Mick
Life President
Just when we can do without any suspensions, they send Iain Williamson from Berkshire who is in his 9th season as a League referee. Played non-league for Walton & Hersham until injury forced him into refereeing.
We have seen quite a lot of him, this being his thirteenth Southend match in charge. Ten of the previous twelve have been home games, the odd ones out being the dreadful performance at Burton the season before last (ours not his - although he wasn't great cautioning 4 of ours and 1 of theirs) and our early season defeat at QPR a few years ago.
Most recent home match was deep into last season against Rotherham when we lost 2-0. Both bookings were theirs and Cresswell was an unused sub.
Other home games include a Drewe dismissal against Oxford, the Freddy Eastwood frivolous appeal match against Southampton in the League Cup, the 1-0 home defeat against Derby and more recently the Cup replay against Telford. His twelve matches have produced just 20 goals and a multitude of bookings and needless interuptions. His most recent home game was the 1-1 draw with Stockport the season before last, with just the 7 yellows shared fairly equally (well as equal as you can with an odd number).
However, for us his most memorable appearance at Roots Hall was just a few eventful years ago when, as 4th official, he held up the numbers board at our historic victory over Manchester United.
Last season his card count was at its lowest throughout his career but he's got off to a lively start this time round with 16 yellows and 2 reds from just 4 games. He is a referee I would always much rather see on home games than away ones.
The two assistants will be Craig Hicks from Sutton who works for Surrey FA and John O'Brien from London. One-time fan, Rob Whitton, from Chelmsford is 4th official.
We have seen quite a lot of him, this being his thirteenth Southend match in charge. Ten of the previous twelve have been home games, the odd ones out being the dreadful performance at Burton the season before last (ours not his - although he wasn't great cautioning 4 of ours and 1 of theirs) and our early season defeat at QPR a few years ago.
Most recent home match was deep into last season against Rotherham when we lost 2-0. Both bookings were theirs and Cresswell was an unused sub.
Other home games include a Drewe dismissal against Oxford, the Freddy Eastwood frivolous appeal match against Southampton in the League Cup, the 1-0 home defeat against Derby and more recently the Cup replay against Telford. His twelve matches have produced just 20 goals and a multitude of bookings and needless interuptions. His most recent home game was the 1-1 draw with Stockport the season before last, with just the 7 yellows shared fairly equally (well as equal as you can with an odd number).
However, for us his most memorable appearance at Roots Hall was just a few eventful years ago when, as 4th official, he held up the numbers board at our historic victory over Manchester United.
Last season his card count was at its lowest throughout his career but he's got off to a lively start this time round with 16 yellows and 2 reds from just 4 games. He is a referee I would always much rather see on home games than away ones.
The two assistants will be Craig Hicks from Sutton who works for Surrey FA and John O'Brien from London. One-time fan, Rob Whitton, from Chelmsford is 4th official.
Last edited:
