REFEREES

TREVOR BOOKING:

WHISTLEBLOWER!

Trevor* is an up-and-coming referee who in each issue will blow the whistle on what it’s really like to take control of grassroots games …

When winter turns into spring we enter the “business end” of the season. Title, promotion and relegation battles capture the imagination and even those forced to settle for mid-table mediocrity can still dream of a cup final spot. Referees and their assistants also have an eye on a place in those one-off matches which see teams grab that special end-of-season silverware.

For any grassroots player, official or fan, cup finals are special. That heady mix of a neutral venue, league officials hosting a trophy presentation, dry weather (why is end-of-season football in our mind’s eye always played in glorious sunshine?) and a crowd! An actual, big, crowd.

In spring those spots in the final are up for grabs. In cup matches, the tackles have a little bit more bite, teams can get revenge for league defeats earlier in the season and everyone understands what is at stake.

For match officials, this time of year means constantly checking your emails (in work, at friends’ weddings, maybe occasionally at half-time on a Sunday morning) to check for the cup final appointments lists.

I may jest, but it really is the ultimate honour for any match official. There is no better feeling than being rewarded for your efforts over a long season with the chance to blow the whistle, carry the flag or lift the subs board for one of the biggest matches of the season. After all, there’s no “Ref of the Season” award, so being chosen for a cup final really is as good as it gets.

No matter the league or level, from the moment you arrive at a cup final it feels different. From what you’re wearing (most leagues like you to be suited and booted), to the various league representatives and dignitaries buzzing around, it quickly becomes apparent that this is an “occasion”. Whereas you might be used to turning up thirty minutes before kick-off, officials will be encouraged to arrive at the ground at least an hour beforehand for a cup final.

This isn’t just to soak up the atmosphere. Before you can even get to the safety of the changing room there will be various people to make small talk with, cups of tea to drink and biscuits to turn down. The nerves will be jangling a little bit and you need to concentrate on what’s to come.

For many, this could be one of the first times working as part of a team of four, with leagues tending to roll out fourth officials to ensure benches can be managed. While this is great experience, particularly for young match officials, the clubs will not be used to getting told how many people can stand in a technical area. Don’t be a hero; the teams have worked hard to get to the final. Be human, have an open dialogue with coaches and manage the occasion accordingly.

Just before kick-off, the whole team of officials will be experiencing butterflies. This isn’t time for rousing speeches, but instead I tend to try and treat this as any other game and do the pre-match checks thoroughly to keep standards high. Then grab the match ball, check the equipment (and spares) and enjoy the novelty of leading the teams out. Something which is a really enjoyable moment.

Unlike some of my professional colleagues, I don’t plan on getting any commemorative tattoos. Not sure my other half would appreciate “Berkshire Districts Sunday Combination Cup” inked on my forearm. TGP

*not his real name.