2 Reports, 1 answer, 1 Badge........

A two week absence on the blogs thanks to a crowded life with work, home and golf all being fitted around my latest challenge of obtaining the Level 7 Ref's qualification.
Two matches to report on and it's funny how a game can leave you feeling. The first, Barnton Grange away, it was my first time in the middle since the weekend of referee tuition and my head full of laws of the game, suggested positioning, and general professionalism in the field of play. I reckon I was thinking too much - it just didn't seem comfortable at times - I found myself questioning a decision or two after making the call and when the Dads and Coach also challenged, I seemed to have lost a little of my conviction. Can you take it too seriously? Did the ball swing out of touch from the corner that lead to Barnton's first goal? I couldn't be sure, so to allow the goal was the right call. A quickly taken throw in - feet over the line - in an open age match, definately a foul throw, but at this level? Just enthusiasm? Let it go...... GOAL!! Oh cripes? On balance, I believe I made the right calls, but funny how it preys on your mind that afternoon. Egerton lost 1:2 and both Barnton goals left me with something to think about. At the end of the day, be honest to yourself, relax, enjoy the experience. You may get some calls wrong, but always done with the very best of intentions and integrity.

I was keen to get back in the middle the following saturday, and a completely different experience. Assured of my decisions. Using some man management to help with the tricky calls. The very first action for the temporary keeper involved him catching a ball, holding it for a few moments, dropping it, kicking it and then picking it up again. Open age? What should I do? ....... Award an indirect freekick from where he picked it up second time. U10's, learning the game? Talk to the opposing Manager, explain what I plan to do, and see if he agrees - let the keeper get an explantion and play on. That's what we did, and it felt right. Wrong in Law, right in pragmatism. If it happened again, it would be dealt with to the letter of the law. I thoroughly enjoyed the match. Good spirit, my award of a penalty in the final 5 minutes, was accepted with good grace by the defending team, and spectators -then again, they were 4:1 up at the time!

Last night - a really important night in my refereeing life. The examination night. As nervous as I am taking Chartered Insurance Institute exams............. result; a pass! Phew. I'm now the proud owner of the full Cheshire County FA badge adorning my new ref's kit. Now for the real challenge - open age football, offsides, and no doubt, a little more than the U10's present to me. 6 matches over the next few weeks and then that's it, I'm out on my own.

Your man in black.

by the way, the answer to the last blog : Answer, the kick is retaken. The ball remains dead until it leaves the penalty area - it didn't as it went straight over the goal line before leaving the box.

From the referee's classroom......

I've spent 14 hours of the weekend in the company of very experienced referee's and 17 hopeful's including yours truly. Now more than half way on the road to gaining my Level 7 ref's qualifications. I've read, and re-read the rules of the game, completed DVD learning and now had two days classroom and on the field tuition. So what am I learning...... well here's the first of the regular 'questions of the week'.

A free kick is awarded to the defending team within the penalty area and the goal keeper takes the freekick. Attempting to pass to a defender stood level with him at the side of the penalty area, the ball fails to reach the player, or indeed the edge of the area and instead, rolls out over the goal line, between the goal post and the penalty area edge. How does the game restart?

a) An indirect freekick to the attacking side from where the goalkeeper took the kick
b) An indirect freekick from where the ball left the field of play
c) A corner
d) The goalkeeper is asked to retake the freekick

Answer next week.

Egerton U10 v Weaverham

Well, no such thing as a gentle return to the season. The U10's first game of the season saw me in the middle sporting new boots, new shorts and a new streamline appearance - yep, I wore all black, which does, apparently shave a few pounds off your outline. News of my impending ref's course made it to some of the spectators, I received a few comments of encouragement suggesting that getting some training was a rather good idea. The lads started off very brightly and were quickly testing my pre season fartlek training. An early decision when I awarded a freekick on the edge of the area despite both players ending up in the box was greeted by a friendly...."Big call ref". Not really, I was convinced of where I saw the foul committed. We had a bounce off the bar quickly followed by a question from another interested dad wanting to know my views on goal line technology. Thanks for that question. I'm actually against it. The referees decision is final in opinion, not law, and whether the balls has crossed the line is one of those great 'opinion' debates that contributes to the game we love. I know it may mean incorrect outcomes can sometimes occur, but I don't want a sterile, black and white, rules driven game. I want banter, opinions and good honest endeavour.
Anyway, back to the game. U10 is certainly a step up. Shoe lace tying appears to have been almost universally mastered now - just one incident which actually led to the individual being substituted to re-tie them. Progress indeed!
The game was a thrilling one, full of action, played in a really good spirit. Egerton dominated the first half, 4-1 up, but the heads of the worthy opponents never dropped and when getting a second back early in the 2nd half, they found early season energy and fought back to a tremendous 5:5 final score. Some noteable patches of sweat on my 'shelf' signalled a need to step up my training. 15km in the preceeding two days at the gym. The season has well and truly started, and I'm looking forward to more time in the middle very soon.

