Down time

I was involved in 6 games in 9 days up to last Sunday and I think it showed when I had doubts about doing the 6th game and eventually burned less than 1000 calories in a 90 minute game with a total of 6 minutes added time.

This week has been time to take stock. I made the decision on Monday that my knee needed a rest from pounding around the concrete like fields of West Yorkshire so I gave backword on my Assistant role on Wednesday's game. Fat Lad picked up the appointment and was grateful (I think) for the run out before he had a weekend off (going to Blackpool in April???).

During the week I was attending the inaugural U14 District Cup Final. I didn't get to see as much of the game as I would have liked as I was carrying out a new administrative role in football (no the whistle isn't getting hung up just yet). I was District FA Council Member in Charge for the Final. Sounds like an important title but in truth it meant ensuring there was someone on the gate, someone in the car park organising parking, keeping an eye on people leaving the bar with drinks in hand and co-ordinating the other Council members to ensure we didn't lose track of the match balls which appeared to fly over the perimeter wall of the stadium with increasing frequency.

Bob was in the middle and let me in on an appointment he's received for next month ... he's to be Assistant Referee on the FA Vase Final, which is a great appointment. He did a good job with his two Assistants, Paul and Stephen and all three were assisted by the 4th Official, young Tom Dixon. I had little to do and this was entirely due to the experience of my fellow Council members who looked after everything without too much help from me and made my life easy. Thanks guys!

Other notable appointments this week came for Martin Atkinson, fellow Heavy Woollen RA member, who is 4th Official for the FA Cup Final at the end of May. One of the Assistants is another local lad, with David Richardson (from Halifax) taking the flag. He'll be assisting Howard Webb who seems just a little pleased about his appointment as match referee. This is what he had to say (borrowed from the RA website) ...

“The FA Cup Final is something you’re aware of even as a little lad, it was a big thing in our household when I was younger. The whole day would be devoted to watching it, including all the build-up. It produces magical days and occasions and you think it’s so unlikely that you’ll ever be the Cup Final Referee, but it’s a dream that you can strive for because there is a slim possibility.”

Now it's time for me to get ready for this afternoon's little trip up the A1 for a second from bottom vs 2nd from top Supply League game. I worked with the referee recently and we got on well. I also worked with the other Assistant's dad a couple of times this season, so that should be fun! Then tomorrow it's my big game of the season ... a District Sunday Cup middle. Bob said he was nervous before his game on Thursday and admitted he was nervous before every game. I have to admit to losing a few minutes sleep last night and I'm sure a few more tonight.