Quote ="Smithers99"DC - I think our goal was offside anyway, but no VAR at this level.
The reason for the long delay was an injury to the referee who had to be replaced. Followed by a PA announcement "Do we have a qualified official in the crowd?". Apparently a 21 year old Essex local league referee volunteered. I think they needed to replace the 4th official (who became the ref) as the original referee wasn't initially fit enough to move to the 4th official role.
Five seconds after the 4th official took over as referee, he gave a dubious foul against Wimbledon in the centre circle to be met with the chant "You're not fit to referee" which was quite funny.
Second time this season a referee has had to withdraw in the first half; happened in our first match back against Carlisle after the pitch collapse. Not related! Was part of the pitch a referee won't even enter once most matches.
I also remember two or three years ago a Wimbledon volunteer becoming 4th official mid match.
Some may remember the famous incident in the seventies when an appeal went out to the crowd at Arsenal (against Liverpool) for a qualified official to run the touchline. Step forward Jimmy Hill who was in the crowd as a spectator.'"
I’m old enough to say I do remember that!
I also remember being at a West Ham game when the ref was KO’ed ( think he was hit really hard by the ball) and Bobby Moore blew the ref’s whistle to stop the game!
