Referee for Saturday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Aberdeen at Pittodrie is Calum Murray.
The experienced Murray hasn’t taken charge of a ‘Well game this season but Motherwell fans will be familiar with the 41-year old; the man in the middle four times last season, including the Scottish Cup Final last May.
Previous to the Cup Final, he handled the 1-0 defeat at McDiarmid Park in January. Saints won courtesy of a controversial penalty award when Stephen Craigan was adjudged to have clashed with Michael Duberry inside the area; Liam Craig dispatched the resulting kick from the spot.
He also officiated the 2-2 Scottish Cup Quarter Final draw at Tannadice which won wide applause for being end-to-end and exciting and Murray played his part with an excellent display, including getting a number of penalty calls spot on.
The replay was one of the best Motherwell displays of the campaign, Murphy, Humphrey and Jeffers scoring in an excellent all-round team display.
The season prior to last, he was the man in the middle for the 1-1 draw with Rangers; Tom Hateley netting a sensational equaliser for the Steelmen. That game was also marred by a controversial call when Ross Forbes’ goal was somehow disallowed for offside despite television pictures showing the midfielder to be at least two yards onside.
He also took charge of the 3-2 home defeat by Dundee Utd in April 2010 when a John Sutton double wasn’t enough to give ‘Well the points.
His overall record in charge of the Steelmen is fairly decent. Of the sixteen games he has taken charge of, Motherwell have won seven, drawn three and lost six. The Fir Parkers have scored twenty-two whilst the same number has hit the back of the ‘Well net.
48 players have seen yellow on those fourteen matches, 25 of which were shown to a player wearing Claret and Amber. Only one player has been sent for an early bath, Bob Malcolm in the famous 1-0 win over Celtic back in early 2008.
Calum will be ably assisted on the day by Alan Mulvanny and Graeme Leslie with Mike Tumilty on fourth official duties.