The scar on the top of Melvyn’s head. Melvyn Scarborough of Sheffield who found out he had a brain tumour after being hit by a football whilst refereeing a football match. See rossparry copy RPYREFEREE: A referee who had his brain tumour misdiagnosed by doctors for almost a year had his life saved – by a FOOTBALL. Experienced amateur referee Melvyn Scarborough had taken a year off officiating games after suffering from chronic tiredness and a lack of balance – which his doctors put down to depression. He was offered the chance to referee again and was persuaded to take up his whistle once more for a friendly game. Half an hour into the match, after giving a free kick, a rogue ball ploughed into the back of Melvyn’s head knocking him out and he was taken to hospital.