Match Official Role: Referee
Background
Qualified as a referee in 1989/90 and actively referees until 2011 managed to gain 3B status of Northern Premier League referee, Conference Line. FA Vase Semi-final second league assistant 1997 at North Ferriby.
Could you start by telling us a little about your background such as if you were you a sporty person when you were younger, and how long you had a break from playing sports before you got involved with Walking Football?
Always played football from a young age and enjoyed the 30 aside jumpers for goalposts, until your mum shouted you in for Dinner, Preferred position is as a goalkeeper, Stopped refereeing in 2011 after returning from a 2 year secondment in South Africa where I was the quality manager for the world cup trains. I have been the NSL referee appointments officer since 2011 appointing 40-50 referees a week onto games, 2016-2019 saw me as the Nottingham OFrest academy referee appointment officer appointing to u10 to the u23 friendlies and helping referees develop with the excellent support of the mighty Nottingham Forest Academy and its staff.
How long have you refereed Walking Football?
Just over a year.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football and what made you decide to become a Walking Football referee?
I missed the craic with the players and officials and wanted to replace the buzz of playing an advantage or managing situation and still be involved in competitive football without all the fitness testing and politics of open age 11V11.
How difficult is it to referee the various tournaments when they have different LOTG and do you feel the players understand these differences when you are called to make your decisions?
Its frustrating but I clarify the competition rules before any game and welcome any questions from players at a convenient time. The players tend to listen and accept your replies, if they do argue its because their understanding is for a different format of Walking Football.
Do you feel you currently have enough support and backing from the official bodies that have created the LOTG and what plans are there in place to help support Walking Football referees in the future that you are aware of?
Its very disjointed and the politics by certain associations is childish. I just want to referee and not get involved in politics and all the Bull that goes with it. I plan on becoming a WFA referees instructor and coupled with the 12 Walking Football refs accredited to FA Walking Football we want a team of four to travel the East Midlands to referee games and have the craic in the car on the way.
Which set of rules do UK competitions that you have been involved in use, or is there a mix of all of them?
Pretty much a mix of all rules to be fair.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to referee a team sport at your age?
I enjoy managing situation or playing an advantage that results in a goal scoring opportunity, being involved in a competitive game is superb and a chance I never thought I would get again.
Has your diet changed since you have started refereeing Walking Football? If so what is different?
Not really I’m still a fat lad with a turning circle of an oil tanker.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started refereeing Walking Football and if please describe how?
Yes without doubt, I stopped refereeing because of Knee pain and although I’m still in pain pending a knee reconstruction in 8 years. I do feel the benefit. When I first started I could just about get through 10 minutes without knee pain, now I can manage 3-4 hour tournaments and the day after the knee pain is vastly reduced which means I can cycle to work and spend more time on the bike with my springer spaniel running by the side acting as my wingman.
Can you describe any serious injuries you have witnessed when refereeing Walking Football, and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
There no real bad injuries as such, the first game I ever refereed was in Nottingham and a player received a challenge from behind that resulted in him going off, the organisers made there feeling known to me in a really constructive point. But this was not a challenge it was a player preparing to tackle that got his studs caught in the 4G and lost his balance and clattered into the back of the opponent.
Do you always have someone present who has had first aid training at your matches, and is there a defibrillator available if needed?
At most games I have officiated at player safety is paramount.
Has your social life changed since you started refereeing, and if so in what way?
I have always enjoyed a active social life and although I don’t drink it always been filled with humour banter and people who I am proud to call my friends. Gathering a team of Nottingham officials together to attend tournaments when you enjoy their company is an extension to my health and wellbeing circle.
What are your best and worst memories of refereeing Walking Football?
International Walking football federation world Cup at Leyton Orient, My First game with Bramcote, travelling down to Uxbridge to referee Hemel Hempstead.
No bad memories apart from the politics.
How else has refereeing Walking Football affected your life?
Gave me a new spring board to actively be involved and “play the game” rather than administrating it.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
The comradery between players and officials no plastic gangsters that want to challenge every decision and make it an unpleasant experience.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Inter competition politics.
What are your goals for the future when refereeing Walking Football? What would be your dream match to referee?
To help train Nottingham referees to be competent and the “go to guys” for clubs/competitions/tournaments across the UK to contact us for match officials. We would then travel down together with our unique humour/Banter do a competent job, enjoy the pre/post match environment and travel back or stay over and sample the spring water locally.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a Walking Football referee?
Don’t spend you life wandering what If, give it a go and extend your refereeing career.
What do your friends and family think about you refereeing a sport again at your age?
You get the initial smirk, but that soon gets wiped off when they watch a game or see how interested I am in it.
Anything else you’d like to share?
Walking Football should not be age restrictive, it’s a superb sport for people coming back from injury that need to keep match fit (mentally) whilst improving your first touch and passing techniques with the contact element removed it does not aggravate existing injuries.
Author: The Walking Football
You create the memories; we help you relive them forever!
