Question Number: 12039

Character, Attitude and Control 1/7/2006

RE: 5 (uk) College

Jon Escudier of London, UK asks...

THis is not so much a question, but a response to Mike Kirkman's article HOW TO KEEP FANS OUT OF YOUR HEAD

Fans are probably the worst thing to deal with at grass root and college and professional level. At grass roots where we all start, fans are 99% of the time parents of the players on the field. Your assisstants are likely to be parents of kids on the field. Already you are fighting a losing battle.

I find it highly interesting that Mike said he didn't enjoy officiating until his 18th year. That is a long time to be in the middle hating it. I have always found that my best games are when i am relaxed, comfortable with my position and normally in a stadium not a local park where the fans are very close.

My first season as a Ref was hell like! I remember to this day the first red card I issued which was shortly followed by the second. I was refereeing an Under 13 Cup game. I gave an aparant 'dubious decision' agasint a player and called him over. As he was walking towards me I had jsut changed my mind about cautioning him as I thought it was a little harsh so I was just going to give him a verbal warning. Now remember, this is an Under 13 game so the players were 12 or 13. Before I had a chance to say anything to the player he shouted at me and i will star this out as the language was outrageous: You really are a f*****g C**t ref. straight off dissmisal. I dindt waste any time getting him off of my field and he ran to his parents crying! Within 10 seconds the paretns were causing mayhem on the side and one of the dissmissed players teammates shouted at me hes right , you are a c**t! Seocnd red card. Things calmed down after they realised that i was not accepting this and the players started to shut up. At the end of the game I was told I was going to be reported by this clubs manager and he was goign to reccomend I never referee again (if a manager ever threatens this stay calm do not react at all) I replied and told him that that was fine he had every right to do this if he thought my performance was below par but that I wold appreciate it if he told me first what it was that I did contrary to the Laws Of Association Football. According to him it was not an offense to swear at an official....at which point I took my leave went home, wrote my misconduct report and attached a letter to the FA describing everything that happened that day. I wnated to get in first.

Withing 2 days the FA were on the phone to me, it was not the first time they had had problems with this team and in particular this manager. I got the reassurance that they were totally behind me and they had indeed recieved a written compalint about me from this manager.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I am basicaully saying do what is right in the laws of the game. Do what is best for the game. Sometimes you will be made to feel that what you are doing is bad for the game...its not. what they are doing is undobtedly bad!

Stick to your guns and try and enjoy it. It gets easier with experience and more fun!

Answer provided by Referee Nathan Lacy

Good comments my friend. Keep at it. All the best,

Answer provided by Referee Richard Dawson

Hi Jon,
great insight, sound advise and congratulations to your association for providing some backbone and showing some integrity. Cheers