Darren in the Middle

DARREN Handley will be the referee for Argyle’s Sky Bet League 2 fixture this weekend when the Pilgrims travel to Southend United.

Having spent six years previously officiating in the Conference, Westhoughton-born Handley was finally promoted to the Football League refereeing list at the start of the 2014-15 season.

Since making his senior bow in August, Handley has overseen a total of 15 games across Sky Bet Leagues 1 and 2, the Johnstone Paint Trophy and the FA Cup. He has shown a total of 53 yellow cards and 5 reds, but is yet to award a penalty this season.

In Darren’s previous League 2 fixture between Tranmere and Cambridge United, the game ended as a 1-1 stalemate, with three players shown yellow cards and one player dismissed for a second bookable offence.

This will be the PE teacher from Bolton’s first experience of officiating either a Plymouth Argyle or Southend United fixture.