Meet The Ref - Villa v Latics - Mark Clattenburg

The Aston Villa v Wigan Athletic Premier League clash this Saturday at Villa Park will be refereed by Consett official Mark Clattenburg, who believe it or not, started refereeing at the tender age of 15 as part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

At 36 years old Clattenburg may be one of the Premier League's youngest officials but his hair is one of life`s great mysteries. A couple of years ago the old cat's arse was creeping in, but suddenly there appears to be a bit of re-growth, I always thought when it's gone, it's gone, obviously not.


Baldy, baldy ref...

In a recent interview with refworld.com Clattenburg says he got into refereeing because he was rubbish at football and that his dad helped him through the bad times in his early career as a ref, what do you do if your also rubbish at being a ref? Anyhow here's an excerpt from the interview:

How did you get introduced into refereeing?

I was 15-years-old and was approached by my school teacher who asked me if I would take my refereeing course - either he was telling me I was rubbish at football or I didn't understand the rule of football.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Achieving my goals that I set out to achieve at the start of each football season. From a refereeing point of view, my first Euro match involving Denmark and Liechtenstein and also making the Premier League refereeing list.

What is the best game you have officiated and why?

Tottenham and Arsenal a couple of seasons back as the pressure of a derby match as well as a tough Premier League match. I got so much satisfaction from being part of a thrilling match.

What are your aims as a Select Group Referee?

To maintain my position, work hard and listen to people to help me become a better Referee.

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

You need courage, personality and have a fitness which can sometimes match the players.

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

My dad, he give me the opportunity and also supported me through the bad times of my early refereeing career. I would have packed up during the troubled times if there was no one to support me and listen to me.

In your opinion who is/was the best Referee?

The person I looked up to was George Courtney. His personality and the way he controlled a match was a joy to watch.

Mark Clattenburg Card Watch 2011/12:

Games - 4, yellows - 8, reds - 1

A bit of trivia, Clattenburg comes from Consett, where`s that? I hear you cry, well say Consett in a Geordie accent and you'll not be too far off, (again in a Geordie accent) it's in County Durham, like.

Consett has a population of just 27,000 but there are a few famous people to have sprouted out of the town, Mark Clattenburg, obviously, Rowan Attkinson (Black Adder and Mr Bean), Alun Armstrong, renowned actor, very ugly, you know, Braveheart, that TV retired coppers thing, New Tricks with Dennis Waterman

England cricketer Paul Collingwood, and actress Denise Welch who was in Corrie and is married to Tim Healey. Also Consett is famous for Phileas Fogg crisp and providing the steel that built Blackpool Tower.

Well there you go, not only did you meet the ref, but also got a little trivia on a small town in the North East



















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