Betting and the referees (part 6)
PHIL DOWD.
Phil is a Black Country Man. His place of birth being Staffordshire.
He had his 46th birthday just two months back.
He followed the time honoured route from junior league, starting in 1984, through to the Premiership List in 2001. The only thing missing is the call-up to FIFA. This attributed to his late start in the top flight and unfortunately it probably won’t happen, due to his drawing near to the accepted retirement age. Although FIFA no longer have an official retirement age.
Like most members of his profession he has come in for the usual criticisms. Usually from the losing teams staff. After one such outburst, Paul Jewell, then Wigan manager, was " hauled before the beak" relating to comments he was alleged to have made in the press. The charges were "not proven".
He’s not afraid to show a card when he thinks it’s merited. Being that he seems quite keen on getting the yellow card out rather frequently, he must be getting the message across, as he has only issued a second yellow eigth times in eight seasons.
Another interesting point. Phil has never, during his eight up years in the top flight, issued a RED card during an F.A. Cup-tie.
His liking to show yellow cards, 645 over 8 seasons goes a long way to giving him 6th place in the four years average table, with a mark-up of 39.92.
ANDRE MARRINER.
Andre has the distinction of being a New Years Baby. This occuring in 1971. Although his name may conjure up dreams of sunnier climes, Andre is actually a Brummie from Sheldon.
From Birmingham amateur fotball he has climbed the ladder to the Football League List in 2003. he was given his first Premiership match in 13th November the following year, before being added to the Select list the following year.
He was fourth official for this seasons Community Shield, in which Peter Walton replaced the suspended Mark Clattenberg.
Andre is 16th in the four year mark-up table with an average of 34.07.
In general his "card" figures are quite interesting. In the last two seasons in 39 Premiership matches he has issued 3 straight reds and 5 yellow/reds. Whereas in ALL games over the past two seasons he has shown 7 reds and 6 yellow/reds. That equates to 4.87 and 5.38 red cards respectively.
So whilst he’s one of the newer boys in the top flight, he’s not someone to mess with.
LEE PROBERT.
Lee is one of the newer recruits to the Premiership Select group. His first season was 2007/08.
Born in the South Gloucestershire area, in 1972, he now resides in Wiltshire.
He began his refereeing career in local Bristol leagues in 1986. Which would make him just 14 years old at the time. Twelve years later he was promoted the Football Leagues Assistants list.
His elevation to Full Referee Status came five years later. Four years later he was added to PGMOL’s Select Group. Not surprising as he had already handled two Premiership games with some skill.
His first full season in the Premiership saw him take charge of ten games. He gave out just nineteen yellows. In his other twenty seven games that season he only showed sixty two yellows,two yellow/reds and one straight red. His record for the current season is equally impressive. In all twenty eight games his tally is seventy two yellows, two yellow/reds and two reds. it seems fairly clear that he has a firm hold when he’s in charge. Surely one to look at when "selling" cards.
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Another Footnote.
Our old friend Stuart Attwell found himself "doing time" in the lower reaches of the footballing hierarchy, this weekend. He took charge of the Stevenage v Ebbsfleet Trophy match. Quite a comedown from the Premiership. It will be interesting to see how long he has to "serve".
Another whistler that I’ve mentioned recently is Peter Walton. It was rumoured that he would take over from Keith Hackett as the referees Supremo. However that must now be unlikely as he has been granted an extension to his Select Group contract. to enable him to carry on for at least one more season. This takes him over the normally accepted retirement age of 49. This must be a good move. Keep on an experienced man who knows his trade or promote another untried like Mr Attwell. It’s a no-brainer.
Next time I’ll look at some of the foreign referees and see what comparisons can be made.
