Burnley vs Newcastle kick off delayed by 30 minutes after refs’ assessor collapses in tunnel

BURNLEY'S clash with Newcastle was delayed by half hour after referees' assessor Eddie Wolstenholme collapsed in the tunnel.

The Premier League contest was pushed back to an 8.30pm start after Wolstenholme had to be taken to hospital.

The 64-year-old was described as "conscious" when he was driven away before Newcastle's 2-1 victory.

Burnley said in an initial statement that neither team or staff were involved in an "medical emergency".

The club said: "Kick off at tonight's game will be delayed by 30 minutes, due to a medical emergency in the players' tunnel.

"Neither team or their staff are affected. The person involved has been taken to hospital in a conscious state."

Reports then emerged of Wolstenholme collapsing.

The Press Association later reported he was "conscious" - and another statement from the Clarets confirmed this.

Preston-born Wolstenholme, 64, reffed in the Prem from 2001-2003 after nine years in the EFL.

He was in charge of the infamous "Battle of Bramall Lane" between Sheffield United and West Brom in March 2002.

Wolstenholme ended up abandoning it because the Blades - bossed by Neil Warnock - went down to just six players when trailing the Baggies 3-0.

Away from football, Wolstenholme worked as an engineering fitter.

Both teams went into tonight's game just a point above the drop zone but in improved form.

In fact, victory for either side would put them level on 12 points with 13th-placed West Ham.

And after hearing of the delayed kick-off, both squads came out again at 7.50pm to renew their warm-up routine, rather than make final preparations.