After completing my assessment last weekend I launched myself into a week of football.
On Monday night the RA guest speaker was Ted Ring who has many years of experience in refereeing and has been mentoring my development as a Supply League assessor. Ted produced and amusing and interesting presentation drawing on the experience of the junior, senior and retired (me!) referees in the room. One of the best speakers we have had all season without doubt. On Tuesday it was an emergency meeting of the Sunday League management committee where we had a number if issues to deal with. Not least of which was arranging the replacement of the 4th official for one of the cup finals ... I got the job!!!
On Wednesday I attended the District FA meeting and contributed to the appointment of the referees for the semi finals and finals of the District Open Age competitions. On Thursday I watched Everton get knocked out of the Europa League or whatever it is they are calling the Fairs Cup these days. I also advised of my closed dates for assessing in April and received my appointments for March. I have three dates, two longish Saturday trips and a Tuesday night closer to home.
Friday was a rest day and on Saturday I headed to Leeds to assess another promotion candidate. This one was going from 7-6 and is also a member of my RA but often can't get to meetings because of work commitments. Today I had planned to watch a local game, see the District FA representative side play their latest fixture and enjoy the late afternoon watching two friends officiate in the Carling Cup Final.
As things turned out the game I wanted to watch was moved to another venue, so I set off to see James in his game. On arrival I was asked to look after a game where the referee hadn't turned up. I did the game, awarded two penalties (and had a re-take), issued two cautions, made a team re-take a free kick as it hadn't left the penalty area and had a real laugh verbally sparring with a few of the players. It turned out that the representative side game was off so I went to watch a Dad and Lad show in a District FA Junior competition semi final before heading home to catch the second half of the Carling Cup Final (thought it was a 4pm kick off!!!).
So yesterday's assessment is complete, the caution report has been mailed and now I'm putting my feet up before another busy week which includes another Sunday League management meeting on Tuesday and our first Cup semi final on Thursday. Weekend off next week though ...
Showing posts with label Appointments. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Appointments. Show all posts
Sunday, 28 February 2010
Sunday, 13 December 2009
Game 27 - The End
I was designated driver today and picked up Paul and Fat Lad before heading out for our Minor FA game being played at Farsley Celtic.
The warm up was completed, the game kicked off and within 5 minutes (just after the home team scored their first goal) I suffered what I have decided is the injury that ends my active career. At this same ground 3 years ago, I suffered the same injury. It involved a popping sensation deep inside my calf on my left leg. From the last injury I knew this was a soleus tendon rupture and any running could only make the injury worse.
I told Fat Lad and we found a replacement, the away team's manager and he was supposed to replace me at half time. After a brief discussion at half time, it was decided that I would be strapped up, stay on the same defence who were the stronger, snuffed out attacks higher up the field and consequently would require less movement from me.
I got through to 90 minutes and limped off. I've withdrawn from my District Cup game on Saturday and advised the District FA Secretary that I am retiring. I am now an ex-referee
The warm up was completed, the game kicked off and within 5 minutes (just after the home team scored their first goal) I suffered what I have decided is the injury that ends my active career. At this same ground 3 years ago, I suffered the same injury. It involved a popping sensation deep inside my calf on my left leg. From the last injury I knew this was a soleus tendon rupture and any running could only make the injury worse.
I told Fat Lad and we found a replacement, the away team's manager and he was supposed to replace me at half time. After a brief discussion at half time, it was decided that I would be strapped up, stay on the same defence who were the stronger, snuffed out attacks higher up the field and consequently would require less movement from me.
I got through to 90 minutes and limped off. I've withdrawn from my District Cup game on Saturday and advised the District FA Secretary that I am retiring. I am now an ex-referee
Tuesday, 1 December 2009
For Sale - one whistle, one notebook ...
Having suffered a re-occurrence of an injury I incurred 3 years ago, which made me virtually lame for 6 weeks, on top of the worry about a re-occurrence of the Achilles injury which has just taken me out of action for 5 weeks, I have had to contemplate the unthinkable ... is it time to hang up the whistle?
I am considering my options at the moment. I've chatted to friends and colleagues about it and I've been comforted by their comments about my desire to stay involved in the game, as an assessor at a higher level than the one I currently operate at. So my current plan is to see out this season as a Supply League Assistant referee but this may have to be curtailed if I don't feel I can meet the demands of the pace of the games to which I am appointed.
