A fan from the stands came to the rescue on Saturday after Gillingham’s game was held up because of an injury.
The League 2 game at Priestfield between the Gills and Newport County had to be halted after one of the assistant referees picked up an injury, leading to a plea from the club for someone in the crowd to help out.
Referee Carl Brook paused the game just after the hour mark, and Gillingham’s PA announcer Doug Hudson appealed for someone in the crowd with a refereeing qualification to help out.
Following a brief delay, a volunteer emerged to take over as an acting fourth official.
Gills’ manager Gareth Ainsworth was glad to see the situation dealt with, and praised the referee for the way he managed the drama.
“It was great,” said the Gills boss. “It was just one of those funny moments that sometimes happen.
“It was nice to see him standing there in his jeans and trainers, but the officials were decent; they had a tough time and a lot going on.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Carl Brook. I thought he had a great game. Decision-wise, I think he was really good and then the chaos on the side, it’s just a one-off.
“I’ve never been involved in something as crazy as that, but I’m glad there was a fan who said, ‘Look, I’m a qualified referee’. I’m not sure he showed his certificate, but I’m sure he was, though!
“It was a little bit crazy, so fair play to Carl Brook.
“I’ve had my pop at referees in the past, but I want to give him big credit. I think he probably has a lot of paperwork now, but he organised, and he ran through things and kept us informed, and I thought he played the right amount of stoppage time.
“I thought he was outstanding. A tough day for the referees, when you lose one like that.”
The referee dished out a few yellow cards late on, including one for Bradley Dack, as he took the heat off penalty taker Armani Little before he took the spot-kick.
There was an extra ball on the pitch, and Dack fired it into the net. That warranted a booking, according to the official.
Later on, Dack annoyed the Newport players as he took his time going off the pitch when substituted – much to Ainsworth’s delight.
He said: “There was a bit of an issue with one of the Newport players walking off the pitch when he got subbed (before the Gills got their late goals).
“Bradley returned the favour and, with his experience, just walked slowly off the pitch. Little things like that are just the pantomime of football.”
