Each week we take a close look at the referee assigned to the Swans game and look at their previous record when officiating our beloved Swansea City.
This week’s referee spotlight focuses on James Linington, who was appointed the referee for the Portsmouth v Swansea City Championship game on Wednesday, 1 January 2025.
Referee Linington was assisted by Alex James and Matthew Jones, with Andy Davies the 4th Official for the game.
Name: James Linington
Born: 1979
Birthplace: Newport, Isle of Wight
Background:
James Linington can claim to be a referee for whom every match in the EFL is an overseas appointment, as it requires a journey from his home on the Isle of Wight!
Linington started referring in the Football League in October 2008, taking charge of the Yeovil Town v Crewe League One game.
The first game he officiated in the Championship was Watford v Burnley in January 2009.
Swans related Fact(s):
Some Swans fans will probably remember James Linington from when he sent off three (yes three!) Swans players during a League Cup game against Scunthorpe in August 2009.
Garry Monk, Gorka Pintado and Angel Rangel, were all given their marching orders in a farcical game that saw the Swans lose 2-1 after extra time. Stephen Dobbie went off injured, with the Swans having no substitutions left.
The Swans were then reduced to six players when Besian Idrizaj went off injured, with referee Linington accused of forcing the Austrian back onto the pitch in order to avoid abandoning the game, leaving Swans boss Paulo Sousa fuming.
Here are the all important facts and figures for each game that he has been a referee for a Swansea City game:
|
Date
|
Competition
|
Home Team
|
Score
|
Away Team
|
| 1 January 2025 | Championship | Portsmouth | 4:0 | Swansea City |
| 21 September 2024 | Championship | Coventry City | 1:2 | Swansea City |
| 27 April 2024 | Championship | Norwich City | 2:2 | Swansea City |
| 05 August 2023 | Championship | Swansea City | 1:1 | Birmingham City |
| 27 December 2022 | Championship | Reading | 2:1 | Swansea City |
| 17 October 2021 | Championship | Swansea City | 3:0 | Cardiff City |
| 16 March 2021 | Championship | AFC Bournemouth | 3:0 | Swansea City |
30 June 2020 | Championship | Millwall | 1:1 | Swansea City |
| 18 January 2020 | Championship | Swansea City | 2:1 | Wigan Athletic |
| 14 September 2019 | Championship | Swansea City | 0:1 | Nottingham Forest |
9 April 2019 | Championship | Swansea City | 3:1 | Stoke City |
| 29 December 2018 | Championship | Swansea City | 2:2 | Wigan Athletic |
28 November 2018 | Championship | Swansea City | 1:2 | West Bromwich Albion |
11 August 2018 | Championship | Swansea City | 1:0 | Preston North End |
22 September 2015 | League Cup 3rd Round | Hull City | 1:0 | Swansea City |
25 April 2011 | Championship | Swansea City | 4:1 | Ipswich Town |
| 25 August 2009 | League Cup 2nd Round | Swansea City | 1:2 AET | Scunthorpe United |
In summary, James Linington’s record for Swansea City games is as follows:
Home Games
P10 W5 D2 L3
Away Games
P7 W1 D2 L4
Overall Record
P17 W6 D4 L7
This referee has a Swans Love Factor of 59%
You can also browse more information and stats about other referees who have officiated Swansea City games.