A League Two match between Cambridge United and Bromley was temporarily suspended after referee Declan Bourne collapsed on the pitch clutching his knee, prompting an appeal for a qualified official in the stands to assist.
The incident occurred with Cambridge United leading 2–1, when Bourne went down injured midway through the game. Following a brief period of confusion, one of the assistant referees took over officiating duties, while a stadium announcement and social media post from Bromley requested help from any qualified referee in attendance.
Bromley’s official account posted:
“For the THIRD time this season, if there is a qualified official in the stadium, please make yourself known.”
After a 10-minute delay, Bourne was helped off the pitch by medical staff, and play resumed with an additional 15 minutes of stoppage time.
The match ultimately ended 2–1 in favour of Cambridge United, marking their fourth consecutive home victory. Shayne Lavery scored just two minutes into the game, with Kylian Kouassi adding a second before halftime. Bromley’s Michael Cheek, last season’s League Two Player of the Year, pulled one back after the break, but the visitors failed to find an equaliser.
Remarkably, this was the third time this season that a Bromley fixture has been disrupted by a referee injury — following earlier incidents at Shrewsbury on August 2 and at Hayes Lane a week later against Barnet.
Bromley manager Andy Woodman expressed frustration but concern for the official’s welfare:
“When you’re chasing two goals it’s tough. We got one back and had momentum, then unfortunately the ref got injured again. Third time this season that’s happened to us — hopefully he’s alright, but it killed our momentum.”
Bromley’s social media team even tagged Guinness World Records on X (formerly Twitter), jokingly asking whether the club now holds a record for the most referee injuries in a single season.
Source:Africa Publicity
