Dropout rates
- Thread starter Wardy13
- Start date
I can't remember where I saw it, but a few years back I remember seeing a figure that suggested up to 10,000 referees had quit within less than 5 years (before Covid). I have been unable to find it again after a very brief search but I'm 99% sure that was the number.
Edit: just found this:
From 2020
Edit: just found this:
From 2020
I asked Copilot, and it referenced several articles that all have the number of approximately 7,000 referees quitting a year due to poor behaviour.
In England, approximately 7,000 referees leave football officiating every season due to the abuse they face on the pitch and touchlines. The relentless mistreatment has led to a recruitment crisis, making it challenging to train replacements1234. The English Football Association (FA) aims to attract around 6,000 new referees annually, but the abuse remains a significant deterrent for those considering taking up the profession1. The situation highlights the urgent need for greater respect and support for referees in the game.
In England, approximately 7,000 referees leave football officiating every season due to the abuse they face on the pitch and touchlines. The relentless mistreatment has led to a recruitment crisis, making it challenging to train replacements1234. The English Football Association (FA) aims to attract around 6,000 new referees annually, but the abuse remains a significant deterrent for those considering taking up the profession1. The situation highlights the urgent need for greater respect and support for referees in the game.
How many of those 7000 left because of abuse? Seems to be a headline grabber
I've never experienced abuse in 300 games, although came close to it in perhaps two games from memory
Had my car keyed on Saturday too. Very likely to have happened after the game after I'd put my bag in the car, but not 100%
Anyway, not saying abuse isn't far too common, but only a proportion will give up for that reason
I've never experienced abuse in 300 games, although came close to it in perhaps two games from memory
Had my car keyed on Saturday too. Very likely to have happened after the game after I'd put my bag in the car, but not 100%
Anyway, not saying abuse isn't far too common, but only a proportion will give up for that reason
What are you defining as abuse? Interested, as obviously it's subjective, but don't know any official over 100 games near me who hasn't experienced it.
It's more what I don't define as abuse that matters
Constant noise and pressure during the game.... nope.... shouting for every decision.... nope... dissent..... nope.... consternation during and after the game..... nope..... rant from a manager in the dressing room afterwards..... nope
etc.... etc....
I'd only be worried about stuff of a personal nature or occasions on which I sensed a threat to my safety. When things turn really unsavoury
I'll be 50 this year... Although age is a 'protected characteristic', I've noticed some age discrimination stuff creeping in. Mostly from spectators, but not exclusively, perhaps also participants to a lesser extent The game is fairly brutal I guess. You choose either to embrace it, the good & the bad, or you don't
I've had a couple of bad moments
Worst was in the early days when I took a Vets 'tournament' game between two unregistered sides
They knew they would be unidentifiable in hindsight. Game gets you down for lots of reasons at various times and it can be hurtful for anyone remotely normal. On the other hand, same experiences could be classed as genuinely character building or good for personal development. It's a fine line.
If my car was indeed vandalised after Saturday's game (80% chance), that's completely unacceptable and would represent the worst behaviour I've encountered. Away Captain Prime Suspect. Honestly, he was as thick as pigsh1t and couldn't comprehend that the line is part of the penalty area
Last edited:
Yeah I guess refereeing can quite easily drive you to learn new skills in handling things and people - and can really build skills in that sense, but it can also be a debilitating experience for some, and comments made on and off the field can probably have lasting impact. As you say, fine line between what is positive and what is detrimental to somebody.
Hopefully you can get your car sorted!
Hopefully you can get your car sorted!
In my first 10 games I experienced abuse of this kind in at least 3 of them. I suppose it depends on the area. Also, being a young official, I know exactly what you mean by age comments.
Different for the two of us.... I was 42 when I took to the whistle. 6"3", best part of 16 stone.... more importantly, 20 years of playing and a lifetime of being on the terraces. Life experience etc.....
It's a lot to ask young referees to have the deep rooted understanding of the game that may otherwise protect you from the worst of the stick we get. Poacher turned Gamekeeper, I'm more likely to tolerate (even embrace) the kind of behaviour football subjects us to. Also, I did at least 6 months of 'easy' youth football before going near adult football. Even then, the appointments secretaries were gentle with me. Naturally, get chucked ibn the deep end too soon and it won't end well, especially in the absence of regular mentoring/coaching
Last edited:
I know where you are coming from. I am very tolerant when it comes to language and comments etc. I understand the game very well, in my short time so far I'd estimate I've been to over 400 matches at pro grounds plus playing as well so I doubt it's to do with how well I 'understand' the game. They see young officials as targets because they think we won't report it. 3 teams have been kicked out of my league due to reports I have had to put in. So I think, as you rightly said, it is very much based on individual experience which is what makes football such a perplexing game.
OK, so it sounds like you've got a disproportionately high amount of experience in the game despite being young
Benefits of having a season ticket from the age of 5!
I think a lot of people leaving for abuse are actually leaving for constant and never ending dissent.
I personally have never been abused, but I have had many a game where the dissent is just unrelenting and from every angle.
Even stuff like a refusal of a handshake, managers telling you you've ruined their week or fans in the stands shouting. It just wears.
Being a lino is annoying as you aren't supposed to engage with supporters and every observer wants a delayed flag. So you just get ridiculed from behind for 90 minutes.
I've been in situations where I've had 3 bad games in a row and I think a fourth would just tip me over the edge.
I personally have never been abused, but I have had many a game where the dissent is just unrelenting and from every angle.
Even stuff like a refusal of a handshake, managers telling you you've ruined their week or fans in the stands shouting. It just wears.
Being a lino is annoying as you aren't supposed to engage with supporters and every observer wants a delayed flag. So you just get ridiculed from behind for 90 minutes.
I've been in situations where I've had 3 bad games in a row and I think a fourth would just tip me over the edge.
Interesting one happened to me on my first ever Saturday afternoon (adult) game.
A player from the home side asked me where I had come from and said if he gets appointed me as the referee again he was gonna tie me to the roof of his van and drive me at 100mph back down the dual carriageway to put me back there.
It was clearly said slightly in jest and with a hint of 'this guy is a terrible ref and I'm gonna belittle him'.
I didn't feel abused, I laughed it off, but I think for many referees, especially younger ones, this would be enough to make them think twice about refereeing, if that happened in their first game.
A player from the home side asked me where I had come from and said if he gets appointed me as the referee again he was gonna tie me to the roof of his van and drive me at 100mph back down the dual carriageway to put me back there.
It was clearly said slightly in jest and with a hint of 'this guy is a terrible ref and I'm gonna belittle him'.
I didn't feel abused, I laughed it off, but I think for many referees, especially younger ones, this would be enough to make them think twice about refereeing, if that happened in their first game.
I honestly found that slightly funny, but it’s easily open to interpretation of being abusive - just not for me!
Yep, if said aggressively in any way then it can absolutely become something different.
A player forcefully slapped me and tried to wrestle my red card off me. He claimed it was a joke… hm.