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On the opening day of the season both Martin Bullock and Lee Collins of Blackpool saw red in a game they lost to Bristol City 2-0 with two late goals. In his next game he sent of Oldham’s Fitz all in their 0-0 draw at Brentford. There were no red cards in his third game as Gillingham and Preston drew 1-1, just four yellows.
The red cards are perhaps out of character, in the whole of last season he only showed three red cards but there were 114 yellow in the 34 games. Two of those did come in his next to last match which means he has sent off five players in his last five games.
Our paths crossed just once last season, the Worthington Cup defeat against Rushden & Diamonds. Ian Cox and Steve Davis were yellow carded in that game along with four R&D players.
The last time he took charge of a Burnley league game was the last match of the 2000/01 season, the 2-0 home win against Watford and Mitchell Thomas was the only player booked along with one Watford player. Prior to that it was the 2-2 draw at Stoke in early 2000 where he gave each side a penalty and Gordon Armstrong was the only player booked in the game.
In Stan’s first season when points were at a premium he oversaw two victories. They were the home win against Wrexham and the win at Millwall and Armstrong and Swan were the two Burnley players booked in these games.
Overall though, despite his start to this season, he isn’t a card happy referee. It is hoped he is back to his usual form tomorrow.