dd-mm-yyyy datetime format in input/datepicker field reverts to default format on refresh after error

A well-worn topic I'm sure..

Some background:

In the /View/Model/add.ctp view, I have a few of datetime fields that use the Bootstrap datepicker and (successfully) sets the format of the dates in the text inputs in dd-mm-yyyy format:

Example of a datetime field input:

echo $this->Form->input('Model.issue_date', array(

'fieldset' => false,

'label' => false,

'before' => '<label class="col-sm-2 control-label">Issue Date</label><div class="col-sm-10">',

'after' => '</div>',

        'class' => 'form-control datepicker',

        'type' => 'text',

'div' => 'form-group'

)

);

Datapicker js at bottom of /View/Model/add.ctp:

<script type="text/javascript">

<!--

//-->

$(document).ready(function() {

        $('.datepicker').datepicker({

   format: "dd-mm-yyyy",

   todayBtn: "linked",

   orientation: "bottom right",

   autoclose: true,

   todayHighlight: true

        });

});

</script>

In my /Controller/ModelController.php file, prior to saving the post/form data, I convert the field in to mysql format:

if (isset($this->request->data['Model']['issue_date'])) {

$this->request->data['Model']['issue_date'] = date('Y-m-d H:i', strtotime($this->request->data['Model']['issue_date']));

}

And in the /Model/Model.php file I have basic validation to ensure the field isn't empty (i've removed validating datetime format temporarily):

'issue_date'=> array(

'allowEmpty' => array(

'rule'    => 'notEmpty',

'message'  => 'Please enter a date and time'

),

Problem 1:

When I add datetime validation to the field in the /Model/Model.php file, I get a format validation error. Here's the code I use to validate the format (one of many permutations used):

        'issue_date'=> array(

            'allowEmpty' => array(

       'rule'    => 'notEmpty',

                'message'  => 'Please enter a date and time'

            ),

            'format' => array(

      'rule' => array('datetime', 'dmy'),

                'message'  => 'Please enter a valid date'

)

        ),

        

When I remove the date format validation, the form posts fine, and the (correct) datetime is committed to the datavase.

        

Problem 2:

When I encounter an error on the form, like the one in Problem 1, above, and return back to the add or edit views, the dates in the text input fields revert back to yyyy-mm-dd H:i:s format, and I have to reselect the date from the datepicker to return back to dd-mm-yyyy format.

I figure I need to add beforeRender to check if a post value exists for the date field, and if so to format it, but I have a feeling there's something potentially a lot simpler I could be doing to manage both of these issues, and am keen to see/hear some opinions/advice.

Thanks in advance!

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