your man in black.....

New Season, New Goals.....

Well, a summer of heroes and villains in the middle with goal line mistakes and World Cup final glory for an English referee. Inspired by other men in black, a desire to improve, or simply a means to get fit, whatever the reason, I have written the cheque and secured a place on the Cheshire FA Referee's course which commences 6th September. If all goes to plan, I will take an exam mid September, and be subject to a weekend assessment followed by 6 11 'a' side matches with me in the middle. If that all goes to plan, I'll attain L7 Referee status towards the end of the year.
I'm looking forward to seeing our Egerton team progress into Under 10 football with the big kick off next saturday. Not sure if I'll have the whistle or not, but just in case, the training regime has begun again after a six week enforced layoff following the IoM Parish Walk, blisters have gone, and toe nail is growing back!!

2010/11 season reports to commence next week and I'll also give you a quiz question each week based on my studies on the laws of the game. I bet you can't wait!

Your man in black.

Your man in Black attempts the Isle of Man Parish Walk

Guest report from Matt @ Weaverham (Away)

RESISTING THE TEMPTATION

The game itself was fairly uneventful. I managed to avoid any controversy which is always a positive result. Not too many dodgy decisions although I was admittedly not concentrating in the first 30 seconds and was done by the colour clash. Manager Hargreaves gave me a bit. Fair enough.

The hardest thing about reffing Saturday’s game was resisting the temptation to give advice to the boys. The boys were fast asleep and weren’t responding to Lee’s instructions. It can be difficult to hear from the sidelines…

In the middle of it though I reckon I could have got us a win. Tom would have cleared the ball for the first goal with me in his ear “empty it!”.

When they had the ball I was mentally willing the boys to track back and pick up the runner that was causing the damage. No good. Uri Geller I clearly am not.

When we had the ball I’m thinking “lift your head up and pass it”, the boys are thinking “I wish I was still in bed….”

I think it was just one of those days. I’m used to it because I coach the Lions U13s. Sunday mornings with them is like a grassy version of the shopping centre on Dawn of the Dead. As I said to Lee afterwards “welcome to my world”.

With Special Thanks to this week's referee..... Matt Sproston

Puma's & Panthers v Davenham (Away)

A second successive double header for me to referee when the home team were unable to field a parent to take up the role. So, two matches totalling 40 minutes for me to pace myself through. I have to say the pace of the teams is beginning to test me -I watched the Man Utd v AC Milan game on Wednesday this week, when I saw the pace of that game, and what the ref had to do,I concluded that I may have only a season or so left in me - chasing the ball around at U9 level is fast enough for me.
Now, the Egerton parents didn't seem overly impressed with my latest 'must have' accessory. I'm not talking about the slimming 'Boro' training jacket, or the new stop watch. Did you not notice the difference with my new eyes? Three weeks ago I had laser eye surgery, responding to previous 'feedback' from the touchline that I should have gone to specsavers! It was this 'better than 20:20 vision' that gave me the edge awarding three penalties over the two games - none of which, apparently were seen by some of the Dads on the line - I recommend my surgeon at Ultralase Manchester!!
Despite the three penalties, both games were played in a really good spirit. The players are toughening up, and I thought it was the sort of hard but fair game that the they could do with once in a while. I tried to keep the game flowing but some shirt pulling & deliberate pushing led me to have words with a few players. We are starting to come up against some verbals as well "nice save keeper... not" was heard. The team will have to learn to live with 'sledging' it's going to get worse! A high foot which brushed the face and caused a cut led to me immediately blowing up when the attacking team were cleary flowing forward, but head injuries demand an immediate cessation of play. An important lesson in the first game - after the ball was picked up by the keeper from a back pass I awarded an indirect free kick in the box. Learning from the recent Premier League incident, I prevented a quick free kick and gave the defence ample time to get ready - I made it very clear to all players what was awarded - the defence didn't make the most of the time I allowed and conceded an easy goal - Worth watching the referee after a whistle is blown to make sure you understand exactly what has been awarded and then quickly prepare yourself for the next action.
Thoroughly enjoyed the game - My friends on the touchline, witnessed their first aggregate defeat in 35 games. They had to blame someone, and the Big man in black is a far better target than the Manager, kitman, or kids. It's OK, I can take it!

