Ossy Ref

Promotion

2011-03-13T16:57:00.001Z

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

2011-02-06T09:28:00.001Z

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

2011-01-23T14:08:00.001Z

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

2011-01-15T11:22:00.001Z

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

2010-07-08T21:28:00.001+01:00

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

2010-06-24T22:16:00.001+01:00

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

2010-06-19T07:55:00.003+01:00

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.

World Cup

2010-06-06T19:21:00.001+01:00

The greatest show on Earth is less than 7 days away, it is the tournament which will create heroes (Bobby Moore et al 1966) and villians (Maradonna 1986 and David Beckham 1998).

The winners will become immortals in their country.

Every decision will be scrutinised and analysed from every angle possible.

The referees are hand selected as the best in the world, but even those can make mistakes!! (Think Graham Poll 2002)

Here's hoping for an incident free and enjoyable FIFA World Cup, which is remembered for years to come for all the right reasons.

No Action

2010-02-18T09:08:00.001Z

As I sit here and write this, I note that there have been NO updates since 8th November, that is because there has been nothing to update on!!

2 games since November are all I have done, and there has really been nothing controversial in the world of football to discuss!!

Until next time people!

Weekend off

2009-11-08T18:03:00.001Z

This weekend has seen me have a weekend off, I've been at college all weekend studying for my professional exams, so no report to furnish you with unfortunately.

After perusing t'internet for a while today also, and listen to football related talk shows on the radio, I have also noticed a lack of managers berating referees for what they believe to be poor decisions!! Has something changed within football that I have missed? Or have these managers just had, like me, a week off?

Save Our Stanley

2009-10-25T07:40:00.001Z

Today sees me refereeing in a game between Accrington Stanley fans and Accrington Stanley legends, with the most noteable name being former Liverpool player, and FA cup winner, Mike Marsh.

In essence, from what I read, Stanley have been a severely mismanaged team and that is what has put them in a situation where they appear to be scrabbling around cap in hand for any bit of money they can find! Even their own website says they only had until yesterday to find the money whilst still showing that they are £200,000 short.

Whilst it would be terrible to see this historic club go out of business, I believe the blame MUST rest with the board!!

Save Our Stanley is nothing but begging from a football team which has been poorly run. Instead of pleading for our money the board should be asking how they can save THEIR Stanley!!

Mike Jones, Dingles and the Europa League

2009-10-22T06:21:00.001+01:00

Saturday 17th October, Stadium of Light - Hands up who knew, on first look, that a) th ball had actually hit the beach ball and b) what the correct outcome should have been?

I am a referee of 14 years, and a referee instructor, but on first look your mind starts racing and you wonder just what is the correct decision! To make an unpopular decision in that instant and be 110% certain you are correct MUST be difficult?!? Yes he is a professional and yes he got it wrong, but give Mike a break, he didn't do it because he wanted to cheat, he made a call on a situation which I so rare I have not seen it in 20 years of being involved in football!!!

I hope Mike bounces back from this!!

Sunday 18th October, Ewood Park

Hands up who loves the result against Burnley??

At a time when Rovers are struggling away from home, we showed a lot of grit and determination to win that game and do it for the fans!!! Being part of the crowd was an amazing feeling and I, sometimes, miss the rush of watching live football on a Saturday afternoon!!!

All season, The Europa League

UEFA are trialling a new idea to help with goal line decisions which involves having 5 active officials on a game, the 3 we expect to see and 2 on either goal line!!

In my mind, and those of my colleagues, we feel that this is not working. The goal line officials just look out of place and could be left with nothing to do for 90 minutes.

I have never been an advocate of goal line technology in football, but I feel now must be the time to bring it in, there is just too much at stake in the professional game to not bring this in!!

Would love to hear your thoughts on this.

New beginnings...

2009-10-22T05:36:00.001+01:00

I have decided, after much deliberation, to resurrect this blog. There is too much going on in the world of football that needs my opinion!!

It's good to be back!!!

An end?...

2009-08-24T20:04:00.001+01:00

Sorry guys, a new directive from the Football Association about referees and Internet content might put an end to these blogs for good, for now though I'm saying good bye!!!

The Season Starts Today

2009-08-01T09:24:00.002+01:00

It's about time this day came, this has got to have been THE longest preseason of all time!!!!

My season starts today, running the line on the Wilf Carr Memorial Trophy. This is kind of the West Lancashire League's answer to the Community Trophy (Charity Shield).

I can't wait until 3 o'clock!!!!!