When the weather stops being as foul, I intend to start training on the track twice a week to keep my fitness up and protect against further injuries. When the nights get lighter then I will train on a field instead of the track. I certainly will not make myself available for games 5-6 days each week when the midweek fixtures kick off in late March and will restrict myself to a maximum of 3 games and 1 training session or 2 games and 2 training sessions.
If I suffer no further injuries I plan to register as a referee for next season but not as a Supply League Assistant. That will be my last season on the green stuff whatever happens and I will hang up my whistle in May 2011. If I decide that it is too much for me, then I will hang it up at the end of 2010.
If I decide to retire earlier, say at the end of this season, then I will be asking my Supply League if I can shadow an experienced assessor and perhaps offer my services to them for next season. If they agree, I may just retire completely from Saturday football at the end of this season and do one more season refereeing on the occasional Sunday.
The plans are pretty fluid at the moment and depend on appointments received (I'd be daft to reject a cup final if I was appointed to one), injuries incurred/aggravated, the response of my current/former Supply League to my offer of help and finally, the least of my worries, whether I am still enjoying refereeing.
When I went out on Sunday morning I really enjoyed myself and after a 5 week enforced break I savoured every single minute out in the middle, enjoying the fun with the players, admiring their skills and even having to make/sell close calls. I am going to miss that aspect of the game.
I am considering my options at the moment. I've chatted to friends and colleagues about it and I've been comforted by their comments about my desire to stay involved in the game, as an assessor at a higher level than the one I currently operate at. So my current plan is to see out this season as a Supply League Assistant referee but this may have to be curtailed if I don't feel I can meet the demands of the pace of the games to which I am appointed.
When the weather stops being as foul, I intend to start training on the track twice a week to keep my fitness up and protect against further injuries. When the nights get lighter then I will train on a field instead of the track. I certainly will not make myself available for games 5-6 days each week when the midweek fixtures kick off in late March and will restrict myself to a maximum of 3 games and 1 training session or 2 games and 2 training sessions.
If I suffer no further injuries I plan to register as a referee for next season but not as a Supply League Assistant. That will be my last season on the green stuff whatever happens and I will hang up my whistle in May 2011. If I decide that it is too much for me, then I will hang it up at the end of 2010.
If I decide to retire earlier, say at the end of this season, then I will be asking my Supply League if I can shadow an experienced assessor and perhaps offer my services to them for next season. If they agree, I may just retire completely from Saturday football at the end of this season and do one more season refereeing on the occasional Sunday.
The plans are pretty fluid at the moment and depend on appointments received (I'd be daft to reject a cup final if I was appointed to one), injuries incurred/aggravated, the response of my current/former Supply League to my offer of help and finally, the least of my worries, whether I am still enjoying refereeing.
When I went out on Sunday morning I really enjoyed myself and after a 5 week enforced break I savoured every single minute out in the middle, enjoying the fun with the players, admiring their skills and even having to make/sell close calls. I am going to miss that aspect of the game.
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Game 24 - back to the middle
I swapped voicemails and texts with the Appointments Secretary of my local Sunday League on Friday and found myself in charge of this morning's game on the ground closest to my home.
With the heavy rain experienced over the last couple of weeks I had asked all referees to get to their games early and conduct field of play inspections to ensure games were called on/off as early as possible. I arrived at my ground 45 minutes before kick off to find the changing rooms locked, neither team in sight and the feisty but lovable local council employee snarling at every one who even suggested their game was on.
I borrowed a ball and took a walk out out over my field (one of 5 at this venue). The ball was running well over the ground, bouncing as expected and I had nothing to say the game shouldn't be played. I went out 20 minutes later to do my warm up and had Umar turn up and take the mickey out of me. He had also called his game on and was getting ready as well.
Now it's been a long time since I had a game packed with such a variety of incidents and I certainly won't forget this one for a while. When I am instructing, at the end of each course, every candidate has to pass a written examination and I'm sure I experienced almost a dozen quirky situations in today's game that might have had some new referees scratching their heads. I certainly had to fire up a few brain cells that have lain unused for a long, long time.
