The End

It began as a season full of hope as I genuinely believed I had a chance of passing my fitness test before moving on to a nomination for a Level 4 and is ending with me retired but concluding yet another course training new referees.

Last weekend saw me attend the last game at Beeston St Anthony's existing ground before their move back up into the housing estate from which many of their players were drawn when the club was formed so many years ago. I watched Peter work through a game that had little riding on it and as a consequence it bore little resemblance to the blood and thunder encounters I had witnessed in previous seasons between Beeston and their opponents, Carlton. There was a significant contrast between the two assistants supporting Peter, one at the end of his career and the other just starting out. All three had reasonable games but had some development areas, not least of which was the management of the technical areas.

On Sunday I delivered some training on the WRCFA's latest Basic Course for New Referees. As usual, it was good fun and despite not having the guiding hand of our usual course leader, we did ok.

On Thursday I spent a couple of hours in the company of the candidates from the December and February courses. the format was a revision of the way we have done things for the last 7-8 courses and it really freshened things up. The candidates seemed to enjoy themselves and the tutors certainly did, especially new guy, Mark who gave a good account of himself.

Mark is due in on Sunday when we conduct Day 2 of the new referee's course and that ... marks the end of my season. I will be off duty until either the continuation/promotion training takes place in July or the start of the new assessment season some time in August.

I do however reserve the right to comment on events of the World Cup, so who knows when I will be back.

I'd like to finish by congratulating some colleagues from my local Referee's Association ... Martin Atkinson who has been appointed as 4th Official for the UEFA Champions League Final and Andy Madley who has been appointed as Assistant Referee for the League One Play-off Final between Swindon Town and Millwall. Well done my friends!