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GUILDFORD REFEREES’ SOCIETY (Founded 1925)
NEWSLETTER
March 2011
Sport Godalming working hard to promote
our members' activities at local shows
Godalming Town Show June 2010
The next meeting will be at Godalming Town FC Monday, March 14th
7:30 for a 7:45pm Start.
Please try and attend.
http://www.guildfordreferees.co.uk/
OFFICERS and COMMITTEE MEMBERS: 2007-2008
President Ray Cotton
01483 422560 [email protected]
Chairman Geoff Comley
01483 568577 [email protected]
Vice Chairman Steve Ferris
01483 567985 [email protected]
Honorary Secretary Brian Fish M.S.A.
01483 420007 [email protected]
Honorary Treasurer Bob Dick [email protected]
Training & Retention Tony Ireland
01483 285371 [email protected]
Honorary Retention Officer Geoff Comley
01483 568577 [email protected]
Honorary Supplies Officer Cyril West M.S.A. 01483 561115
Committee Member Colin Henderson
01483 224479 [email protected]
Committee Member Vic Rolland
01483 503631 [email protected]
Committee Member Steve Smith [email protected]
Committee Member Steve Nanson [email protected]
Football Team Manager Bill Matthews
01428 684230 [email protected]
Honorary Auditor TBA
Honorary Magazine Editor Roger Hall 01483 892218 [email protected]
Life Vice Presidents:-
Chris Burgess, Ray Cotton M.S.A., Brian Fish M.S.A. Geoffrey Comley, Derek Hart O.B.E. Ken Mills, Brian Pearce M.S.A. Vic Rolland, Mike Topping, Bernie West, Cyril West M.S.A. George White. John Thornton M.S.A
Vice Presidents:- Derek Berry, Norman Brice, Rex Faulkner, Colin Henderson, Phil Tilbury.
NOTICEBOARD
SUPPLIES please make Cyril your first port of call for all of your equipment
Guildford Referees Society Annual dinner
Venue: The Parrot Inn, Shalford, GU4 8DW
Date: Thursday 24th March 2011
Time: To be confirmed
Starter Homemade Vegetable Soup Bakes Mushroom with Stilton Sauce Bacon & Avocado Salad Main Course Chicken Supreme with mushrooms & tarragon Lamb steak cooked with fresh mint & raspberries Steak & Guinness pie All served with sauté potatoes & fresh vegetables
Dessert Cream brulee Lemon meringue pie Cheese & biscuits Followed by coffee or tea There is a vegetarian option available of Brie, apple & Onion Tart Butternut squash & Spinach risotto
The Society is looking at subsidising the evening and we will let you know shortly. Partners are more than welcome (to be honest we would like them to) to attend as it all adds to the evening. Could you please let Geoff Comley know by calling him if possible (he is still a bit old fashioned) that you will be attending and with whom plus your choice of starter/main/dessert from the menu attached. The sooner the better so Geoff can let the Parrot know what to get in otherwise it will be 16 Happy Meals etc. Geoff’s number is 01483 568577
………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
EDITORS COMMENTS Roger Hall
“Tough game Steve”? Backwards & Hedge come to mind!
Not a lot to say this month, hurray I hear you cry. I would like your thoughts on how we’re doing the magazine this season and your happy receiving it electronically. I’m back refereeing after having a bad back (and it’s getting warmer, although I did freeze my bits off at the University a couple of weeks ago) and enjoyed being back in the firing line. One of my first matches I gave the first free-kick 25 minutes into the game. By the end of the game I had sent a player off for violent conduct, so you can never can tell what’s going to happen.
