Steve Bennett, Orpington, Kent.

With just a few seasons in the Barclaycard Premiership behind him, Steve Bennett is not yet ready to abandon his living as a teacher and throw himself into the refereeing full time. But if he did, at least he'd still get to hand out discipline.

He spent five seasons refereeing in the Nationwide before making the step up to the big time, but made a name for himself as a linesman - joining the league list in 1992. His career highlight came in 1995, when he was the 'referee's assistant' for the 1995 FA Cup final. That year he was also the referee for the Division One play-off final.

Bennett has now been elevated to the hallowed ranks of the FIFA list. He hit the headlines in his first game in 2003/04, sending off Francis Jeffers in a bad-tempered Community Shield match between Arsenal and Manchester United.

When he was called to officiate in their next league meeting at Old Trafford, eyebrows were raised, and he was again caught up in the controversy after sending off Patrick Vieira, which incited a near-riot. However, Bennett's performance was good and he will continue to be chosen for the big games.

Bennett is on record for wanting the end of action replays on TV. Wonder why?

Referee Stats - 2003/2004
Ref Bennett is issuing 25% less yellows this season but is whistling marginally more often and has issued nearly three times more reds cards than he did last season. Bennett is one of the top five most frequent whistlers in the Premiership but exactly average in terms of number of yellows issued per game. He is also one of the top two red carders beaten only by Red Card Rob Styles. He has issued another 3 red cards this season in the Nationwide and cup competions. Does he have one last red card in him before the end of the season?	Mr. Bennett's Av Premiership Ref Total Match Avg Total Match Avg Games 19 17 Fouls 525 27.63 436 25.85 Yellows 55 2.89 49 2.89 Reds 8 0.42 3 0.15 Penalties 3 0.16 3 0.15 Fouls per Yellow - 9.55   8.95
Homer? (2003-2004) Total Home Away Total Games Fouls Yellow Red Fouls Yellow Red Fouls Yellow Red 19 250 25 1 275 30 7 525 55 8   48% 45% 13% 52% 55% 88% - - - Premiership Average 17 48% 44% 35% 52% 56% 65% 436 49 3	Ref Bennett has a clear bias against visiting squads however in relation to fouls and yellows it is in line with the Premiership referee's average. The problem is that Ref Bennett is one of the top red carders, nearly one every two games, beaten only by Red Card Rob Styles. Nearly 90% of of Ref Bennett's red cards go to visiting players.Retiring Jeff Winter is still the biggest Homer with 76% of yellows going to away squads.

2003-2004
17-04-2004 Premier Liverpool 0-0 Fulham 3y 0r
Bookings: Bocanegra, Goma, John (Fulham) 2002-2003
22-03-2003 Premier Man Utd 3-0 Fulham 3y 0r
Bookings: Ferdinand, Gary Neville (Man Utd) Melville (Fulham) 29-01-2003 Premier Man City 4-1 Fulham 29-01-2003 4y 0r
Bookings: Foe, Jensen, Sommeil (Man City) Boa Morte (Fulham) 2001-2002
26-12-2001 Premier Fulham 0-0 Charlton 3y 0r
Bookings: Boa Morte, Hayles (Fulham) Parker (Charlton)
Steve Bennett booked Luis Boa Morte for diving, a decision greeted with apoplexy throughout the ground. Graham Stuart's tackle looked solid enough to fell a grizzly. "He is a victim in this circumstance," said Fulham's assistant manager Christian Damiano "You only need look at the television replay." Which did indeed supported Damiano's argument.2000-2001
04-11-2000 Division 1 Fulham 3-0 Huddersfield 6y 1r
Bookings: Fernandes, Saha (Fulham) Jenkins, Kozluk, Lucketti, Sellars (sent off 69, 2nd yellow)(Huddersfield)

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