Mick
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The referee for tomorrow is relatively inexperienced in only his third season as a League referee. He is Bristol-born Kevin Johnson from Weston-Super-Mare, a shaven-headed 40 year old who works in property maintenance.
The former Bristol Evening Post newspaper printer was promoted to the Football League National panel of referees at the start of the 2014/15 season following six seasons in the middle for Conference games.
He began officiating during his late teens in the Bristol and Suburban and Gloucestershire County Leagues before taking charge of Western League and Southern League fixtures. A little later he progressed up the ladder to assistant referee with the Conference National before being given an opportunity eight seasons ago to referee at that level. His hopes of further progression were hampered by a persistent calf muscle injury which affected him during 2010/12, a condition he appears to have shaken off for good.
His first two seasons in the League went reasonably well, with a few Championship appointments. His card count has been decidedly average throughout. Thus far this season his 11 games have seen 33 yellows and just one red. He has been okay, or better, when I've seen him.
His last Southend match was the away game at Peterborough last season, a goalless draw when he was somewhat embarrassed by the incredible exhibition of semaphore flag waving by one of his assistants. That match saw yellows for Bolger and Hendrie but no home players.
Before that, his previous Southend matches were both home games. Firstly, 2014/15's home match against Shrewsbury when we won, and all the cards (4 yellows and a red) were shown to the visitors. Unsurprisingly there were few complaints.
Then last season he took charge of our home win over Scunthorpe, again few complaints with our only yellow going to Deegan and three for the visitors. So 100% home record with Mr Johnson.
He has refereed Chesterfield, again away, as recently as last month when he oversaw their defeat at Wimbledon. The only Chesterfield caution was Ched Evans.
His assistants are Chris Kidd, born in Cyprus now from Bicester, making his Roots Hall debut and Adrian Waters from Hemel Hempstead. The Fourth Official making his umpteenth visit to Roots Hall from Ipswich will once again be Nicholas Cooper.
The former Bristol Evening Post newspaper printer was promoted to the Football League National panel of referees at the start of the 2014/15 season following six seasons in the middle for Conference games.
He began officiating during his late teens in the Bristol and Suburban and Gloucestershire County Leagues before taking charge of Western League and Southern League fixtures. A little later he progressed up the ladder to assistant referee with the Conference National before being given an opportunity eight seasons ago to referee at that level. His hopes of further progression were hampered by a persistent calf muscle injury which affected him during 2010/12, a condition he appears to have shaken off for good.
His first two seasons in the League went reasonably well, with a few Championship appointments. His card count has been decidedly average throughout. Thus far this season his 11 games have seen 33 yellows and just one red. He has been okay, or better, when I've seen him.
His last Southend match was the away game at Peterborough last season, a goalless draw when he was somewhat embarrassed by the incredible exhibition of semaphore flag waving by one of his assistants. That match saw yellows for Bolger and Hendrie but no home players.
Before that, his previous Southend matches were both home games. Firstly, 2014/15's home match against Shrewsbury when we won, and all the cards (4 yellows and a red) were shown to the visitors. Unsurprisingly there were few complaints.
Then last season he took charge of our home win over Scunthorpe, again few complaints with our only yellow going to Deegan and three for the visitors. So 100% home record with Mr Johnson.
He has refereed Chesterfield, again away, as recently as last month when he oversaw their defeat at Wimbledon. The only Chesterfield caution was Ched Evans.
His assistants are Chris Kidd, born in Cyprus now from Bicester, making his Roots Hall debut and Adrian Waters from Hemel Hempstead. The Fourth Official making his umpteenth visit to Roots Hall from Ipswich will once again be Nicholas Cooper.
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