Premiership referee attends Thanet meeting

Kent based Premiership referee Steve Bennett is the special guest for the Thanet Referee’s Association meeting on Thursday night, writes Stephen McCartney.

“We are very pleased to announce that FIFA and Premiership referee Steve Bennett is coming back to Thanet,” Arran Ayres, the referee’s secretary of the Belmonte Bowmanor Thanet Sunday Football League told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Steve is from Kent and started his refereeing career in 1984 and has moved through various leagues, reaching the Premiership list in 1999 and is also now a FIFA official.”

The meeting will take place on Thursday night at Saga, Westwood Cross, Broadstairs, starting at 7:30pm.

“The reason for change of venue is so Steve can do some interactive talk with the audience, and unfortunately the Red Arrows Club does not offer those facilities,” said Mr Ayres.

“We will be providing a small finger buffet and light refreshments. Also because of the venue has on site security, we need to submit names of people attending.

“Finally, I would like to thank Saga, Ramsgate Football Club and Thanet Referee’s Association for making this event possible.”

To attend this event, please contact Arran Ayres on 07817774945.

Details of Steve Bennett’s career:

Qualified in 1984 progressing via the Winstonlead Kent League, Isthmian League and GM Vauxhall Conference.

1992 Football League Linesman

1993 Premier League Linesman

1995 FIFA Linesman

1995 Football League Referees List

1999 FA Premier League Referees List

2001 FIFA Referees List

Name and date of important matches in Steve has officiated, and in what capacity:

1995 FA Cup Final - Manchester United v Everton - Linesman

1995 Div 1 Play-off Final - Linesman

2000 FA Youth Cup Final - Referee

2001 FA Cup Final - Arsenal v Liverpool - Fourth Official

2002 ‘A’ International, Nigeria v Paraguay - Referee; FIFA International -Bhutan v Monserratt - Referee

2003 Championship Play-Off Final - Referee; UEFA Euro 2004 qualifier Switzerland v Albania - Referee; FA Community Shield - Arsenal v Manchester United - Referee; 'A' International - Norway v Portugal - Referee; UEFA Champions League - PSV Eindoven v FS Monaco - Referee; UEFA Champions League - Real Madrid v FC Porto - Referee

2005 League Cup Final - Chelsea v Liverpool - Referee

2006 Champions League quarter-final - Benfica v Barcelona - Referee; 'A' International - Brazil v Argentina - Referee