This is a column that I have deliberately delaying in writing and I think that if you read on you will probably understand why. The footballing worlds of England and Wales were shocked by the seemingly unexplainable death of Gary …
At our January meeting we were pleased to welcome Phil Knight who has a mixed role in football. He is a level 3 referee (probably his last season she said) and assistant referee on the Football League, an assessor, …
Guest speaker Jan 2012: Phil Knight – “managing the temperature” Read more »
A couple of Sunday’s ago on BBC’s Match of the Day 2, the pundits were discussing Swansea City’s win against Arsenal and they praised the bravery of Brendon Roger’s players. There were, they said, different types of bravery in football. …
The phenomenon of Twitter seems to have become an addiction with many professional footballers; I suppose they have plenty of spare time. National newspapers therefore are able to gain access and publish their thoughts. I’m not sure what you call …
Regular readers of this column may remember at the beginning of the season I wrote about the introduction by the FA of new suspension rules for players sent off. The idea was that players at all levels of the game …
There was some consternation just before Christmas when the assistant referee in the Manchester United v Newcastle game appeared to give a penalty, after the referee had already awarded a corner. The first thing to say is that assistant referees …
Our guest speaker in November was Graham Scott, a National List referee from Abingdon so a Berks & Bucks referee. Graham admitted to being top of the league for the number of yellow cards issued in this season. He had …
Guest speaker Nov 2011: Graham Scott – “The first five minutes” Read more »
If we believe what been going on in the last couple of weeks, we could come to the conclusion that we in England are too sensitive for the rough and ready world of football. The most noise has been about …
Are we too sensitive to racial comments and spitting? Read more »
When people take up refereeing they quickly find out that it’s all about making decisions and sometimes they have to make decisions on things they know nothing about. I was reminded of this a few weeks ago after the injury …
Injuries mean more decisions for referees to make Read more »
After Reading’s match at Crystal Palace, the only topic of conversation amongst Royals’ players, management and fans was of course the disallowed goal in the dying minutes of the game. According to manager Brian McDermott, the referee told him it …
Because you didn’t see it, doesn’t mean it didn’t happen Read more »
