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Clattenburg - Gladiators

JamesL

JamesL

RefChat Addict
Level 3 Referee
Noticed the Mark Clattenburg appears to be a referee for the Gladiators TV Series restarting around the BBC.

Thoughts anyone?

Mine are, I get that elite refs need careers and money post active refereeing, but I also feel like such "celebrity" roles like this do nothing for referee imagery.

Also easy for me to say operating at my level I do now, and very much unlikely to make it to such a position I could be offered the gig. Just doesn't sit well all the same.
 
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Guy Mowbray commentating as well!

He's entitled to go for roles like this and owes absolutely f**k all to the reffing community.
 
Fair play to him. It’s a bit of fun, it’ll be quite good for his public image post-retirement, and he’s probably being paid a decent fortune for it.
 
JamesL said:
Noticed the Mark Clattenburg appears to be a referee for the Gladiators TV Series restarting around the BBC.

Thoughts anyone?

Mine are, I get that elite refs need careers and money post active refereeing, but I also feel like such "celebrity" roles like this do nothing for referee imagery.

Also easy for me to say operating at my level I do now, and very much unlikely to make it to such a position I could be offered the gig. Just doesn't sit well all the same.
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"doesn't sit well" - Why?

He's an ex referee earning a living. It's no reflection on refereeing or the FA.
 
Kent Ref said:
"doesn't sit well" - Why?

He's an ex referee earning a living. It's no reflection on refereeing or the FA.
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You know what fans are like, they'll jump on absolutely anything to claim its defacing our image. Not me saying Clattenburg is wrong, just a point of fact about spectators imo
 
george.g said:
You know what fans are like, they'll jump on absolutely anything to claim its defacing our image. Not me saying Clattenburg is wrong, just a point of fact about spectators imo
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He's done a few Sidemen(?) charity matches hasn't he which I haven't seen much backlash from so maybe Clattenburg is accepted in these situations now? Besides from being booked when a player produced an UNO reverse card mind!
 
Don't really see an issue. Clattenburg was always in the celebrity referee camp, and lets not forget he gave up a top career to chase the money, first with Saudi Arabia and then China and Egypt. I don't think many people will associate his decision to go on Gladiators to any slight on football referees.
 
I don’t have an issue with him doing it per say, however he is clearly rather uncomfortable with the ‘acting’ side of it as seen tonight and he also almost seems to be putting on a voice to try and sound like the original referee (whose name I shamefully can’t remember right now)
 
I asked someone what their thoughts are on this (they aren't a qualified referee), and their response was 'where do I sign up for the courses'? 🤣This person would definitely cope with the fitness aspect but their interpretations of the laws etc are a bit off.
 
What a time time be alive, where people will complain about absolutely anything and everything.

Shock horror, retired referee gets opportunity of alternative work, probably with a nice pay packet, fair play to him. Why is he not entitled to do so just because is a former professional referee? How is this any different from the many other sportsmen and women who take work in the media etc after their sports career has ended.
 
JamesL said:
Noticed the Mark Clattenburg appears to be a referee for the Gladiators TV Series restarting around the BBC.

Thoughts anyone?

Mine are, I get that elite refs need careers and money post active refereeing, but I also feel like such "celebrity" roles like this do nothing for referee imagery.

Also easy for me to say operating at my level I do now, and very much unlikely to make it to such a position I could be offered the gig. Just doesn't sit well all the same.
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Why "doesn't it sit well" i asked you.
 
es1 said:
Guy Mowbray commentating as well!

He's entitled to go for roles like this and owes absolutely f**k all to the reffing community.
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Fair point. I know he owes us nothing.

SammyT5 said:
Fair play to him. It’s a bit of fun, it’ll be quite good for his public image post-retirement, and he’s probably being paid a decent fortune for it.
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Yep, agree it's a bit of fun. It's the public image bit I didn't like.
george.g said:
You know what fans are like, they'll jump on absolutely anything to claim its defacing our image. Not me saying Clattenburg is wrong, just a point of fact about spectators imo
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Agree.
QuaverRef said:
I think it shows a good human element to referees personally. Just a laugh really
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Also fair point.

Seems to me most of our colleagues quietly move into background roles, some even senior more high profile, but are referee based. We have another handful or so that seem desperate for fame and to remain relevant. When fans often use the jibe of 'making all about you ref' you can kind of see why.
 
JamesL said:
Fair point. I know he owes us nothing.


Yep, agree it's a bit of fun. It's the public image bit I didn't like.

Agree.

Also fair point.

Seems to me most of our colleagues quietly move into background roles, some even senior more high profile, but are referee based. We have another handful or so that seem desperate for fame and to remain relevant. When fans often use the jibe of 'making all about you ref' you can kind of see why.
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Think we have to remember that in many cases these SG1 referees will have given up potentially lucrative careers to become full time officials. Refereeing has a limited lifespan, you aren't likely to go much beyond 50, and at that age it is probably tricky to get back into their previous careers. So I certainly wouldn't blame the likes of Mike Dean and Mark Clattenburg for taking the money being offered to them by TV.
 
JamesL said:
Fair point. I know he owes us nothing.


Yep, agree it's a bit of fun. It's the public image bit I didn't like.

Agree.

Also fair point.

Seems to me most of our colleagues quietly move into background roles, some even senior more high profile, but are referee based. We have another handful or so that seem desperate for fame and to remain relevant. When fans often use the jibe of 'making all about you ref' you can kind of see why.
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why are you worried about the public image? does it affect you or your refereeing life?

I doubt it.
 
Kent Ref said:
why are you worried about the public image? does it affect you or your refereeing life?

I doubt it.
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Very hypocritical as someone who regularly bemoans officials not dealing with things sufficiently, in your view, as causing issues at grassroots.

Of course it affects us. People see our top refs seeking limelight we get tarred with the same brush.

Very accepting he is entitled to take the opportunities given, but I don't think it helps the refereeing community in general with perception of the average player/spectator. It's the "all refs are the same" mentality I worry about
 
JamesL said:
Very hypocritical as someone who regularly bemoans officials not dealing with things sufficiently, in your view, as causing issues at grassroots.

Of course it affects us. People see our top refs seeking limelight we get tarred with the same brush.

Very accepting he is entitled to take the opportunities given, but I don't think it helps the refereeing community in general with perception of the average player/spectator. It's the "all refs are the same" mentality I worry about
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I see him as an EX referee earning some good money. No idea how others refs / footie fans see him though.

IF he was still involved with the FA or the PL / EFL i'd undertand your point.
 
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