05 August 2008
VIDEO: Respect campaign film

Watch the Respect campaign video as a pro-celebrity game descends into a farce with no referee available.


Watford FC have given their support to The FA’s Respect campaign, a cross-game programme dedicated to improving standards of behaviour at all levels of football.

The programme will be implemented in professional and grassroots football, and encompasses not only respect towards match officials, but also the conduct of overly-competitive coaches and parents on the sidelines at grassroots youth games.

It represents a shared commitment between The FA, Premier League, Football League, PFA, LMA, PGMO, County FAs and regional and local leagues.

From this coming weekend, a range of new measures will be in place, to improve the relationship between players and match officials and conduct in the technical area at the top end of the game.

When the non-league season kicks off, leagues up and down the country will be implementing measures to address the abuse and intimidation of referees and the excessive demands placed on young players.

Watford midfielder Lee Williamson is somewhat of an ambassador of the campaign already, in his flat out refusal to swear, which surely must be a rarity in football.

“I used to, but I gave up after I had children as I didn’t want them around that sort of language," revealed Williamson. 

"Then I realised if I could do it when they were there, then I could do it when they weren’t there either.

“I guess it’s similar to giving up smoking, it’s just will power. I would never, ever swear at a referee in any case. It’s hard when you get frustrated because a decision hasn’t gone your way, but there is never any excuse for swearing.”

Meanwhile, the common problem of competitive parents on the touch line is something that Watford's Assistant Academy Manager Nick Cox feels strongly about.

"Overly competitive parents can be a real issue; we've combated this at Harefield by consigning them to an area 20 yards away from the touchline on the opposite side from the coaching staff," explained Cox, pictured below with The FA's Director of Football Development Sir Trevor Brooking.

"Sometimes parents forget why children are playing football, because their only exposure to football is what they've seen on TV or when they've paid £30 to watch a live match.

"They forget that their children are actually part of a learning environment where they will frequently make mistakes as they experiment with new skills.

"Mistakes are all part of learning, nobody ever rode a bike the first time and parents need to remember this.

"The added pressure of parents shouting and giving complex instructions can often hinder a child's football development and take the enjoyment out of the game.

"We have a series of signs around our home venues reminding parents of exactly what we're trying to achieve here.

"Examples of which include: "Would you shout at your son if he was learning to read?"

"We do appreciate parents being there to support their children and give them encouragement, but it must be done in the right way, which is why the Respect campaign is a great initiative."