I try to base all of my actions on the field on honest interpretation of what I see and to referee to the best of my ability - maybe my new eyes need running in (like a new motor), but I can only act on how my brain interprets these new, crisper images!! Thanks for the banter at the end, makes me feel part of the entertainment. I look forward to reciprocating at a game very soon.

Looking forward to the next outing..... unless I've been dropped!

your man in black.

YouTube - YouTube - Referee

Sorry that I have not been publishing notes recently. We've had a long run of postponements due to bad weather and I've taken the opportunity to go to Referee's finishing school. Take a look at the link below to see what new refeering skills I have been learning!


YouTube - YouTube - Gay Referee

Happy New year

2010 is upon us. Have you made your new year resolution yet? Why not join me and commit to taking the FA referee badge. Interested? Post a comment or drop me an email and we can encourage each other along.

Happy New Year.

Egerton Pumas v Winsford (Home)

The wettest pitch on which I've ever refereed and the home team played as if they were born in wellies, hardly changing their usual pace and movement. The heavy conditions required twice as much effort as usual and the superior fitness of the players over the ref ensured that there was a greater gap between me and the ball in play than at anytime this season so far. The only thing that saved me was that the game seemed to be played in just one half of the pitch most of the time.

We had our first ever game without the need to stop play for a shoelace tying - must have been extra training this week.

Quite a bit of banter coming from a few players this week - "How was that a corner" came from one very sulky looking lad! I did cause some confusion towards the end of the game when my concentration was being severely tested by a bout of dehydration following too much liquid intake the night before. I called 'blue thrown in' to some derision from the players, one of whom was quick to point out his team was playing in green and the others in Yellow. "How thick is this ref" was uttered under his breath - for the record - 54 inches, or 137cm at the Shoulders is my thickest circumference.

Great bravery from the visiting keeper this week who was the busiest player on the pitch. I stopped the game immediately when he took a blow to the head. He won the courage award of the week - closely followed by my 15 year old football boots who had not been tested by my weight for over 8 years. They have got their own back on my big toe.

I was quite relieved with FIFA's decision not to have the two extra officials in next years world cup matches. I could do without the extra pressure of scouts watching our games from now through to June.

This week your man in black was sponsored by Faustino VIII Rioja

Pumas v Tytherington (Home)

An absence of two weeks due to waterlogged pitches (albeit called off without this referee's pitch inspection). The enforced layoff gave me a chance to do some intensive training to build up stamina for the heavier pitches and colder weather. Those of you in attendance at this week's match may have noticed the effect of this graft. No? Surely, the way I retained my composure when slipping in the mud, or the agility I displayed when the ball hit me in the second half and I narrowly avoided injury by a deft dip to the left. Did you not notice?

We had our heaviest pitch of the season thanks to Macc Town electing to train on our pitch the day before in very wet conditions. I reckon had the surface been at Moss Rose or Old Trafford, the game would have been called off, but it was testament to the determination of the lads (and lass) to get back out on the field after the lay- off that they shrugged off the muddy, slippy surface to pass the ball around as if it was astro-turf in the summer. I was the only one struggling to stay vertical - a shortened gait this week!

I'm again really impressed with the application of the rules again this week. throw in's spot on. One player on each team was a little over zealous in tackles which required a word, we had a couple of hand balls, one for each team which were easy to call (helps being up with Play - please note FIFA refs) and just a single lace tie incident across the entire 40 minutes!

I gave one throw in which was greeted by my Son's disbelief, he continued to tell me I'd got it in wrong in the car on the way home! I continue to assure him, I always make what I belive to be the correct decision, but equally know it's impossible to get it right every time.

