A whistle-stop lesson

The job of a match referee and his assistant referees is one that is often in the spotlight more than most, sometimes overshadowing a game of football itself, and whilst there is no doubting the pressure that is on officials at the top level it is often seen by many as a job anyone could perform.

Officials at all levels have to put up with it, from the sarcastic comments at a Sunday morning park game to the chants directed towards them at Premiership stadiums all over the country.

So as I made my way to the Staverton Park Hotel in Northamptonshire on Thursday morning, whilst under no illusions as to how difficult it may be, I was relatively eager to see just how tricky it would be.

Joined by nine journalists from a variety of newspapers and broadcasters, we were all to be given a day's training and information as to just what refereeing is all about.

Led by The FA’s Head Of National Referee Development Ian Blanchard and his team of seven regional managers, the day began with an introduction to refereeing and how The FA are looking to improve standards, and crucially numbers, at all levels of the game.

A video feature, showing young referees officiating games at the Liverpool Academy, only highlighted further just what was required and after a brief chat regarding the whole stigma and issue of referees, it was on with the practical stuff.

Armed with four coloured cards, in green, blue and of course yellow and red, we were shown a series of clips from matches and asked to make an instant decision on the incidents seen.

With the green card signalling 'no foul', the blue meaning 'foul' and the obvious meaning of the yellow and the red cards, it quickly became apparent as to how rapidly decisions have to be made by match referees, and they don't even have the benefit of instant replays.

Each clip shown brought a variety of 'decisions' from the assembled students, further illustrating how each decision can be seen differently by certain individuals. After the dust had settled, the incidents were explained in more depth by Ray Olivier, a former national referee and the Regional Manager for the Midlands.

Eyes were immediately opened by the points made and how the correct interpretation had been reached.

Then it was onto the physical part. Out on the Staverton pitches a short stroll away from the hotel, the party was taken through a typical warm-up for officials by Blanchard, himself a former Premier League linesman.

The key tools were then distributed in the form of a whistle and booklet containing the infamous cards and notepad. Where the whistle is concerned, there is more to it than simply blowing and the team were shown exactly how this simple yet effective tool is implemented in games, from the regular tone required to signal a foul, or the full time whistle with my personal favourite being the long drawn out whistle followed by short, sharp blows to signal your intent in stopping a contentious situation from getting out of hand. For five minutes, it sounded as though Carnival had arrived in this quiet corner of the countryside.

Where would a referee be without his assistant referees though? Well, we were about to find out as everyone was handed an assistant's flag and shown exactly how to handle it during a match situation whilst constantly on the move and switching direction. Much more complicated than it might seem too, particularly when tested on awarding offside decisions with players interfering, but not interfering.

The various signals were explained and then it was onto how a referee has to keep their wits about them with several figures moving around and about their close space at the same time. Suddenly the job that a referee and his assistant referees have to perform quickly dawned upon everyone.

After a short lunch break, it was back out to the pitch for the main event.

A game had been arranged between two local U16 teams Bugbrooke St.Michaels and Drayton Grange of the John Henry Youth League and the men in the middle and on the touchline would be none other than the assembled media posse.

Separated into groups of three with each person taking turns at running the line on either side, before eventually grabbing the whistle and becoming the man in the middle.

My group were second on the grid and my first stint was to be running the line, a job I always thought was the easier of the roles. Our whistle stop lesson earlier had certainly helped, and ably shadowed by one of the Regional Managers, the game began.

Immediately I realised just how tricky it can be, trying to stay in line with the last defender, whilst anticipating when a ball forward is played by the attacking team. You really can't take your eyes off the action for a second and there are also the various signals and directions with which to point your flag to consider, all in an instant.

The match itself was lively enough and closely matched, but bearing in mind that it was a half-term friendly game between schoolboys, it is hard to comprehend just what it must be like to officiate at the highest level given the pace, skill and ability of professional players.

Then, it was my turn to step up to the plate, my moment as the boss, the main man with eyes on my every decision.

The first thing taken on board was something that every player and spectator takes for granted, the positioning of the referee.

I always heard that you have to be within 15 to 20 yards away from the action at all times, so where to stand when a goal-kick is being taken? How about a corner, or even the kick-off? It's another thing for the official to be constantly considering.

It was only then that you realise the importance of your assistant referees, aside from the offside decisions. I found myself awarding throw-ins the wrong way, only to be corrected by either my assistant referees or Alan Wilkie, another former national referee who had the hard task of shadowing me.

Once I'd half got into the swing of things, or so I thought, the big moment arrived. A long throw into the Drayton Grange area was only half cleared. A Bugbrooke striker was onto it in a flash, a slide tackle came in and the attacker fell to the ground. A quick glance was made over to the touchline where my assistant couldn't give me any further clues so with Mr Wilkie waiting for my call, I took it into my own hands and blew the whistle. And pointed to the penalty spot.

There were only two complaints from the Drayton Grange players, which makes me think I got the decision correct although I'm led to believe there was further consternation from the spectators.

In any case, the decision was made. After sorting out the situation regarding players encroaching in the area and the goalkeeper being on his line, I blew the whistle.

If there were any complaints at the decision, they were soon silenced as the Bugbrooke player crashed his spot-kick against the cross bar.

My stint ended shortly after and I was pleased to hear my colleagues and the assembled refereeing experts from the sanctuary of the sidelines had largely agreed with my decision to award the penalty.

Maybe there is a future for me in this.

With The FA aiming to introduce some 8000 new referees over the next few years, one thing I will say is that it was an enjoyable day and if anything, it is certainly a good way to get yourself fit and focused as well as earn some extra pocket money at the weekend if you decide to progress.

The camaraderie and spirit amongst the officials was akin to that of a football team itself and what did strike me was how passionate and committed to refereeing they all were.

Any new referees are immediately welcomed into the fold and the help we’d all received during the game by being shadowed by an experienced official is something that is repeated for all new referees for their first few games, so it’s not as though you will ever be thrown in at the deep end.

As for questioning decisions with the aid of multiple angles and instant replays from the warmth of a television studio, I think from now on I'll be strictly reserving judgement until after inspecting a number of things, such as a referees' position, the speed of the incident and the outside influences such as players, crowds and visibility.