Mike Dean is probably more famous than half the Premier League players he referees on a regular basis. Officials aren't supposed to be the centre of attention, but when Dean is on the pitch, sometimes you can't help but keep an eye on what he's doing. Whether that's the silly stepovers we see on a regular basis or hiding hat-trick balls from unassuming strikers, the man is memorable. It turns out he's just like the rest of us too - especially when it comes to giving it out to his own kind from the stands.While speaking on That Peter Crouch Podcast, Dean confessed that he has sung 'the referee's a w****r' while watching his beloved Tranmere Rovers.
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"I have a few times, yeah. When I’m watching it, I’m watching it as a supporter," he told the podcast.
"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."
Brilliant. Just in case you've forgotten, here's that famous clip of Dean giving it the big one celebrating Tranmere's playoff win against Forest Green Rovers:
The man really is box office. While speaking on Crouchy's podcast, Dean also revealed why he has an air of arrogance while refereeing.
"There’s a touch of arrogance about me when I walk out on the pitch, I know there is," he said.
"But there’s also a lot of confidence in myself because I believe in my own abilities.
"Because of the way I referee, if the ball comes towards me I won’t jump out the way, I’ll let it go between my legs. That’s just how it is.
"I love a stepover. I do. You just do it, I love the job I do and with the way I referee it comes out that I enjoy what I do."
Love him or hate him, you can't deny Dean always adds an extra layer of drama when he's officiating in the Premier League.