As you asked so nicely I will tell you. So far this season he has officiated in nine matches in the Championship, League 1 and Capital One Cup culminating in the Bristol City v MK Dons fixture in which he awarded nine yellow cards.
Now here's a spooky stat - last season he handed out 103 yellows and five reds (from 30 games). And the season before that? 103 yellows and five reds (from 39).
And here's an assessment of his performance following our home defeat to Ipswich last season:
Went to see Charlton v Ipswich to-day. Obviously pleased with the three points courtesy of a goal in the 94th minute. The game refereed with unfussy and unshowy excellence by Darren Bond.
Here is an amazing fact. Bond blew his whistle to start the match and next nlew it on 31 minutes 34 seconds. Surely this must be a record. There were a couple of minor fouls in that time where he played a sensible and warranted advantage. There were no other fouls, no offsides and no goals. It became a talking point among the crowd and some of us wondered whether the whole half would only have two whistles, one to begin it and one to end it but it was not to be.
Bond was hugely impressive. He had a real empathy for the game, man managed well, his foul detection was very good and he was very fit. He judged the pace and nature of the game superbly. He is a refere I haven't seen before but on this showing he certainly has what it takes to be a very fine official indeed.
Credit must also go to the Charlton and Ipswich players who got on with an entertaining game of football with no unpleasantness, cynical fouling or obvious dissent. Hunt of Ipswich tried to have ago at Bond once or twice ( he has form in this regard ) but Bond dealt with him firmly and pleasantly explaining his decision and telling him to get on with it.
How good to see a referee perform so very, very well.
Has anyone got the programme from the Charlton v Man Utd Youth FA Cup game at The Valley years ago? I think at least one of the Neville brothers played for them that night? And think they won 4-1? Pretty sure they played in those green and yellow halved shirts.
Comments
Now here's a spooky stat - last season he handed out 103 yellows and five reds (from 30 games). And the season before that? 103 yellows and five reds (from 39).
Went to see Charlton v Ipswich to-day. Obviously pleased with the three points courtesy of a goal in the 94th minute. The game refereed with unfussy and unshowy excellence by Darren Bond.
Here is an amazing fact. Bond blew his whistle to start the match and next nlew it on 31 minutes 34 seconds. Surely this must be a record. There were a couple of minor fouls in that time where he played a sensible and warranted advantage. There were no other fouls, no offsides and no goals. It became a talking point among the crowd and some of us wondered whether the whole half would only have two whistles, one to begin it and one to end it but it was not to be.
Bond was hugely impressive. He had a real empathy for the game, man managed well, his foul detection was very good and he was very fit. He judged the pace and nature of the game superbly. He is a refere I haven't seen before but on this showing he certainly has what it takes to be a very fine official indeed.
Credit must also go to the Charlton and Ipswich players who got on with an entertaining game of football with no unpleasantness, cynical fouling or obvious dissent. Hunt of Ipswich tried to have ago at Bond once or twice ( he has form in this regard ) but Bond dealt with him firmly and pleasantly explaining his decision and telling him to get on with it.
How good to see a referee perform so very, very well.