GUILDFORD REFEREE SOCIETY: Minutes of meeting 14th February 2011 Chairman’s welcome: The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. Apologies for absence: David Hutchinson, Martin Tribe, Bill Fenning, Michael Cary, Steve Smith, Tony Ireland, .....and Brian Fish Minutes of previous meeting: Minutes of the January meeting were distributed to those present. Secretary’s Report:
In BF’s absence, GC advised that The Society annual dinner has been arranged for 24th March at The Parrott, Shalford. Menu and costs to be distributed. Treasurer’s Report: RMD distributed a report of the income and expenditure to date – the figures now including the purchase of the GRS ties. Total balance at the Bank was £3,693.18, Membership numbers stood at 56, comprising of 48 full members, (RMD welcomed Tristan Greaves to the membership) 4 youth, members, 3 life members and 1 associate member. Magazine: Thanks to Roger for the distributed by email, whilst Colin Henderson added that the articles submitted had been very good. Tournaments: The Five a Side tournament date was held on 16th January 2011. Supplies: CIW brought the attention of those present to the supplies table. Any Other Business & Problem Corner: VR advised that Referee Registration would rise to £20 in 2011-12 season. This would be the first rise since 2006. An IST for Cup Final Referees and Members in Charge would be held at Leatherhead (The Institute) on 11th March. Vic also advised that new Referees, and those attaining the age of 18, were being CRB checked through the normal process, whilst there were no changes envisaged for established referees. RC announced that a Referee Course was taking place at Broadwater School during the forthcoming Half Term – he suggested the setting up of a “Junior GRS”. VR added that Tim Lawrence had 2/3 similar courses in the pipeline which would complement the amount of Youth football in this side of the County. CH asked the members how they would deal with “mass confrontation” around a referee - a number of responses were heard, including standing your ground, getting your posture right, clear hand signals, and caution if dissent persists. Martin F referred to one of his recent games and problems that arose prior to two cautions and a post match misconduct report. VR commented that the County (Derek Stovold) would ensure clarity in referee’s submitted reports. In lieu of the guest speaker, Steve F presented a football quiz which everyone participated in teams. The Key draw: £14 was collected with the winning ticket, drawn by Jamie Rolland, being held by Granddad Vic, however Vic failed to pick the right key! Date of next meeting: Monday 14th March 2011
GUILDFORD REFEREES' SOCIETY: Income & Expenditure for Season 2010-2011
Income
Expenditure
2010-11
2010-11
Annual RA Ticket Draw
Referee's Association 713.00
SCFA Ref Association 63.00
GRS monthly Key Draw (5) 123.00
GRS monthly Key Draw 28.98
CIW 76.50
Xmas Charity Collection 18.00
Waverley BC (Licence) 20.00
Donation 5.00
RA Benevolent Fund Subscriptions 1,160.00
SCFA Benevolent Fund
Kit Sales surplus
GRS Ties 734.00
Web site Fee
Football Team Kit & costs 41.38
Christmas Buffet 61.11
GRS Xmas Draw Net Inc. 377.00
GRS Xmas Draw Expenditure 291.48
Merger Bonus Chq
Guildford Ref Magazine Interest 0.36
Officers' Expenses
GRS Meeting Expenses 32.78
Silver Salver
SCFA
Sub totals 1,683.36
2,062.23
Brought Fwd 2009-10 4,024.67
Deposit A/c 3,621.29
Inc over Expenditure -378.87
Bank a/c 24.51
3,645.80
3,645.80
Officer's Expenses:
Xmas Draw Secretary
Income from ticket sales 377.00
Treasurer
Cash Prizes -150.00
Other Prizes -76.48
Total: 0.00
Sub total Profit: 150.52
Ticket Printing -65.00
Total Profit: 85.52
We hear so much about the „positive‟ application of our
officiating on the field of play. It is, without a doubt,
paramount that we apply the laws of the game without
prejudice and ensure that we have a safe and fair game
whenever we „don the black‟. Recently I heard from a match official that he might as well
not been there as the two teams were so well behaved that
they hardly needed a referee. I believe that it is the
presence of the match official that is the decisive component in the game. You would
not, for example, on the open road, speed past a police patrol vehicle at 90mph (I
hope) nor would you walk, in dirty shoes, across your lounge carpet (at your own
peril). The reason being is that you know the consequences of these actions and that
is the deterrent. I have therefore come to the conclusion that we are the decisive
element on the field of play. It is our personal approach that creates the climate on
the pitch and it is our mood that affects it. As match officials we possess a
tremendous power to make a player‟s day miserable or happy. I suppose to that end
we can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration to any aspiring young referee and we can also humiliate or humour. In all the situations it is going to be our
response that decides whether an incident will be escalated or de-escalated and a
player humanised or dehumanised. It would never be my intent to lecture any referee on how to conduct themselves on
the field of play as I am quite positive that all of us have the right attitude towards
officiating. However, as a referees‟ secretary, I feel that I have a duty to put my
thoughts forward purely for guidance and if some are taken on board then I have achieved what I set out to do. I have had more reports this season from club
secretaries informing me on the splendid performances of my match officials and they
far outweigh the derogatory comments that sometimes come across the ether and
end up in my „inbox‟
For those match officials that have achieved their promotion this season may I offer
my congratulations and wish them further success should they wish to continue on the promotion ladder. I also offer a „well done‟ to the referees who have been allocated a
County Cup Final. I feel sure you will do us proud.
Adrian
Actual call centre conversations!!!!! Tech Support: 'OK. In the bottom left hand side of the screen, can you see the 'OK' button displayed?' Customer: ‘Wow. How can you see my screen from there?’
