Ref Watch

Last updated : 19 April 2002 By Andy Beill
33-year-old Mr. Jones - in his fifth season as a league ref - will be in the middle for tomorrow's match. This year he has shown 9 red cards in 35 games, and cautioned 111.

It will be the second time he has been referee for Hull City this season. The last time was at Darlington in October, when he made some controversial and baffling decisions.

City kicked off the match in their silver away shirts and Darlington's white away shorts due to a clash, while the home side were wearing their usual white shirts and black shorts. However, 10 minutes in Mr. Jones ordered that Darlington must change into their red away shirts due to a kit clash - something which surely should have been spotted prior to kick-off.

In the match itself, he gave City a penalty - which Gary Alexander scored - when Rodney Rowe went down in the box.

But a minute later City's fortunes changed, as David Beresford was sent off for kicking an opposition player. City held on to win 1-0.

Mr. Jones' first ever match as a league referee was for City's defeat at Mansfield in August 1997. It was also Mark Hateley's debut as Hull City manager, but it finished 2-0 to the Stags.

Since then he has ref'd City 3-1 Colchester in December '97, City 2-3 Brentford in September '98, Southend 1-2 City in November '99, City 2-1 Carlisle in November 2000 and the 1-0 win at Darlington this season.