A&H

Your game

Fair comments. Yes, I've no doubt there's many Committee Members out there who are less... shall we say 'emotive!' And yes, a civilised discussion could salvage or ensure good marks from them. On the other hand, I've already witnessed 'very awkward' post-match vibes when acting as AR and I had one game this season (R) after which there was no prospect of me getting close to the Committee Room!

My overall feeling however, is that the disconnect between Referees and the wider football-community is a two-way street. The Forum is awash with entirely dismissive attitudes when it comes to footballers, managers and so on. Is it any wonder the divide is so cavernous?

I don't know how the weightings work at higher levels, but there seems a lot of emphasis at 5-to-4 on competencies that are questionable in terms of their importance. I guess it's an apt stage in our development to demonstrate being a 'good allrounder'. Perhaps the weightings are balanced back towards the KMD's the clubs care about at 4-to-3 and above. I don't know (yet)

Yes, you know your clubs and you also know your assistants. I've worked with some assistants that I had to keep a very tight reign on in boardrooms, and depending on what happened in the game I'd say we were going home without any of us going in there as I couldn't take the risk of them saying something that would fan the flames. Appreciate this is South East centric, but you go to clubs like Wingate & Finchley, Oxhey Jets, Haringey Borough and you know that no matter what has happened during the game you will be respected and treat well in the boardroom. Whereas Thurrock had a sign in the officials changing room telling them they were not welcome in the boardroom and would be served sandwiches in their room, on two occasions at Braintree the changing room door opened and sandwiches were pretty much thrown in, and I've been to other clubs where the atmosphere was horrible in the baordroom after.
 
The Referee Store
Yes, you know your clubs and you also know your assistants. I've worked with some assistants that I had to keep a very tight reign on in boardrooms, and depending on what happened in the game I'd say we were going home without any of us going in there as I couldn't take the risk of them saying something that would fan the flames. Appreciate this is South East centric, but you go to clubs like Wingate & Finchley, Oxhey Jets, Haringey Borough and you know that no matter what has happened during the game you will be respected and treat well in the boardroom. Whereas Thurrock had a sign in the officials changing room telling them they were not welcome in the boardroom and would be served sandwiches in their room, on two occasions at Braintree the changing room door opened and sandwiches were pretty much thrown in, and I've been to other clubs where the atmosphere was horrible in the baordroom after.
Only trouble with Oxhey Jets... they'll be OK with you in the Board Room, but you'll soon get a 61 if you gave any KMD against them. Unless you talk to them endlessly about the RAF, in which case John will revise your score to 100
 
Yes, you know your clubs and you also know your assistants. I've worked with some assistants that I had to keep a very tight reign on in boardrooms, and depending on what happened in the game I'd say we were going home without any of us going in there as I couldn't take the risk of them saying something that would fan the flames. Appreciate this is South East centric, but you go to clubs like Wingate & Finchley, Oxhey Jets, Haringey Borough and you know that no matter what has happened during the game you will be respected and treat well in the boardroom. Whereas Thurrock had a sign in the officials changing room telling them they were not welcome in the boardroom and would be served sandwiches in their room, on two occasions at Braintree the changing room door opened and sandwiches were pretty much thrown in, and I've been to other clubs where the atmosphere was horrible in the baordroom after.
I did a step 3 line earlier in the season. Ref had 2 of the home team off, both for VC. We got escorted off the pitch by a steward who was giving us absolute pelters.

Lovely food in the boardroom, and the secretary laid the law down to the team officials telling them that she'd eject them from the boardroom if they dared to talk to us about the game whilst we were eating, they could have the courtesy to wait until we'd finished.
 
My game went really well yesterday
Home team won 1-0 with a super goal in injury time
8x C1's, four of which were different flavours of SPA. That might explain the scoreline!
Had a really solid game and hoping for a good assessment

If you'd have told me a few years back that I'd soon be in the middle with 533 spectators, I'd have honestly thought, 'you're off your head!'. If you'd further added that the game would go to plan, I'd have had you locked up
I was nervous, counting the clock down towards 90 mins with the finishing line in sight. Big sense of relief last night (and 5 bottles of broon)
 
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County League game yesterday. Away side (struggling near the foot of the league) played brilliantly and hit the woodwork 5 times, including the underside of the bar twice in a matter of seconds. They also had a penalty (nailed on, no questioning the decision) in the first half. They lost the game 2-0! 1 yellow for reckless play. Both teams and managers were as good as gold. One of those games where the losing side are delighted to play as well as they did and were blaming their luck for somehow losing the game. A fair assessment as the home team had 2 attempts and scored them both. Excellent goals tbf. Just a great game to be involved in and I've reffed it well.

