Oi, what about me!?M1 South wrote: Sun Oct 13, 2024 8:29 am Wasn’t at the game yesterday but reading thus far, Football Referees at whatever level have never ever played the game they are refereeing at any stage in their life!!
They were the last kid picked by either Captain in the school playground, just them & the fat kid every year had leaning on the wall trying to look athletic but were obviously more interested in their train numbers collection!! (Hence their fixation with the notebook & pencil)
They have never pulled a bird in their childhood or adult life, so most of them bat for the other side.
The few who say they know the game say they have a favourite club side & it’s anlways Arsenal (which says it all !!)
They basically haven’t a clue about what is & isn’t a foul out on the pitch!!
Nb; I’d like to exempt SD from the above but if truth be told he is a perfect example of this scenario & I therefore rest my case M’lud!!
A little harsh there I think M1, but all ex-refs would think the same, particularly those that reffed in the same era as SD and me!
I do agree with todays ref’s though, cannot spot a clear foul and often get the big decisions wrong, such as yesterdays. Never a sending off in a million years - a robust tackle, won the ball cleanly, not even a foul.
The Isthmian League at the time I reffed produced top class referees such as Mark Halsey, Graham Barber, Graham Poll, Rob Styles, Steve Bennett and many more.