Ref Watch .... Donny away

[Mick]

Our referee for Friday night needs no introduction to Match of the Day viewers or other Premiership football watchers. Mark Halsey from Bolton is the man in charge. He has been a member of the Select Group of referees since its inception in 2001, he is a FIFA referee and refereed this year's Carling Cup Final. Despite this I am usually disappointed when I've seen him referee and he seems to spend too much time talking into those wretched mouthpieces rather than getting on with refereeing the game. Has a repution for being a bit arrogant. As SG referees go, his card count is unexceptional.

He played as a goal-keeper in non-league football for many years (incl Barnet and St Albans) before taking up the whistle in 1989 and now has many years of refereeing experience behind him. He was a regular official at Roots Hall in his earlier days when he lived in Welwyn Garden City, but we have seen little of him since he moved to Lancashire.

For those who sometimes forget just how far our club has come, perhaps you might cast your mind back just under 10 years to our home FA Cup tie against non-league Doncaster. It was an absolutely abject performance and we lost 1-0. Halsey was the man in charge for that match. (Donny have come a good way too since then, in fairness.)

Asistant referees are Andy Garratt and ex-FIFA Mike Tingey and completing the all star cast is 4th official Phil Dowd fresh from Middlesbrough's 8-1 win on Sunday.

 

[canveyshrimper]

I would have thought that Mr Halsey is fairly unique among refs, in that he has played at a fairly high level.

 

[Lord Football]

He is, and he has got to the Prem fairly quickly too.

One of the more sensible refs from the Premier bunch. And interesting appointment in as much as he isn't a FL regular.

 

[Rayleigh boy]

thanks for the usual most excellent and informative ref watch ....

lets hope he will look after our small forwards - particularly Barnard if he plays.

 

[rowhst101rhall]

I like Halsey, from the games he has taken charge in that I've seen, so I hope I.m not going to have changed my mind by the time we head south on the A1 on Friday night! lol!

 

[RickySUFC]

yh he is not a bad referee from what i remember
could be a lot worse

 

[rowhst101rhall]

If I remember rightly, he's not adverse to a swiftly taken free -kick, so I hope we've got ready for those at both end's of the park!

 

[DonnyRover]

He also reffed the first ever game at the Keepmoat sending off 3 players in a 3-0 win for Rovers in the derby with Huddersfield. Always a good ref and gets many decisions right that some don't. Best of the lot for me. I remember once at Belle Vue he emerged way later than the players to the ironic cheers of the whole crowd. Nice guy and a good ref.

 

[Streaky]

yh he is not a bad referee from what i remember
could be a lot worse

Steve Bennett or that bloke with 1 a bit arms would be my worse nightmare away from home..