…………………………………………………………………………………….. Caller: 'I deleted a file from my PC last week and I have just realised that I need it. If I turn my system clock back two weeks will I have my file back again?'.
http://www.sportgodalming.org.uk/awards2.html
Sports Personality of the Year Charterhouse Club Shield
Winner: Elizabeth Ng (Fencing)
Second: Chris Scott (Athletics - Discus)
Third: Sarah Taylor (Lacrosse)
Commendations: Sheila Seddon (Bowls); Adelle Tracey
(Athletics); Gordon Croucher (Cycling)
Liz Ng with Tim Ostle
Liz NG is a member of the AFC fencing club in Farncombe. Here are her achievements
this year.
Liz won a Silver medal in the British junior championships, which were held in
Sheffield, in October 2009. In January 2010 she won a Bronze medal at the Essex
open in Colchester. She competed at the world junior and cadet championship in Baku in April 2010 for Great Britain. Won Gold, in the women‟s foil at the Chichester open in
May 2010. In June 2010, Liz was appointed Captain of the winning England Women‟s
Foil team at the senior 5 nations in St Albans. She won Individual silver; and team
gold at the British senior national championships again in Sheffield, in July 2010.
In September 2010, Liz represented England at the Commonwealth fencing
championships in Melbourne, Australia. She was 5th in the individual Women‟s Foil
event going out to the eventual gold medal winner – but won a gold medal as a member of the Women‟s foil team.
Disabled Sports Award The Godalming Angling Society Shield
Winner: Nicky Thompson (Equestrian - Dressage)
Second: Jill Alexander (Carriage Driving)
Nicky Thompson and Gary Greenhill with Malcolm Richardson
Nicky Thompson is a blind dressage rider in only
her second year of competing and yet she has
achieved significant results. She competed for
Great Britain at her first International competition, taking individual 3rd. She
competed for South East region in the Para Inter-Regional, leading the team to victory and taking individual second. She has been placed 2nd in all 3 National competitions,
beaten only by the current world champion.
Sport Godalming Bowls Competition
Winners:
Bob Archer (Mens)
Holloway Hill Bowls Club
Sheila Seddon (Ladies)
Milford Bowls Club
Bob Archer with Mayor Jane Thomson and David
Anderson
Sheila Seddon with with Mayor Jane Thomson
and David Anderson
Club Long Service Award
Winner: Maggs Kyte (Guildford Hockey Club)
Maggs Kyte with Bill Braid
Maggs Kyte has been involved in the Guildford
Hockey Club Colts for about the last 20 years. She
has inspired thousands of people, young and old to be involved in hockey. When she started the junior
programme was quite small with just a handful of teams. The club has now expanded
and has a boys and girls team in every age group from U9 to U18. The youth sections
are thriving with membership growing all the time. Maggs is an excellent coach and
has run the Surrey Youth Games team for Guildford since it started and also is a lead
Coach in the Surrey Junior Development programme.
Maggs is known in the club as the person who does everything. She leads on membership, fixtures, umpires and recruitment and deployment of coaches. It is very
difficult to imagine how the club would run without her. She literally organises
hundreds of people a week into competitive teams.
On top of the work with the colts, Maggs also does the same for the Ladies section –
organising fixtures and finding available players so that all the teams can have a
game. Maggs has probably worked every Friday, Saturday and Sunday for the last 20 years running an amazing club with an enormous membership and most of all
ensuring that everyone who wants to play can enjoy their hockey.
Sport Godalming Shield for Club Excellence Award
Winner: Godalming Swimming Club
Bob Cox (President) and club members with Mayor
Jane Thompson
Godalming Swimming Club had some outstanding
performances in a number of swimming galas and
performed well in the Rother league having been promoted at the end of the previous season. The
highlights of the year were wins in the following swimming galas:
27th February 2010 – Godalming retained the Dorking Moyce Cup swimming against
teams from Sutton, Wey Valley, and Tonbridge as well as two teams from the hosts
Dorking.
8th May 2010 – Godalming won the Angela Sharp trophy at Trinity school in Croydon. Godalming faced tough competition against two teams from Sutton Atlantis Swimming
Club the trophy holders for the last four years, the Beacon Swimming Club from
Crowborough, Tandridge Aquarius Swim Squad (TASS) and the Chislehurst Millennium
Swim Squad. The win in the final squadron meant that Godalming had increased their
lead finishing 1st on 255 points. The all round excellence of the Godalming swimmers
was evidenced by a total of 12 personal bests and 27 1st places out of the 49 races
swum.
