The man in charge of the Millers Cup game at the KC Stadium on Saturday is …..
Darren Sheldrake from Surrey.
This is Darren`s sixth season on the National List of Referees, after he got into refereeing when his local club asked if he would take a course and be in the middle for their junior football games.
The last time Darren was in charge of a Millers match was a year ago in League Two when the Millers travelled to Home Park to take on Plymouth Argyle. Former Miller, Will Atkinson put the home side in front four minutes into the second half but two goals from Gareth Evans followed by two for Adam Le Fondre gave the Millers all three points to help them on the long journey home. The only card shown that day was to Millers’ defender Tom Newey.
The only other time Darren has been in the middle for a Millers’ game was in a re-arranged game with Gillingham at the Priestfield Stadium in February 2011. Cody McDonald put the home side in front on just five minutes with Nicky Law getting an equaliser two minutes later. McDonald struck again on thirty-six minutes with Dennis Oli making it three-one to the Gills a minute from time. Adam Le Fondre was the only Miller booked on the night.
Back in November 2007 Darren apologised to Steve Evans, then boss of non-league Crawley, for missing a handball incident that should have given Crawley a penalty which might have led to a draw against Torquay instead of losing three-two. At the time Evans said that the apology was ‘refreshing’ and went on to say that he thought Darren would referee in the Football League or even higher.
Last season Darren showed eighty-nine yellow cards and eight red cards (one to former Miller David Artell playing for Crewe) in thirty-two games.
Running the line on Saturday will be
Tony Peart from North Yorkshire
and
Martin Coy from Durham
The Fourth Official will be
Keith Lawson from South Humberside
