Due Credit

The Premiership is not exactly flush with outstanding match officials, which makes it all the more surprising that amongst them Alan Wiley never quite seems to have qualified for that exclusive little group of elite referees, led (in the opinion of most people outside Chelsea) by Graham Poll.

He is, admittedly, a somewhat ponderous figure, built for comfort rather than speed. Indeed, at times he moves with the portly air of a bon viveur striving to run off the effects of a good dinner. But he is above all a calm, uncontroversial, well respected and unflappable character who over the past 18 months has acquired a level of judgement and consistency which entitles him to be considered on a par with the best in the land – and to be rewarded with the kind of matches which reflect that status. Especially as some of those games are occasionally, and inexplicably, given to referees whose experience and ability leave practically everything to be desired.