In the latest episode of Sunday League hilarity, a referee had to use a harmonica for a whistle in the game between Tiptree Engraine and Stanway Rovers reserves last night.
After miscommunication with the referee, the booked referee didn't show up for the Essex and Suffolk border league fixture. A replacement was found in the form of Derek Packer, a man in his 50's and a qualified referee who had just come down to watch.
He was sent back home to get his kit but with no whistle, drastic action had to be taken and an alternative instrument was opted for.
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"I was frantically trying to arrange a replacement," David Pomphrett, Chairman of the club, told SPORTbible.
"In the meantime I asked a friend to start the game due to the fading light and referee. We didn't have a whistle but I did have my toddler son Alex's harmonica in the car. As both teams were there the show must go on as it were and hence Harmonica-gate was born!"
Footage of the mouth organ in use for the awarding of a penalty has emerged online and is quickly going viral.
We're adamant that this was surely the first ever football game to have comprised of a harmonica as opposed to a whistle and while it caused plenty of confusion, it did help the game flow nicely.
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"It was hilarious," Pomphrett added.
"The different notes perplexed everyone however I can honestly say because everyone was so taken aback by a harmonica instead of a whistle and also because both teams knew he wasn't a real ref there was no arguing really or dissent!"
Sunday League football, never change.
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