Steve Bennett, Orpington, Kent.

Steve Bennett 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.

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

He is an infrequent visitor to Fulham games and up to now has been officiating at just one game a season. As Fulham have never won in the Premiership with him as the ref one game a year may be one too many. Coincidentally, presumably, his last Fulham game was last season's visit to Anfield when The Cottagers drew 0-0 at Liverpool despite Mr Bennett.

Referee Stats - 2003/2004
Ref Bennett is issuing 40% more yellows so far this season but is whistling marginally less often. As far as red cards are concerned he has issued one in three games as opposed to nine in twenty games last season. Bennett is one of the top yellow carders this season averaging 4 per game. Mr Bennett may be a little calmer during his visit to The Cottage as it is his first Premiership game since his shirt lifting experience with Mr Cahill	Mr. Bennett's Av Premiership Ref Total Match Avg Total Match Avg Games 3 4 Fouls 75 25.00 112 26.26 Yellows 12 4.00 11 2.51 Reds 1 0.33 0.5 0.12 Penalties 2 0.67 1 0.15 Fouls per Yellow - 6.25   10.48
Homer? (2003-2004) Total Home Away Total Games Fouls Yellow Red Fouls Yellow Red Fouls Yellow Red 3 41 4 0 34 8 1 75 12 1   55% 33% 0% 45% 67% 100% - - - Premiership Average 4 48% 44% 30% 49% 60% 70% 112 11 1	Ref Bennett has continued his bias against visiting squads giving less fouls to visitors but giving them twice as many cards. Lets hope he keeps to his routine on Saturday Last season Ref Bennett was one of the top red carders, nearly one every two games, this season after three games he has issued one red card. Last season nearly 90% of of Ref Bennett's red cards went to visiting players.Phil Dowd is still the biggest Homer so far with 73% of yellows going to away squads.

2003-2004
17-04-2004 Premiership Liverpool 0-0 Fulham 3y 0r
Bookings: Bocanegra, Goma, John (Fulham)
Steve Bennett whistled for 16 Liverpool fouls and did not follow-up with a single yellow card. He whistled for 10 Fulham fouls and followed up with three yellow cards. Bennett also helped Liverpool by giving them dubious penalty which van der Sar saved. Sounds fair.2002-2003
22-03-2003 Premiership Man Utd 3-0 Fulham 3y 0r
Bookings: Ferdinand, Gary Neville (Man Utd) Melville (Fulham) 29-01-2003 Premiership Man City 4-1 Fulham 29-01-2003 4y 0r
Bookings: Foe, Jensen, Sommeil (Man City) Boa Morte (Fulham) 2001-2002
26-12-2001 Premiership 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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