Darren Bond (born 1978) is an English former football referee. From 2023 to 2025, he officiated in the Premier League.
| Born |
1978 (age 47–48) Lancashire, England | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2009–2010 | Premier League 2 | Referee | |
| 2011–2012 | National League | Referee | |
| 2012–2024 | English Football League | Referee | |
| 2023–2025 | Premier League | Referee | |
| International | |||
| Years | League | Role | |
| 2013–2026 | FIFA listed | Referee | |
Career
editBorn in Lancashire in 1978, Bond began refereeing when he was 15.[1] By 2016 he had 20 years of experience, including one year as an assistant referee in the Premier League, and was named on the Select Group Two list of referees for the EFL Championship.[2] Bond was barred from refereeing Wigan Athletic matches due to his support for the club.[3]
On 19 September 2017 in the third round of the EFL Cup between Burnley and Leeds United, Bond ruled that the penalty shootout would be held in front of the home fans at Turf Moor, on the safety advice of the Lancashire Constabulary. Burnley lost it 5–3.[4] In 2018 and 2020 he faced criticism for on-field decisions made against Peterborough United and Cardiff City.[5][6]
Bond made his Premier League debut on 3 January 2023 in Fulham's 1–0 win away to Leicester City. He refereed four games that season and was promoted to a permanent referee in the league by Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL).[7][8]
On 14 January 2023, Bond officiated a 2–2 Championship draw between Reading and Queens Park Rangers. He was called a "bottler" by Reading manager Paul Ince[9] for not giving the Royals a penalty kick when Shane Long went down under pressure from Rob Dickie; former referee Chris Foy defended the decision.[10]
On 18 June 2026, PGMOL announced Bond's retirement. He had not officiated in the Premier League since the last day of the season a year earlier.[11]
Career statistics
editSource:[12]
| Season | Games | Total  | per game | Total  | per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–11 | 6 | 15 | 2.50 | 1 | 0.17 |
| 2011–12 | 26 | 66 | 2.54 | 6 | 0.23 |
| 2012–13 | 19 | 61 | 3.21 | 4 | 0.21 |
| 2013–14 | 26 | 102 | 3.92 | 5 | 0.19 |
| 2014–15 | 21 | 55 | 2.62 | 1 | 0.05 |
| 2015–16 | 31 | 101 | 3.26 | 3 | 0.10 |
| 2016–17 | 36 | 108 | 3.00 | 6 | 0.17 |
| 2017–18 | 32 | 112 | 3.50 | 7 | 0.22 |
| 2018–19 | 31 | 91 | 2.94 | 5 | 0.61 |
| 2019–20 | 33 | 115 | 3.48 | 2 | 0.06 |
| 2020–21 | 32 | 106 | 3.31 | 6 | 0.19 |
| 2021–22 | 16 | 64 | 4.00 | 2 | 0.13 |
| 2022–23 | 33 | 141 | 4.27 | 3 | 0.09 |
| 2023–24 | 23 | 102 | 4.43 | 3 | 0.13 |
| 2024–25 | 22 | 85 | 3.86 | 1 | 0.05 |
References
edit- ↑ Marston, Mark (23 December 2023). "Every referee currently working in the Premier League". GiveMeSport. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ↑ Bonnar, Neil (21 September 2016). "Bolton Referees Society honour award winners – tonight's meeting details". The Bolton News. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ Thomas-Humphreys, Harry (12 November 2024). "The football teams supported by Premier League referees". Metro. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ↑ James, Alex (20 September 2017). "EFL confirm that Burnley's penalty shoot out with Leeds United was held in front of Clarets supporters in interests of crowd safety". Lancashire Telegraph. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
- ↑ "Peterborough United manager Steve Evans blasts 'poor referee' after being sent off". Peterborough Telegraph. 1 September 2018. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ↑ Howson, Dom (20 October 2020). "Referee confirmed for Sheffield Wednesday's Championship clash against Brentford". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
- ↑ "What's new for 2023/24: Match officials". Premier League. 5 August 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ "PGMOL promotes referees Robinson and Bond". Premier League. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2024.
- ↑ Hills, David (11 August 2023). "New refs, new kits and a clampdown on clowning: what's new this season". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ Low, Jonathan (18 January 2023). "Ex Premier League referee disagrees with Paul Ince over penalty decision in Reading FC v QPR". Berkshire Live. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ↑ Seelochan, Isaac (18 June 2026). "Three Premier League officials never to referee again as PGMOL confirm decisions". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 18 June 2026.
- ↑ "Refereeing career Darren Bond as a referee". Be Soccer. Retrieved 18 June 2026.