Meet the referee: Boro v Reading

Last updated : 22 February 2007 By Reggie Holdsworth
Mark Halsey (Lancashire)
b. 8/7/1961

Mr. Halsey takes charge of his fifth Boro game this season, the first being the reverse fixture at Reading on the opening day of the season, when Boro threw away a 2-0 advantage to lose 3-2.

He has also been in charge against Everton (h), West Ham (h) and Tottenham (a). He took charge of just two Boro games last season.

So far this season he has officiated in 29 games, booking 76 players and sending off eight. In total last season he officiated in 38 games, booking just 54 players and sending off six.

He has been refereeing since 1989 and was promoted to the Premier League list in 1999. Promotion to the FIFA list followed just a year later in 2000 and he refereed his first full international in 2004.