A cold but fine afternoon encouraged an assessor out to have a look at another young up and coming referee. The assistants are always included as the referees performance may well depend on his use of them....and....how much help they offered.
So all three December appointments were assessed. Luckily I got good marks three times running, proving that age is no barrier to being a good flagman. What I now lack in physical capability is balanced out by all those years of experience.
You dont have to be daft to do the job, but if you are it helps! A cheerful smile and body language that says "I'm enjoying this" goes a long way.
Enough already, what sort of game was it?
Well,the visitors kicked off and it soon became obvious that these teams were evenly matched. The majority of play revolved around midfield with neither outfit having the edge or the spark to overcome strong defending.
The young referee should have been capable of turning in a wizard effort with these teams not having the inclination to get at him. I can be said that they needed all their concentration in playing the game and avoid losing, rather than make life difficult for the officials.
It was a bit frustrating for the management staff of both teams as the match finished goalless, and they entered into a slanging match after the final whistle. I suppose they had to be better at something, but even then the best they could claim was another drawn outcome as they were as childish as each other.
God knows what happened to the old ceremony of handshakes and a drink in the bar to celebrate having taken part in a football match. It's all technical now, and can you explain what the free kick in the seventeenth minute was about. Did you think it was hand ball? And, as always, we had one last week that wasn't given!
And, you're always "the worst referee we've ever had"....But the referee knows that this accolade only lasts for a week!
HAPPY NEW YEAR.