Hartlepool_ref
Active Member
After reffing for 7/8 years (since the age of 15) I've only ever reported 2 managers for misconduct. However, strangely enough each of the two managers before the game gave me "oh well all we want is a fair game ref, that's all we ask". One even went as far as to tell me he'd reported the referee from the previous week to the FA because he was quote "shocking" (maybe he was, maybe he wasn't).
Anyway, my game last Sunday was a youth game (under 12s) I don't normally do these but my other games had been called off and was offered it last minute (other ref was poorly or something)... Did normal "hello" with home manager, gave flags and explained just ins and outs. Went to the away manager... Very loose handshake, then he proceeded to tell me that he "wanted a fair game... Blah blah". I then explained to him, calmly, that I was in no way affiliated with home team ("my accumulator already bombed by 5pm yesterday so I didn't need them to win any money" I believe we're my choice of words). I then explained that if he was unhappy in anyway with the appointment of me as the official to state now and the game can be called off to ensure 100% fairness ensues; bearing in mind I've never reffe either of these teams before and normally don't ref any younger than u14's......... I wish I could have taken a photo of his face ! He did the old "oh no, I didn't mean it like that" so I said "well why say it then ? If this is your way of trying to influence the game before it even starts your barking up the wrong tree"... I didn't hear a peep from him all game and revived 95/100. In fairness there was nothing to write home about, the game finished 6-3 to home team and I hardly used my whistle.
As sad as it sounds it felt like a massive victory against people who like to blame everyone else (us mainly) than themselves !
I could have been wrong about him but there seems to be a pattern/correlation between managers who give YOU a pre match talk !
Has anyone else had a similar experience ? Or is it just the North east haha.
Anyway, my game last Sunday was a youth game (under 12s) I don't normally do these but my other games had been called off and was offered it last minute (other ref was poorly or something)... Did normal "hello" with home manager, gave flags and explained just ins and outs. Went to the away manager... Very loose handshake, then he proceeded to tell me that he "wanted a fair game... Blah blah". I then explained to him, calmly, that I was in no way affiliated with home team ("my accumulator already bombed by 5pm yesterday so I didn't need them to win any money" I believe we're my choice of words). I then explained that if he was unhappy in anyway with the appointment of me as the official to state now and the game can be called off to ensure 100% fairness ensues; bearing in mind I've never reffe either of these teams before and normally don't ref any younger than u14's......... I wish I could have taken a photo of his face ! He did the old "oh no, I didn't mean it like that" so I said "well why say it then ? If this is your way of trying to influence the game before it even starts your barking up the wrong tree"... I didn't hear a peep from him all game and revived 95/100. In fairness there was nothing to write home about, the game finished 6-3 to home team and I hardly used my whistle.
As sad as it sounds it felt like a massive victory against people who like to blame everyone else (us mainly) than themselves !
I could have been wrong about him but there seems to be a pattern/correlation between managers who give YOU a pre match talk !
Has anyone else had a similar experience ? Or is it just the North east haha.