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.
Bennet has now been elevated to the hallowed ranks of the FIFA list.
He hit the headlines in his first game in 2002/03, 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 |
| |
Mr. Bennett's |
Av Premiership Ref |
|
Total |
Match Avg |
Total |
Match Avg |
| Games |
6 |
|
5 |
|
| Fouls |
162 |
27.00 |
126 |
27.71 |
| Penalties |
1 |
0.17 |
1 |
0.21 |
| Yellows |
21 |
3.50 |
18 |
3.96 |
| Reds |
4 |
0.67 |
1 |
0.22 |
| Fouls per Yellow |
|
7.71 |
|
8.33 |
Ref Bennett seems to be be just below the Premiership average on most counts except red cards where he has dished out 4 in his last 6 Premiership games and 6 in his last 8 Nationwide and Premiership games.
As far as bias goes the only clear issue is in relation to his red cards where 75% of the 4 he has issued have gone against visiting teams.
| Homer? (2003-2004) |
| Total |
Home |
Away |
Total |
| Games |
Fouls |
Yellow |
Red |
Fouls |
Yellow |
Red |
Fouls |
Yellow |
Red |
| 6 |
80 |
10 |
1 |
82 |
11 |
3 |
162 |
21 |
4 |
| |
49% |
49% |
25% |
51% |
52% |
75% |
|
|
|
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 3 0
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 6 1
Bookings: Fernandes, Saha (Fulham) Jenkins, Kozluk, Lucketti, Sellars (sent off 69, 2nd yellow)(Huddersfield)