2003/04 is Mike Dean's fourth Premiership season and his profile should rise considerably as he takes charge of more matches.

Some players might have a hard time taking orders from someone younger than them, but the Premiership's senior professionals will have to get used to it because there's a new kid on the block.

At 35, he is certainly one of the Barclaycard Premiership's youngest referees, but the Merseyside shift supervisor turned full-time ref has already taken charge of a Wembley final and so should be undaunted by the league's multi-millionaire stars.

Okay, the final in question was the Division Three play-off battle between Peterborough and Darlington, but the experience should ensure that Dean takes charge of a few key fixtures.

Referee Stats - 2003/2004
Ref Dean whistles less than the Premership average Ref and also gives out less yellow cards than the average. What can you say other than an average sort of guy. The only thing he is above average on is the number of games he has officiated at this season. With 20 games to his name so far only Ref Durkin and Winter have turned out more often.	Mr. Dean's Av Premiership Ref Total Match Avg Total Match Avg Games 20 16 Fouls 485 24.25 426 25.86 Yellows 57 2.85 48 2.90 Reds 3 0.15 2 0.15 Penalties 3 0.15 2 0.14 Fouls per Yellow - 8.51   8.93
Homer? (2003-2004) Total Home Away Total Games Fouls Yellow Red Fouls Yellow Red Fouls Yellow Red 20 248 30 2 237 27 1 485 57 3   51% 53% 67% 49% 47% 33% - - - Premiership Average 16 49% 44% 34% 51% 56% 66% 426 48 2	Ref Dean, who appears to be average on his overall figures does seem to have an issue with home squads. When ever he whistles the result is likely to go against the home side. In fact there are only two top ref's who have a worse bias against the home side! Hope he has not been selected to help Arsenal to the record.

2003/2004
12-04-2004 Premier Fulham 3 -4 Blackburn 0y 0r
After 12 minutes of the game, Blackburn frontman Stead was left clutching his face after an incident involving Zat Knight. Fulham centre-back Knight appeared to run into the Rovers striker as the duo ran back from a home attack. Blackburn players gestured that Knight had headbutted Stead but referee Mike Dean consulted his assistant and took no action. After the game the F. A. gave Zat an immediate 3 game suspension.
2002/2003
24-08-2002Premier Middlesbro 2-2 Fulham 5y 0r
Bookings: Ehiogu, Geremi, Marinelli (Middlesbro) Finnan, Malbranque (Fulham)
19-10-2002Premier Fulham 1-1 Man Utd 4y 0r
Bookings: Marlet (Fulham) Barthez, Beckham, Blanc (Man Utd)
This was the game where Barthez out psyched Steed over a penalty. Later Ref Dean was asked about the event. He said: " The Barthez penalty behaviour certainly generated some talking points and I learnt something that day as well. I will make sure everyone is ready in future before I blow my whistle to avoid anything like that again. Before a penalty there is a lot to look for with players trying to encroach and so you have a lot of possible distractions. As I said I will wait until everyone is ready before blowing my whistle and then there is no misunderstandings". Thats good!!

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