Thousands call for Bolton's Mark Halsey to ref FA Cup Final
9:15am Tuesday 16th March 2010 in News
FACEBOOK CALL: Thousands want ref Mark Halsey to officiate at the FA Cup Final
THOUSANDS of people have joined an online group urging football bosses to give cancer battle ref Mark Halsey the job of officiating this year’s FA Cup Final.
The group, on social networking site Facebook, has been online for the last few months but there has been a swell of support for the Bolton-based official since his return to the game last week and there are now over 11,000 members.
Mr Halsey was diagnosed with primary cancer of the lymph nodes last August, just 24 hours before taking charge of Arsenal’s 6-1 opening day demolition of Everton at Goodison Park.
After taking charge of a Totesport.com cup clash between Leicester City reserves and Scunthorpe reserves last Wednesday, Mr Halsey is hoping to make a return to top flight action before the end of the season But the Hertfordshire-born official laughed off suggestions last month that he was set to take charge of the showpiece final in May.
Yesterday, he told The Bolton News he was shocked that the group had been set up.
He said: “It is unbelievable. It would be a fairytale ending, there is no chance of me doing the cup final this year.
“Maybe if I had been refereeing all season then maybe I’d have had a chance but not now. It is great that someone has set the group up though, its nice to have the support of people.
“I am sure they will be shouting at me from the stands before long, then I’ll really know I am back.”
The 49-year-old, who lives in Little Lever with wife Michelle — who herself is battling leukaemia — and daughter Lucy Mia, was told he was in remission in December.
Traditionally, the referee, his assistants and the fourth official are appointed in April, after the finalists have been decided.