A hard earned 1-1 draw left me short of breath as once again both teams attacked with flair and pace throughout. Thorougly enjoyable to be a part of the game - I would urge all readers of this blog to give it a go at some point over the season. Don't take too long to try, we'll have 'badged' officials before you know it in coming seasons and you don't want to go through life without experiencing the joys of blowing the final whistle, or having 30 Parents nod either approvingly or quite often disapprovingly at your efforts! - go on, give it a try - I'll even post your reflections on the blog.

Full time. Your man in Black. (Sponsored by Pirelli Tyres)

Pumas v Weaverham (Home)

Relegated to the second match this week after my late arrival last week - fair enough!

Due to incidents of swine flu across the football community this week, I used a brand new whistle (did you notice the new tone?)

First match was a tight game well refereed by our visitors. Light on incident, well controlled and set a really good tone for me to follow. It was good to see him ask for a thrown in to be re-taken for encroaching onto the field of play (has he been reading my blogs??)

It was great to have our ref from last week discreetly positioned on the far side of play from the other parents this week. When I did spot him - he gave me the unofficial finger helping me with two thrown in decisions - these are always helpful little clues from the touchline - sorry that on both occassions I went the other way Matt! Still, goes to prove therefereesdecisionisfinal!

Throw in's were much better this week. I had one retaken. Just one lace tie incident per team.

The longest delay today (just over a minute added to the stop watch) was for a parents feeble attempt to get the ball out of a nasty hawthorn (scared by a bush on Halloween!) rather than risk a cut, instead waiting for the smallest spectator to retreive the ball!
Parents do seem a little reluctant to help the kids when the ball goes down the bank or into the car park after missed shots. With a slighty wet surface, it would be great to see one of you slide down the hill and give us a chuckle!

I was able to play a number of advantage rules this week thanks to the bravery and sportsmanship of the players. A small number of late tackles and shirt pulls were not greeted by yelps and dives, instead by players brushing themselves down and getting straight back into the game - it really does make a difference to enable the game to flow, and is how it should be. Well done to you all.

Only one minor piece of dissent this week - after I gave a freekick, my decision was challenged by a forward with arms fully stretched and a "what, that was not a free kick ref". It was immediately followed by the coaches immortal words. "Button it (name), the refereesdecisionisfinal!! So it's catching on then.

Happy Halloween. Your man in black.

Panthers v Vale (home).

The idea seemed appealing at the time. Take over from regular “Man in Black” Tim willis, have a run around with the kids, bit of banter with the touchline, bacon butty, cup of tea, job done!
There were no beach balls (although plenty of mention of them). No questions about fitness (other than in my own head). However, there was an irate mother and some “Fergie-time” controversy to liven up an otherwise drab Knutsford morning.
It has been about a year since I last put myself forward for the job and it will probably be another year before I do it again (is that cheering I hear?). Jim reminded me that the last time I reffed was against Vale when we lost heavily. I may not have improved much in 12 months but I must say that the kids have improved greatly. The boys (and girls) have added steel to their tremendous skill and flair. Their behaviour is exemplary and the “never say die” attitude that we have seen a few times this season is a credit to them and their management. Well done and keep up the good work!
Enough about them though. Let’s talk about the real star of the show...
The penalty for Egerton was “stonewall”. Whatever that means. Well converted under pressure by Leo.
A few minutes later Vale had a shout for a pen themselves. 20 years ago it would have been a pen. Nowadays “ball to hand” means that most handballs in the box go unpunished. Luke defended John Terry style. He threw himself in to block the ball at point blank range and certainly did not intend to handball.
The Vale supporters (but not the coaches) had a bit of a moan and Mrs Vale called me a cheat. When I challenged her about it she went the same colour as the beach ball. She couldn’t really argue when I pointed out that their coach, who was stood on the far end of the pitch where I had given the penalty, hadn’t complained.
The match went on a fair bit longer than Vale were happy with. I took the decision to stop the watch for all substitutions (of which there were dozens) and every time a lace needed tying (4 times). I also stopped the watch when the ball was cleared for a throw or corner where the ball went into the trees or onto another pitch. I think that was the fairest way of doing it otherwise the boys would get about 10 minutes playing time per half.
Anyway, I didn’t get my bacon butty but I did get my banter! Tim, you can have the whistle back next week!

This weeks man in black was sponsored by Breitling Watches. Instruments for professionals!

Davenham v Pumas (away)

Our first visit to Davenham. Nice compact ground a bit like the car park!