So to the game ... the captain and goalkeeper of the away team was of less than average height but it didn't show in the opening 20 minutes as he repelled everything thrown at his goal and kept his team in the game. Unfortunately his team let him down and at an early corner, having warned a couple of players for scuffling before the ball was played, a defender decided to use his shoulder to push an attacker right in my line of sight.
I took up a new position at the taking of the kick from the mark. I had noted that the PGMO officials had lined up on the edge of the penalty are rather than in line with the ball, so I did the same. This nailed any encroachment immediately - result! The goalkeeper pulled off an amazing save but the home team soon exploited his lack of inches by firing a couple of high lobs towards his goal from distance (+30 yards at least) and they went 2-0 up after 26 minutes.
I then had a busy period of play. The first incident was the away goalkeeper picking up the ball when it had been deliberately kicked to him by a defender. He claimed that it had been in the act of tackling an opponent but to be honest, there was no one within 4 yards of the defender. When I awarded the indirect free kick, I got some protests, but none were serious. My next issue was the decision by one of the defenders to try and charge down the free kick and he picked up the first caution of the game.
The home team scored a third goal and were coasting. In between all this going on I had noted the away team calling for offside on every (and I mean EVERY) through ball. I told them with a loud shout that I wasn't going to give an offside just on their shout and they soon stopped. It seemed like a tactic they employed and when I spotted they were rotating making claims for others things as well, I had a firm word with an outfield player and the captain and strangely enough, the bogus claims stopped dead.
This didn't stop the players getting confused though and soon afterwards, two of the away team, challenging for the ball managed to knock each other to the ground, with one being severely winded. I made sure he was ok and play was restarted with a throw in to the home team. They were very sporting and threw the ball to the away team goalkeeper/captain.
The next incident really tested my patience. The ball was played in from the right and the home team's captain dived towards the ball. He obviously punched the ball into the goal and wheeled away celebrating. I blew my whistle and was reaching for my book to caution the offender when one of the most vociferous (and the player winded that I mentioned earlier) defenders ran into my face and demanded I send off the offender.
Now I didn't take kindly to this and I told him I was going to take action (against the attacker), but his spittle flecked face continued screaming at me before he ran off to the half way line. After I had cautioned the offending player and spoken to the away team captain about his player's behaviour, I called the screaming man back to me from his (hiding) place on the halfway line. I told him his actions were unacceptable and cautioned him as well.
The home team added a fourth goal on the stroke of half time to make it 4-0. The away team manager noted his team's two cautions and decided to play safe by replacing both players at half time. Early in the second half I ruled out a 5th goal for the home team because of offside. One of the home team's substitutes scored a goal on his debut and the away goalkeeper continued to perform miracles. Despite his efforts he conceded 3 goals in the second half to make it 7-0.
Personally I felt ok throughout the game and I took it as a measure of how things had gone when all three cautioned players took time out to speak at length with me about their offences. None challenged their cautions, just asked for an explanation which they accepted. I burned 1569 calories with a max hr of 94% and an average of 79%, so not too shabby. My next game is on a postage stamp of a field but it's also one which holds a lot of water, so I might have a day off on Saturday
With the heavy rain experienced over the last couple of weeks I had asked all referees to get to their games early and conduct field of play inspections to ensure games were called on/off as early as possible. I arrived at my ground 45 minutes before kick off to find the changing rooms locked, neither team in sight and the feisty but lovable local council employee snarling at every one who even suggested their game was on.
I borrowed a ball and took a walk out out over my field (one of 5 at this venue). The ball was running well over the ground, bouncing as expected and I had nothing to say the game shouldn't be played. I went out 20 minutes later to do my warm up and had Umar turn up and take the mickey out of me. He had also called his game on and was getting ready as well.
Now it's been a long time since I had a game packed with such a variety of incidents and I certainly won't forget this one for a while. When I am instructing, at the end of each course, every candidate has to pass a written examination and I'm sure I experienced almost a dozen quirky situations in today's game that might have had some new referees scratching their heads. I certainly had to fire up a few brain cells that have lain unused for a long, long time.
So to the game ... the captain and goalkeeper of the away team was of less than average height but it didn't show in the opening 20 minutes as he repelled everything thrown at his goal and kept his team in the game. Unfortunately his team let him down and at an early corner, having warned a couple of players for scuffling before the ball was played, a defender decided to use his shoulder to push an attacker right in my line of sight.
