Man In The Middle - Gillingham

Last updated : 13 November 2008 By Duke
With the whistle this week is Richard Beeby(Northamptonshire).

After the referees in the last two matches, who attracted some attention for differing reasons, let's hope he goes unnoticed, but I fear he might not!.

Richard works as a planning officer in local government.

His refereeing career began in the local Northampton leagues, eventually attaining Football League status in 1999.

Beeby is also listed by the Football Association as their Northamptonshire fitness coach.

In 2005 he refereed the FA Vase Final.

Although not on the Premier League list of referees, Beeby was given a "trial run" in that league on May 7, 2005, when he was man-in-the-middle for the Aston Villa v Manchester City tie at Villa Park, and was subsequently given two more fixtures in that league during the 2005-06 season.

Beeby has since been confined to operating in the three divisions of the Football League.

This Season in his 15 games in charge, he has reached into his top pocket 37 times, dishing out 33 yellows and 3 reds.

Assisting Beeby will be Garry Jerdan (Essex) and Paul Mellin (Sussex).

The Fourth Official is Ian Crouch (London).