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.
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 has been an infrequent visitor to Fulham games and up to now had been officiating at just one game a season. What have we done to deserve a third appearance this season? This will be his 7th officiation at a Fulham Premiership game, 3 of which will be between Fulham and Charlton, surely just an accident. As Fulham have never won in the Premiership with him as the ref, losing 4 and drawing 2, hopefully we can break his duck on Saturday.
| Homer? (2004-2005) |
| Total |
Home |
Away |
Total |
| Games |
Fouls |
Yellow |
Red |
Pen |
Fouls |
Yellow |
Red |
Pen |
Fouls |
Yellow |
Red |
Pen |
| 18 |
241 |
28 |
0 |
1 |
243 |
34 |
3 |
3 |
484 |
62 |
3 |
4 |
| |
50% |
45% |
0% |
25% |
50% |
55% |
100% |
75% |
- |
- |
- |
- |
| Premiership Average |
| 13 |
48% |
39% |
38% |
62% |
52% |
61% |
62% |
38% |
340 |
34 |
2 |
3 |
|
| Although Ref Bennett is keeping himself busy whistling, dishing out cards and awarding penalties he is at least maintaining a remarkably evenhanded approach to home and away squads as far as fouls and yellow cards are concerned.Last season Ref Bennett was one of the top red carders, nearly one every two games, this season after eighteen games he has issued just three red cards but 100% have gone to visiting players.Chris Foy is the biggest Homer so far with an impressive 78% of yellows going to away squads. Does he actually sit down and review his own performance? |
|
Previous Fulham games what was refed by Steve Bennett
|
2004-2005
20-12-2004 Premier Charlton
2-1 Fulham 3y 0r
Bookings: Kishishev (Charlton) Diop ,Rosenior (Fulham)
16-10-2004 Premier Fulham
2-4 Liverpool 4y 1r
Bookings: Green (Fulham) Josemi(sent off 77 for 2nd yellow), Luis Garcia, Traore (Liverpool)
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 a 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 support 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)