I took up a new position at the taking of the kick from the mark. I had noted that the PGMO officials had lined up on the edge of the penalty are rather than in line with the ball, so I did the same. This nailed any encroachment immediately - result! The goalkeeper pulled off an amazing save but the home team soon exploited his lack of inches by firing a couple of high lobs towards his goal from distance (+30 yards at least) and they went 2-0 up after 26 minutes.
I then had a busy period of play. The first incident was the away goalkeeper picking up the ball when it had been deliberately kicked to him by a defender. He claimed that it had been in the act of tackling an opponent but to be honest, there was no one within 4 yards of the defender. When I awarded the indirect free kick, I got some protests, but none were serious. My next issue was the decision by one of the defenders to try and charge down the free kick and he picked up the first caution of the game.
The home team scored a third goal and were coasting. In between all this going on I had noted the away team calling for offside on every (and I mean EVERY) through ball. I told them with a loud shout that I wasn't going to give an offside just on their shout and they soon stopped. It seemed like a tactic they employed and when I spotted they were rotating making claims for others things as well, I had a firm word with an outfield player and the captain and strangely enough, the bogus claims stopped dead.
This didn't stop the players getting confused though and soon afterwards, two of the away team, challenging for the ball managed to knock each other to the ground, with one being severely winded. I made sure he was ok and play was restarted with a throw in to the home team. They were very sporting and threw the ball to the away team goalkeeper/captain.
The next incident really tested my patience. The ball was played in from the right and the home team's captain dived towards the ball. He obviously punched the ball into the goal and wheeled away celebrating. I blew my whistle and was reaching for my book to caution the offender when one of the most vociferous (and the player winded that I mentioned earlier) defenders ran into my face and demanded I send off the offender.
Now I didn't take kindly to this and I told him I was going to take action (against the attacker), but his spittle flecked face continued screaming at me before he ran off to the half way line. After I had cautioned the offending player and spoken to the away team captain about his player's behaviour, I called the screaming man back to me from his (hiding) place on the halfway line. I told him his actions were unacceptable and cautioned him as well.
The home team added a fourth goal on the stroke of half time to make it 4-0. The away team manager noted his team's two cautions and decided to play safe by replacing both players at half time. Early in the second half I ruled out a 5th goal for the home team because of offside. One of the home team's substitutes scored a goal on his debut and the away goalkeeper continued to perform miracles. Despite his efforts he conceded 3 goals in the second half to make it 7-0.
Personally I felt ok throughout the game and I took it as a measure of how things had gone when all three cautioned players took time out to speak at length with me about their offences. None challenged their cautions, just asked for an explanation which they accepted. I burned 1569 calories with a max hr of 94% and an average of 79%, so not too shabby. My next game is on a postage stamp of a field but it's also one which holds a lot of water, so I might have a day off on Saturday
Saturday, 28 November 2009
Game 23 ... Return of the Baldy
So it was a tentative return to the green stuff assisting Craig in the middle and Chris on the other line.
We had the bottom club against the club who have been bottom for much of the season and with the heavy rain experienced in the local area for the last two weeks, we knew the field would be soft and cut up easily. The warm up was gentle and I was nervous about pushing myself too hard as I was still having twinges in the Achilles damaged in Game 22. Even so, I felt comfortable, if a little hyped up, after the warm up.
The game kicked off at 3 pm and by 20 minutes past I had managed to tweak my soleus tendon in my left leg. It was nothing too serious, certainly not as bad as when I did it 2 years ago on the line in the FA Youth Cup at Farsley Celtic. I was "crabbing" as much as I could as the assessor was my mentor David who picked me up on being out of line with the second rearmost defender a few weeks ago.
The home team took a lead in the first half, taking advantage of a disastrous goalkeeping error and then they fell asleep letting the away side equalise almost immediately. Just before half time, the home team added a second and a few minutes after half time, they added a third. So with the score at 3-1 they seemed to have stamped their authority on the game and as the temperature dropped, settled into a deeper and deeper defending position, letting the away team push on.
The away team took advantage of a bad goalkeeping error and as the ball was lobbed into the goal from around 25 yards, the tempo of the game began to grind up through the gears. The home team continued to strike on the counter attack and re-established their 2 goal cushion following a close "not offside" call right in front of me. So at 4-2 with less than 20 minutes to go, you might expect the team bottom of the league to collapse or at least just play out the game.
