Off and Out

Today's game at Aberford Albion for their Reserves against Beeston St Anthony's Reserves was called off just before noon.

The secretary of the home club called the game. This was something I wasn't happy with as I understood that only the match referee could decide whether a field of play was unfit for purpose. Failing that a local referee of a suitable level could make a judgement call and advise the match referee. On contacting the Referee's Appointment Secretary, it seems the league is a little unsure of this position and does not always enforce it. So I had to accept the call and the game was off.

I'd received a txt msg from a young colleague who was due to look after a game between two teams of bitter rivals in the local town's league. I'd refereed both teams a few years ago and it was rarely a pleasant experience for the opposition or the match official. Today was pretty much the same with both teams making reckless challenges.

The referee did well in the circumstances and his match control while threatened on a few occasions was never lost. Personally I would have issued cautions or dismissals for some of the challenges being attempted, however it was his game and it was still under control until the sickening collision/collapse in the last few minutes.

As the ball was played in from the away goalkeeper's right hand side he attempted to collect the ball and appeared to either collide with one of his own players or was struck with the ball from an awkward bounce. Either way a few seconds after this happened, he collapsed and those near him on the field of play said he stopped breathing. After being placed in the recovery position, he took some time to regain consciousness and had no sensation in his hands or feet.

While both teams had been only too eager to kick lumps out of each other, every single person, player, club official and spectator, rallied around with concern at the plight of this young player. I'm hoping he makes a full recovery but I believe it will be a long time before he can engage in any type of contact sport again. I know he really shouldn't be playing next week when I have his team in the Quarter Final of the District Cup.