Fan who saved Inverness Caley Thistle game being abandoned will never forget the moment
A SUPPORTER who saved Inverness Caledonian Thistle’s match against Cove Rangers from being abandoned, by stepping in as an emergency linesman, says it is a day he will never forget.
Jamie Mackinnon was sitting in the main stand at the Caledonian Stadium watching the game as a fan on Saturday afternoon, only hours after he had refereed a children’s match in Dingwall.
Midway through the second half of the League One clash, referee Stewart Luke was forced to come off with a calf injury. With no fourth official in place, the match was in danger of being abandoned.
An emergency announcement was made at the stadium, asking if there were any qualified officials in the stands that would be able to take over.
Mackinnon, who has been a Caley Thistle season ticket holder since 1999, walked down from his seat and said that he was available if required.
The 33-year-old IT service manager from Inverness said it was an incredible day and was just glad he could play his part in the match being completed.
He never expected he would be a referee and a linesman in two matches on the same day.
He said: “I had a game to referee at 1pm in Dingwall where Ross County Under-12’s were playing Dunfermline Athletic. After refereeing that match, I got to the Caledonian Stadium 15 minutes late.
“Because I had come straight from refereeing a game, I was fully kitted up in my training gear and I had my referee jacket on at the game.
“As soon as people saw the referee was injured, people started to stare at me and I was shouted at by other fans in the stand to make a move.
“I held back at first when they made the announcement looking for someone to replace the referee.
“But as soon as I knew there was nobody else, I thought it was my moment to stand up.
“I normally referee kids football, amateur football or North Caledonian League matches. I wanted to wait to see if someone was of a better standing to do it. But someone had to do it and I guess it was me.”
As soon as Mackinnon confirmed his qualifications, he was taken into the tunnel when he was given instructions by Will Pare, who switched from assistant referee to referee, and fellow assistant referee Craig Ferguson.
It was the first time that Mackinnon had been an official in a League One match. Despite being nervous at first, he said he was quickly put at ease by his fellow officials.
“I went down and ran to my car to get my boots and kit to get ready,” he said.
“I went to the referee room and was given a briefing by the other officials. I changed quickly and went out as soon as I could.
“The two things I remember was walking down the stairs with very heavy feet and being very nervous.
“I couldn’t believe the moment was happening. But as soon as I went out on to the pitch, I was fine.
“There wasn’t any contentious decisions at my end. I didn’t get a lot of stick and the referee and assistant spoke to me throughout the whole game. I was so nervous, but as soon as I stepped on to the pitch they put me at ease. It felt like any other game.”
Officials aren’t usually cheered off the pitch at full time, but Mackinnon received a round of applause from the fans for saving the match.
He said: “As soon as I got to the edge of the pitch at full time, the other two officials let me go in front. But I tried to remain as professional as I could and tried not to wave.
“But I saw a few people I knew in the stand smiling and waving at me. It is a moment I will never forget.”
Mackinnon, who also plays football for Drakies in the Inverness and District Amateur League, has been a referee for four years.
He said he wanted to become a referee due to a shortage of officials being available.
He also hopes that his substitute appearance will inspire more people to take up refereeing in football.
He said: “Playing amateur football, I noticed there was a shortage of referees and I took a friendly of one game.
“I quite enjoyed it and decided to go through my training to become a qualified referee.
“It has been handy as it has popped up a few times and I have managed to step in like today.
“I loved the moment and it was just fantastic.
“There is a shortage of referees and I would like to encourage more people to get involved.”
Mackinnon says anyone who is interested in becoming a referee can email nosrasecretary@gmail.com for more information.