Well this team obviously hadn't read the script and pushed hard for a third goal, which they got and then an equaliser with less than 2 minutes left on the clock. Neither team wanted to concede another goal and we finished at 4-4. Craig had cautioned three players, one for dissent and two for USB. All were justified and the player who got his card for dissent was lucky not to pick up an earlier caution for leaving the away goalkeeper in a crumpled heap after he challenged him late for the ball.
So at 4-4, I suspect the away team will have been happier, twice having been behind by two clear goals. Despite this, if you had offered both teams a point before kick off I think they might just have taken it bearing in mind their relative league positions.
Now the big thing for me, having come back to the green stuff after a 5 week break through injury was how did my fitness hold up. Well to be honest not too well. As mentioned I tweaked the tendon in my left leg and my Achilles certainly wasn't happy in the second half, but I'll cope. I burned 1877 calories (which is a lot!!!), average hr 84% and a max of 98%. I intend to train the week after next before deciding whether I take on my next line on December 12.
I think I might have to retire from the line and concentrate solely on refereeing. This will certainly hinder any chances of promotion next season but it might just prolong my career past the 10 year mark.
I have a lot of other things I can do in the game and I certainly don't want to end up refereeing from the centre circle in the lowest division of the lowest league just so I can stay in the game. I'm not instructing on next week's course but I am ear-marked for the course in February (Happy Valentine's Day my dear wife x) and hopefully I'll get picked up for May's course.
After that I'll re-register for next season but probably not operate as an Assistant on a Supply League so I can assess at that level (if accepted). I'm not looking forward to it as my friends have often said, you're retired a long, long time!
We had the bottom club against the club who have been bottom for much of the season and with the heavy rain experienced in the local area for the last two weeks, we knew the field would be soft and cut up easily. The warm up was gentle and I was nervous about pushing myself too hard as I was still having twinges in the Achilles damaged in Game 22. Even so, I felt comfortable, if a little hyped up, after the warm up.
The game kicked off at 3 pm and by 20 minutes past I had managed to tweak my soleus tendon in my left leg. It was nothing too serious, certainly not as bad as when I did it 2 years ago on the line in the FA Youth Cup at Farsley Celtic. I was "crabbing" as much as I could as the assessor was my mentor David who picked me up on being out of line with the second rearmost defender a few weeks ago.
The home team took a lead in the first half, taking advantage of a disastrous goalkeeping error and then they fell asleep letting the away side equalise almost immediately. Just before half time, the home team added a second and a few minutes after half time, they added a third. So with the score at 3-1 they seemed to have stamped their authority on the game and as the temperature dropped, settled into a deeper and deeper defending position, letting the away team push on.
The away team took advantage of a bad goalkeeping error and as the ball was lobbed into the goal from around 25 yards, the tempo of the game began to grind up through the gears. The home team continued to strike on the counter attack and re-established their 2 goal cushion following a close "not offside" call right in front of me. So at 4-2 with less than 20 minutes to go, you might expect the team bottom of the league to collapse or at least just play out the game.
Well this team obviously hadn't read the script and pushed hard for a third goal, which they got and then an equaliser with less than 2 minutes left on the clock. Neither team wanted to concede another goal and we finished at 4-4. Craig had cautioned three players, one for dissent and two for USB. All were justified and the player who got his card for dissent was lucky not to pick up an earlier caution for leaving the away goalkeeper in a crumpled heap after he challenged him late for the ball.
So at 4-4, I suspect the away team will have been happier, twice having been behind by two clear goals. Despite this, if you had offered both teams a point before kick off I think they might just have taken it bearing in mind their relative league positions.
Now the big thing for me, having come back to the green stuff after a 5 week break through injury was how did my fitness hold up. Well to be honest not too well. As mentioned I tweaked the tendon in my left leg and my Achilles certainly wasn't happy in the second half, but I'll cope. I burned 1877 calories (which is a lot!!!), average hr 84% and a max of 98%. I intend to train the week after next before deciding whether I take on my next line on December 12.
I think I might have to retire from the line and concentrate solely on refereeing. This will certainly hinder any chances of promotion next season but it might just prolong my career past the 10 year mark.
