Ken Stephenson
@kenstephenson.bsky.social
Football referee, Newcastle United Supporter. I support the Labour Party.
I agree its not the best picture.
January 26, 2026 at 12:50 PM
I agree its not the best picture.
Its Tommy Dawes. Not a ref I know much about. The only refs from 1970 I'd recognise are the likes of Jack Taylor,Clive Thomas,Norman Burtenshaw,Gordon Kew,Eric Jennings,Pat Partridge,Bob Matthewson & Ken Burns,the top refs of that era who all had either reffed the FA Cup Final or went on to ref it.
January 26, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Its Tommy Dawes. Not a ref I know much about. The only refs from 1970 I'd recognise are the likes of Jack Taylor,Clive Thomas,Norman Burtenshaw,Gordon Kew,Eric Jennings,Pat Partridge,Bob Matthewson & Ken Burns,the top refs of that era who all had either reffed the FA Cup Final or went on to ref it.
We all know what Guardiola is up to - hes doing the Ferguson trick of saying things publicly to put pressure on referees to give decisions in City's favour.
January 25, 2026 at 4:34 PM
We all know what Guardiola is up to - hes doing the Ferguson trick of saying things publicly to put pressure on referees to give decisions in City's favour.
Spot on. Villa are an excellent team who did a job on us today. I as a Newcastle supporter have no complaints the better team won.
January 25, 2026 at 4:29 PM
Spot on. Villa are an excellent team who did a job on us today. I as a Newcastle supporter have no complaints the better team won.
I think Oliver and Taylor stand out miles ahead of the rest, Gillet is the best of the rest. I'm astounded Kavanagh is now considered as an Elite referee at international level making him eligible to referee at the World Cup or European Championships!
January 25, 2026 at 4:27 PM
I think Oliver and Taylor stand out miles ahead of the rest, Gillet is the best of the rest. I'm astounded Kavanagh is now considered as an Elite referee at international level making him eligible to referee at the World Cup or European Championships!
Its been a good week for English Clubs in the Champions League, Newcastle were brilliant last night against PSV, who hammered Liverpool earlier in this seasons Champions League 4-1.
January 22, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Its been a good week for English Clubs in the Champions League, Newcastle were brilliant last night against PSV, who hammered Liverpool earlier in this seasons Champions League 4-1.
I love his stories! Id love to listen to him in person as well, I have heard some brilliant talks by some refs I'll bet he's amongst the best of them!
January 20, 2026 at 9:20 PM
I love his stories! Id love to listen to him in person as well, I have heard some brilliant talks by some refs I'll bet he's amongst the best of them!
Yes, it is you are correct. I remember the first time I saw a photo of John Yates, I mistakenly thought he was Clive Thomas - from a photo in around 1970.
January 18, 2026 at 6:34 PM
Yes, it is you are correct. I remember the first time I saw a photo of John Yates, I mistakenly thought he was Clive Thomas - from a photo in around 1970.
I thought you would have recognised him, he was one of England's higher profile referees. He had a long career, 1973 until 1987, and was a Linesman from 1966 before being promoted to the referees list. He got big games but not Cup Finals nor did he become a FIFA ref.
January 15, 2026 at 9:51 AM
I thought you would have recognised him, he was one of England's higher profile referees. He had a long career, 1973 until 1987, and was a Linesman from 1966 before being promoted to the referees list. He got big games but not Cup Finals nor did he become a FIFA ref.
I misspelt, it is spelt Seel not Seal. Yup, you are about the announcement he made.
January 15, 2026 at 9:47 AM
I misspelt, it is spelt Seel not Seal. Yup, you are about the announcement he made.
Seal is also one of the few refs to send off a player in an FA Cup Semi-Final. In 1980 he sent off Everton's Brian Kidd when they lost to West Ham.
January 14, 2026 at 10:38 PM
Seal is also one of the few refs to send off a player in an FA Cup Semi-Final. In 1980 he sent off Everton's Brian Kidd when they lost to West Ham.
Eamon has correctly identified him - it is Colin Seal.
January 14, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Eamon has correctly identified him - it is Colin Seal.
Yup it is Colin Seal, it was an FA Cup tie, you are correct.
January 14, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Yup it is Colin Seal, it was an FA Cup tie, you are correct.
Does this help? It's from the same match - Leeds V Man City in 1978. The ref is telling Leeds supporters to leave the pitch who have invaded the pitch and that the match will not be abandoned.
January 14, 2026 at 8:29 PM
Does this help? It's from the same match - Leeds V Man City in 1978. The ref is telling Leeds supporters to leave the pitch who have invaded the pitch and that the match will not be abandoned.
Same with Sebastian Coe!
January 14, 2026 at 4:42 PM
Same with Sebastian Coe!
And to think refs of the past like Wiley, Winter, Wilkie, Hart & Willis never made the FIFA list! Refs that today would all be far better than all of the current English FIFA refs!
January 14, 2026 at 1:18 PM
And to think refs of the past like Wiley, Winter, Wilkie, Hart & Willis never made the FIFA list! Refs that today would all be far better than all of the current English FIFA refs!
Yous have an even more useless ref tonight, Eamon - Simon Hooper!
January 14, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Yous have an even more useless ref tonight, Eamon - Simon Hooper!
Looking at it with the naked eye I thought Harland was level. Saying that if he was in an Offside position as he turned out to be, I do think he interfered with play.
January 14, 2026 at 12:46 PM
Looking at it with the naked eye I thought Harland was level. Saying that if he was in an Offside position as he turned out to be, I do think he interfered with play.