Overview

• Ben Croucher confirmed that alongside his work as a BBC Breakfast sports journalist he serves as a fully qualified grassroots football referee.
• He recalled officiating as assistant referee in an FA Cup extra preliminary round exactly one year ago, noting the good-natured banter he received from the crowd.
• Co-hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty expressed surprise upon learning about his off-screen refereeing career.
• The segment transitioned into coverage of the FA Cup’s extra preliminary rounds and featured a documentary tracing the competition’s origins.
• Earlier in the weekend, BBC Breakfast honoured late cricketer Graham Thorpe on what would have been his 56th birthday and highlighted support for mental health charity Mind.