RateTheRef

Mention of referees officiating their ‘local’ teams and mention of Clive Penton reminded me of a match at the then Madejski Stadium between Reading and Brighton. Mark Cowburn was named as referee with Mr Penton as fourth official.

Mr Cowburn pulled up lame at some point and handed over the whistle. Unfortunately Brighton scored a very controversial goal (can’t remember whether I thought the referee was right or wrong) and after the game Mr Penton’s home location began to be raised and there were all sorts of rumours that he was a Brighton supporter and that his immediate family were season ticket holders there. I’ve no idea if any of that was true.

If my memory serves me right Reading raised the matter with the Football League and got some sort of apology about the appointment although the League was quick to back the referee’s officiating.