A day in the life of a budding referee

Hastily trained in the necessary skills of flathanded pointing and running backwards, I was spinning like a doner kebab near the centre circle of a Northamptonshire field as I refereed my first-ever game.

OK, it's not easy. But then we all knew that, didn't we? A split-second decision, without the benefit of various camera angles, slow-motion replays or virtual reality technology. No one is under any illusions, but that does not stop the abuse.

The Under 16s from the Bugbrooke St Michael's and Drayton Grange were well behaved. They were going easy on the rookie but there's always the odd snide remark from afar, sometimes from the coaching staff or parents, masquerading as humour but laced with intent. How on earth do referees control their urge to throw down their whistle, stride across to confront the culprit and argue the point?


I thought: that's definitely a foul but which way are the yellows kicking?

The FA's referee squad were on hand, just in case it turned ugly. There were still butterflies fluttering, though, and these could be detected in the bizarre peeps which emerged from the whistle, but slowly confidence grew. And, yes, at the end there was a satisfying sense of involvement as handshakes were exchanged.

This is the point referees are anxious to get across as the FA launch a major recruitment drive designed to end a serious shortage of officials. Last November they set out on a mission to find 8,000 new refs over a five-year period and increase the total registered in England to 32,000 by 2012.

The new campaign is designed to target a certain type. Rather than trawl aimlessly picking up those who quickly decide it isn't really for them, the mood now is to search for those who may no longer play but crave the involvement in a game they love. In tandem is an image makeover to change the perception that refs are officious Little Hitlers drunk on the power of their cards and whistle.

Howard Webb, considered the country's top referee, represents what the powers consider the 21st Century referee; fitter and more athletic and who does not look out of place on the same pitch as someone with a chiselled torso like Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 10 years since Paolo Di Canio pushed Paul Alcock to the ground and everyone had a good laugh, attitudes shifted.

When Chelsea's Ashley Cole turned his back on Mike Riley at Spurs last month, football sat bolt upright, demanding to know how it had come to this.

"The time had come when we needed to take a firm stance and address the negative behaviour at all levels between players and officials. This is a great opportunity to have a positive effect," said former Premier League linesman and Football League referee Ian Blanchard, the FA's head of refereeing since July 2005.

The FA launched their "Respect" project as part of the National Game Strategy 24 hours before Cole disgraced himself at White Hart Lane.

Liverpool's Javier Mascherano was then sent off for dissent at Manchester United. His appeal against his extended twomatch ban was laughed out of Soho Square but the issue was catapulted on to the agenda.

"Maybe it did us some favours," said Blanchard. "It supported what we were trying to do. There's never a reason for a player to go up to a referee in an aggressive and threatening manner. I'm not saying we can't communicate with players, that's part of management on the pitch. But we're trying to eliminate situations where refs are chased."

Dissent is often thought to be the main factor driving referees from the game. But it comes third behind injuries and family commitments.

Blanchard said: "In my first game � Kingston Youth Club against Seven Seas in the Hull Amateur League Division Seven in 1988 � I had to issue my first caution to a 6ft 6in centre half with a skinhead. I was full of nerves and apprehension but two or three handshakes at the end and words from the players who said 'Well played' and 'Thank you' left me determined to continue."

Those brave enough to take up the challenge can find more on www.thefa.com/referee.
The rest of us can simply promise to think twice before we assassinate the referee from the stands or Press box.


THIS IS LONDON April 2008.