This was the second game of the morning and followed a very competitive, close game which was played at a very high tempo and was really enjoyable to watch. It had resulted in the first defeat of the Egerton season and maintained Davenham's unbeaten run.
As a result from the moment I blew the first whistle, it was clear that both teams were going to give it their all and the game was played at an electric pace. Really gutsy challenges from the off, a few yards taken on many throw ins. The stops in the game were due to pretty heavy knocks never ever appearing to be through malice or intent, just sheer determination, speed of play and occassional clumsieness. Players after heavy knocks were still determined to play on.
Some decisions were mine to make this week despite others wanting to help me with my thought process. The third Egerton goal was following a pull back from the white line - two Davenham Dads and one defender were confident the ball had gone out - I didn't see that and allowed the goal - I was grateful for the mature way they took the ref's decision as final - if I had been wrong, it was an honest mistake. I hope I was right, because I know how an injustice can feel.
Some high passion amongst the coaches this week, Lee might be a blue, but he did a good Sir Alex impression briefly which made me smile.
Did you notice our equivalent of a beach ball on the pitch in the second half? As Egerton were streaming forward I saw out of the corner of my eye a toddler being dragged from the penalty spot by his/her Mum. I can confirm, had a shot been deflected into the goal by their head, I would have stopped the game and restarted with a drop ball!
Once again a joy to watch two teams giving 100%, playing fast flowing skillful football. The attitude in both defeat and victory was a credit to players, managers, coaches and parents. Thank you Davenham for a great morning's entertainment. I'm off for a lie down.

This weeks man in black was sponsored by Specsavers

Panthers U8 v Sandbach (Home)

So Referees can do their bit and contribute to an entertaining game for the spectators.

After a stop start game in the windy conditions last week, the sun came out and we returned to fast flowing non-stop action which tested the referee's stamina. Once a goal had been scored from 25yds out, their was a regular desire to see me running from one end of the pitch to the other! The extra energy consumed resulted in an emergency trip for a sausage sandwich shortly after the match.

Just two 'lace' delays, (a 75% reduction from last week) - good double bows boys!

The skill and desire of both teams to concentrate on swift football in a superb spirit made it a pleasure to referee.

No real moments of contention this week. A Sandbach Dad, despite being engaged on his mobile phone was able to give me a firm shake of the head to point out I had made the wrong call with a 50:50 thrown in decision. (so Sandbach Dads can multi-task then) The only other challenge was a polite check from our Manager sweating on a narrow lead after I had played 1:45 of injury time for lost balls and substitutions. (That's why we call them "stop" watches coach)

Today's lesson for the lads - throw in's. We are far enough into our evolution from Saturday club to the Premier League to be mastering this art. I am having to mention each week feet entering the field of play, or the ball not being placed behind the head. It was my desire to make this point after four seperate mentions that led to my entertaining stumble. If the lads are being asked to master throw in's, I commit to practising walking / jogging backwards, an essential part of the modern ref's game.
Apologies to the parents, as we have a player now likely to be suffering Post traumatic stress after the 100kg ref knocked him to the floor and then almost landed on top of him! Let's hope no mobile phone recordings of that one - I don't want to appear on facetube.

Panthers U8 Winsford (away)

An interesting game to referee and some new tactics being both experienced, and used by the lads means I am having to be more observent than last year (might need linesmen soon).
Too many decisions for me to make this week with the whistle in use more than I'd like - It's a sign that flowing football wasn't always in the minds of the players.
Was it me, or did the wind play it's part - more players falling over than in any other game this year (and last for that matter). The league rules require me to stop as soon as a player implies injury. Despite squeels and a few tears, the magic water was at it's very best and the interuptions to play were never followed by a player needing to leave the field.
I had to cancel out a goal because of a misunderstanding when restarting after one of these delays, I gave a penalty against the Panthers, (I know the handball wasn't deliberate but the shot was goal bound and it was a scoring chance, so the right call in my eyes), and also I needed a chat for some inappropriate language from a very enthusiastic lad which made some of the Knutsford boys blush - (I hope the Mum's covered their ears!).
One of the Panthers did a good impression of a windmill in the second half with arms every where which required a word from the ref, (you know who you are!).

All in all, the lads should feel justifiably proud of a gritty performance and a creditable 4-4 draw.

This weeks man in Black was sponsored by Ginsters Pasties and Pukka Pies.