15th May 2010 – Godalming won the Broadwater Trophy at the Godalming leisure
centre. The young Godalming team were up against teams from Sutton Atlantis,
Cranleigh, Henley and Tonbridge. Godalming finished 1st on 162 points, with
Tonbridge 2nd on 125 and Henley taking 3rd with 100 points..
As you have heard the club are doing extremely well; have a growing membership
and are managed and coached by a dedicated group of volunteers. Paul Nash, team manager, Dale Garrod boys captain, Megan White girls captain and
the Club president Bob Cox who has been involved with the club for the whole of the
past 35 years.
MORE NEXT MONTH…………………
Actual call centre conversations!!!!! There's always one. This has got to be one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the Word Perfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the Word Perfect organization for 'Termination without Cause'. Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations!): Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?' Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect.' Operator: 'What sort of trouble??' Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?' Caller: 'They disappeared.' Operator: 'Hmm So what does your screen look like now?' Caller: 'Nothing.' Operator: 'Nothing??' Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.' Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??' Caller: 'How do I tell?' Operator: 'Can you see the C: prompt on the screen??' Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?' Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?' Caller: 'There isn't any cursor: I told you, it won't accept anything I type.' Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator??' Caller: 'What's a monitor?' Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??' Caller: 'I don't know.' Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??' Caller: 'Yes, I think so.' Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall. Caller: 'Yes, it is.' Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??' Caller: 'No.' Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable.' Caller: 'Okay, here it is.' Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer.' Caller: 'I can't reach.' Operator: 'Uh huh. Well, can you see if it is??' Caller: 'No.' Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??' Caller: 'Oh, it's not because I don't have the right angle - it's because it's dark.' Operator: 'Dark??' Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window.' Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.' Caller: 'I can't.' Operator: 'No? Why not??' Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.' Operator: 'A power......... A power failure? Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff your computer came in??' Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.' Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from.' Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?' Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.' Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??' Operator: 'Tell them you're too f --- ing stupid to own a computer!!!!!'
Why Waste £18 Million of our money when there’s no Chance?
Prince William was born on 21st June, and made 16 the same day I reached 70,
so he was 21 as I was 75, and so on. He is President of the F.A. I am President of
G&WAFL. He is a bit naive; I think I am more aware. Yes, it‟s great that he, and the
blessed David (Beckham) and unblessed David (Cameron) were all on our side and
plugging for England to enjoy another „occasion‟ in 2018 (Why I am writing about a
date I may never see?). But someone should have known, and someone should have told all three of them to stay at home, we did not have a cat in hell‟s chance of
success. Blatter has to be the head of the „cleverest‟ organizations the game has seen.
He managed to coerce us and several other nations and combinations of nations to
pay out good money to make bids for something he had already DECIDED about. He
is Swiss, of course, and they have a reputation for being the world‟s bankers, I expect
you know that one condition of any country. I don‟t mind him picking on Russia, that country is regimented enough to make a big success of anything, but QATAR ( or is it
QUATAR, or CATARRH)! Very certain we caught a cold, as did Australia and the U.S.A.
There could be some fun before the 2022 tournament. I think Mr. Blatter dislikes the
English, may even extend that dislike to the British, after all we do like to „Lord it‟ a
bit, retaining 4 votes out of 8 on the actual „Laws‟ body, tending also to give the
impression that we have the „right‟ to do certain things in the game. As for bribery being inherent in the F.I.F.A. approach to most things, surely OUR agreement to play
a match in Trinidad and Tobago, and another one somewhere out East, smacks of the
same sort of „We‟ll do this providing you give us your vote!‟: i.e. Offering favours,
even handing out handbags (!) is a form of bribery. I am slightly worried at the
overall effect the Blatter method of worldwide distribution of such a tournament is
bound to be on the „supply of big stadiums‟. Russia is not known for having 20
Premiership level clubs all needing 50,000 (or larger) capacity stadiums after the 2018 World Cup has callapsed its tents and departed, Qatar even more so, the place
is somewhat bereft of any largish football clubs, and a tad short of people to watch
what is still a very small „national‟ League. A country the size of the USA, with
umpteen sports being played, will always be able to use and „absorb‟ any number of
the stadiums „left over‟ after a World Cup, but many counties will palpably not do so.
All in all we are entitled to be disappointed by the Blatter inspired subterfuge, but we should not be surprised. Darker forces than we are used to in this country are
at work, although, having said that, I perhaps need to remember that „old Spudface‟
only needed his salary doubled to make him stay at the Theatre, rather than depart,
whilst Mr. Tevez just might be on something like the same move, plus Chris Hughton
was sacked, and the chewing Sam likewise apparently lost out to some chicken
farmers, both at a time when their results were „reasonable‟ by any standards. YOU CANNOT BOTH WIN!
