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 an infamous near-riot.

In 2004 got in trouble with FIFA for giving a second yellow to an Everton player for keeping his shirt on but lifting it over his head

Ref Bennett has officiated at 14 Fulham Premiership games in which Fulham have gained just two victories, six draws and six defeats. However one of the wins was last seasons 1-0 win against Liverpool so that must be worth at least 5 wins. He has now sent off Diop twice both times for two yellows.

Mr Bennett has never been involved in a Villa and Fulham Premiership game but hopefully Mr Bennett can be involved in another winning result for Fulham on Saturday.So far this season Mr Bennett has officiated at 3 Premiership games dishing out 10 yellows, 2 reds and no penalties.

Referee Stats - 2006/2007

Ref Bennett is one of the busier yellowcard issuer in the Premiership but at least he manages to keep his whistle in his pocket more than most of his collegue refs. The worry for players is that if he whistles the yellow peril is more likely to appear than normal.He is also twice as likely, in comparison to the average ref, to produce a red. However Ref Bennett has reduced his penalty per game ratio to 1 in 9 games from 1 in 5 games for the last two seasons, presumably in the league's campaign against divers.

Mr. Bennett's Av Premiership Ref Total Match Avg Pos Total Match Avg Games 28     19   Fouls 658 23.5 15th 476 25.0 Yellows 94 3.4 7th 61 3.2 Reds 5 0.2 6th 3 0.1 Penalties 4 0.1 15th 5 0.3 Fouls per Yellow - 7.0 5th - 7.8

Homer? (2006-2007) Total Home Away Total Games Fouls Yellow Red Pen Fouls Yellow Red Pen Fouls Yellow Red Pen 28 326 34 2 3 332 60 3 1 658 94 5 4   50% 36% 40% 75% 50% 64% 60% 25%         Premiership Average 19 49% 43% 32% 59% 51% 57% 68% 41% 476 61 3 5

After 28 games last season Ref Bennett has managed to split his fouls 50-50 between home and away players, no mean achievement. In relation to yel, reds and pens he has a clear bias towards home teams.