Darren Deadman

Darren Deadman is an English football referee who generally officiates in the Football League but has also taken charge of FA Cup, Football League Cup and Football League Trophy matches; additionally he has fulfilled the role of fourth official in some Premier League fixtures.

He is based in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

Deadman started officiating in the Football League in 2005, having previously been an assistant referee in the lower Isthmian League.

In August 2009, Carlisle United made a complaint about Deadman after he allegedly shouted encouragement to a Millwall player during a League One match between the two teams. The complaint was later dropped.

Deadman's most notable appointment to date came in May 2011, when he officiated the League Two play-off final at Old Trafford. He issued four yellow cards during the final, in which Stevenage won promotion by defeating Torquay United 1–0.

In November 2011, Deadman officiated a Championship match between Doncaster Rovers and Middlesbrough. When Doncaster striker Billy Sharp scored in the 14th minute, he revealed a T-shirt underneath his club jersey which contained the message "That's for you son", in tribute to his newborn son who died two days prior. Deadman elected not to book Sharp, even though such a celebration (the removal of the jersey) requires the referee to show a yellow card to the player under the laws of the game.

Deadman lives in Chatteris, near Peterborough, with his wife and two children. His hobbies include horse racing and spending time with his family.