The referee for this weekend’s match against Derby County will be Graham Salisbury of Lancashire. The Assistant Refs are Alan Greaves of South Yorkshire and Eddie King of Northumberland.
Mr Salisbury has reffed 28 matches so far this season (6 Div 1, 10 Div 2, 9 Div 3, 1 LC, 2 FAC); he has already handed out a huge 75 yellow cards and 7 red cards. The most yellow cards he’s given out in one match this season so far was seven – when Boston lost 2-1 to Carlisle in January.
Mr Salisbury officiated at our home game against Crystal Palace back in September when he booked Kevin Kyle, George McCartney and Marcus Stewart, as well as two Palace players. Kevin Kyle had given Sunderland the lead with a goal in first-half injury time, then Palace scored an equaliser in the 89th minute to leave Sunderland supporters fearing the Lads had given away two points – but referee Salisbury awarded Sunderland a penalty deep into injury time when a Sean Thornton corner was handled by Palace’s Shaun Derry; Stewart converted the spot kick with no trouble to secure three points at the death.