Save the Ref: Keep Your Boots On

Jun 2 2009 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

ANY players thinking of hanging up their boots now the football season is over should think again.

That’s the message from Steve Rhodes, referee development officer at West Riding County FA, who recommends they should think about taking up the whistle and keeping those boots.

Backing the Examiner’s successful Save the Ref campaign, Rhodes explained: “When a player reaches his ‘sell by date’ the tendency is to believe it’s time to pack it in and take up another hobby.

“But why do that when there’s an opportunity to continue being involved in the ‘beautiful game’ which is the nation’s favourite?

“Being a referee is not all about issuing players with red or yellow cards, it’s much more than that – and enjoyable too.

“Without officials football could not take place in an organised fashion. From park football on a Sunday morning to the FA Cup final, all football needs referees.”

Referee numbers in Huddersfield, which had reached an all-time low, have been on the increase towards the end of the season.

Rhodes explained: “On a basic referee training course a few months ago I suggested to candidates that refereeing was the next best thing to playing.

“A colleague instructor, however, offered a different opinion, saying that it is even better than playing!

“Coming from a former player who was released from a professional club at 16 after a series of injuries and who, in six seasons, has progressed to become involved in Conference and Football League matches, it was quite a statement.”

The West Riding County FA have over 1,000 registered referees, including quite a few who officiate at top level. More can follow suit.

“Many of our referees started on courses organised locally by their District FA or West Riding County FA and are also members of one of the 13 Referees Societies in the county, a great support mechanism for any level of referee,” added Rhodes.

“A course held at Newsome High School and Sports College had 11 candidates successfully complete their theory training over a five-week period and they were then fully prepared to go out and referee six games, which is the practical element of the course.

“It never ceases to amaze me how many candidates attending a basic training course and say the words ‘I never knew that’ when being taught the Laws of Association Football.