Martin Bodenham

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Martin Bodenham
Personal information
Full name Martin J D Bodenham
Date of birth April 23, 1950 (1950-04-23) (age 58)
Place of birth    Brighton, Sussex, England
Other occupation    Cricket umpire
Domestic
Years League Role
1978-1992
1992-1998
Football League
Premier League
Referee
Referee
International
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Martin J. D. Bodenham (born April 23, 1950)[1] is an English former football referee, and current cricket umpire. He was born in Brighton,[1] but lived for part of his life in Looe, Cornwall. He now hails from Ferring, in Sussex.[2]

[edit] Career

He first took up refereeing in Brighton 'parks' football in 1966.[3]

His progression to top level refereeing was finally achieved in 1978.[4]

In Europe, on May 18, 1994, he was fourth official at the 1994 European Cup Final in Athens, AC Milan defeating Barcelona 4-0.

His most prestigious appointment domestically was the League Cup Final at Wembley on April 6, 1997,[5] when Leicester City drew 1-1 with Middlesbrough after extra time. A replay was necessary, during which Martin presided over Leicester's 1-0 victory at Hillsborough (also after extra time), the goal coming from Steve Claridge in the 100th minute.

He also refereed two FA Cup semi finals during his 32 year career, before his retirement in 1998. At this point, he entered the world of cricket, becoming a Sussex League umpire.

In 2001, he became the first ever Head of Refereeing for the county of Sussex. He is also a Premier League match observer, referees' assessor, and UEFA delegate.[6]

Bodenham switched active sports completely in 2005, becoming a top-class cricket umpire, and was added to the ECB reserve list in 2006. He stood at the wicket for England A versus Sri Lanka at Worcester in May of that year.[7]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Full Name & Date and Place of Birth: from Cricinfo.
  2. ^ Profile at TheFA.com website.
  3. ^ "Football: Bodenham seeks better class of ref": Interview with The Argus (online).
  4. ^ Top level refereeing (20 year career until 1998 retirement).
  5. ^ Date of League Cup Final in 1997: HighBeam(Research).com website.
  6. ^ 'Dates for your Diary': The AFA and London Society of Association Referees.
  7. ^ "New game for ref": Interview at the BBC.co.uk website.