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To lighten the mood, I was AR an end of season Isthmian U23 match where it was clear one team didn't want to play it. They started wasting time at 1-0 DOWN. Ended up something like 5-1 but a couple of the goals came right near the end, so not a totally one sided match. No incidents so all good...

I doubt anyone would have questioned a free kick either - well apart form the team that it was awarded against - what I mean is, as you say, no one would know the nuances of law around which side should have the fk.

Yes I know, hence why I don't do that many now.

:p Sorry - got a game to go to! Given it was in that state when he arrived - are you trying to get something done about it, taking advice from EFL? Genuinely curious as to what you have been advised to do at the higher levels - thanks

No good just liking the question James, how about answering it?! ;)

Been there. Years ago - U14s or such like - GK fumbled the ball twice ended up picking it up outside area, but right near goal line. no on near him. Coach afterwards insisted his 'mate' was a referee and he had told him GK handling outside PA was ALWAYS a red card:rolleyes: He wasn't...

And not just the fans - Mark Hughes praised the referee for showing "common sense" :rolleyes:

Would yuou try to get something done about them if you were ref at that game at that level? Presume referee would be there 2 hours before KO, so should have been time?

I was lucky I guess in that relatively early I started doing at least 50% of my games as AR - Womens National League, Isthmian Under 18s and plenty of other ad hoc games responding to requests. As others have said though, many cup competitions don't require neutral assistants until the semis...

Bit of post script, and is a bit scary really, around fans knowledge of the game. Watford fans video of the game includes this gem (Guy is probably late teen early 20s btw) "They've swapped the ref at half time! Imagine being so bad that they sub you at half time - that's embarrassing"...

Good post Ben and totally agree. However, its difficult for us as an individual referee to change a culture in isolation, which is where I suppose I was going with my words on 'managing dissent' as best we can within the (poor) culture you quite accurately describe.

"avoid getting into situations that lead to dissent and abuse" That's they key 'development' point there surely. Managing a game, and I know some of you dislike that expression, is more than just brandishing cards. Dissent for me is also about managing our own expectations. If people are...

The call went out at half time, "Could any experienced, qualified official please make themselves known to a steward" I wasn't tempted, having such a good time (for a change!) where I was. James Linnington (Referee) pulled a hamstring apparantly, so although 4th took over and James was OK to...

Soooooo many, like all of you I guess. One I haven't mentioned on here before because it only happened this week! I'm AR in front of the team bench that scored (Isthmian U18). Ball crossed into penalty area, bounces up and hits defender 'somewhere' (It is beyond penalty spot now, ref in good...

I wasn't really offended hence the :p Obviously depends on the age/ability of the teams involved. O/A and male u16s upwards I agree impossible to 'catch up' with a break or 'transition' as the youngsters now call it;)

Excellent self criticism Dylan. Only thing I would add, is that in school games (Often roll on roll off subs) it is sometimes worth having a public word with 2 players when they are trading silly comments. This often alerts the teacher in charge and he will sub said player(s). Of course there...

Some of us with a 60 in their age CAN still run the length of a football pitch! :p :rolleyes: I did a Girls U14s County Rep game last night on a HUGE pitch - I certainly managed plenty of running!:)

Fair enough, I suppose where I was coming from, was if I have to suffer all those delaying tactics, every match and its no exaggeration to say that I do, then adding VAR to the list would send me over the edge! I'm not sure many of them ARE solvable by Webb and us alone - it needs buy in from...

Good discussion Graeme. "Gold Standard" may be a tad subjective. I know a Rugby (League) fan who maintains that VAR has killed the game, with pretty much EVERY try checked - just because they can. Surely one of the reasons football became the popular sport it is, was because of the speed &...

Its not an obsession, was actually mentioned on MOTD that it completely killed the atmosphere in the stadium. Personally think its about time the paying spectator - be that live or via pay TV is moved a bit further up the priority list myself. Plus its a bit of a nonsense to say that it...