Town coach and legend back men in black

Nov 27 2008 by Mel Booth, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GERRY MURPHY believes action needs to be taken straight away to stop qualified football referees being forced out of the game.

Following on from Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe last week, the Town caretaker boss and his club have also pledged their support for the Examiner’s Save The Ref campaign.

The number of qualified officials taking charge of games in the town’s leagues reached an all-time low last season.

Players directing verbal abuse at referees and a general lack of respect shown to them have been cited as the main reasons for the decline in numbers.

Murphy said: “If referees leave the game – so will the clubs eventually, it is as simple as that. It is an issue which has to be nipped in the bud now!”

There has, compared with last season, been a dramatic improvement so far in the number of qualified officials taking charge of senior matches in the town’s leagues.

But figures from the Huddersfield and District Football Association revealed there was no change for Saturday fixtures, with three in five games being played with an unqualified referee.