Former Kent League referee Jonathan Stone lines up date with the stars

Friday 02nd July 2010

FORMER Kent League referee, Jonathan Stone, who quit officiating football matches following a spitting incident during a match between Beckenham Town and Sevenoaks Town back in March 2009, will officiate his biggest game of his life in London tomorrow, writes Stephen McCartney.

Since becoming a Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) official seven years ago, Stone has worked his way up the ranks of tennis officiates currently travelling the world umpiring and lining at various world events.

Tomorrow, starting at 2pm, see’s Stone officiate in the Wimbledon Ladies Final in his fourth Wimbledon event, following promotion within the LTA earlier this year.

He will be one of nineteen officials that will take to the world famous Centre Court in a match which sees number one seed Serena Williams take on Russian, number 21 seed, Vera Zvonareva at SW19.

LTA regulations prevent Mr Stone to discussing matters with the press, but former football referee, Gary Johnson, who was appointed vice-chairman with Ryman League Division One South club Whitstable Town this summer, is taking a keen interest in Stone’s progress.

“Having watched Jonathan call major decisions this year at Wimbledon, I can safely say that he has all the right attributes, determination and enthusiasm to match the world class players on show,” Johnson told www.kentishfootball.co.uk on the eve of the Grand Slam showdown.

“Jonathan must be very proud of himself and rightful so, given some controversy that followed him through Kent football circles.”

Stone was subject of a sickening spitting attack from Anton Stephenson, during a Kent League game between Beckenham Town and Sevenoaks Town at Eden Park Avenue.

Stephenson was released by then Sevenoaks manager Simon Jones following the shocking incident and was handed a £150 fine and a 26 week ban from all football at a Kent County Football Association hearing.

Stone hung up his whistle at the end of the 2008-09 season, complaining about the lack of support from Kent League officials following the incident.