Law 14 (Not for the feint-hearted) Stand-by for a teaser in relation to the brand new instruction on Law Fourteen, regarding deception by the player taking the kick.
Think now Mr. Referee, so that once and for all you‟ll get it right on the aspect
of “how am I going to re-start the game?”
The scenario: you have stopped the game at the point where you have, in your
mind, ruled that the attacking player has committed a deception (feinting his kick
after completing the run-up). Invariably, your whistle will not quite be in time to delay the taking of the kick.
Some sort of furore will occur as you, not only disallow the result of the kick,
but show a custard-coloured small rectangular piece of plastic to the player who
shammed, as well!
And now: “How am I going to re-start the game?”
You have just issued a Caution and, generally, the offended team benefit with
an indirect free-kick …… as the sanction was applied as a result of the ball being in play.
So…………?
Possibly a “goal” has been the outcome of that kick or, obviously, the ball could
have missed the goal altogether?
Come what may …… what happens next?
This could, feasibly; all happen to YOU when next you‟re officiating, possibly surrounded by clamouring players causing a “disturbance”?
But, gentle reader, you will be a referee keeping a cool head because you,
readily, know what to do, next!
Don‟t you?
After that nice little aspect of play, it will be time to ……………………
“PLAY-ON!”
Phil Newman
A father walks into a restaurant with his young son. He gives the young boy 3 pound coins to play with to
keep him occupied.
Suddenly, the boy starts choking, going blue in the face. The father realizes the boy has swallowed the coins
and starts slapping him on the back.
The boy coughs up 2 of the coins, but keeps choking. Looking at his son, the father is panicking, shouting for
help.
A well dressed, attractive, and serious looking woman, in a blue business suit is sitting at a coffee bar
reading a newspaper and sipping a cup of coffee. At the sound of the commotion, she looks up, puts her
coffee cup down, neatly folds the newspaper and places it on the counter, gets up from her seat and makes
her way, unhurried, across the restaurant.
Reaching the boy, the woman carefully drops his pants; takes hold of the boy's' testicles and starts to squeeze
and twist, gently at first and then ever so firmly.
After a few seconds the boy convulses violently and coughs up the last pound, which the woman deftly
catches in her free hand.
Releasing the boy's testicles, the woman hands the dollar to the father and walks back to her seat at the coffee
bar without saying a word.
As soon as he is sure that his son has suffered no ill effects, the Father rushes over to the woman and starts
thanking her saying, "I've never seen anybody do anything like that before, it was fantastic. Are you a
doctor?
'No,' the woman replied. 'I'm with the Inland Revenue!'
Pushy parents and Respect-less kids are ruining football - but are Prem role models to blame?
By Oliver Holt “Mirror Sports Correspondent”
9th February 2011 I took my kids to our local sports ground in London for their hockey practice on Sunday morning. Usually, I stick around for a while and watch them doing their drills and playing their training games. And, if I'm honest, I spend plenty of time looking the other way, peering over the back of the small grandstand at the boys' Sunday league football match on the pitch on the opposite side of the running track. Sometimes on Sunday mornings, I think of what Tommy Smith once said of Bill
Shankly. "If there was no football on at Liverpool, he'd go to Everton," Smith said. "If there was nothing on at Everton, he'd go to Manchester. "If there was nothing on in Manchester, he'd go to Newcastle. If there was nothing on at all, he'd go to a park and watch a few kids kick a ball around. He was one of them fellas." I'm one of them fellas, too. A lot of football fans are. I can watch football anywhere, of any standard, and love it. But last Sunday was different. Last Sunday, I witnessed something on the football pitch I've never seen before, something that made me feel sick. When we got to the pitch where the hockey practice takes place, a boys' football match was in full swing. The kids looked like they were about 12 or 13. They were eager and fit without being club academy material. There were 30 or 40 parents on the touchline. I had heard them shouting from the other side of the park. It felt like a big game. Part of the time, they were cheering their support for their sons. But mostly they were screaming abuse at every refereeing decision that went against them. The mums and dads moved up and down the line in an angry swarm, holding their heads in their hands when something went wrong, making extravagant gestures of disgust. It was a keenly contested match and the away side scored an equaliser while I was watching to make it 3-3. The touchline erupted. Parents leapt around and punched the air. Then a couple of minutes later, the referee blew for full time and all hell broke loose. Egged on by their coach, who was beside himself with the injustice of it all, the kids from one of the teams flew into a collective rage because they thought the referee had blown early. They crowded around the official in a baying mob. Roy Keane, Jaap Stam and Nicky Butt hounding Andy D'Urso had nothing on this lot, I promise you. A couple of the