Ill and stuff

I closed last weekend as I had tickets to a concert in Manchester on Saturday night and stayed over there at a Travelodge.

As part of the recovery process (from late night drinking and dancing) I went to Nando's in the Arndale centre before heading home. If you ever decide to go to a Nando's, some advice ... don't pretend to be brave and have the hot peri-peri sauce - it's like lava in a bottle! Mrs Rogue was far more sensible by choosing a medium, but she still had tears in her eyes because it was so hot.

So as a result, no match reports from last week BUT some nice appointments have been advised this week. Firstly Fat Lad has been appointed as Assistant Referee to the local Sunday League Cup semi-final and the semi-final of the Minor FA Cup at County level. I did one of the group games at the end of last month and had a blast.

His referee on the day is Andy Madley, who is the older brother of Bobby. Andy has also been appointed as Assistant on one of the FA Vase semi-finals. So I very pleased for both of the lads (not jealous - just pleased) as they've earned their appointments through hard onfield work. In Andy's case he's done a lot of off-field work too helping develop and deliver new versions of the FA's Referee Training courses.

Rogue has received his own prestige appointment. Earlier in the season, Fat Lad was appointed as referee for an inter-county game between Sheffield&Hallamshire girls U16 and Northamptonshire girls U16. The game fell victim to the bad weather and now when it's been re-arranged, I've picked up his appointment. I feel honoured that the County FA are trusting me with this game and it's a nice end of season reward.

On to the ill bit now! I had a cold last week and was glad that I had no game. My three year old son came home from nursery with a tickly cough which has developed into a nasty body wracking chesty cough. I've developed the same and I am so glad we had some Benylin in the house. I daren't pass up today's game which is between two teams in the relegation zone of the First Division of the West Yorkshire League, but I am hoping they take it easy on me :-)