Denne contributed to an enjoyable watch on Saturday

Not every whistle invites controversy — sometimes the quietest officiating is the most impressive.

Mr Hugh Dunnit has been tipped off by a source at the weekend’s GCFA league qualifying clash, and the word is clear: referee Matthew Denne delivered a performance that deserves more than passing praise.

The whisper filtering back was simple: Denne let the game breathe. He kept the cards in his pocket, trusted the players to play, and showed calm authority without ever needing to be centre stage. The standout stat? Zero bookings in a contest where tempers could easily have boiled over.

Our source at the fixture summed it up: “He didn’t make it about himself. The game flowed, decisions were clear, and everyone left talking about the football — not the referee.”

In a league where officials are so often criticised, Denne’s display shows the other side of the coin: referees who quietly raise the standard and make football enjoyable for all.

The GCFA thrives on goals, drama and rivalries — but it also relies on referees who can steer a game without stealing the show. And as Mr Hugh Dunnit’s source made clear, this was one of those days. Whispers like this deserve to be heard.

The GCFA thrives on goals, drama and rivalries — but it also relies on referees who can steer a game without stealing the show. And as Mr Hugh Dunnit’s source made clear, this was one of those days. Whispers like this deserve to be heard.