Training? You're having a laugh

No training on Wednesday as I attended the District FA meeting where I represent the Referee's Association.

There was an election for two places on the County FA Council. I had been nominated and was hopeful of getting elected but unfortunately it wasn't to be. The two places went to Kev and Jaybee, two very experienced refereeing colleagues so my disappointment was minimal. It was interesting that all the other three candidates (including me) received the same number of votes. Nice to be held in such high esteem after a short period of time on the District Council.

Last night I spent ages shovelling around half a tonne of wood chippings into a wheelbarrow and wheeling it from the front of the house, around the end of our block, down the passageway at the back of our gardens and then tipping it on to the back garden. Plan A had been to trim the grass short, cover the remaining sprouts of grass with a weedkilling mat, then put the chippings on top and level them off. In view of the windy, cold, rainy weather I was authorised by Mrs Baldy to revert to Plan B which was dump them all on top of the untrimmed grass - result!

The effort involved was close to a training session as I shovelled, wheeled and tipped for almost 2 1/2 hours and I certainly ached in a few new places this morning. The effort seems to have allowed the cold I have been battling with all week to strike fiercely and while I am resisting all accusations of man-flu, I feel too grotty to drag myself training on my own for the second time this week.

Tomorrow looks like it could be interesting as I am scheduled to be an Assistant for a Supply League game and the referee only has one Assistant at present! We're meeting just off the M62 at 12.30 by which time he's hoping to have a second name in the frame. I enjoyed the last game that this referee looked after, and I'm hoping for more of the same tomorrow.

Sunday's game is on it's third kick off time as I look after a FAWPL Reserve League Cup game. Originally set for 2 p.m. it was moved to noon and now back to 1 p.m. At least I get an extra hour in bed tomorrow night!