Recent content by Refollie

“Who is in charge of this game?” “We are, thank you.”

I’m refereeing a BUCS match tomorrow and have not done one before as I’m not usually available on a Wednesday lunchtime. The competition rules I’ve found online make no mention of team sheets… do they use them? Also thought it was unusual that there are not rolling subs given its grassroots...

I’m relocating to Gloucestershire in a few months. Does anybody round there know the best contact at the GFA to chat with? Also advice on what leagues to contact to join. I’d like to find somewhere for Saturday, Sunday and midweek evenings if possible. Men’s/women’s/vets/BUCs, not youth...

There’s one L5 I know who ONLY has his ARs run right backs. I’ve only been on with him a couple of times and I genuinely thought he was joking the first time he mentioned it… apparently something to do with being left handed? Anyway, very confusing to begin with!

I will put my hand up and admit I would have done the same thing as the referee and would have been wrong. Back to the good book I go

I had this too! They ended up getting a straight red for OFFINABUS (at me) later in the match

If you have team sheets try to work out the left back’s name. They’ll usually be the one asking / easiest one to explain to

Amateur FA do not allow CARs at all as far as I am aware - to the extent that if the clubs offer you should turn them down. It’s not ideal - as I have found when being observed for 7-6, 6-5 in the past - but in many ways it works better as there are few arguments over offside. There are NARs in...

Either way it’s very confusing for grassroots referees. I’ve had leagues send out directives saying it will not be used, others asking referees whether they would like it to be used, and now hearsay that it is for everyone. Not sure it’s a very effective strategy!

USB or delaying the restart… take your pick. Potential for loss of match control if you don’t caution but in a friendly you may get away with it. Easy yellow for me.

Interesting… I was told leagues could opt in/out. Is there any official clarification on that? I tend to think we already have the tools to deal with this, but if it’s going to help behaviour then it’s no bad thing

Had my first friendly of the season last weekend and lo and behold one of the keepers had ‘forgotten his shinpads’. Cue the moans of ‘it’s only a friendly ref’. It’s funny how quickly shinpads can be found. And less funny how quickly the moans returned when players’ names were taken so...

I say this as someone who has never been called up for a Core group or anything of the like, but should it be that hard for a referee of general good fitness to pass a fitness test? Promise I'm not trolling! Obvious exception to those who are injured. Also Gabriel it's great that you're getting...

Does he throw it or does he drop it?

Both reds looked fine to me… or at least the second yellow on the first red was completely correct as a reckless challenge (I didn’t see the first yellow). Second red I initially thought was double dissent which is rarely given at that level but personally I applaud from far below at...