Mick
The Ref Aficionado.
Tuesday night's referee for the rather daunting looking fixture, on a ground we haven't lost at for just a couple of months short of 50 years, is Graham Horwood from Luton, in his 3rd year as a League referee and refereeing his first Southend away game. He has however made four visits to Roots Hall in his short League career and they weren't too bad. The most recent was the final home game of last season against Cheltenham. The other three were Rochdale in the cup and Bournemouth in the League the year before last and Hereford last year). So we have a 100% record with this official, mind you most of his red cards have been shown to away players and home advantage counts for more with some officials than others. Has been given a few Championship matches, which is usually a good sign.
He was appointed for the Cheltenham away League Cup tie but changed at the last minute when they cocked up the appointments.
He was then apponted for the away match this season at Brighton but withdrew through injury. So third time lucky (or unlucky!).
Average cards but he has a reputation of being a somewhat fussy referee.
Assisting will be JP Magill from Colchester (boo!) and Andy Newell from, strangely, Blackpool. Fourth official will be Dave Bushell from London.
He was appointed for the Cheltenham away League Cup tie but changed at the last minute when they cocked up the appointments.
He was then apponted for the away match this season at Brighton but withdrew through injury. So third time lucky (or unlucky!).
Average cards but he has a reputation of being a somewhat fussy referee.
Assisting will be JP Magill from Colchester (boo!) and Andy Newell from, strangely, Blackpool. Fourth official will be Dave Bushell from London.
