Crystal Palace and Luton supporters at their game at Selhurst Park experienced something probably not seen before at a Premier League match.
Sunny Singh Gill, who is the first British South Asian to referee a Premier League Match, stopped at the half-time interval to sign autographs for fans on his way to the changing rooms.
Former Premier League referee Mike Dean, called it ‘bang out of order’. He probably felt that it might look like favouritism by the opposing fans, particularly if they questioned any of the referee’s decisions in the second half.
Referees do not often have many fans on the terraces so I doubt if it’s something that supporters are likely to request, and after the match both managers praised Sunny on his performance.
As referees we usually suffer abuse but occasionally get praise. I remember being applauded at full-time when refereeing one Saturday at Oxford City’s old ground, where the players and officials entrance to the pitch went through the seated stand.
By chance I was also appointed to another game there on the following Friday, an evening match. One supporter leant over as I walked back to the changing room and shouted, ‘not bad ref, but not as good as last Saturday’. Praise indeed.
I must admit to signing autographs. I should make it clear these were after charity/celebrity matches, which were all the rage at one time.
The most memorable was at a game in Surrey which featured a good number of well-known celebrities.
As I walked back to the changing room at full time, I was surrounded by autograph hunters and as I signed their books, I spotted the person they probably had come to see but had their backs to. Rod Stewart, pop singer and keen footballer, walked back unmolested to the changing room.
Another occasion took place at Elm Park, Reading FC’s old ground. On leaving at the end of the game, I discovered ‘Diddy’ David Hamilton, the well-known disc jockey who was playing, surrounded by young women with autograph books in their hands.
Probably to ease the pressure on himself, he pointed at me, and told them.’ You’ve got to get his as well’. They then turned on me to sign, although they had no idea who I was.
I suspect that many of them in years to come looked at my signature in their autograph books, and said to themselves, ‘who the heck was he?’
At least those who have Sunny Singh Gill’s name in their book will be able to boast, ‘he was a trailblazing referee’.
