Who would make the better refs

[In the box]

Supporters or ex- players or at present amateurs who’ve never played the game 

[Usher wide.]

Blind dogs.

[BobG]

Dead dogs

[selby]

  There are some good referees in lower league football know the game and the rules of the game, and implement them.
 The higher they go though the more job snobbery comes into it off the field of play, Reps, school teachers etc are more likely to get on in the game than the labourer, builder, etc.
  There are lot's of great referees who have hit a ceiling in semi pro football and not so good got to the top.
  The improvement is on its way if given the chance, I have watched a number of very young teenagers referee games in their age groups very well in some Sunday morning games, that wants encouraging.
  I will also say that the referees in say the National League North level have a lot more going off in their games than the Premiership and EFL, more physical and more tactical fouls and are often a better standard than in the EFL and have more control of their games with assistant referees actually doing more than giving throw ins and off sides, and are generally younger and fitter. How rare is it to see a referee and assistants work as a team? with assistants waiting for the referee to giving a decision even for which way a throw in goes.

[donnievic]

I get there has been sum bad decisions this season  from our views in the stands but also have to remember we are further up with a differant angle to the ref and after the game get replays,he has one view from ground level,or it could also be fans are not clued up on the upto date laws that he is implying.

[roversdude]

I’m a big critic of refs but in truth it’s a pretty thankless task. My main gripe however is consistency or lack of.
Also note that refs were supposed to be protected from being surrounded by players that didn’t seem to last long

[Usher wide.]

I tell you what else didn’t last long, referees adding time on for goal celebrations. When this initiative was first brought in we had players sprinting back to the centre circle, now they’re back to tying their boot laces in the opponents half, jogging ‘on the spot’ almost…..it’s so frustrating for the supporters.

Let’s get back to 12 minutes time added on instead of the almost obligatory 3 minutes, it’s an insult to a supporter’s intelligence.

[donnievic]

I’m a big critic of refs but in truth it’s a pretty thankless task. My main gripe however is consistency or lack of.
Also note that refs were supposed to be protected from being surrounded by players that didn’t seem to last long

I worked at Bradford as 3 players was cautioned for wanting the offender booked

[Mike_F]

I'm now in my second season refereeing Sunday League at various age groups. It is definitely easier to see some things from up in the stands. I'm constantly trying to improve my positioning on the pitch to get the best line of sight but it's inevitable that sometimes a player or two will run between the ref and the play around the ball and sometimes fouls challenges will take place when I can't see them properly. With volunteer linos who sometimes struggle to keep up with ins and outs they're not going to stick the flag up and help out so things get missed.

I've found that the higher the standard (older lads in higher divisions) the harder the job becomes as they're naturally that bit more competitive, combative and aggressive and they are much worse for moaning and questioning.

I always say to both sets of players before a game that just like strikers don't score every shot and keepers don't make very save I don't see everything that happens but I've never seen a ref change his mind because a player is moaning at him so accept genuine mistakes for what they are, play to the whistle and if I don't have to get my cards out that's a good result for me. That message usually lands well but in the heat of the game I've had to use the sin bin a few times this season. I also had one a few weeks ago where I'd given a free kick, taken the offending player aside and told him that it was as bad a foul as he could've made without getting booked and that I'd be keeping an eye on him. An opposing player came running up the pitch shouting that it was a clear yellow card. Absolutely stupid as I had no option but to book him on the spot so he didn't get what he wanted and got a £12 fine to boot!

[BobG]

You are a brave, and noble, fellow Mike.

BobG

[Usher wide.]

I agree with you Mike when you say “….it’s definitely easier to see some things from up in the stands….” Which is why you’ll often hear me shout “Bloody rubbish ref. Get up here & sit with me!”, and other snippets of advice.