The Devil Incarnate Is Back

Last updated : 10 November 2004 By Mark Heys
Orpington referee Barry Knight is set to be the man in the middle for Bolton Wanderers Premiership clash with Aston Villa this weekend, officiating in a Trotters match for the first time since his despicable showing in the 2000 Play Off Semi Final defeat against Ipswich Town.

Knight booked 12 Wanderers players and sent off both Mike Whitlow and Robbie Elliott during the 5-3 defeat back in May 2000. The game had seen Wanderers cruising at 3-1 up and on their way to Wembley before the Kent intervened and lost all control of the game.

Nearly five years after that terrible night in Suffolk he is pencilled in for the game against Villa this weekend and Sam Allardyce fears that this may cause unrest amongst the club's supporters who still refer to him as an enemy.

"There's nothing I can do about it, All I can hope is that he comes and does the job properly.

"I'm slightly concerned about how the fans will react. It would be the same if Mike Riley came to referee one of our games."

STOP PRESS: Essex official Andy D'Urso will now fill the breach in view of the high tension which still exists between the Reebok faithful and Mr Knight.