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 Swansea City v Cardiff City Championship game on Sunday, 17 October 2021.

Referee Linington was assisted by Rob Smith and Nigel Lugg, with Darren Drysdale 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
|
17-October-21 | Championship | Swans | 3:0 | Cardiff City |
16-Mar-21 | Championship | AFC Bournemouth | 3:0 | Swans |
30-Jun-20
|
Championship
|
Millwall
|
1:1
|
Swans
|
18-Jan-20
|
Championship
|
Swans
|
2:1
|
Wigan Athletic
|
14-Sep-19
|
Championship
|
Swans
|
0:1
|
Nottingham Forest
|
9-Apr-19
|
Championship
|
Swans
|
3:1
|
Stoke City
|
29-Dec-18
|
Championship
|
Swans
|
2:2
|
Wigan Athletic
|
28-Nov-18
|
Championship
|
Swans
|
1:2
|
West Bromwich Albion
|
11-Aug-18
|
Championship
|
Swans
|
1:0
|
Preston North End
|
22-Sep-15
|
League Cup 3rd Round
|
Hull City
|
1:0
|
Swans
|
25-Apr-11
|
Championship
|
Swans
|
4:1
|
Ipswich Town
|
25-Aug-09
|
League Cup 2nd Round
|
Swans
|
1:2 AET
|
Scunthorpe United
|
In summary, James Linington’s record for Swansea City games is as follows:
Home Games
P9 W5 D1 L3
Away Games
P3 W0 D1 L2
Overall Record
P12 W5 D2 L5
This referee has a Swans Love Factor of 58%
Let us know what you think of this referee via our Swansea City Forum.
You can also browse more information and stats about other referees who have officiated Swansea City games.