Agree with Markref, i did a veterans game once as a call off and it was a shambles, guys 20 years past their peak (if they ever had a peak) and the cover up for everything they lacked ability wise, was me
I vowed never again, and like Mark, I showed a few cards in a vain effort to keep the peace,
So about 2 years later, got the call off call again, and instantly thought no, then, well, I was not doing anything anyway, maybe my game was a one off.
It was worse, I walked off after 60 mins, told them to stick their match fee and would not do one again if the FIFA referee committee turned up at my door begging with bars of gold
In hindsight I think what a vets game want, is a referee who is as unfit as them and plays to the rules of 20 years ago, so me annoyingly for them always (usually!) being in the right place to call things just wound them up even more, I serious think they would rather the centre circle ref, as long as he did the same for both teams
few years back, I had a good run in a local kids league, few finals, text most Mondays from the league man to say teams been in touch to say what a good game had at weekend, then, 2 seasons ago, start of season was crazy, nothing changed with me but coaches just all of a sudden lost it every week, with me, opponents, own team, the works
near every game I had coaches away, reports re parents behaviour, more reds on park than I had before, then all of a sudden no more appointments came through for a few weeks. Eventually I phoned the league and was told "too many complaints about you, we dont want to use you anymore"
Which in reality meant "we are not taking your reports seriously/and/or CBA to do anything about it"
Fine with me, as above, I have no desire to officiate in a league who wont support me, (not once was I asked about any report or asked to a meeting etc)
That league folded 2 years ago as the better teams were fed up of the nonsense and slowly one by one drifted to other leagues.
I think my moral of the story is, stick to your principles, do what you have always done to get you where you are, accompanied by always learning, never ever lower your standards, as a person or as a referee.