The man with the whistle on Saturday will be Hertfordshire's Chris Sarginson, elected to the National League of Referees in 2008, although he has experience of Premier League matches as a Select Group Assistant.

This does not make him any gentler with handing out yellow cards. He has already given one to a Norwich player this season, Andrew Crofts, in the away game at Scunthorpe.

So far this season, including the game at Scunthorpe, Sarginson has referee'd 14 matches. In those he has issued one red card and 45 yellow ones. An average of 3.21 cards a game.

Sarginson had this to say about his career.

How did you get introduced into refereeing?  

Sunday morning football - 15 years ago. I finished playing through injury and became a club secretary then a referee. I never had any intention of entering the professional game but always applied for promotion. I soon realised that I could become - Select Group Assistant even National Group Referee?

What has been the highlight of your career so far? 

Division 2 Play off Final at Cardiff - 2004 followed by promotion onto Select Group Assistant Referee's for 2005/2006 season where I have maintained my status until current.

Sunderland v Newcastle - Premier League 2005 because of the atmosphere in my first season as a Select Group Assistant. I have never since had this kind of atmosphere at any game I have officiated at.

What are your aims as a Select Group Assistant Referee?

Apart from promotion onto the National List Referee's List so therefore withdrawal (assuming this does not happen for me) then I would like to remain on the Select Group List of Assistant Referee's  until retirement at 48 and beyond? I then intend to be competitive on the merit list every year targeting band A finish every season? 

What skills do you think you need to become a Select Group Assistant Referee? 

Fitness, calmness, good decision making, good knowledge of the laws of the game, communication skills - both with your fellow match officials and also the players / club officials, ability to handle pressure, flexibility with travel, commitment for both training and attending games all over country at any available date.

Paul Rejer - both a friend and a coach. Always able to communicate with when I need to. Accept when I am wrong when he tells me likewise I take the credit when he supports me. Paul has done a lot to raise the profile of the group since I have been a member. He is also well respected amongst the group!  

In your opinion who is/was the best Assistant Referee? 

Phil Sharp certainly was and is the person I look up to and respect. Because of the high standard now within the Select group difficult to say who currently is the best? If I asked my 12 year lad he would also say Phil Sharp. To me he is the most high profile match official amongst our group!

(Courtesy of RefWorld.com)

Sarginson's assistants will be Steve Cook and John Farries, while the Fourth Official will be James Adcock.

Photo: Action Images

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