Football fans often find themselves wondering who referees support when their team is on the end of a decision they don’t like. Well, we’ve been left in no doubt about Mike Dean’s allegiances.
As Tranmere Rovers overcame Forest Green Rovers to reach the League Two play-off final, the television cameras captured the jubilant Dean, standing on a barrier, leading the party, punching the air in delight.
In 2015, some decided Dean – from Heswall in Wirral – must be a Tottenham Hotspur fan when he sprinted with his arms aloft after Mousa Dembele struck against Aston Villa…
But now we know the truth – and fans were loving it…
It isn’t the first time Dean has taken centre stage.
Last month he became the first referee to show 100 red cards in the Premier League when sending off Manchester United’s Ashley Young.
He was also in the limelight for his amusing antics back in February when he hid the ball from Sergio Aguero after the Manchester City forward bagged a hat-trick.
Dean has always shown himself to a be a little different to other top-level referees. Away from football, he takes a keen interest in women’s golf and has even been a caddy at the Women’s British Open.
