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OspreyRef

OspreyRef

New Member
Opening weekend of the New Year sees two middles for me. 5th v 11th in the third division of my Supply League on Saturday followed by an OA County Cup Quarter Final on Sunday
 
The Ref Stop
Reserve cup for me.

I've had 1 match in December. Four games called off for various reasons. I'm feeling pretty rusty. :(
 
Supply league middle for me. New league. Not reffed in over a month due to moving home.
 
Nice varied set of January appointments for me. Two Bostik Prem matches as AR (one of which was today), AR on a Chelsea U19 game, Fourth Official on an FA Vase Last 32 and the one Supply League middle ... fingers crossed for the weather!!
 
5 middles lined up but still 3 weekend mornings free and no Thursday night games on the line yet.
 
Academy U16 line for me on Saturday - its going to be cold, so we have the chance to reopen the 'fashion' debate...……...…………...…......:p:rolleyes:
 
Quarter Final Middle U15s
Round of 16 Middle adults
Various junior and open age league middles
Northern League Semi Final Linesman duty
 
I've been out since the middle of September with a knackered hamstring, I'm starting off with a junior ar appointment on a league cup next saturday, then in the middle for an OA senior league cup the following sunday, and a junior league cup match the sunday after that.
 
This is probably THE poshest school there is! The guy in charge of the football is a QPR fan.

The main pitch is the best I have refereed on (Usually only the 1st team play on that) - when I complimented them on it, they said the All Blacks train on it when they are over!

On Saturday when they have a sports day with multiple games on - there is an ambulance, a paramedic team and doctor all on standby next to the pitch.

The players are well behaved, everybody is pleased to see you, you get paid promptly and the facilities are superb - what's not to like?!

In fact I have recruited a couple of other referees now, as the school want as many matches covered as possible - those refs are now giving up their oa Saturday fixtures to referee there!
 
Hope you enjoy the game...

I remember playing a posh school at Rugby at about U15, we were 60-0 up at half time, it was nearly men against mainly dwarfs. It was absolutely comical, I remember scoring a try with three of them on my back trying to stop me, I was just about carrying them!!! We never played the second half, the teachers got together and felt there was no point... We were up for 100+ LOL!!!
 
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Its a pretty good standard. Obviously the teams change each year, but last year their 1st team was very good indeed. I was in the middle when they beat their 'local' rivals 3-2 - cracking game with about 100 people watching at the end.

One was my wife - I came off feeling pretty pleased with myself - it had been a competitive game and had gone well.

She soon brought me down to earth when she said one of the boys watching had said ''Who that's old man refereeing?"

I consoled myself by deciding everyone seems old when you're 14!:)
 
Disclosure time: I work at what you might, in this thread, describe as a “Posh” school, and whilst we might not be as “posh” school @PinnerPaul describes, we are better at Football than them (if I’m guessing correctly, we beat them earlier in the year). In fact, I would describe us as amongst the top footballing schools in the country (both state & Independent)

Although “only” a mere maths teacher, I have been heavily involved in the school’s football, acting as fixtures Secretary for a number of years, and am now “chief referee” for want of a better term.

My only bugbear is that, as our 1st XI play in high status leagues & cups, I only get to ref the in friendlies and have to arrange neutral officials for most of their games. However, our 2nd XI are also of a high standard and I get to officiate some great games with teams, that on the whole, want to play football.

All the above is not to blow my own trumpet, but to highlight that there are some great opportunities out there for you as a referee: the pitches will be as good as any in the country, you will be well looked after and the standard of football can be very, very high. If you are interested, and in the south west, I’m always looking for additional referees - we play on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon’s- if you’re not in the South West I’m happy to point you in the direction (and possibly give you contact details) of the big and best football playing Independent Schools in your area.

(And Paul, your right, everyone adult is old to a 14 yr old schoolboy!)
 
RefJef said:
Disclosure time: I work at what you might, in this thread, describe as a “Posh” school, and whilst we might not be as “posh” school @PinnerPaul describes, we are better at Football than them (if I’m guessing correctly, we beat them earlier in the year). In fact, I would describe us as amongst the top footballing schools in the country (both state & Independent)

Although “only” a mere maths teacher, I have been heavily involved in the school’s football, acting as fixtures Secretary for a number of years, and am now “chief referee” for want of a better term.

My only bugbear is that, as our 1st XI play in high status leagues & cups, I only get to ref the in friendlies and have to arrange neutral officials for most of their games. However, our 2nd XI are also of a high standard and I get to officiate some great games with teams, that on the whole, want to play football.

All the above is not to blow my own trumpet, but to highlight that there are some great opportunities out there for you as a referee: the pitches will be as good as any in the country, you will be well looked after and the standard of football can be very, very high. If you are interested, and in the south west, I’m always looking for additional referees - we play on Wednesday and Saturday afternoon’s- if you’re not in the South West I’m happy to point you in the direction (and possibly give you contact details) of the big and best football playing Independent Schools in your area.

(And Paul, your right, everyone adult is old to a 14 yr old schoolboy!)
Click to expand...


Thanks Jeff and glad mine is not an isolated experience!
 
First game since the Xmas break tomorrow. U18 game at a 3g pitch that ive never been to before. Always enjoy going to new grounds and I've got my new gloves that the Mrs bought me for Xmas ;)
 
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