This season sees the greatest revolution in refereeing in this country probably since referees entered the field of play from the touchline in 1891. Certainly it is the biggest shake-up in my fifty years of refereeing.
The most noticeable change to the footballing public will be at Premiership level, but there is an upheaval that pervades all aspects of refereeing. It will affect every referee at every level and all future referees
The high profile change in the Premiership is unconnected with and coincidental to all the other innovations. Premiership referees are now to be full-time professionals. Most referees already consider themselves professionals - after all, even at the lowest levels they receive a fee for their services. Now in the Premiership they will be paid a salary, in return for which refereeing will become their full-time job.
Some top referees in football had already made refereeing almost their main occupation. For example, I know of one Premiership referee who was given an ultimatum from his firm, 'refereeing or your job'. He gave up his job and took work as a mini-cab driver which he could fit in around his matches and his fitness training sessions at his local league club.
Now, like all Premiership referees (except one) he will be paid a retainer of
£33,000 a year. In addition to their salary, Premiership referees will receive
£600 per game taken. This is actually a drop from last season when the match
fee was £900. The one referee who will be hit in the pocket by this reduction is
David Ellery. He is the only official who has been give special dispensation to
remain as a Premiership referee without giving up his day job as House Master
at prestige public school Harrow.
Others who refused to give up their careers will now have to make do with officiating in the Nationwide League. David Ellery will also be excused from the fortnightly sessions which the other Premiership referees will have to attend. Here they will view videos, be debriefed on their own games and put through fitness training. These full-time professional referees have been given a guaranteed two-year contract after which they will be on a rolling one-year contract, meaning they could face the sack at the end of any season.
League club managers have called for full time professional referees for many years as if it would be the answer to all their prayers, but will it make that much difference? Will it improve decision-making which many see as the chief requirement for a referee? Two main things affect decision-making: an understanding of the Laws of the Game, and positioning - the ability and fitness to be in the right place at the right time.
Premiership referees have always had to undertake fitness tests before being allowed to officiate and I think they are already extremely fit. No one seriously queries their knowledge of the laws even though mistakes may be made in their application. So what is it that will provide the improvements that will make the FA's investment
worthwhile? It is the fortnightly get-togethers reviewing performances which, it is hoped, will address the question of consistency that is always the greatest cry from fans and the club. I think also the reduction of pressure will help. Not from football, that might even increase with expectations, but from not having to worry about a separate full time job.
I wish them all well and indeed all referees in this revolutionary season.
Dick Sawdon Smith