boys kicked the referee as he tried to walk off. Not just furtive digs, either. Proper kicks. Another attempted to trip him. They were all yelling abuse at him and gesticulating wildly. Like I said, these kids were 12 or 13. And they were wearing Barcelona colours. That seemed particularly ironic? None of the coaches or parents did anything to try to discourage this behaviour. Not one of them said a word of rebuke. In fact, they seemed to be sympathetic towards it. One of the coaches walked off, shaking his head furiously and shouting "chicken s**t" to no one in particular. I didn't want to get involved but I couldn't help it. I asked the shouting coach if he encouraged his boys to kick referees. "They were just disappointed," he said. I asked a couple of the parents, too. One of the mums was too busy nursing her own anger about the early finish to offer any reply. She appeared to be blaming the hockey kids, who ranged in age from three to 12. "P****s," she shouted at them as they started doing their drills. I asked them, in as reasonable a tone as I could muster, if they realised how pathetic they looked, how ugly. They didn't say anything. I approached the other team's coach. He was wearing a coat emblazoned with the crest of a London club that has a particularly good community outreach programme. I have no idea whether he was attached to the club or just a fan. I asked him the same question. Did he encourage his young players to kick referees? He walked past without saying a word. I followed him and asked him again in case he hadn't heard. He kept walking. I saw the park manager later. He said he was studying CCTV footage of what had happened. He was going to mention it to his boss. I know what you're going to say. Why so surprised? Isn't this exactly why the FA started the much-derided Respect campaign in the first place? Because parents' behaviour on football touchlines has been out of control for a long time now. But if the parents are to blame, then so, I'm afraid, are many of today's players and managers. The Didier Drogbas of this world who flip into eye-bulging, finger-wagging, head-shaking tantrums when a decision goes against them. The managers who pass the buck for their own shortcomings by blaming the referee for everything. I don't believe that footballers should be role models for our children off the pitch but what they do on the pitch is important. If children see players intimidating referees and screaming at them with disdain, they will copy them.
I've never really thought too much about the Respect campaign until now. I've been lazy. But Sunday changed that for me. I'm going to think more seriously about what I write about referees, for a start. I hated the way Graham Poll officiated at matches, the way he seemed to think people had come to watch him as well as the players. I hated the imitators he spawned. But it's time to get over that and look at the bigger picture. A lot is improving. Dissent cautions across top four divisions of the professional game were down by nine per cent last season and referee numbers are up 7.4% year-on-year. Assaults on referees are down, too. Assaults? One assault on a referee is too many. These are people who give up their time to allow children and adults to play the game they love. They deserve an awful lot better than being tripped, kicked and ridiculed by people, young and old, who have forgotten the meaning of sport.
5 CASES WHEN IT IS OK TO USE THE 'F' WORD
GLAD IS WASN’T ME Sometimes officials make decisions that show the interpretations of the Law are incomplete or ambiguous. You always
hope it’s the other assistant or the referee on another game.
However these decisions allows us to make the Law robust so we can all apply it with certainty.
One such decision was during the Arsenal versus Everton match last Tuesday evening (1st February 2011). Stephen
Child was the active assistant when an Everton forward (Saha) was in an offside position.
The ball was played to him by his colleague. If the ball had reached him he was 100% offside. However, an Arsenal
defender tried to play the ball to one of his colleagues but inadvertently diverted it to Saha.
Stephen who is an excellent assistant – had held his flag to see the outcome of the play – and as the Arsenal player had
deliberately played the ball decided that the game had moved to another phase.
It was a complex decision and it divided opinion of our top assistants. Some saw it as the next phase; others thought it
to be classed as a rebound.
After many discussions the top people have decided that because the Arsenal player didn’t play it in a controlled
manner it was NOT a different phase, it was a rebound.
Hence offside.
Personally, I think this is the correct outcome simply because the players and managers and supporters expected offside
in this case.
Though to offer the other side of the argument about tinkering with the Offside Law I’ve noticed at my level – assessing
on the Contributory Leagues and coaching at the Academy – the players understand that offside is offside when the ball
reaches the player.
They still appeal for offside but more out of hope me thinks.
BRILLIANT ASSISTING
Before we leave this whole episode behind it must be pointed out that Stephen Child proved what a top assistant he is
and why he is on the FIFA List of Assistant Referees.
Any official can give a player offside. Club assistants prove that!
