instead, let's hope fans of both sides can congratulate Mr Walton on a job well done come Saturday evening instead of the oft received criticisms.

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Clivert added 21:21 - Feb 11 Remember a game against Scunthorpe in the late 90's (when the TDS had just opened) and Walton produced such an inept display, this clown will spoil tomorrow's game without doubt!
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TVOS1907 added 02:31 - Feb 12 Walton didn't join the league list until 10 months after the TDS opened, Clivert, and the only Scunny - Dale game he refereed was at Glanford Park in Feb 2002, so I think you're getting mixed up with another match or another referee.
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maybee added 02:46 - Feb 12 Ohh no!!! Walton has shown himself to be a clown, both in Dale games, and as a premiership card-happy referee. This guy is one of the worst referees on the entire list. He usually cocks up every game he officiates favouring either one team or the other. Lets hope it's our turn tomorrow and that we end up talking about the game, rather than his mistakes.
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Yorkshire_Dale added 23:23 - Feb 12 Please see my first comment dated Feb11.......Walton was his usual self. Surely he is too old for this job.....conned too often by the Wendies (Giles Coke please stand up!) while giving EVERYTHING against COG! And the Tosser did not give the penalty (stood only yards away!!) until the Lino prompted him! PLease never ever again......please Sod off and retire.
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Clivert added 12:05 - Feb 13 Could it have been Hartlepool then TVOS??? I remember him giving two penalties against us (think Edwards saved one). I'm pretty sure it was him.
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TVOS1907 added 15:05 - Feb 13 Dunno, Clivert, but take your pick from this lot: DALE GAMES: 26/9/98 v Leyton Orient (h), W 2-1 5/12/98 v Rotherham U. (h, FAC), D 0-0 15/12/98 v Rotherham U. (a, FAC), L 0-4 9/10/99 v Barnet (a), L 0-1 3/4/01 v Brighton & H.A. (h), D 1-1 23/2/02 v Scunthorpe U. (a), L 1-2 30/11/02 v Torquay U. (a), D 2-2 16/9/06 v Wycombe W. (h), L 0-2
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Clivert added 12:00 - Feb 14 Thanks TVOS, it could well have been that Orient game.
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