Pre Season

2009-07-18T19:52:00.002+01:00

First off let me point out that the name of this blog has changed, nothing spectacular there. It just fits in with the rest of my cyber identity (email addresses and the like).

Is it just me or does everyone else feel that this has been THE LONGEST preseason in the history of preseasons? It feels like it has gone on forever.

Last Sunday I had my fitness test for nomination to Level 4 at the end of next season, usually I worry about this although this year I have been training for it with a friend for the past 6 weeks and this year we both breezed through it easily.

I have my first game on Tuesday night, as assistant referee at Freckleton who are playing AFC Fylde at Freckleton. Hopefully it will be a nice game to break myself back in ready for August 1st, and my first "official" game of the season.

I'll let you know how it goes next week.

Finally, if any of you guys still read this, can you let me know if there is anything that you want from it in particular - any kind of features etc?

Cheers people, for now,

Yours

Ossy Ref.

I'm Poor - But it's not cost me my history

2009-06-28T10:16:00.005+01:00

Hi guys (if there are any of you still out there)

I must apologise to you all about how long it has taken me to update this thing, so long in fact that the season has finished and the new 1 not so far, although too far, away for my liking.

In actual fact I asked the appointments secretary when the new fixtures were out last week, I think I gave him a heart attack!!! He told me that there was still some confusion as to what was happening with Darwen FC and that matter has to be resolved first.

Darwen FC, this past season, were playing in the North West Counties 1st Division where they finished 13th and had a star player, for the 2nd half of the season at least, who should be playing in a higher league by the name of Matt McNamara. However due to mismanagement, oversight, or down right stubbornness the club have failed to pay a hire bill to one of their suppliers amounting to £9000 approximately. This led to a drawn out legal battle and the real possibility that Darwen would cease to exist, well this came to fruition in June of this year and after 134 years and 3904 games Darwen FC are no more.

I am led to believe that a new club AFC Darwen are to take over at the Anchor Ground led by the first team manager from last season, Dennis Hill - however due to FA regulations, because they have technically gone out of business, they cannot take over the old team's position in the North West Counties. It is hoped that they will take up a position in the West Lancashire League Premier Division, so I may get a few trips in there next season.

Personally, although I never went to watch them, I feel that the demise of Darwen for the sum of (only) £9,000 is a little sad. Just 1.3 miles (thanks Google Maps) down a virtual straight road, is Ewood Park - I just wonder if they could have done more to help out their local neighbours. Sent their reserves, or even the Under 18s, to play Darwen or loaned them the money at a beneficial rate. It just seems to me that too many football clubs are failing at grassroots when the big teams get richer. I may be wrong.

Anyway that's me off my soap box.

Now I have more regular access to a computer I'll try and keep this a bit more updated, and I can't wait for the new season.

On another note I'd just like to wish Mike Riley all the best in his new role at the PGMO, Keith Hackett will be a tough man to replace but I'm sure he can do it. Congratulations Mike.

Update!!!

2009-02-13T09:11:00.007Z

I can't believe how long it's been since I last updated this, I've just been so busy with 1 thing or another that I've not got around to it until now!!!

Let me try and remember what has happened in January and February so far!!!

Obviously with the weather I haven't been involved in too much football as most games have been cancelled due to the weather, which is frustrating really as once you get in the "zone" ready for a game it's a kind of come down to then have them called off.

Personally I start to build up to a game on the night before, by getting all my kit ready and packed, checking all my watches and equipment and making sure my boots are clean. So after all that initial build up, for it to be called off is a major let down.

Thinking back now January and February have both seen firsts for me.

I have had my first send off for a second cautionable offence and my first disciplinary hearing, oh and I have given my first lesson on a Basic Law Course.

The lack of football has continued as my game for today has been called off due to snow on the pitch, in Febuary!!!!!!!

Saturday 20th December

2008-12-22T15:38:00.003Z

This weekend saw me officiate in a fairly interesting game, about 2 miles from my home, in the 2nd division of my league.

The away side, who I had offciated in my last game, ran into a 2-0 lead after about 20 minutes. This prompted the home team into life, and by half time the score was 2-3.

During the 2nd half the home side was very much on top and scored early on, setting up a very interesting half, which culminated in a penalty for the home side with 2 seconds remaining of normal time. This was converted and gave the home side a 4-3 advantage.

The story doesn't end there though, the away side from the kick off went up the other end and appealed for a penalty. To me there was a clash of legs but it certainly was 50 - 50 but from my vantage point I thought no penalty and "cut the grass". The game ended shortly after with a victory to the home side.

And that's me for 2008, I'll be back in the new year on the 4th when I'm refereeing a County Cup Inter-League Semi Final.

Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to all.

County Cup Quarter Final

2008-12-12T08:38:00.002Z

Last Saturday I should've taken charge of a county cup quarter final, however due to the snow, this game was called off on the Thursday.

I then picked up a line in 1 of the other quarter finals, but again this was off.

Both games are scheduled to be replayed this coming Saturday but unfortunatley I had already closed my date for a work course.

Oh well my time will come!!

Fog!!!!

2008-12-01T09:51:00.004Z

As I stated previously this last weekend saw me, again, have a 200 mile round trip to referee a game on my league. The way that our league is structured sees that 2 referees refereeing in the same area usually travel together with 1 dropping the other off so the journeys are not usually that bad, however on this occasion the 2nd game was postponed so I drove myself up there.

The journey took longer than usual with the fog on the M6 meaning visibility was low and, of course, speed was reduced accordingly. Having set off at 11 I arrived at the ground at around about 12:45 for a 2 o'clock kick off.

The game was never in doubt with the fog, which lingered but never caused any problems.

It was a simple game which never caused any problems, finishing 6-0 to the away side, I only had cause for 2 cautions - both for the home team. 1 player for persistent infringment in the first half and the goalkeeper for dissent in the closing moments.

My drive back was just as bad, and slow, but I got back at around half 6 feeling totally drained. Bring on December.

Dedication

2008-11-28T08:45:00.001Z

Again this weekend I have a 200 mile round trip to referee, at below step 7 on the pyramid, now that's dedication.

Registered Referee Instructor

2008-11-26T16:00:00.007Z

The previous 2 weekends have seen me attend the North West Region Registered Referee Instructor course in Warrington.
The course was facilitated by representatives of the Lancashire, Manchester, Cheshire and Liverpool County FAs and was very enjoyable.
The first day saw us split into "home" groups of 5 people then throughout the day we were given presentations on various topics from "The use of Powerpoint" to "Teaching Techniques". At the end of the day, each member was given a topic on which they were to prepare a short, 15 minute, presentation to show to their group at the beginning of the following Sunday. My topic was "The use of the Caution Procedure.
At the start of the 2nd day I was a little nervous and, for reasons unbeknown to me, missed some practical parts out of my demonstration and this made it last only about 7 minutes. However, my appraisal was good with only time planning down as a development point. The rest of the day was spent, again, learning various topics.
At the end of the day we were all congratulated on our performance and participation, all that remains now is to deliver, and be appraised on, a spot on an actual Basic Law Course. After this the FA will confer on me the title of Registered Referee Instructor, which will enable me to assist on the presentation of basic law courses.

Team Names

2008-11-26T10:57:00.003Z

Someone has asked me why I don't refer to teams, players and leagues by their names on here. The reasoning is simple. It's so that if any of these stumble across this blog then they can't recognise themselves from it.
Hope that clears it up folks!!

Saturday 22nd November

2008-11-25T16:09:00.007Z

So Saturday 22nd November, what can I say about this day, this game?

Saturday 22nd November saw me, return, in the middle after the last week and my role as assistant on the Vase game in what is a local derby in the 2nd division of my league. Now these 2 teams are from different towns but the rivalry is something akin to hatred at times, and it's stupid that this should spill on to the football field but, inevitably, they do!!!

The game itself started well, at a frantic pace, but both teams wanted to, or at least appeared to want to, play football. This carried on for the best part of the first half until, for some reason it started getting a little niggly. I should've upped my game here slightly but for some reason didn't, and maybe that cost me later in the game. We got to half time at 0-0.

The second half started in much the same vein as the first finished, very pacy but very niggly. My fitness was fine and I was ideally placed for the majority of decisions, but again for some reason I found that I wanted to keep my cards in my pocket when maybe a well timed yellow would've just calmed proceedings, but then again I would probably have had to "find" 1 of those.

The major incidents in the game happened in a 5 minute spell starting in the 70th minute when a home team player was hit full on in the face from about 2 yards away as his defender cleared the ball, this knocked him over "like a sack of spuds". I immediately stopped play in order for the player to receive treatment but, as I did, an away team player leant over him and gesticulated in his face, in a non agressive manner. This obviously didn't sit too well with the injured player who got up and decided, as footballers do, that it would be good to chase him. As I had recognised the need for action, I followed the players whilst blowing the whistle to try and stop it from occurring, as a result of this I was stood 2 yards away with a full clear view when the chasing player spat at the opponent. Clever boy!!
By this time all further 18 outfield players were involved in a bit of pushing and shoving, none of it aggressive I may add.
After isolating the players to seperate corners of the field, I cautioned the away team player for aggravating the incident, and sent the home team player off for Spitting at an opponent. For the record play was restarted with a dropped ball.

