Premiership Ref officiates SYKO CHALLENGE

Premiership referee Steve Bennett has been appointed as the match referee for the SYKO CHALLENGE at Margate’s Hartsdown Park on Sunday, 30^th April 2006.

The Kent referee started his senior career in the Kent League, Isthmian League and Conference before becoming a Football League Linesman in 1992. A year later he was promoted as a Premier League Linesman and in 1995 a FIFA Linesman.

But in 1995 he was promoted to the Football League Referees lit and subsequently made the FA Premier League Referees List in 1999. Since 2001 he has been a FIFA Referee.

He has an impressive list of appearances to his name including:

• Assistant Referee for the FA Cup Final, 1995 Manchester United v Everton; Division One Play-off Final, 1995 Bolton Wanderers v Reading
• Fourth Official for the FA Cup Final, 2001 Arsenal v Liverpool
• As referee for the Division One Play-Off Final, 2003 Sheffield Utd v Wolves; UEFA Euro 2004 Qualifier, 2003 Switzerland v Albania; FA Community Shield, 2003 Arsenal v Manchester United; UEFA Champions League, 2004 PSV Eindoven v FS Monaco; UEFA Champions League, 2004 Real Madrid v FC Porto

Meanwhile, an Ashford based company, GSE Group have agreed to sponsor the SYKO CHALLENGE.

GSE are best known in sporting circles for backing the Airwaves Ducati British Superbike racing team, who are the current British Champions.

In the past in various guises, the GSE team has launched the careers of former World Champions Troy Bayliss, Neil Hodgson and James Toseland through the British Championship.

Darryl Healey (the GSE Group chairman) and Kent resident, was delighted to have been approached by the SYKO team to assist with such a display of unity amongst the counties Sporting family.

Mr Healey said: "I learned of Paul's tragic death via my Dad who for his sins is a keen Folkestone Invicta supporter, (as well as a Leeds United fan). So when I was approached and asked if the Group would become involved with the event, I was more than happy.

“That is why I am more than happy for the GSE Group to be associated with the Syko Challenge, especially given that Paul was tragically taken from us at such a young age.

“Unfortunately, I wont be able to be in attendance on the day as the British Superbike Championship will be at the fourth round stage at Oulton park in Cheshire.

“But our thoughts will be with everyone at Hartsdown Park, and of course we wish Mike Green and Steve Wells and everyone involved in the day the very best of luck..."

For more details please visit the SYKO CHALLENGE website:
www.sykochallenge.margate-fc.com