x

Refwatch Preview: Grimsby (h)

We have the pleasure of Trevor Kettle officiating at Spotland this weekend, meaning puns a plenty all around. TVOS did his usual bit on him.

After Andy Hall’s strict application of the letter of the law last Saturday, this coming weekend we will encounter a referee who has made a name for that sort of thing.

Trevor Kettle is the man in charge and it’s fair to say his reputation really does go before him.

Indeed, on the referee-biased website Rate The Ref, Kettle is often berated for his decision-making, which is described as being erratic and, at times, out of control!

Ipswich fan and former referee ‘Nemesis’ said: ‘I have seen several games which he has absolutely ruined as a spectacle, others he has seriously jeopardised and a few which have survived despite him rather than because of him. And a very small number when he has been okay-ish.

‘I chose the term loose cannon carefully as it reflects his performances pretty well. He has ruined too many paying customers afternoons and evenings and I would not use him as a positive example of any aspect of refereeing.’

So, we have been warned!

Mr Kettle is in his sixth season as a league referee, a promotion that has always been clouded in controversy due to his father-in-law being in charge of Football League officials back in 2003.

He has a reputation for awarding penalties for next to nothing and for flashing yellow and red cards willy-nilly.

This was never more evident than in Dale’s game at Scunthorpe in April 2004.

This was the match when the goose famously landed on the pitch, but even that couldn’t take the limelight away from Mr Kettle, who managed to book 10 (TEN) players, most of them for just breathing!

Earlier in that season he had sent-off Michael Simpkins, together with a Torquay player, in our 3-1 win at Plainmoor.

Indeed, in that 2003/04 campaign, Kettle’s 28 matches produced 131 yellow cards and 13 red!

His last Dale game was at Spotland in October 2006 when we were well beaten 3-1 by Stockport.

Altogether this season (before Brighton v Northampton on Tuesday), Trevor had refereed 23 games, showing 62 yellow cards and six red.

REFWORLD PROFILE: http://www.refworld.com/referee/146/0

Other famous Trevors

Other famous Kettles

What to read next:

Middlesbrough 3 - 4 Leeds United - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Swansea City - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Southampton 1 - 1 Middlesbrough - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Queens Park Rangers 0 - 2 Middlesbrough - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Swansea City 1 - 2 Middlesbrough - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Leeds United 3 - 2 Middlesbrough - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Southampton - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Swansea City 1 - 3 Middlesbrough - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.
Middlesbrough 3 - 1 Queens Park Rangers - Player Ratings and Reports
If you saw the match, please give us your player ratings and a mini match report.