Ex-pro Chris becomes the first to sign a PGMOL contract off the back of their new scheme. Wonder where he will start and how others on the pathway will feel…
Chris Birchall signs for PGMOL
- Thread starter OnlyUseMeWhistle
- Start date
Genuinely no idea who he is, but best of luck.
Whenever the ex-pro turning ref thing comes up, I always chuckle to myself thinking about that feature when Neville & Carragher went on a PGMOL training day. With all the matches they’ve played and watched between them, they still come across like they’ve never once seen a Referee or especially an Assistant Referee do their job. Just total garbage. (Bit like when you get that keen but hopeless CAR - like, have you ever actually SEEN football before?)
Whenever the ex-pro turning ref thing comes up, I always chuckle to myself thinking about that feature when Neville & Carragher went on a PGMOL training day. With all the matches they’ve played and watched between them, they still come across like they’ve never once seen a Referee or especially an Assistant Referee do their job. Just total garbage. (Bit like when you get that keen but hopeless CAR - like, have you ever actually SEEN football before?)
Wish him all the best and may he a really positive moving forward. Anyone know what level he will be starting as?
Also found this comment in his interview:
“VAR wasn’t brought in to decide offside by a toenail or to take three minutes to work out.
“If it’s level to the naked eye, award the goal — give the advantage to the striker as it used to be. We want to see goals, not find reasons to disallow them.”
Also found this comment in his interview:
“VAR wasn’t brought in to decide offside by a toenail or to take three minutes to work out.
“If it’s level to the naked eye, award the goal — give the advantage to the striker as it used to be. We want to see goals, not find reasons to disallow them.”
He will do. I imagine he will move into ERDP. I have heard that is a part time contract 20k per annum.
Runner Ref
Well-Known Member
Part of me wants this to work, but another part of me wants it to fail.
I’m sure we could get a decent official or 2 out of it, but it may also make people realise that simply having played the game, does not equate to being a good referee. Same as playing the game does not equate to being a successful manager.
I’m sure we could get a decent official or 2 out of it, but it may also make people realise that simply having played the game, does not equate to being a good referee. Same as playing the game does not equate to being a successful manager.
There's absolutely no reason why it can't work.
I think it's a great experiment, personally.
One thing I find that all players that becomes refs realise is that they have to stop thinking like a player.
One thing that will need to be managed is confirmation bias.
But all in all it will hopefully dispel the myth but we get some (more) decent refs out of it.
Wouldn’t be getting out of bed for that
RefGod
Active Member
I am against this because where is the line drawn ? The ERDP part time salary is great for young officials still living at home so it won't attract many. It's obviously significantly boosted by those on EFL match fees.
Does one skip the lower levels and go straight in at 3 ? It may work in particular cases but why ex players ? An unnecessary gimmick.
Does one skip the lower levels and go straight in at 3 ? It may work in particular cases but why ex players ? An unnecessary gimmick.
Everyone circs are different.Wouldn’t be getting out of bed for that
For me I have a very flexible employer so if I were to be lucky enough to have a shot at it then I'd reduce my full time work to 2 days and probably be earning earning more overall or be on a pathway to earn more.
I don’t agree it’s an unnecessary gimmick. We know that not many ex players turn their attention to being a Referee not only because they would prefer to be involved as a Manager or Coach, but also because they may feel it takes too long to have any chance of reaching the top. This is an initiative to address the latter, whereby, based upon stats, only a marginal few will be good enough to make it - but at least there is a realistic pathway for them.
It attracts plenty. Certainly, last year. All L3 core referees were invited to apply and it transpired that too many referees a) applied and b) passed the fitness test.
This resulted in what was presented a will be invited to assessment day to some of those that passed the fitness tests then being declined an invite based on their merit table position, which was not in the original invitation to apply for the group.
Regard this as a positive step to have a 'trailblazer' raising the profile of refereeing while helping to prove or disprove the notion that ex-pros would be better refs.
I'd go freelance tomorrowWouldn’t be getting out of bed for that
RefGod
Active Member
A large number of those officiating between Level 2 and SG2 cannot afford to go part time on the ERDP salary. I do not see how recruiting 40 year old ex players is the right step forward. Not every ERDP official has been a success. The salary will not attract many.
It could never be intended for ‘every’ ERDP to be a success, but over the next few seasons, I suspect many will. Of course, it also depends on what you consider success is, presumably making it to at least the EFL?
I don't think the intention is for the salary to attract people in to joining the program. It's with the aim that those who can make sacrifices and put their efforts in to becoming a referee at the elite level will have the opportunity to do so with a little bit of support.
If I were to get on the program, I'd have to get a new part time job and probably overall be on a lower wage than I'm currently on despite the £20,000 but I would still almost certainly do that for an opportunity to do something I love.
If I were to get on the program, I'd have to get a new part time job and probably overall be on a lower wage than I'm currently on despite the £20,000 but I would still almost certainly do that for an opportunity to do something I love.
RefGod
Active Member
I understand many of the counterpoints raised.
My view has been for a considerable time, from when I was in my first year as a Step 1 AR, that all EFL officials should be fully professional with a competitive salary. I would've then before the merger professionalised 2As and offered part time contracts to Step 1 ARs who met certain criteria.
For me, there are far better options and ways to invest financially than gimmicks involving 40 year old ex pros.
My view has been for a considerable time, from when I was in my first year as a Step 1 AR, that all EFL officials should be fully professional with a competitive salary. I would've then before the merger professionalised 2As and offered part time contracts to Step 1 ARs who met certain criteria.
For me, there are far better options and ways to invest financially than gimmicks involving 40 year old ex pros.