After showing 100 Premier League red cards - a tribute to Mike Dean: one of English football's true stars
Even with football becoming a multi-billion pound industry where any half decent player will cost you £50m, it still rings true that the best things in life really are free.
A transfer window sees fans of every club demand that big-money man. The player that can provide the sort of entertainment guarantee that makes you look forward to the weekend.
No player can match the excitement of a certain refereeing appointment though. Whether it be Cardiff v Huddersfield or Manchester City v Liverpool, there's only one man that the neutrals want to see in the middle.
That man is of course Mike Dean.
Football's iconic man in the middle has hit a milestone, with 100 Premier League red cards to his name. He is way above any other referee for cards shown in the top-flight this season; you know you're getting booking points value when Dean is in charge. We've been waiting a while, but he's finally hit a century.
It's the sort of no-nonsense approach that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Any other referee might have a word with you, letting you off the hook for a foul committed, but not Mike. Mike's in charge, and oh boy, you'll know about it.
It's the dramatics, the enthusiasm and the determination to ensure he is the man in control that gives him that reputation. Frankly, there's nobody else like him.
Whether it be the Twitter videos showing him awarding a penalty dubbed over with some disco music or the advantage signal making it look like he's running and celebrating a Tottenham goal, it's clear he's the most notorious referee in the game.
With Dean finally showing 100 red cards in the Premier League, I want to pay tribute to one of English football's true stars.
Humble beginnings
The above picture should be in a museum, because it's a real piece of history.
It is, of course, Dean's first red card in 2001, his debut season as a Premier League referee. Newcastle's Nolberto Solano was given his marching orders in a 1-1 draw with Ipswich, Marcus Stewart's penalty resulting from the foul earned the home side a point.
It's quite remarkable to think that this was the only red card he gave in 17 Premier League games that season, the first tentative steps on the road to becoming a hero among men.
The following season was another quiet one. Just two reds in 15 top-flight games. That alongside, again, two penalties. That said, we started to see glimpses of what's to come - both red cards came in the same game, Charlton's 2-0 win over Leicester.
That was the first sign that things were on the turn and, sure enough, the soft approach didn't last though. It took a couple of seasons to get going but we saw the real Dean in 2002/2003. Eight-eight yellows, five reds and eight penalties given in just 21 Premier League games. Phwoar.
From humble beginnings, Dean became the man to fear. Please, please, please let it be yell... nope, it's red. In February 2018, with his 89th red card, Dean had shown more than any team in Premier League history had received. The card became his.
The sass
Let's be honest, the real reason Mike Dean is the most entertaining official going is the attitude he brings to the pitch.
You can bring the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry and Sergio Aguero to the Premier League - but the fact is there is only ever going to be one star of the show.
It varies from the step overs to avoid interfering with play to the No Look Yellow™️ which only he can pull off. The likes of Mikel Arteta have received the disapproving stare when they've put their hands on him. Mike Dean is quite literally untouchable.
There's pointing at the penalty spot, then there's Mike Dean Pointing At The Penalty Spot. A late decision to award a spot kick isn't quite dramatic enough, it needs that little bit extra.
Watch the end of the game above, Cardiff hosting Wolves in a game that would pretty much eventually decide who would win the Sky Bet Championship title in the 2017/18 season.
We're in the 90th minute, Cardiff are one goal down and they're on the attack. A player goes down in the area and there is Dean, unafraid to make the right call at a crucial time.
The penalty is missed, Wolves look to clear their lines. Minutes later, Wolves commit another foul in the box. There's already been one late penalty given, surely we won't get another? Wrong.
Not only that but the point to the spot is phenomenal. Dean knows the situation, it's the last minute of stoppage time in a top of the table clash, live on TV. The cameras are there and he's added to the drama beautifully.
If the situation ever arises where he gets fed up and simply leathers it into the top corner, we know that the celebration would live up to expectations too...
Mike Dean knows a thing or two about last minute winners and getting carried away! 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/bgUKqSGvXW
— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) August 26, 2017
The moments
Of course, every referee has their controversial moments and Dean is no exception.
One of the more recent incidents that has attracted national attention came at the Vitality Stadium in 2017. Manchester City were in the early stages of their eventual 100-points campaign and travelled south to take on Bournemouth.
Charlie Daniels had given the hosts the lead but Gabriel Jesus cancelled that out less than ten minutes later. Time was ticking away and City looked like they would have to settle for a point.
That was until Raheem Sterling got the ball and his deflected shot looped into the net. City had won and Sterling ran to celebrate with the fans. As you'd expect, it prompted wild celebrations.
City fans spilled onto the pitch, the team were all celebrating in the corner with the travelling support. It should have been the ideal ending for Sterling, the perfect way to win the game for his side.
But, with the forward already on a yellow, Dean showed him a second and sent him off; had we a direct line to his mind, chances are the words 'bring him down a peg or two' were playing over and over as he brandished the first card, and followed it with the second.
There have been other incidents, too. A lengthy refereeing career brings that. Everyone has their own Mike Dean story.
His decision to show Dale Stephens a straight red card caused outrage from my Brighton-supporting mate, Joe. It felt like I'd been cheated on. How could he so openly criticise Mike like that?
He did have a yellow card out in fairness, Gaston Ramirez knocked it out of his hand and then suddenly a red appeared. It shouldn't have even been a card, but still.
That said, controversy isn't always a bad thing. It provides us with talking points, and Dean isn't afraid to put us in those situations. Many pub conversations can thank him for his indirect contribution.
The magic 100!
So finally, there we have it.
After months of anticipation, which he may well have kept us waiting for, Mike has delivered the goods in Wolves' clash with Manchester United.
The lucky recipient was Ashley Young, with the United man being given his marching orders for a second yellow in the 58th minute.
While it may seem annoying now Ashley, appreciate that you have cemented your place in history. Deano has selected you as the chosen one. Above everyone else, you have been elected to get it.
Congratulations, Mike. Here's to the next 100.
Follow Sporting Life on social media - find us on Facebook here or tweet @SportingLifeFC
Related football links
MOST READ FOOTBALL
FOOTBALL TIPS
