Football match suspended after referee collapses on the pitch

Sunday, October 19, 2025 - They say lightning never strikes the same place twice, but for League Two side Bromley, it’s struck three times this season.

During Bromley’s clash with Cambridge United on Saturday, referee Declan Bourne was forced off after collapsing on the pitch with a knee injury, the third time this season a referee has been injured during one of the Ravens’ matches.

With the hosts leading 2–1, play was suddenly halted as Bourne went down clutching his leg. Medical staff rushed onto the field, and the stadium announcer called out for a qualified matchgoer to step in and take over as the fourth official, while one of the assistant referees took charge of the whistle.

On Bromley’s official social media account, the club posted: “For the THIRD time this season, if there is a qualified official in the stadium, please make yourself known.”

After a ten-minute delay, the game resume, with an incredible 15 minutes of stoppage time added on, as Bourne was helped off by medical staff.

Despite the disruption, Cambridge United held on for a 2–1 victory, their fourth consecutive home win. Shayne Lavery opened the scoring in the second minute, and Kylian Kouassi doubled the lead just before half-time. Bromley’s Michael Cheek, last season’s League Two Player of the Year, pulled one back after the break, but the visitors couldn’t find an equaliser.

It’s the third referee injury to hit Bromley this season, the first came on August 2 at Shrewsbury, and the second occurred the following week at Hayes Lane during a match against Barnet.

Reacting to the bizarre streak, Bromley manager Andy Woodman told club media:

“When you’re chasing two goals it’s tough. We got the first one and had the momentum, and then unfortunately the ref got injured again and had to go off. Third time this season [that’s happened to us]. Hope he’s alright, but that lost a bit of momentum for us again.”

Even Bromley’s social media team joined in the humour, tagging the Guinness World Records on X (formerly Twitter) to ask if the club now holds a record for the unluckiest streak of referee injuries in a single season.