Ex-Premier League referee Jon Moss has named Kevin Nolan as the most difficult player he ever had to deal with.
The 54-year-old, who officiated in the top flight for over a decade, has managed matches involving some of English football’s biggest stars. However, it was former Newcastle United midfielder Nolan who proved particularly tough to handle.
Speaking on the Row Z FC podcast, Moss said: “Without doubt the most challenging player I ever came across in the Premier League was Kevin Nolan. He could argue with himself in a paper bag.
“He would not let up at all, he’d be chirping at you [all game]. You’d give a simple throw in on the half-way line and he’d start arguing about it.”
Despite this, Moss admitted that off the pitch, the ex-West Ham and Bolton ace was “the nicest person off the pitch”, but that his friendly demeanour disappeared come match time.
“We used to go into clubs and do pre season visits, and he [Nolan] would always come over and always chat to you,” Moss recalled. “He was always such a nice guy.
“But when you went across that white line, it was like ‘right, here we go’. It just became fun. He was always bantering, arguing and you’ve got to hold your ground as a referee, you’ve got a throw a few one-liners back.”
(Image: Getty)
Moss also singled out Jamie Vardy, who he claims “never” stopped reminding the referee about his sending-off for Leicester against West Ham during the climax of their triumphant 2015/16 Premier League campaign, as a challenging player to officiate. “Those two [Nolan and Vardy] stick out,” he said.
Nolan’s reputation as a formidable competitor is well-founded, with referees often finding him a handful on the field. Known for his willingness to confront match officials, Nolan’s assertive leadership as captain at various clubs saw him frequently ruffling feathers with his assertive demeanour.
His track record in terms of discipline is also telling. Throughout his time in the Premier League, Nolan – currently managing Northampton Town in League One – accumulated 85 yellow cards and several reds, earning him a reputation as one of the dirtiest players in the division’s history.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Nolan’s career began at Bolton, where he was an integral part of former Toon boss Sam Allardyce’s memorable squad in the early 2000s, featuring stars like Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djorkaeff and Ivan Campo. He transferred to St James’ Park in January 2009, but couldn’t prevent United from slipping into the Championship a few months later.
He did, however, play a pivotal role in their immediate return to the top flight by netting 17 times in the league. Back in the Premier League, he lasted one more season on Tyneside before moving to West Ham to reunite with Allardyce.
He hung up his boots in 2017 after spells with Leyton Orient and Notts County, having amassed over 400 appearances in England’s top division.
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