2 weeks Ago
IS THERE such a thing as a lucky referee? City will certainly be hoping so tomorrow. Experienced Middlesbrough official Ross Joyce is taking charge of the promotion showdown at Doncaster. And that’s a good thing for the Bantams if his past record is anything to go by.
City have not lost a game when Joyce has been in the middle for three years since being beaten by Championship side Blackburn in the Carabao Cup at Valley Parade in August 2022. Since then, he has overseen eight of their matches and they have won six of them. Tyler Smith scores City's winner in last year's final away game (Image: Thomas Gadd) Joyce has refereed City on two occasions this season - when they beat Gillingham at home with Jack Shepherd’s wonder goal and January’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa under-21s in the Vertu Trophy.
He has also proved a good omen in “must win” promotion battles at this stage of the campaign. Joyce refereed City’s late win at Barrow in the final away game last season which kept their top-seven hopes alive a bit longer as well as the play-off first leg against Carlisle two years ago when Jamie Walker’s Valley Parade goal gave them a temporary advantage. Cumbrians boss Paul Simpson accused Joyce of being a "homer" that night and giving City too much - and was fined £500 for his post-match moan.
We've seen enough dodgy referees over the past few months so fingers crossed tomorrow's choice turns out to work in City's favour once again..
