Fed-up ref sends off his own assistant

Jim Monk had angered ref Ron Marsden so much that he sent him off 10 minutes before the end of the match between the second teams of Blackrod FC and Preston's Springfield FC.

Mr Monk, who is club president of Blackrod, has volunteered his services as a linesman for the past three years and claims he has never run into problems with a referee before.

The father-of-four, who is a Mormon lay preacher, is well known in footballing circles for his good humoured nature and admitted he had behaved out of character.

Mr Monk, aged 54, who has been playing football in Blackrod for the past 30 years, had accused the other linesman of being a "cheat", but claimed the match had been heated from the start with Springfield supporters shouting abuse at a group of wives and girlfriends of their opponents.

Despite the drama between the referee and linesman, the Blackrod team still stole the show and won 4-3.

Mr Monk, who lives at Wood's Barn Farm, Blackrod, and runs a dry-cleaning service in Anderton, has not been deterred in his passion for the game and is determined to carry on as a linesman.

He said: "I was more than shocked when I was sent off, but I just have to take the consequences.

"The other team was using a lot of bad language and there was a lot of antagonism towards us.

"But over the years I have had plenty of pleasant experiences as a linesman with a cordial atmosphere at most matches.

"I have not been put off, but I wouldn't really fancy being a linesman if the same man is refereeing."

Chairman of Springfield FC, Geoff Mason, watched the game at the ground in the Lea area of Preston and said: "Nothing that happens at a football match surprises me!

"I have seen referees walk off in the middle of a game. There is lots of rivalry between the teams and I wasn't surprised when the linesman was sent off.

"But we have got no qualms about going to Blackrod for an away game and aren't expecting any trouble."

Ron Marsden was unavailable for comment.