When I was making my way in officiating I was told that the good assistant knows when not to flag. Meaning that the
role of a good assistant is to assist and ensure that your interventions are needed by YOUR referee.
To do this you need a deep knowledge of refereeing and you also need a cool head.
Stephen was lining in a full Emirates Stadium, full of Arsenal supporters, leastways they would have been home fans
behind him. It is the easiest job in the world to flag Saha offside.
I know from personal experience. I gave Shearer offside just because Adams and Keown shoved their arms up!
What Stephen did was show his class and hold the flag. The simplest way I found of holding the flag – told to me by
Steve Bennett when he was a FIFA Assistant - was to check with my referee before giving any decision.
Whether you use the Steve Bennett method or simply count to 3 or 4 or 5 whenever you’re lining just get into the habit
of holding the signal for a couple of moments to ensure what you think is going to happen actually happens.
Oh and while you’re there make sure your signals are crisp and sharp.
Enjoy the weekend.
Albert Einstein is reputed to have said: "Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting
different results."
This week the new season started for us as officials. If the old season went well we’re waiting for the “powers that be”
to decide if we’ve made enough improvements in our performances to warrant that dreamed about promotion.
If the season didn’t go to plan then we’re starting again with a clean slate looking to make it happen this year. But if it
didn’t happen this season what was the cause of it?
Have you analysed it and developed a plan to make the necessary improvements for next season?
Are all of the reasons for your season down to you?
Now if you’ve had a great season it’s easy to make the case it was down to you, if the opposite is true it’s also easy to
blame someone else.
The assessors don’t know what they’re looking at do they?
The Appointments Officer gives me all the tough games.
The assistants who worked with me didn’t listen to my instructions.
The assessors are looking after referees from their own county.
Do you know I’ve never heard a complaint about an assessor from someone who got promoted! Now why do you think
that is?
There is a scientific reason behind taking total responsibility for your actions and outcomes: you get to shape how you
react to it.
If you’re blaming someone else for your lack of progress you’re dependent on them.
Make yourself a promise that from here on in it’s all down to you.
You’ll still get frustrated when it doesn’t go to plan but your future will not depend on who assesses you, what games
you’re given or which assistants you’re scheduled to work with.
What will matter is what attitude you take into every match.
Elbert Hubbard is reputed to have said: “To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing and be nothing.” Three people this week ignored his advice and have been criticised – but here’s the rub – they’ve been criticised for
doing it at the very top level.
Being criticised is part of the job description!
Mark Clattenburg did what he thought was correct in the Wigan versus Manchester United game regarding Rooney. He
acted on what he saw with his one pair of eyes in real time – we can make a different decision when we can review the
incidents at our leisure from all different angles.
Ron Ganfield gave the Birmingham player offside in the opening minutes of the League Cup Final. I’m led to believe
that he’s horrified that he made a mistake.
And Martin Atkinson – according to Dermot Gallagher – should have sent the Chelsea player off for two cautionable
offences.
But there’s something underlying the criticisms that we as officials have to put into perspective.
No one from Manchester United following the Wigan match was going crazy about the decision and standing in front of
television cameras saying the referee was not strong enough!
No one was creating about the bad offside call in the League Cup final because the sinned against side went onto win.
We appear to only get criticised as officials by the losing side. Whenever I read a critical comment about anything I
want to know who said it and what their angle is.
And if you’re smart you’ll see that I’m railing against those doing the criticising because I’m a referee and until
someone is prepared to walk a mile in our shoes they should refrain from comment.
MY HR GURU (the artist formally known as “The Channel Island Correspondent”) says:
The other question you have to ask is: what is the purpose of the criticism? Is it specific to improve performance – like
an assessor should offer because he wants you to improve next time - or is it to deflect the criticisers own deficiencies
or is he trying to get in your head for the next time?
And my final observation about the League Cup Final is: I bet the Arsenal goalkeeper now wishes he was sent off in the
first 5 minutes!
In my opinion, goalkeepers are in the same union as us – totally loco.
Whilst the Birmingham keeper may have been Man of the Match, like us as officials the chances are if they’re going to
be anything it’ll be the chumps even though they are faultless for 99% of the time.
And finally
Last year I got criticised for holding a course down south for officials who wanted to improve their refereeing by
tapping into my experiences officiating, coaching and assessing plus my knowledge of sports psychology and man-
management.
At the moment we’re looking at holding a one day “no brainer” event on a Sunday around the Coventry area. It’s a “no
brainer” because it’ll be virtually free of charge.
Stay tuned.
