"Everton and referees haven't always seen eye-to-eye. Duncan Ferguson's goal in UEFA Champions League qualifying during the summer of 2004, which was, many believe erroneously, ruled out continues to turn even the most level-headed Blue a shade of red. It is perhaps surprising then to discover that one of the Toffees' most revered former players of recent times has been sharing a Christmas Dinner table with an official all these years."
"Dale Baines, younger brother of 420-appearance former Toffee, Leighton, is the man in the middle on Saturday afternoons, recently officiating Manchester City Under-21s' Football League Trophy defeat by League One side Bolton Wanderers. Baines has also officiated four National League fixtures this season and last year took charge of a handful of matches in Leagues One and Two. A general view of Goodison Park where Leighton Baines played over 200 times (Image credit: Getty Images)"
Everton have a long history of fraught relations with referees, with incidents such as Duncan Ferguson's disallowed Champions League qualifying goal in 2004 still provoking fans. One refereeing figure from the same family is Dale Baines, who has overseen National League fixtures and taken charge of matches in League One and League Two. Dale recently refereed Manchester City Under-21s' Football League Trophy defeat by Bolton Wanderers and has officiated multiple National League games this season. His older brother, Leighton Baines, made 420 appearances for Everton between 2007 and 2020 and played more than 200 times at Goodison Park. Leighton now serves as Everton's assistant manager under David Moyes. The family originates from Kirkby on Merseyside.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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