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#Post#: 101688--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: jad
Date: February 18, 2026, 8:35 am
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Many years ago, in the dim and distant days when Bradford (Park
Avenue) and Aldershot were both Football League teams, I recall
an incident when Avenue were awarded a direct free kick in an
attacking position. Rather than take the kick, the home players
embarked on an 'After you, Claude; no, after you Cecil' routine,
until the referee blew his whistle and told them to get on with
it. Instead of which the players resumed the same routine, at
which point the referee lost patience and awarded Aldershot an
indirect free kick. I don't recall anyone being cautioned,
though in those days you more or less had to decapitate someone
to earn a caution. The referee's decision struck me as
questionable at the time, but I don't quite see how else he was
ever going to get the game restarted.
#Post#: 101695--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: Leggy
Date: February 18, 2026, 11:40 am
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--- Quote from: jad link ---
>
> Many years ago, in the dim and distant days when Bradford
(Park Avenue) and Aldershot were both Football League teams, I
recall an incident when Avenue were awarded a direct free kick
in an attacking position. Rather than take the kick, the home
players embarked on an 'After you, Claude; no, after you Cecil'
routine, until the referee blew his whistle and told them to get
on with it. Instead of which the players resumed the same
routine, at which point the referee lost patience and awarded
Aldershot an indirect free kick. I don't recall anyone being
cautioned, though in those days you more or less had to
decapitate someone to earn a caution. The referee's decision
struck me as questionable at the time, but I don't quite see how
else he was ever going to get the game restarted.
>
--- End Quote ---
Incorrect in Law, but morally correct!!
#Post#: 101701--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: Claretman
Date: February 18, 2026, 12:51 pm
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The commentators on dazn seemed to be of the opinion that the
player who attempted to take the penalty kick may have touched
the ball, cant be certain he did.
#Post#: 101702--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: TVOS
Date: February 18, 2026, 12:52 pm
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--- Quote from: Claretman link ---
>
> The commentators on dazn seemed to be of the opinion that the
player who attempted to take the penalty kick may have touched
the ball, cant be certain he did.
>
--- End Quote ---
He didn’t. They were just guessing because nobody knew what was
going on.
#Post#: 101732--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: Charles1006
Date: February 19, 2026, 8:36 am
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It's well over 20 years since I officiated, but Rochdale is near
my home, so I went along as I know one of their staff. The whole
incident was something I have not seen before in almost 45 years
of involvement in football.
it looked as though Darren Drysdale was struggling to keep
players from encroaching into the area, and he was looking away
from the ball when the Rochdale player started his run. About 5
yards before contact was made, the attacker clearly aborts his
run up, and when level with the ball, he isn't even looking at
it but is turning back away from goal. I can confirm that he did
not make contact with the ball at any point.
One his way back (presumably to try again) a Scunthorpe player
ran into the penalty box and argued that the kick had been
taken. The goalkeeper then approached the ball, and Drysdale
told him he could pick it up before awarding an indirect free
kick to Scunthorpe.
I managed to overhear the referees assessor talking to a couple
of people at half time, and he agreed that the penalty had not
been taken and there should have been a re-take.
I think this mix up happened due to Drysdale not focussing on
the player taking the kick and then him "guessing" that there
had either been a tough of the football, or an attempt to take
the kick; neither of which occurred.
My contact at the club has messaged me to say that the attacker
heard someone say "stop" just after he started his run up
although imho , he should have taken the kick in any case.
#Post#: 101735--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: Whistleblower
Date: February 19, 2026, 9:54 am
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Darren Drysdale, a solid enough referee on his day, has been on
the National List ( or whatever it's called these days ) since
2004. This must be a record. I believe he is the only current
serving referee who appears in Upton which was published in
2005. Drysdale has been involved in one or two very
controversial incidents in his career but his longevity is
remarkable and to be celebrated.
#Post#: 101736--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: TheThingFromLewes
Date: February 19, 2026, 10:08 am
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--- Quote from: Whistleblower link ---
>
> Darren Drysdale, a solid enough referee on his day, has been
on the National List ( or whatever it's called these days )
since 2004. This must be a record. I believe he is the only
current serving referee who appears in Upton which was published
in 2005. Drysdale has been involved in one or two very
controversial incidents in his career but his longevity is
remarkable and to be celebrated.
>
--- End Quote ---
He was promoted a year after Kettle graced (using the term very
loosely) the national list in 2003.
Drysdale, despite a chequered career, had outlasted Kettle by
some distance, at the age of 55 today.
#Post#: 101739--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: Ancientref
Date: February 19, 2026, 11:03 am
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For me it all hinges on defining “feinting”. The player ran up
to the ball but did not kick it. To me this fits the football
definition of feinting, although I can’t guess at his actual
intent. Once I reach this concussion the only criticism is that
DD failed to cation the player involved.
#Post#: 101740--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: nemesis
Date: February 19, 2026, 11:38 am
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I hope you're better soon.
#Post#: 101746--------------------------------------------------
Re: Darren Drysdale: Rochdale v Scunthorpe
DIR By: SuffolkRef
Date: February 19, 2026, 11:53 am
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--- Quote from: Whistleblower link ---
>
> Darren Drysdale, a solid enough referee on his day, has been
on the National List ( or whatever it's called these days )
since 2004. This must be a record. I believe he is the only
current serving referee who appears in Upton which was published
in 2005. Drysdale has been involved in one or two very
controversial incidents in his career but his longevity is
remarkable and to be celebrated.
>
--- End Quote ---
Not quite consecutive years as he wasn't on the list for the
2009/10 season. He was promoted to the AR list in 1996 and was
also on the FIFA AR list. Agree, 30 years around that level is
some acheivement.
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