Shirt & Tie

The phone rang just before 9 and I missed the call. On calling my answer service, it's a call from DF, Secretary of the District FA and also Vice Chairman of the County Referee's Committee.

I had been moaning to him a couple of weeks ago that I hadn't been asked to do any coaching and he passed my moans on to SR, the County's Referee Development Officer. As a result not only do I have a date up at Leeds United's training ground, Thorp Arch, DF also has a polo shirt for me denoting my status as a member of the Leeds United Referee Academy staff.

Earlier in the week my son decided he needed a large conch shell tying to his back "so he could be a snail". I have to say I haven't seen many snails with Referee's Association ties holding their shells in place, but there was obviously one in my house as my RA tie took a beating.

Getting ready for this afternoon's game I pulled out my other RA tie to find the reason it was hiding at the bottom of the wardrobe was the large stain just under the crest. I thought it would be a good idea to sponge the stain away and dry the tie on the radiator. Both actions were a mistake as I now have what resembles a stained piece of material with all the flexibility of a sheet of cardboard. I've left a message with the local RA Supplies Officer and I'm hoping I can get a new tie for tomorrow's game. Today's was called off around 9:30 due to 3-4 inches of snow on the field of play.