Sunday League 4th div this morning. Terrible conditions, cracking game. 1 yellow for a foul tackle. 2 teams who just wanted to play despite the conditions and I think I've done well again. A good weekend in the middle.
 
Weather is really ruining the spectacle of football tbh. Fair play to the teams this weekend for getting out there and trying to play, it's a yellow warning of rain here in Wales, combined with gales = don't kick it long if you're playing against the wind!
 
Weather is really ruining the spectacle of football tbh. Fair play to the teams this weekend for getting out there and trying to play, it's a yellow warning of rain here in Wales, combined with gales = don't kick it long if you're playing against the wind!
But you get to use all those weird "what if" questions that appear on referee tests!
 
Yesterdays game went well on a 4G pitch. Had my first red of the season yesterday after I sent the home teams keeper off after bringing an opponent down in the box. Was spoilt for choice for the reason to dismiss him. OFFINABUS, SFP or violent conduct. Even better that his own team were in support of my decisions, both the penalty and dismissal
 
Tricky fixture for me this past weekend between 2 decent youth teams in a very competitive league (top 8 teams separated by 4 points). Away team have a reputation for being difficult and I home team no angels so I was expecting it to be feisty and so it proved. I got through unscathed but a couple of incidents which made me smile...

Home team attacker scored a great solo goal running from half way line beating 3-4 opponents before scoring. He had been fouled early in his run but I played advantage and, for once, it worked out. Funny thing was his team mate wanted a free kick and was still appealing for it even after the goal had gone in and the rest of the team were celebrating!

The away team were chasing the game late on when their winger ran the ball out of play at the opposite side to the away dug out. Away team manager screaming it was never out. He got the caution his protests merited but then started to complain that the resultant throw in was taken from the wrong place - so firstly it didn't go out but he knew exactly where it had gone out, all from the opposite side of the pitch!

In the end the home team won 3-1 and I was glad to have got through it.
 
I was a last minute replacement on the line in my local step 6 league.

Top of the league with 20 wins from 20 vs 5th in the table but in decent form.

The home side had arranged a reunion of their successful side in the 90’s after the game and the away side bought 2 coach loads of supporters along too, making for a crowd of 500+

Away side (5th in the table) won 3-2 and ruined the party!

Quite game from an AR’s point of view, I was only needed for 1 offside offence, 1 foul in my area, a few throws, few corners and some subs!

I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold, wet and muddy though!!
 
I was a last minute replacement on the line in my local step 6 league.

Top of the league with 20 wins from 20 vs 5th in the table but in decent form.

The home side had arranged a reunion of their successful side in the 90’s after the game and the away side bought 2 coach loads of supporters along too, making for a crowd of 500+

Away side (5th in the table) won 3-2 and ruined the party!

Quite game from an AR’s point of view, I was only needed for 1 offside offence, 1 foul in my area, a few throws, few corners and some subs!

I don’t think I’ve ever been so cold, wet and muddy though!!
Yes, I think there was a chance that you could have ended up with me on Sat.

So you got lucky. Plum tie of the weeekend and avoided me in the middle. 😂

My game was fairly uneventful. 3 C1s all of differing varieties.

Couple of c2 sin bin threats. On reflection at least one could have been a straight in but management must have worked as the player was replaced at half time. To be honest he was walking a c3 tightrope too (all in the same chat) so sensible management.

2 penalty shouts, 1 a piece, turned down, neither were particularly nailed on and carnage would have ensued had either been given. They weren't nailed on no's but they certainly weren't nailed on yes's either if that makes sense. Enough in them both to say not for me and didn't get much grief for not awarding which leans me to having got the right decisions.

Game finished 2-1 to away side. Last few mins were bitty and scrappy as they held on to the ball in the corner which is always interesting to manage but came through unscathed, couple of throws and a foul.

Weekend off next week to recharge with family visiting. Back to a step 4 line the following weekend.

Just up the road from @Will_A it was also cold, wet, windy, muddy and miserable
 
Yes, I think there was a chance that you could have ended up with me on Sat.

So you got lucky. Plum tie of the weeekend and avoided me in the middle. 😂

Yes there a brief mention of me heading over to you! At one stage I was in 3 different places!

Didn’t mind the drive down west though for that game!
 
At my favourite public school on their dream of a main pitch.

'Colts A' teams, so 16 year olds I think, played some good football, end to end and side to side on a big pitch, my knees told me it was big anyway!

NO irony in this post defender really did ask me this politely, "Excuse me sir, what was that foul for?" - Oh, if only it was like that every game.
The only people who use the term 'Sir' to me are lads from Rugby League towns such as St Helens,Wigan,Widnes,Warrington and so on. It's quite surprising too,and complimentary, yet they are usually as big as outhouses.
 
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