The New Year's Day match at home to Queens Park Rangers will see Yorkshireman, Jonathan (Jon) Moss.

Yet another National Group referee who sees the game as being played in short burts and plenty of interference from him.

In just 18 league and cup games, Moss has shown 32 yellow cards, an average of 1.7 per game. Just three red cards, though, so it must be assumed that Moss might just pull his punches when it comes to giving out a second yellow card to a player.

Moss was incharge of the League Cup game when City went down to Blackburn Rovers by 1 goal to three.

When interviewd by Re World, Moss had this to say. 

How did you get introduced into refereeing?

When I qualified as a referee I was at 6th form college studying for A levels, as well as the A levels I did a two-year PE course, part of which involved taking refereeing courses in basketball and doing football.

I was playing a lot of football at the time and started refereeing in the Coast Colts League in Newcastle on a Sunday afternoon. When I went to university in Leeds, I continued playing and refereeing in holidays for extra money. I eventually stopped playing in 1999 and started to concentrate on refereeing. I suppose if you are not playing professional football then refereeing is another great way to be involved in the game. 

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

Three highlights spring to mind…. Refereeing the conference play-off final between Carlisle and Stevenage in 2005, my first football league game as referee (Shrewsbury vs. Rochdale), and being an official in the FA trophy final in 2007 at Wembley.

What is the best game you have officiated and why?

Burton vs. Burscough in the FA round 2 in 2005/6 season. The game had been called off on the Saturday and was rearranged for the following Tuesday. On the Sunday the draw for the third round was made and the winner would play Manchester United. It made for an excellent game and added to the atmosphere, which was brilliant on the night. As a referee you want to referee big games with something at stake.

What are your aims as a National List Referee?

To keep improving as a referee and to be given the opportunity to referee at a higher level.

What skills do you think you need to become a referee?

Man management, a sense of humour and mental strength.

Who has been the biggest influence in your career and why?

Probably the friends I have made in refereeing who advise, take the mick and support you when games don’t go according to plan and Trevor Simpson who has been my coach and has helped me develop as a referee for the past few years.

Moss will be joined by David Margets and Wayne Porter, while the fourth official will be Glenn Hambling.

Photo: Action Images

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