Football League referee Bobby Madley backs Examine Save the Ref campaign

Oct 25 2010 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

FOOTBALL League referee Bobby Madley has some simple advice for anyone thinking of taking up the whistle: “Take the plunge!”

The 24-year-old from Ossett has, like Honley-based Jason Tyas, made a rapid rise to the national stage and insists he has enjoyed every step of the way.

That enjoyment is just the same at each level of the game and Madley – who is delighted to back the Examiner’s Save the Ref campaign – is keen to do all he can to support the efforts being made in Huddersfield to attract more people to enter refereeing at grassroots level.

Whether your target is district football or a higher level, Madley says: “Take the plunge!

“Football at grassroots level is beginning to suffer nationwide because we do not have enough referees to cover games.

“All too often we hear people who are quick to abuse a referee and then, when offered the chance to become one, simply don’t have the bottle themselves.

“Taking the referees course at 16 years old is one of the best things I have ever done.

“For every example of bad things happening as a referee, there are 50 good ones.

“I never dreamed of walking out at Wembley, Old Trafford or Anfield, but as a referee I’ve been fortunate enough to do all three.

“It may not appear to be the most glamorous of hobbies, but I wouldn’t change what I do for the world and I would say to anyone who is considering taking the course to grasp the opportunity.

“The support network for newly-qualified referees is better than it has ever been and the opportunity to progress up the refereeing ladder is there for anybody, especially now that the age restriction has been removed.”