Jones is referee for Walsall clash

Last updated : 03 October 2003 By Tony Scholes

That wonderful moment when Hignett sees red
The Chester based official probably provided us with the best laugh of the season in 2002/03 on his last visit to Turf Moor. That was the game against Coventry and Jones was the referee who sent off Craig Hignett not far from the penalty box at the Bee Hole End and subjected him to a taunted long walk back to the dressing rooms.

Hignett’s crime had been to gesture at the assistant after being caught offside, but it was a red card that the home fans certainly seemed to enjoy.

He has had a couple of poor Burnley games in the past, awarding a ridiculous penalty in the last minute at Chesterfield in Stan’s first away league match in charge, it cost us the game, and at Wolves three years later turning in a 100% homers performance.

But he’s not completely card crazy like some referees and so far this season is averaging just around three a game with 25 in 8 games. He can add just the one red card to that when he sent off Peterborough’s Simon Rea in a 2-1 home defeat against Colchester. There were also eight yellow cards in this game.

Posh coach Phil Chapple complained after the game, "I did feel the referee was a bit keen to book people but then again they are given directives to book people for certain things.

"I didn’t think he was consistent and I thought there were a few cheap bookings but unfortunately we cannot do anything about it."

To be fair, in terms of cards, that match was not commonplace for this referee and last season he handed out just 76 yellow and 3 red (including Hignett of course) in 30 games. Twice last season he kept his cards in his pocket throughout games and incredibly these both involved Rotherham.

Tomorrow he will be assisted at the Turf by Gary Hilton (Lancs) Keith Wilkinson (Tyne &Wear).

Previous Burnley games:

Season

Opps

V

Res

Y

R

Burnley players carded

a

2002/03

Coventry

h

3-1

1

1

2001/02

Wimbledon

h

3-2

5

0

A Moore

2000/01

Wolves

a

0-1

2

0

Cooke Weller

1999/2000

Bristol City

a

0-0

3

0

Mullin

1998/99

Chesterfield

a

0-1

3

0

Cooke

1997/98

Brentford

h

1-1

2

0

Payton