Julian Browning has been a Portsmouth fan for more than 50 years and went to watch Pompey take on Cheltenham at Fratton Park on Saturday. However, by the end of the game, he was running the line!
After two officials were injured during the game, Browning, a level 5 referee, was reluctant to put his name forward when an announcement was made looking for somebody to step up.
However, with the game at risk of being called off and Cheltenham players content with a someone from the home support officiating, Browning headed to the touchline.
Given spare kit from the sidelined officials and a pair of gold boots that turned up in the dressing room, Browning answered his club’s call and ensured the match could continue.
Here, he speaks to SQaF Untold less than 24 hours after his cameo and reveals just how surreal the afternoon proved to be.