FORMER Premier League referee Mike Dean has revealed what he did in the dressing room prior to his last ever game.
Dean, 54, called time on his officiating career after 22 years of service in the Premier League.
Dean officiated 560 games over 22 years
Dean handed out well over 2000 cards and awarded 186 penalties and nearly 12,000 free-kicks
Known for his flamboyant approach to officiating, Dean oversaw 560 games, dishing out over 2,000 yellow cards and 114 red cards.
And in typical fashion Dean’s final game saw a hilarious pre-match ceremony to celebrate the end of his career.
In an interview with the Mail, Dean revealed he played The Final Countdown on his phone along with his assistants ahead of the Chelsea versus Watford game on May 22.
He said: “I never play music in the referee’s dressing room beforehand.
“But before Chelsea-Watford, I played The Final Countdown on my phone. I figured, Why not?
“We (the assistants) had a little sing and a hug, and it was only when we were walking out that I felt emotional.
“I knew it was the last time I’d be doing that, then I turned around and saw my wife and my family.
“A few of the players twigged that I wasn’t too good. Some of them came over to ask if I was OK, which was nice.”
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Dean’s last ever game ended in dramatic fashion, as already relegated Watford lost 2-1 to Chelsea courtesy of a injury time winner from Ross Barkley.
Footage of Dean’s last ever game went viral on social media as he blew time on his career.
However, his involvement in football will not be ending as he moves upstairs to become a full-time VAR official.
