Premier League Referees Doing The Soccer AM Crossbar Challenge Is Still Comedy Gold

A selection of former and current Premier League referees once took part in the sorely-missed Soccer AM crossbar challenge, featuring a painful Mike Dean 'toe-punt' and Peter Walton falling on his backside.

Back in 2004, when Soccer AM was at the peak of its powers, presenters Tim Lovejoy and Helen Chamberlain gave us weekly segments like Third Eye, Skill Skool, Nutmeg Files and of course, Topless Weather with Sheephead.

But perhaps the most popular feature on Saturday's acclaimed Sky Sports show was the eagerly anticipated Crossbar Challenge.

Step forward the likes of Graham Poll, Mark Halsey, Andy D'Urso and Dermot Gallagher, who all attempted to hit the crossbar from halfway. The results? Well, check them out for yourself.

He may have missed the target on this occasion but Premier League legend and Tranmere Rovers fan Mike Dean netted a last gasp winner when a bunch of Premier League officials took part in a one-off game.

The 53-year-old, known for his weird and wonderful mannerisms on the football pitch, celebrated a tap-in like a man responsible for scoring in a Champions League final as the likes of Anthony Taylor and Martin Atkinson joined in the celebrations.

After a sublime through ball from Paul Tierney, veteran poacher Dean swung his right boot at the ball like 'a prime Ruud Van Nistlerooy' and somehow scored after a questionable moment of goalkeeping.

The celebration? Just watch this.

Mike Dean scoring like a prime Ruud Van Nistlerooy in a game between referees 🙌

It's all about the celebration 😆 pic.twitter.com/mPkN0XJjZN

— Soccer AM (@SoccerAM) October 28, 2021

This isn't the first time Dean has decided to celebrate a goal in front of the cameras.

Back in 2015, during an FA Cup clash between Spurs and Aston Villa, the Wirral-born official 'celebrated' alongside Mousa Dembele.

After the Belgian midfielder netted with three minutes on the clock at White Hart Lane, a delighted Dean was seen running away from the scene with his arm aloft.

Two years later, Dean, who has officiated more than 500 games in England's top flight, revealed the reason why he celebrated.

"I wouldn't say it was a goal celebration, I was celebrating an advantage," he told BBC Sport.

"As you can see, but I kind of got carried away with the whole day really. It is a foul and I've played on, probably shouldn't have put my arms out but it was good."

Never change, Mike.