Anyway on with the game, 2 minutes later the home side were awarded a penalty when a defender handled the ball in the penalty area, this resulted in the game's only goal.

The next 15 minutes were difficult with raised temperatures but nothing else of note and the game ended with the home side running out 1-0 victors.

The player that was sent off asked to come in my dressing room after the game and explain what happened, I did of course extend him the courtesy and told him that the report would be submitted accordingly.

At least I had my mum's 50th to take my mind off the game, but I was mentally exhausted as I arrived home after the game. Happy days!!!!

FA Vase weekend

2008-11-19T09:08:00.005Z

This past weekend saw me officiate as an assistant referee on an FA Vase 2nd Round Proper tie between 2, fairly, local teams in a slight local derby.

As is the norm with FA appointments you have to be at the ground at least 1 1/2 hours before, however we got there 2 hours before. I don't mind this as it gives you longer to get in the "zone" and forget about the outside world, you become immersed in the football for longer.

The game was played in a great spirit in a very competitive manner between 2, fairly decent sides, the first half passed without much incident and the home side went in 2-1 to the good.

At the start of the 2nd half, by now under floodlight, the home side scored a great individual goal when the right winger cut inside and fired a low shot under the keeper and into the corner. When the home side added a 4th I began to think that was game over, but in true cup tie fashion the away side pulled 2 back with 5 minutes to play, however it was not to be enough and the home side were victorious.

The referee had a very good game, managing situations well and doing what had to be done. All in all I enjoyed my first taste of the FA vase, that's now 4 different FA competitions under my belt. I'm hungry for more!!!

1st November 2008

2008-11-03T09:53:00.004Z

Firstly a mention of the assessment from the county cup 3rd round game, although the mark itself was good (85) the assessment is very garbled. The sentences don't really make sense, all jumbled up and not very helpful at all. The development areas are not very helpful either, in so much as there is only about 5 words spread between 2 points!!
All in all I have got to be pleased with the mark, I only wish the written element was there to back it up.

Now onto the game I had this weekend. As I said in my previous post, it was a 100 mile journey so I met up with the referee and the other assistant at 11:15am for a 2:00pm kick off, not many people realise the dedication that is needed to succeed in this "profession".
The journey was fine, made better that I drove and had something to concentrate on for the whole time.
The game itself was a tough game for the referee, very bitty and not very skilfull, to his credit he handled it superbly, doing what he had to do and getting on with it.
The match finished 5-1 to the away side, with the home team gifting them 4 of those. There were 3 penalties in the game, 1 to the away side and 2 to the home, all stone wall also!!
As for my involvement there was little to do, I turned down a 4th penalty shout, the 2nd for the home side, for a brilliantly timed challenge by the defender and refused to let a substitute onto the field as he wasn't named on the team sheet but all in all it was a quiet afternoon.
I returned home, shattered from the drive, at 7pm and settled down for a quiet night. The joys of the pyramid, but I wouldn't change it for the world!!

And on to November...

2008-10-28T18:18:00.000Z

The final weekend of October saw me officiate in my county's cup competition 3rd round. Although it was a non event of a game and didnt really need anything major from me, it is always nice to officiate in these games. I was assessed by a local assessor who I know quite well and he seemed to have no problems after, but we shall see when it drops through my letterbox.

November sees me scheduled to be out for 4 out of the 5 weekends on my league as referee, with the first Saturday being taken up as an assistant on the premier division which, for those in the know, is the supply division.
However, I received a nice email from London on Friday, more accurately from Soho Square, appointing me as assistant referee in a FA Vase 2nd Round Proper tie on the 15th. I have graciously accepted this appointment and "given back" my scheduled game.

So on to this Saturday and a 200 mile, 4 hour, round trip to officiate as assistant referee on the Supply league game. I will be starting out at 11am for a 2pm kick off, all for the princley sum of £15 plus expenses if I drive. I'm glad I do this for the love of the game!! The joys of being on "the pyramid"!!

Welcome

2008-10-27T16:01:00.000Z

I dont know where to start really, I've read hundreds of these things but never thought I'd end up writing one!!

Just a bit of info really - I am 27 years old and I am currently a level 5 football referee based in Lancashire, hoping for promotion to the next step this season.

This blog, though not here to right the wrongs of the world, is here to enable me to vent my feelings on games, assessors and life. It will deal with the ups and downs of a referee on the promotion ladder and the day to day trappings of life....