Meet The Ref - Latics v Everton - Lee Mason

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The crucial Wigan Athletic v Everton Premier League game at the DW Stadium on Saturday will be officiated by local referee, Bolton boy Lee Mason.

Charismatic Lee says that he was introduced to refereeing by an old sports teacher of his that wanted to keep him as far away from actually playing the game as possible, he also states that his wife Debbie has been the biggest influence on his career to date.

I hope she doesn`t show him a red card on the other playing surface for you know what, strange breed these ref`s.

Lee started refereeing in the Northwest Counties League in 1992 and he had progressed through to the Premier League by 2006.

The last Latics game that Lee Mason took charge of was the home 2-0 win against Wolves back in September, he was also the man in the middle of the Arsenal game at the DW Stadium last season when a thrilling last ten minutes saw the Latics come from 2-0 down to win the game 3-2, more of the same please.

Below is a recent interview Lee Mason gave to refworld.com:

How did you get introduced into refereeing?

I was introduced to refereeing by my sports teacher at school


What has been the highlight of your career so far?

The highlight of my career was being awarded a full time professional contract


What is the best game you have officiated and why?

The best game I have refereed was the League 1 play off final between Swansea and Barnsley played at the millennium stadium, Cardiff. The importance of the game for the teams and supporters meant that the game carried more responsibility and greater pressure than a normal league game/cup tie


What are your aims as a Select Group Referee?

My aims as a select group referee are to be considered the best referee for the big games within the respective competitions and to therefore receive the appropriate appointments that come with this consideration


What skills do you think you need to become a professional referee?

The most important skills you require as a professional referee are your man management ones and also to have supreme awareness of everything that is going on around you on the field.


Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?

The biggest influence on my refereeing career is my wife Debbie. We have been together for 14 years and without her I wouldn't be refereeing today because she is my biggest fan, critic, motivator and calming influence all rolled into one.


In your opinion who is/was the best referee?

This is a difficult question because the game has changed so much. For me, Ken Dagnall who refereed the 1966 world cup semi final is still universally respected and well known throughout the game despite having passed away over 12 years ago as is Jack Taylor who was Ken's predecessor and went onto to referee the 1974 final and is held in similar esteem through the refereeing world.

Lee Mason Card Watch 2010/11

Games - 30, yellows - 118, reds - 5




















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