The Ref Stop

Match kits & ill fitting boots

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suffolkref

suffolkref

New Member
Level 7 Referee
Hi,

My first post so hopefully I've done this correctly. I passed start of August, did my first 5 games at a variety of ages in pre-season and now find myself as a L7 on 7-6.
Quick query about kits, I love a matching Nike kit. Not really a fan of anything else, the same as most buying the kits new is fairly expensive so I've got a couple from Vinted and eBay. Two have no FA badge on, but do have the EA Sports black badges on the long-sleeved arms. My CFA didn't give an answer, and the only game I've been observed on I was wearing black, is there an official word on whether I should be wearing these? I've checked other forums and posted in chats on Facebook and the answer is very mixed, the same as the decision about refereeing in glasses - no 1 straight answer.

My second query is about boots. So as a player I've only ever played on AstroTurf, so had to purchase studs. The first pair I bought a stud broke after the game, decided to go "all out" and purchased a set of Premier 3s. I wore them in as much as I could before the season kicked off and ended up with a horrendous blister that took two weeks to heal. The boots fit correctly, they're 11.5 in size as I am blessed or cursed with wide feet. I have just come off a weekend officiating three games, and again have the same blister on the same left foot. Nothing on my right. Am I doing something wrong when I'm running around, I've had suggestions ranging from wearing them around the house or dipping them in water?
 
The Ref Stop
suffolkref said:
Hi,

My first post so hopefully I've done this correctly. I passed start of August, did my first 5 games at a variety of ages in pre-season and now find myself as a L7 on 7-6.
Quick query about kits, I love a matching Nike kit. Not really a fan of anything else, the same as most buying the kits new is fairly expensive so I've got a couple from Vinted and eBay. Two have no FA badge on, but do have the EA Sports black badges on the long-sleeved arms. My CFA didn't give an answer, and the only game I've been observed on I was wearing black, is there an official word on whether I should be wearing these? I've checked other forums and posted in chats on Facebook and the answer is very mixed, the same as the decision about refereeing in glasses - no 1 straight answer.

My second query is about boots. So as a player I've only ever played on AstroTurf, so had to purchase studs. The first pair I bought a stud broke after the game, decided to go "all out" and purchased a set of Premier 3s. I wore them in as much as I could before the season kicked off and ended up with a horrendous blister that took two weeks to heal. The boots fit correctly, they're 11.5 in size as I am blessed or cursed with wide feet. I have just come off a weekend officiating three games, and again have the same blister on the same left foot. Nothing on my right. Am I doing something wrong when I'm running around, I've had suggestions ranging from wearing them around the house or dipping them in water?
Click to expand...
With regards to the EA Sports badges... I don't think anyone would specifically take issue with you wearing them at a grass roots game as a level 7, but it might be best to avoid it if possible as it is frowned upon by the national FA. We recently went to a training camp and was specifically informed 'no EA sports kit'.
I'm not 100% sure on the reason for this, but assume it is either a) for sponsorship agreement reasons or b) because it could be deemed to be passing yourself off as a higher standard of official as this kit is almost certainly handed down from a level 2 or above. On refereeing in glasses, it depends on your sight and what other options you have. Nobody official would criticise you for it, but you're potentially just drawing unwanted attention / comments from players who will use your glasses at some point to make a comment when you inevitably miss something. I don't think you'd be likely to see a level 4 or above wearing glasses for a match.

Regarding the boots, have you tried wearing grip socks? A lot of people swear by them to solve blister problems. You can either buy cut off or cut off the feet of your own nike socks and wear black grip socks underneath.
 
Blisters are caused primarily through friction. Few things to try. Blister prevention socks. Grippy socks. And I used to put vaseline on my feet. I suffer terribly with blisters.

Once you have a blister strongly recommend blister plasters and swear by compeed.

Re: the EA badges - I don't necessarily see an issue. You may get some funny looks. I have some kit my mate have me but i only wear it for training, never at a game.

@RefereeX I'm certain the no EA badges at core camp is to do with b) and around perception of seniority. There are step 1 assistants who have the kit supplied so it's not just hand me downs.
 
Hi X,

Cheers for the reply. So I was at a RA meeting last night and the 4W said to probably avoid it. I have worn it once at a youth fixture no one batted an eye as you say it's more the potential "why are you wearing that". It is a shame as it's a lovely kit, the old EASports badge I can understand this one is the black EAFC badges on the arms, or whatever they're calling themselves these days. And yes I've had mixed comments about the glasses. I started in them, and then my RDO told me under no circumstances was I to referee in them, how could I expect players to follow the law if I am not. But I have met other 'higher' level referees and other RDOs for other counties who have said there isn't an issue!

