Referee Collapses Mid-Game as Bromley Match Suspended for Third Time This Season

A League Two match between Bromley and Cambridge United was temporarily suspended on Saturday after referee Declan Bourne collapsed on the pitch with a knee injury — marking the third time this season a Bromley game has been halted due to an official’s injury.

The dramatic incident occurred with Cambridge leading 2–1 when Bourne suddenly went down clutching his leg. Medical staff quickly rushed to his aid as the stadium announcer appealed for any qualified referee in attendance to step forward and assist as the fourth official. One of the assistant referees took over officiating duties after a brief pause.

In a post on its official social media page, Bromley joked about the unusual situation, writing: “For the THIRD time this season, if there is a qualified official in the stadium, please make yourself known.”

Following a ten-minute delay, the match resumed, with 15 minutes of stoppage time added before Cambridge United sealed a 2–1 victory — their fourth consecutive home win. Shayne Lavery and Kylian Kouassi scored for Cambridge, while Bromley’s Michael Cheek pulled one back after the break.

Saturday’s incident adds to Bromley’s peculiar run of bad luck with referees this season, following similar interruptions during games against Shrewsbury and Barnet in August.

Reacting after the match, Bromley manager Andy Woodman said:
“When you’re chasing two goals it’s tough. We got the first one and had the momentum, then unfortunately the ref got injured again and had to go off. Third time this season — hope he’s alright, but that lost a bit of momentum for us again.”

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