After a decade on the celebrity circuit in Scotland the move to England has brought some unwelcome reality to Bobby Madden.
Taking charge of matches on Sky in between lucrative European jollies are now a distant memory as he makes ends meet at outposts such as Shrewsbury, Newport, Accrington and Crewe. Boxing Day was spent in Harrogate doesn’t offer many options to run up expenses.
Madden might have been on the FIFA list with Crawford Allan but in England he is just another lower division ref, not getting a sniff at The Championship never mind the fame that he craves in the EPL. Appointments are by ability not your rank within the Lanarkshire Refereeing Association.
Despite the bigger leagues and more frequent fixtures Madden has been given just two appointments in December, in total he has refereed 17 matches in five months which won’t pay many bills.
At the same stage last season he had picked up 22 match fees including three Europa League matches, one World Cup qualifier and one Greek League match.
In the fixture release for December 26 to January 2 there was only one fixture/pay day for Madden, yesterday he was duty at the League Two match between Harrogate and Grimsby which hardly suggests that he is cutting through the ranks.
Last season Madden refereed six of Celtic’s first 24 SPFL Premiership matches before signing off in glory at the Scottish Cup semi-final in April.
Having given up his career as a ‘warehouse operator’ to go full time in 2016 there is no lucrative profession for the 44-year-old to fall back on although he will be able to bank on Scottish media appointments when the EFL tire of giving their celebrity Jock match fees.
CLICK HERE for Madden’s fixtures this season.
He’ll be back up in Scotland soon . Lamb is off the menu in the land of England land ..You get my drift .. Too much Irish stew ,down there.. Ken !
Peepul like Madhun are soon found out as having no ability when they go outwith Scotland, where they are protected and promoted by the britherhood and meedja fannies like Tam ats bruwyint Cowan.
Before he left his cheating was off the scale. Gave Sevco the most ridiculous penalty whilst 1nil down and toiling to Dundee to keep them in the title race. Then allowed Sevco to kick Celtic off the park with only Sutton calling out his performance which helped win the Scottish Cup. Several other refs have picked up his mantle of biggest cheat in Scotland.
I don’t be surprised if the bampot is back up here next season
He’ll be back soon. I’ve a feeling he will be appointed as VAR, supremo.
There is little to no dislike of folk with catholic/Irish surnames down south. Freemasons are open to all, being a staunch member of LOL is not an automatic invite.
I wish all bigots of colour, race and religion misfortune since they wish ill on others.