Promotion

I've had it confirmed that I am to be nominated to Level 4 status for next season.

This is the culmination of 3 seasons of hard work. I've been knocked back twice but each time I've come back stronger.

Hard work really does pay off.

Injury

Last Tuesday I was assistant referee on a county cup semi final. The game started well and I was really enjoying my return to action, although 1 of the teams were playing a dreadful offside trap which made the job a little easier.

Having got to half time all was going well, and I was ready for the next 45.

Unfortunately after 3 minutes of the second half I twisted my ankle in a bit of soft sand on the line and fell over. This ended my involvement in the game and I was replaced by the fourth official.

I am fine now and the ankle is well, disappointingly yesterday's game was postponed leaving me with 1 more middle in this marking season, hopefully I will come through that without any major disasters and can look ahead to next season at, hopefully, level 4. Not counting my chickens though as nothing is certain in football, we have a lot of good young referees in this county looking at being promoted.

Weather... Again

Yesterday I was due to referee, quite locally, for the first time since 20th November. Again the weather curtailed this.

This feels like another pre-season, I'm starting to get bored!

Weather

Like many of my colleagues, I am beginning to get annoyed with the weather.

First snow and now rain is ruining our seasons.

In order to get promoted in England we must referee a certain amount of games in a year, the weather is curtailing this fir many people and, therefore, their chances of promotion to the next level.

Come on weather, give us a chance please!

World Cup Final

I would like to extend my congratulations to Howard Webb and his team on their appointment to the world cup final.

A fabulous achievement for them all and a just reward for a long path.

Congratulations again.

The Germans

So England managed to make it through group C with a win over Slovenia. For me 1 thing stood out during the game, the passion which Mr. Capello showed stood on the touch line was most impressive, and something which England managers have been severely lacking in recent years.

Unfortunately a late goal by the Americans now means that we don't play in Rustenberg, where our tournament began and where we are based, in what has to be described as the easier side of the draw.

The game against Germany on Sunday in Bloemfontein was a given, and 1 I believe England are more than capable of winning. If only they can show the same passion as their manager did on Wednesday!!

Without the agony, the ecstasy doesn't feel as good!!

Come on England!!

Hanging in the balance... England's world cup dream

Here we are, 180 minutes into England's world cup, and the dreams of a nation are hanging in the balance. Qualification from the group looks far from assured, with a less than easy game against Slovenia on Wednesday to come.

So far in this tournament England, and so many more so called "big teams" have looked lacklustre. Is it the altitude? Are the players tired after a hard club season? Whatever the reasons there can be no real excuse.

These players are professional athletes, and are paid very handsomely because of this. If I performed so poorly at work, I wouldn't have a job come Monday morning. Things have got to improve.

Mr Capello, I believe, is tactically sound however even he has looked bereft of ideas at this world cup. We topped our qualification group without being troubled, where has it all gone wrong?

We have 1 more chance to sort this out on Wednesday, and unless our lions roar then they are coming home with a whimper!!

I believe in you England, please don't let me down!!

In other news Blackburn Rovers look set to miss out on Guti due to needing to find a striker first. Signing a player like Guti, even in the twilight of his career, would be a massive lift for a club of our size. Please Sam don't make the mistake o missing out on him! We need him.