Referee Mike Dean admits calling officials ‘wankers’ while watching his beloved Tranmere Rovers when he gets the chance to do so.
The Wirral-born ‘celeb ref’ is often seen at Prenton Park when not refereeing in top flight football and went viral after being pictured cheering the Super White Army when they reached the League Two play-off final last May.
?? – MIKE DEAN AND TRANMERE ARE HEADING TO WEMBLEY!
The Premier League referee cannot hide his excitement at The New Lawn as his side secure their place in the play-off final! ? pic.twitter.com/ZCrOur7xbn
— Sky Sports Football (@SkyFootball) May 13, 2019
The 51 year old has been a Premier League official for two decades but admitted he joins in with a much used chant of ‘the referee’s a wanker’ when off duty.
He told the Peter Crouch podcast: “I have a few times, yeah.
“When I’m watching it, I’m watching it as a supporter.
“My daughter is worse than me. I’m a massive fan yeah – massive. I just lost it to be fair, completely lost it.
“When I go and watch them away from home I won’t sit in the main stand away from them, I’ll go in with the speccys (spectators) and watch it there.”
Mike Dean leading the Tranmere fans in the concourse pic.twitter.com/dQjC6SPRhY
— Best Chants (@BestChantsUK) October 23, 2019
His eccentric style of refereeing has made many laugh across the nation, and he says he accepts his reputation as a ‘showman’, simply because he loves his job.
Mike Dean simply cannot point to the spot with a normal posture pic.twitter.com/IBOkQQqwBw
— rhianne (@rhianneek) February 10, 2019
He added: “I do come across like a showman.
“If the ball comes towards me I will let it go through my legs. I love a step-over.
“I love what I do and the way I referee. It kind of comes out I enjoy what I do. I’ve had this the past 10 years.”
"So nobody knows!?" ?♂️
Conor Coady was left with questions at the break for Mike Dean…
Does VAR need to change in its current form? pic.twitter.com/7dm5yZedVg
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) February 14, 2020
Dean also gave his thoughts on VAR, stating he weren’t keen on it before it was introduced, though it is starting to win him round – even if the technology throws up mistakes.
He said: “Twelve months ago, I wasn’t for it.
“When you’ve been refereeing for twenty years and then you have someone in your ear telling you that you’ve made a mistake, it’s tough.
“Over the last six months I’ve grown into it a bit more.”
Of course, many fans took to social media to love referee Mike Dean as he admits calling officials ‘wankers’ while watching Tranmere…
Peter Crouch to Mike Dean
Crouchy – “ when watching Tranmere have you ever sang the referees a wanker?”
Dean – “I have a few times yeah”
In stitches right now ??#passthepod #backstronger
— Jordan Fensome (@fensome_jordan) February 19, 2020
Just imagine Mike Dean in the crowd calling the ref a wanker?
— Daniel (@_db97_) February 20, 2020
Peter crouch’s podcast with Mike Dean is unreal hahaha, him being at tranmere matches and singing the referees a Wanker
— Emmett Lyttle (@emmett_lyttle) February 19, 2020
Mike dean I thought was a complete wanker, listened him on peter crouch podcast – he is actually all right
— ?MikeC? (@Mikec81united) February 19, 2020
The latest peter crouch podcast with mike dean as a guest is absolute bonkers but a brilliant listen ?⚽️?⚽️
— Adam Morgan (@Adam_Morgs) February 20, 2020
Learnt from Mike Dean on That Peter Crouch Podcast that he killed thousands of chickens in the job before he was a referee and I will never look at him in the same way#ThatPeterCrouchPodcast
— JJ Hill (@jjhillwrites) February 20, 2020
Just listened to that @petercrouch podcast with Mike Dean – think I might just listen to them all – superb quality- who knew crouchy is funny ??
— Scotland Fan ??????? (@SPFL_Fitba_Fan) February 20, 2020
New found respect for mike Dean after the @petercrouch podcast
— L.J.T (@LiamTitt) February 20, 2020
Mike Dean on the @petercrouch podcast is a triumph on all levels. Great interview, funny guy and so open for someone still in the game. Well played
— Polts (@Polts13) February 20, 2020
@petercrouch podcast with Mike Dean, absolutely hilarious. ? Refs in fancy dress completely done me.
— James Lampard (@JLamps79) February 20, 2020
Peter Crouch podcast with Mike Dean is absolutely quality, what a bloke Mike Dean is
— KJB (@keatonbishop) February 20, 2020
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