Soccer Extreme : Wycombe Wanderers fan Jarred McKnight was put in charge of checking substitutions and injury time after the fourth official had to stand in for an injured linesman.Jarred, 27, had been watching his team at an away clash with Notts County when a call came over the PA system for a qualified replacement. And minutes later cheeky Jarred was changing into a ref’s kit to take his place by the dugout.
The uni student, from Tamworth, Staffs, said: “When the call came, I thought, ‘I’ll have a bit of that.’
“My mates were trying to make me laugh. Thank God I hadn’t been to the pub or I couldn’t have kept a straight face. I even told Wycombe manager Peter Taylor to get back in his box.
“I’ve got a taste for refereeing now and I’d like to do it again.”
Had a ball ... smiling Jarred kitted up in changing room Wycombe won 2-0 — and Jarred nearly gave himself away when he celebrated a goal. But it was clear he had fooled players and bosses when Notts County’s chairman told him he had done a good job.
A spokesman for the Professional Game Match Officials said: “There wasn’t time to check this man’s credentials. We’re glad he enjoyed the experience.”