It is easier to find more information about the father of Saturday’s referee than the referee himself!

Indeed, if anyone turns up from the 1980s and starts the chant, “Who’s Your Father, Who’s Your Father, Who’s Your Father, Referee?” her would be perfectly entitled to point them in the direction of Premier League football from around 20 years ago, not to mention the 1998 World Cup in France!

Saturday’s man in the middle is JAMES DURKIN, whose father Paul Durkin was a well-respected top-flight official until his retirement in 2004.

Paul refereed at France ‘98 (his solitary game was Italy v Austria), having taken charge of the FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Newcastle in the same year.

James has been refereeing in the National League since the 2019/20 season, when his first game was Sutton United v Barnet.

He has been a regular on the appointments list since then, but Saturday will be the first time he has officiated so far away from home, which is Portland in Dorset.

Mr Durkin has refereed three National League games so far this term, showing 14 yellow cards and one red. His last match was Oxford City v Boreham Wood on August Bank Holiday Monday.

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