I will have to give grip socks a go, I wear these to play in but in astroturf boots but them opt for the Nike ref socks so perhaps thats where I am going wrong.
 
suffolkref said:
Hi X,

Cheers for the reply. So I was at a RA meeting last night and the 4W said to probably avoid it. I have worn it once at a youth fixture no one batted an eye as you say it's more the potential "why are you wearing that". It is a shame as it's a lovely kit, the old EASports badge I can understand this one is the black EAFC badges on the arms, or whatever they're calling themselves these days. And yes I've had mixed comments about the glasses. I started in them, and then my RDO told me under no circumstances was I to referee in them, how could I expect players to follow the law if I am not. But I have met other 'higher' level referees and other RDOs for other counties who have said there isn't an issue!

I will have to give grip socks a go, I wear these to play in but in astroturf boots but them opt for the Nike ref socks so perhaps thats where I am going wrong.
Click to expand...
Dont tell him about watches then.... 😏

Of course you can wear your glasses. For your own protection I would wear sports ones with straps.

I said in another thread, there's a difference between a player taking a risk that is only theirs such as shin pads, Vs wearing glasses or other types of jewellery that presents a risk to other players (as well as themselves.)
 
JamesL said:
Blisters are caused primarily through friction. Few things to try. Blister prevention socks. Grippy socks. And I used to put vaseline on my feet. I suffer terribly with blisters.

Once you have a blister strongly recommend blister plasters and swear by compeed.

Re: the EA badges - I don't necessarily see an issue. You may get some funny looks. I have some kit my mate have me but i only wear it for training, never at a game.

@RefereeX I'm certain the no EA badges at core camp is to do with b) and around perception of seniority. There are step 1 assistants who have the kit supplied so it's not just hand me downs.
Click to expand...
Hi James, re the blisters - same with X I will have to give these all I go, I got blisters first 2 or three games in the boots then not again and was only after doing 3 games this weekend has it come back. Its solely back of the left foot, never on the toes or the right foot.

So the two tops with EAFC are long-sleeved models that I normally roll the sleeves up on, so it's probably less noticeable. It's not been an issue at games yet, there just isn't an official word on it. I'm fortunate enough to have a few different kits in colours that if i had to stop/not wear them it wouldn't be a huge issue.
 
JamesL said:
Dont tell him about watches then.... 😏

Of course you can wear your glasses. For your own protection I would wear sports ones with straps.

I said in another thread, there's a difference between a player taking a risk that is only theirs such as shin pads, Vs wearing glasses or other types of jewellery that presents a risk to other players (as well as themselves.)
Click to expand...
I've had a few, I've got metal frames as I have a fat head so perhaps that's probably why he is anti-glasses. I've had players in the proper polycarbonate lenses, and players with plastic frames & the band at the back so they kind of are acceptable. I think it's really difficult at the level I'm officiating. As a fellow specs wearer I don't want to exclude someone who might not have sports glasses or contact lenses and if they're happy and other players are I don't necessarily see an issue.
 
I know that our RDO has always been pretty much like that and I think its the ex-army in him. I don't see an issue with the badges but would probably stay away from wearing the glasses just in case you get hit in the face with the ball, but as James said sports glasses might stop this risk.

Also pm'd you but welcome to the refereeing world hopefully you enjoy it as much as we do.
 
suffolkref said:
I've had a few, I've got metal frames as I have a fat head so perhaps that's probably why he is anti-glasses. I've had players in the proper polycarbonate lenses, and players with plastic frames & the band at the back so they kind of are acceptable. I think it's really difficult at the level I'm officiating. As a fellow specs wearer I don't want to exclude someone who might not have sports glasses or contact lenses and if they're happy and other players are I don't necessarily see an issue.
Click to expand...
Exactly this and the FA have some really good guidance around glasses wearing in football which your RDO if have thought would be in tune with...
 
If I was a manager and a referee turned up in kit that I normally see referees on the TV wear, such as EA Sports or FIFA / 3 lions badges, I'd be expecting a much better performance than normal. I think you are setting yourself up to fail by wearing them personally.
 
I've worn glasses on:

- Sunday League men's
- Women's County
- Men's County
- Women's Regional
- Women's National league

I've only ever had one "comment" where a player, scoring a winner in the final game of their season to get promoted, made the glasses sign at me with her hands, she enjoyed missing the first two games of the league above I'm sure...
 
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