I read that as him saying I'd ignored the bit of his post that was referring to me, but fair enough, I accept that as another possible interpretation.
OK, but why? I get that if the comp rules say 90 minutes then you don't have loads of choice, but whenever I've been asked to be anywhere near that early for my step 5 lines, it's just resulted in lots of sitting around.
Having a coffee with the committee is outdated and was mostly binned off during covid with very little ill effect. Pre-match briefing is mostly standard and could easily be cut down to <5 minutes if the FA published official "standard" pre-match and then the actual chat only needed to go over any variations from that, especially once you're at a level where you know you can rely on having experienced ARs. I've only once ever seen an official need more than 15 minutes for warm-up at that kind of level, and he was an ultra-marathon runner who needed to sprint a few extra laps of the pitch to get any kind of noticeable increase to his heart rate. Copying team sheets into books is a) a 5 minutes job, b) less mandated than in previous years and c) observed less as you go up levels anyway.
Genuine question - what am I missing that means 90 minutes is needed for L4s? I'll give you 5 minutes to get changed before and again after warm-ups, 5 minutes to fiddle with buzzers/comms kits and 5 minutes to take in team sheets (although I reckon that's easier as you go up levels and are less likely to have to hunt them down) and similarly, pitch inspection only gets more "ceremonial" as you go up the levels and have better maintained grounds. But I'm still struggling to get to an hour, let alone 90 minutes plus provision for traffic.
Ah! Well as a level 4 Referee, an hour is probably sufficient, I tended to go for 1hr 15.
But the commitment and time elements are more around level 4 assistant refereeing. Clubs are generally more engaging and hospitable.
There is probably a bit of hanging around, chatting and what have you but the expectation is that you are there. I like to get a drink with my team, start to get to know you if I don't already, catch up with we do. Early pitch inspection to make sure no issues there. Remember, crowds are significantly higher and spectators are generally there earlier so there is a greater admin if the game can't go ahead the later you call it.
Team sheet exchange is more professional, as in you actually have a tike to do it and on some step 3/4 leagues involves manager and captains.
My day generally looks like
90 mins before - arrival, find out where going, intros etc.
75 mins before, brew and a chat, prematch instructions.
60 mins before get changed into warm up gear etc.
45 mins before team sheets - post team sheet admin
30 mins before warm up
10 mins before final checks
5 mins bell rings
And whilst all of these things can be done, I don't want people feeling rushed and stressed by zipping from one thing to the next, a nice relaxed approach to the game is what I am looking for. And there's ways that one person whom wants to monopolise your time chatting.