If there’s a glimmer of a spotlight, expect Mike Dean to cartwheel on to the stage and snatch it with both hands.
Dean makes a performance out of something as innocuous as picking up a football at the start of a game so when a Sky Sports film crew showed up with both Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville, the stage was set for full on Dean-mania.
After Arsenal’s 2-2 home draw with Manchester City on Sunday afternoon, Sky Sports 1 broadcast a programme called The Referees – Onside with Carragher and Neville.
It was a terrific piece of television as we got a glimpse behind the scenes of what it takes to be a top-level match official.
Do @GNev2 and @Carra23 have what it takes to be professional referees? Find out at 7pm on Sky Sports 1 HD: https://t.co/Sp64GpfF3M pic.twitter.com/eTRWsqPvwA
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 2, 2017
We saw everybody’s favourite footballing double-act, Neville and Carragher, put through their paces in a fitness test which showed the peak physical condition that is required of referees.
We saw interviews with a number of the most recognisable officials in the Premier League, who talked Neville and Carragher through why they made certain decisions and what they’d change if they got the chance to relive that moment.
And we also saw Mike Dean score the winner in a kickabout before he celebrated with his infamous reaction to a Spurs goal against Aston Villa.
I’ve created an atmosphere where I’m a striker 1st and a ref 2nd. Probably an entertainer 3rd.
(via @jawtonloe)
— Celebrity Refs (@CelebrityRefs) April 2, 2017
Dean was hailed as a hero by most viewers.
https://twitter.com/Raheelovic/status/848599421860421634
This Neville and Carragher ref programme is what Mike Dean was born for 😎
— Ross Pilcher (@rosspilcher) April 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/dvinice/status/848599964200599552
https://twitter.com/mikeyronan/status/848601886483763201
Mike Dean being the main fella.
— Caz (@Matty_OCarroll) April 2, 2017
https://twitter.com/MuzzyYaseen/status/848602372725252097
I actually just laughed at mike dean there celebrating that goal with him pointing and running. Funny touch from a ref I can't stand 👏
— Michael Salter (@MickoD3rd) April 2, 2017
It's all about Mike Dean 😂 That celebration ☝🏻☝🏻☝🏻The Referees- Onside With
— Dan Pounder (@dannypmt) April 2, 2017
Brilliant from Mike Dean. Onside with @Carra23 and @GNev2 . What a celebration.
— Kevin Taylor (@Tayluur82) April 2, 2017
This referee documentary is a great watch. Also that clip of Mike Dean scoring and all the refs celebrating is possibly the best thing ever
— Mike Hughes (@mike96hughes) April 2, 2017
But, as is the case with any aspect of football, not everybody was bowled over by Dean and his show-stealing ways.
Hahahaha Mike Dean is an arse hole
— AB (@AndyBeav96) April 2, 2017
Mike Dean is still a cunt. Pass it on
— Arsenal (@ffarsenalfc) April 2, 2017
Listening to Mike Dean's refeering approach was not good at all. Poor ref. @Carra23 @GNev2
— Shahab🧉 (@shahabLFC) April 2, 2017
This is actually making me hate Mike Dean more. Seems full of himself. Atkinson seems to come across well though IMO.
— Rich (@rich_987) April 2, 2017