I have a lot of other things I can do in the game and I certainly don't want to end up refereeing from the centre circle in the lowest division of the lowest league just so I can stay in the game. I'm not instructing on next week's course but I am ear-marked for the course in February (Happy Valentine's Day my dear wife x) and hopefully I'll get picked up for May's course.
After that I'll re-register for next season but probably not operate as an Assistant on a Supply League so I can assess at that level (if accepted). I'm not looking forward to it as my friends have often said, you're retired a long, long time!
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Arghhh!
I clicked on the e-mail from The FA and even before I opened it, I knew what it was going to say ... I had been appointed as an Assistant Referee for the FA Sunday Cup!
The downside was that I had been appointed on a date I had already closed as I was travelling to a friend's wedding the day before and I wouldn't be home until 6 hours after kick off. It was all due to an administrative error and while I was disappointed, all I could do was write it off to experience.
I was also planning to be looking after a game tonight however that also fell by the wayside for another reason. Fortunately I have a game tomorrow night to keep me occupied with Johnno on one line and Fat Lad on the other. Johnno was a late replacement for Pete who has a work commitment. Fat Lad says he's really given backword because I threatened to make him run left wings.
That's not something I could do because with limited experience (20 games in over 300 as referee) with neutral assistants, I'd be looking for a flag in the wrong place! So it's down to County HQ tomorrow night for the 7 p.m. kick off.
The downside was that I had been appointed on a date I had already closed as I was travelling to a friend's wedding the day before and I wouldn't be home until 6 hours after kick off. It was all due to an administrative error and while I was disappointed, all I could do was write it off to experience.
I was also planning to be looking after a game tonight however that also fell by the wayside for another reason. Fortunately I have a game tomorrow night to keep me occupied with Johnno on one line and Fat Lad on the other. Johnno was a late replacement for Pete who has a work commitment. Fat Lad says he's really given backword because I threatened to make him run left wings.
That's not something I could do because with limited experience (20 games in over 300 as referee) with neutral assistants, I'd be looking for a flag in the wrong place! So it's down to County HQ tomorrow night for the 7 p.m. kick off.
Monday, 17 August 2009
Busy weekend
A trip to Wembley Stadium to see my favourite band, U2 on Friday was followed up with a Saturday night on the town around Tottenham Court Road, London.
I had a good time celebrating my 46th birthday and my 5th wedding anniversary. I'm not looking forward to big one (50th) in 4 years. Not a football in sight either, even allowing for two nights in a hotel around 500m from Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea.
Next game is Wednesday and there has been a change of venue to the away club's ground. I also received notification of my appointment to the County Sunday Cup's 1st Round and as Assistant on a FA Women's Premier League fixture.
I had a good time celebrating my 46th birthday and my 5th wedding anniversary. I'm not looking forward to big one (50th) in 4 years. Not a football in sight either, even allowing for two nights in a hotel around 500m from Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea.
Next game is Wednesday and there has been a change of venue to the away club's ground. I also received notification of my appointment to the County Sunday Cup's 1st Round and as Assistant on a FA Women's Premier League fixture.
Wednesday, 29 July 2009
First Appointment!
Supply League Assistant, out with Craig from my RA (and Penfold on the other line) for a game between two teams who finished comfortably mid-table last season. Only 10 days to go ...
Monday, 13 July 2009
Another busy day
Chuckle Elder passes his Football League fitness test (yay!), I start scouting for referees for a local tournament (bad move), receive some good advice (thanks David) and my pre-season friendly between Guiseley and Sunderland is moved back to August 11.
This last one means closing another date with my Supply League. My mail to close the date coincided with receiving some guidance notes from the League Chairman who also has the role of Referee's Officer. I hope he doesn't see this as some sort of knee-jerk reaction and that I really was only advised this evening of the change of date.
This last one means closing another date with my Supply League. My mail to close the date coincided with receiving some guidance notes from the League Chairman who also has the role of Referee's Officer. I hope he doesn't see this as some sort of knee-jerk reaction and that I really was only advised this evening of the change of date.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
Oh well ...
My pre-season friendly featuring the team I have supported since I was a boy has been cancelled.