The Renegade
PPS You can email me at: [email protected]
Analysis of Reports A few seasons ago, I compiled a list from my Contributory Assessing Reports of the three most commonly used headings, one from the “Strengths” and one from the “Advice” headings. I have recently done the same over the last two years and thought it may help in some self-examination. Strengths.
1). Application of Law. This came out on top of my survey. Comments included: The importance to your control of getting the first caution right. Is it too petty / too late. Raising your profile as the temperature of the game rises. Do you shrink or are you more pro- active. Differentiation between cautionable and non-cautionable offences. i.e. is the offence calculated. Issuing the card immediately to save retaliation from the non-offending team. 2). Fitness and Workrate. The ability to carry out several long sprints in succession. No evidence of slowing down towards the end of the match. Do you get tired and therefore more prone to mistakes? Reacting to quick changes of play. Do you re-act to rather than anticipate play. Covering from a credible distance, tight moments in the penalty area. Are you giving decisions from well outside the penalty area? 3). Match Control. Talking to players with brief explanations. Don’t get involved in long discussions. The good use of captains when dealing with players. Use him/her if they are likely to have a positive influence. Being sharp and positive for tricky decisions. This will add to your authority. Spotting and acting on timewasting. Always frustrating for the opposition and likely to raise the tension. Advice. 1). Positioning. How many times do you have to avoid play or players in the match? Are you too close? Do you spend a good deal of time in or around the centre circle, where a large proportion of play/moves originate from? 2). Management of Stoppages and Technical Offences. Do you isolate the offender when issuing a caution? Are you too slow to spot an injury and call on the physio? – you can earn several “brownie” points for being prompt! Are substitutions carried out smartly? 3). Communication. Do you walk confidently on to the pitch? Are your arm signals positive? Do you talk to players to prevent possible trouble, as play is continuing? Do you let everybody know that you are playing advantage with a signal and shout? – more “brownie” points! Is it clear you have spotted timewasting? Most of all try and relax and enjoy yourselves – if the players let you! Colin Henderson
On hearing her elderly granddad had died, Katie went to her 98 year old grans house. When she asked how he died, her gran replied, “he had a heart attack during Sunday morning sex”. Katie was aghast at her 2 grandparents risking their lives making love. “We do it to the church bells. Nice and slow. In on the ding and out on the dong”, she paused to wipe away a tear. “He’d still be alive if the dammed ice cream van hadn’t come along”.
LIPHOOK UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB YOUTH FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT (Sanctioned by Hampshire FA) Saturday 4
th June & Sunday 5
th June 2011
Referees required to officiate in a small friendly well run tournament. Good remuneration and food supplied. Please contact Martin Feast [email protected] 01428 722677
Babe Roth!
HOUSE RULES
Please refrain from smoking in the meeting room.
Ensure mobile phones are switched off or switched to silent
Take your glasses back to the bar at the end of the evening.
Make sure you have signed the attendance book.
Note the date of the next meeting—we look forward to seeing you then and have a safe journey home.
Dates For Your Diaries
Next Meeting 11th April 9th May AGM
4th June 12:00 ko England v Holland
10th August 12:00 ko Bulgaria v England
2nd September 12:00 ko England v Wales
6th September 12:00 ko Montenegro v England 7th October 12:00 ko
THE GUILDFORD Referee Is the monthly magazine of Guildford Referees’ Society
Its aim is to give members notice of meetings, report on Society activities and act as a forum for members views, comments and opinions. The views expressed herein are not necessarily the view of the Football Association, FAMOA, The Society nor of it’s Committee Contributions (on any subject likely to be of interest to members) are invited, and should be sent directly to the Editor at least 16 days before the date of the next meeting. Guildford Referees Society meets on the second Monday of each month, August to May, at Godalming Town FC, Weycourt, Godalming. Kick off 7:45pm The Society is part of the SURREY REFEREES ASSOCIATION whose objectives are: To improve the status of Referees To improve the standards of Refereeing To promote a closer relationship between Referees and Football Associations and kindred bodies. To assist all such Associations in promoting the best interest of the game. To assist all such Associations in promoting their educational and general work. To establish Referee’s Societies of Associations in districts where none exist. To watch over and promote the Referees in general. To protect the members from injustice or unfair treatment. To assist or take action (legal of otherwise) for and on behalf of any member unfairly or unjustly treated. To make such representation to the governing bodies as may be thought necessary for the good of the
game and the benefit of Referees and Refereeing. To maintain a Benevolent Fund to aid members or past members or their dependents in case of need. To assist in maintaining a steady supply of suitable candidates to take the Referees’ examination. To provide social activities, as desirable, and to retain in membership those who have given up active Refereeing, that their experience may benefit the newcomer.
