Retirement age?

[PinnerPaul]

Asking for a friend........

There isn't an official retirement age for top level referees is there?

I would have thought employment law prevented it and as long as they pass fitness test each year, then they are retained - subject to asssesor marks?

Correct?

Thanks

 

[Ben448844]

Didn't it used to be 45? Now there is no age limit I don't believe. Mike Dean is 53 and still refereeing to a very high standard. That's because he's the greatest human being thats ever lived but that's a different thread altogether!

 

[OIREF!]

My understanding is that the age limits were scrapped a number of years ago. I believe this was largely to comply with employment law as you say. In theory you can continue as long as you want provided you're up to the job.

 

[Justylove]

FIFA still have them. But in English football there are none. It's all based on fitness levels.

For SG1 Mike Dean seems to be at the top end of the age range. The toll on the body and mind of doing the Premier League must get quite wearing and I suspect (but haven't done any official research) that once referees reach a certain point, they start to see the writing on the wall in terms of the quantity and quality of the fixtures that they get allocated, as younger referees start to get more of a chance to step up.

 

[Max2]

Still chance for you yet

 

[santa sangria]

The thing most likely to make me retire is the depression ageism.

I’m 48 and just ran a sub 9 second CODA, which none of the young aspiring refs present at the fitness test were able to do. But the 20 year olds will continue to get promoted and look at me quizzically and ask me why I haven’t…

 

[Russell Jones]

The thing most likely to make me retire is the depression ageism.

I’m 48 and just ran a sub 9 second CODA, which none of the young aspiring refs present at the fitness test were able to do. But the 20 year olds will continue to get promoted and look at me quizzically and ask me why I haven’t…

We seem to be in a better position in this regard over here in England. I'm older than you and just this week found out that I've been mid season promoted as an AR. So will now be running the line on the National League and PL2. Life in the old dog yet ...

 

[santa sangria]

We seem to be in a better position in this regard over here in England. I'm older than you and just this week found out that I've been mid season promoted as an AR. So will now be running the line on the National League and PL2. Life in the old dog yet ...

That is top quality chief. Well done.

 

[RobOda]

ask me why I haven’t…

Are you not going for promotion?

 

[PinnerPaul]

We seem to be in a better position in this regard over here in England. I'm older than you and just this week found out that I've been mid season promoted as an AR. So will now be running the line on the National League and PL2. Life in the old dog yet ...

Well done - so correct me if I'm wrong, but that's it for you now in the middle?

Don't you have to stick with the AR route now?

 

[santa sangria]

Are you not going for promotion?

I am always. I was born going for promotion.

 

[JamesL]

Well done - so correct me if I'm wrong, but that's it for you now in the middle?

Don't you have to stick with the AR route now?

Nope.
After 3 years (or 4 it you opt for an extension) you make a decision about specialisation.
Its possible to get to FL and still be reffing step 3/4 middles for a season.
If you get promoted to 2b however, I am sure that spells the end for assisting

 

[Russell Jones]

Well done - so correct me if I'm wrong, but that's it for you now in the middle?

Don't you have to stick with the AR route now?

As @JamesL has said, I could actually continue with middles for another season and a half. However I'm clear and excited that my immediate future rests mainly with Assisting (Mens and Womens) so will be looking to prioritise that as much as allowed by the FA

 

[PinnerPaul]

As @JamesL has said, I could actually continue with middles for another season and a half. However I'm clear and excited that my immediate future rests mainly with Assisting (Mens and Womens) so will be looking to prioritise that as much as allowed by the FA

Thanks - do you get lines on the WSL now?

 

[Russell Jones]

Thanks - do you get lines on the WSL now?

Yup, had half a dozen last year and my first of this season last week at West Ham. Highly enjoyable working with the top female officials and the evaluation system used (where every single decision / non decision by all four officials across the 90 minutes is assessed) certainly keeps you on your toes!

 

[santa sangria]

That’s magic.

 

[PinnerPaul]

Yup, had half a dozen last year and my first of this season last week at West Ham. Highly enjoyable working with the top female officials and the evaluation system used (where every single decision / non decision by all four officials across the 90 minutes is assessed) certainly keeps you on your toes!

Good stuff.

First I heard of the evaluation system was a little while ago when one of the EFL referees did a teach in for the Referees Association - sounds daunting!