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?
I was always involved in sport playing both football and cricket along with a bit of golf along the way. Continued playing football after leaving school and did so until around the age of forty. It was then that I took up refereeing and enjoyed a reasonably successful career in local leagues and county leagues. Finished with refereeing and football really aged around 50 and then took up walking football when I reached 55.
How long have you refereed Walking Football?
For around 18 months now.
Why did you first get involved with Walking Football and what made you decide to become a Walking Football referee?
Having played in a few tournaments and being disappointed with the overall standard of refereeing. I felt I could do better. This was not due to me thinking I was a better referee than those being used but I felt that as a player I understood the game of Walking Football better than those normally just exposed to regular football.
As one of Walking Footballs more experienced referees, can you tell the readers which competitions you have refereed in & have they all been in the UK?
I have refereed for both Lincolnshire FA and the East Riding County FA in their Walking Football leagues. I have also officiated over in Manchester at this years Martin Dawson Memorial Trophy, Wisbech Town Spitfires Tournament, Hull Pacemakers Tournament, Grimsby Corinthians Tournament, LinxWF tournaments and Festivals and also helped out at local club friendlies and Charity events. Lucky enough also to referee the FA Peoples Cup Finals day at FA St Georges Park this year, including the final and also got invited over to Portugal to referee at the Algarve Cup in October.
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?
This becomes very difficult , especially as each day involves so many matches and the concentration levels can drop from time to time. It is also compounded by players who appeal for infringements that don’t apply to the particular competition being played! I have now made the decision to only referee in competitions that use the FA Walking Football Laws. This will make it easier for me to concentrate fully on one set of laws and ensure then that I can provide the best possible service to the players.
How did refereeing in the Algarve Cup compare to your experiences of the UK based tournaments and if they used different LOTG from the UK ones, who created the tournament rules that you used?
Firstly it was a fantastic experience, hard work but very enjoyable overall. The organisers appointed me as head referee for the 6 officials involved and I had only met one of them before. I must admit there were some small difficulties getting us all to sign from the same song sheet as we came from differing organisations. We were not helped either by the competition rules that were not comprehensive enough and we fed this back to the organisers at the conclusion. The laws differed from UK laws and the main difference was that the ball was allowed over head height, although players were not allowed to have both feet off the ground if heading the ball. This is how they play in Portugal so we should respect their laws.
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?
I can’t comment on the support that WFA are giving to referees as I am not certified by them or part of their referees group. The FA have now launched a Walking Football Referees Workshop. All County FA’s will be in possession of the learning resources in early November I believe. So hopefully in the new year these workshops will commence around the country and others can take their first steps on Walking Football referee careers. We need more to be done though , the people coming from the workshops will in a lot of cases need to build their experience in local sessions before venturing into competition. The current crop of tournament referees need a vehicle to share experiences and pass on good practice.
Which set of rules do UK competitions that you have been involved in use, or is there a mix of all of them?
I have done a mix but as stated earlier am now only going to do FA competitions.
Describe the buzz you get having the opportunity to referee a team sport at your age?
No buzz, sorry, would much rather be playing! But i believe the way I referee allows players to play competitive Walking Football and not just a version of veterans 5 a side.
Has your diet changed since you have started refereeing Walking Football? If so what is different?
I am type 2 diabetic , through Walking Football I had managed to become pre diabetic but unfortunately have lapsed and back on the medication. (I blame this on the long hot summer and too much wine!!!) I am also suffering with a knee injury so unable to play as much as I would like. Now back to a much friendlier Type 2 balanced diet and hope to see the benfits once more.
Do you feel fitter and healthier since you have started refereeing Walking Football and if please describe how?
See previous answer.
Can you describe any serious injuries you have witnessed when refereeing Walking Football, and can you let the readers know how they were caused?
Luckily not seen anything serious, just pulls and sprains. I personally think that the physicality in competition football is far better than it was 12 months ago. It’s not totally right but far better.
Do you always have someone present who has had first aid training at your matches, and is there a defibrillator available if needed?
Yes.
Has your social life changed since you started refereeing, and if so in what way?
My wife got a nice break in Portugal which helped things!!
What are your best and worst memories of refereeing Walking Football?
Best memory so far is the FA Peoples Cup Final and being congratulated by so many for how I officiated that day. The worst ones are having to issue two red cards in the Algarve and one at the weekend in Hull. Didn’t think there would ever be a need in Walking Football.
How else has refereeing Walking Football affected your life?
No one likes me anymore!! No seriously it’s Walking Football that affects my life, it keeps me going with probably too much involvement if you ask my wife.
What do you like most about Walking Football?
Camaraderie, being back out playing making new friends and renewing old ones as well. I am playing now with a mate and we have played together at clubs throughout our playing careers.
What do you like least about Walking Football?
Running, running and running. Plus players that cannot get their heads around the fact that they are running not matter how they try to disguise it.
What are your goals for the future when refereeing Walking Football? What would be your dream match to referee?
Goals are to keep getting better by learning from others and keep sharing good practice with other referees.
Dream match….no running, no fouls just blow my whistle every now and again to restart play.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a Walking Football referee?
Contact your County FA Referee Development Officer and find out when the workshop will be taking place. Go along and then find your feet at your local club. If see a player run, use your whistle.
Anything else you’d like to share?
For all you tournament Referees out there whether you are FA, WFA or any other organisation please stop the players running. Use your whistle , you have the power. Disrupting the game is the only way we will stop them. If you let play flow because that’s what the players want you will never get control back. We need to slow them down, not by introducing new definitions but by recognising that many are not walking so penalise them, please.
Author: The Walking Football
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