Graham Skuse has been involved in refereeing for over 40 years and is now the Referee Development Officer for the Guernsey FA. Here he talks to TheFA.com about his life with the whistle.
- When and why did you take up refereeing?
After the World Cup in 1966 I believed that everyone was better than the Russian linesman (did the ball cross the line?) and in the foundry where I worked I stated so. I was quickly told by a qualified referee that a course was starting in Newport the following week so "put up or shut up". The rest, as they say, is history.
- Do you remember your first game as a referee?
Parc Y Prior versus Alexandra Old Boys in the Newport and District League. Why do I remember it? Because I blew it big time. Indeed the players ran it and I left Corporation Park that day thinking that perhaps that Russian was not so bad after all!
- What attributes make someone a good referee?
A sound knowledge of the Laws of the Game, fitness, an ability to communicate, an ability to accept that sometimes you can make a mistake, but most of all an ability to manage all manner of players and unexpected situations instantly. All the attributes that as a player I did not have.
- What attracted you to the post of Referee Development Officer?
As the Referees Officer to the Guernsey FA I was already doing a lot of the work anyway, so it really was a natural progression.
- What currently is the biggest challenge in terms of refereeing that you face in your County?
Finding new incentives for Level 5 referees, as that currently is as high as they can go on the island. Also attempting to explain to some older people involved in the game what the Respect programme is all about when looking at the bigger picture.
- What are you doing in Guernsey to recruit and retain more referees?
Probably the same as most Counties; working with schools, the police force, ex-players and youth clubs, but currently I feel that I am reaping the benefit of some hard advertising.
I have inundated local football with advertising giveaways such as pens, key rings, calendars, calculators and a local booklet that we have had produced. The advertising has been going on for three years now but at last I can see some light at the end of the tunnel.
Assessing and mentoring also comes into the equation but this can be difficult as a lot of my assessors and mentors are active referees.
On retention, we now send our top referees to the UK to referee in The FA Cup, The FA Vase and the South & West Championship. We also run an exchange scheme with Jersey. We are always on the lookout for visiting speakers too.
Due to a very generous (off-field) sponsorship deal with Rothschild’s Bank, all referees are kitted out with a sports bag, a warm-up T-shirt and a casual polo shirt plus a waterproof warm- up top. I try to make my referees look professional and feel that they are also a team when they go to fixtures. In turn they are responding.
- What has been your biggest success to date as RDO?
Since the Respect programme has been launched I have obtained 12 new referees. Taking the figures from Guernsey, this represents a 33 per cent increase. Also at the time of writing, I have had a further four serious enquiries, so a new course will start in the next couple of weeks.
- Who do you admire most in the refereeing world?
Four people spring to mind. The first being the on-field choice which is Howard Webb. Not only is Howard a top Referee, he is also a top speaker.
The second is Roger Vaughan, whose help and advice over the past seven years have been invaluable.
The third is Jordana North, from The FA's Referees Department. When I have needed resources, Jordana gets them to the island in very quick time - Andy you have one hell of an act to follow!
Finally, how can we forget, Ian Blanchard. The way he fights the referees’ corner and looks after us financially is superb.
- What is the funniest thing that has happened while you were refereeing a game?
Many years ago back in Wales, I became very aware of a commotion going on behind me. I turned to see two young ladies in the middle of the penalty area giving one of the home side an extremely hard time.
Apparently the player was ‘playing some of his games away’ and the ladies wanted to know where he ‘preferred playing’. The last I saw of the incident was the player running from the field of play, closely followed by the two ladies. Being the tactful person that I was, I smiled and informed both sides that I was restarting with a dropped ball.
- Have you noticed a difference since the rolling out of The FA’s Respect programme?
Oh yes, oh yes, oh yes. I have no doubt in my mind whatsoever that it is working. On a regular basis I go to watch my younger referees doing the U12 league so I am in contact with a lot of parents.
Firstly they are giving the young referees no problems at all and secondly the barriers are working a treat. As an example, last Saturday I was at a ground that is only a decent free kick from the sea and due to the wind it was felt that only the posts would be put down the side of the pitch. Not one parent came past the posts.
Guernsey has worked hard on the publicity side of Respect and we appear to be reaping the rewards.