Instead I have been retained for the replacement fixture featuring a Unibond side vs the only team from the North East of England who still play in the English Premier League. I have lost the opportunity of working with Chuckle Elder as the game is on a different day, but I am now out with Mr H ... that will be a treat! So I've lost my dream team and favourite colleague but I get a higher quality team and an established FL referee - happy days!
As for the Achilles injury incurred on Friday, it seems to have been eased. It flared up again this afternoon after taking the dog, boy and Mrs on a walk for an hour around a local park. I think it's the high heel support on the brand of trainers I wear that's causing the problem. I wear the same brand of boots during the season, which would explain the lump and swelling on both Achilles!
Instead I have been retained for the replacement fixture featuring a Unibond side vs the only team from the North East of England who still play in the English Premier League. I have lost the opportunity of working with Chuckle Elder as the game is on a different day, but I am now out with Mr H ... that will be a treat! So I've lost my dream team and favourite colleague but I get a higher quality team and an established FL referee - happy days!
As for the Achilles injury incurred on Friday, it seems to have been eased. It flared up again this afternoon after taking the dog, boy and Mrs on a walk for an hour around a local park. I think it's the high heel support on the brand of trainers I wear that's causing the problem. I wear the same brand of boots during the season, which would explain the lump and swelling on both Achilles!
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Supply League Assistant
I asked to change Supply Leagues when re-registering for the 2009-10 season for a couple of reasons, the major one being that I'd done all I was likely to do in my existing league in the 5 seasons in which I had refereed/assisted, felt I was getting stale and I needed a change of scenery.
I hadn't received a notification letter, despite many others getting theirs. I was a little concerned that maybe I'd been dropped as an assistant. I phoned Mr C at the County office and he confirmed that I had been moved to the Northern Counties - East League and my letter had been sent out. On hearing that it hadn't arrived, he agreed to send me another.
I then have to accept my appointment and then the appointments will start coming in for August 8 onwards. I'll need to be careful with closing my dates this year to ensure I don't create a bad impression in my first season. I almost feel like the new boy at the grammar school!
Speaking of closing dates I need to send an e-mail to The FA to close my dates through to the end of November. I have been nominated by my County for consideration to The FA's competitions, FA Vase, FA Cup and FA Trophy. An appointment in any of these competitions or the Youth or Women's Cups are always a real boost and a great honour. I've ready a list of dates from pre-season tournaments, prior engagements and work on which I can't take games.
I hope I get an appointment like Fat Lad, who was on ITV.com for the highlights of the preliminary round of the FA Cup last season!
I hadn't received a notification letter, despite many others getting theirs. I was a little concerned that maybe I'd been dropped as an assistant. I phoned Mr C at the County office and he confirmed that I had been moved to the Northern Counties - East League and my letter had been sent out. On hearing that it hadn't arrived, he agreed to send me another.
I then have to accept my appointment and then the appointments will start coming in for August 8 onwards. I'll need to be careful with closing my dates this year to ensure I don't create a bad impression in my first season. I almost feel like the new boy at the grammar school!
Speaking of closing dates I need to send an e-mail to The FA to close my dates through to the end of November. I have been nominated by my County for consideration to The FA's competitions, FA Vase, FA Cup and FA Trophy. An appointment in any of these competitions or the Youth or Women's Cups are always a real boost and a great honour. I've ready a list of dates from pre-season tournaments, prior engagements and work on which I can't take games.
I hope I get an appointment like Fat Lad, who was on ITV.com for the highlights of the preliminary round of the FA Cup last season!
Friday, 12 June 2009
Pre-season non-competitive games
Andy asked me to run a line for him in August.
It's at the ground I ran a line for him last season. It's between Guiseley and Leeds United ... yes that Leeds United. My beloved Leeds may be their third season in League One and the team may not be filled with such names as Reaney, Clarke, Cantona (yes he did play for us) or Strachan but they are still MY Leeds United.
Anyway at the start of August I'll be adjudging their offsides and throw ins for my good friend Andy ... can't wait!
It's at the ground I ran a line for him last season. It's between Guiseley and Leeds United ... yes that Leeds United. My beloved Leeds may be their third season in League One and the team may not be filled with such names as Reaney, Clarke, Cantona (yes he did play for us) or Strachan but they are still MY Leeds United.
Anyway at the start of August I'll be adjudging their offsides and throw ins for my good friend Andy ... can't wait!
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