  Ray Referee! First time on the soapbox, and the subject is almost inevitably referees. That most strange breed that descends upon us from often large distances and at great expense. The poor things who, together with their assistants, are almost without exception bereft of parents and are afflicted with weak eyesight and sub-standard hearing!! You can't help wondering why they do it. Are they masochists; power mad? Do they do it for the money? Could it even be that they enjoy it and wish to contribute to our great game? Surely the latter is the answer, isn't it? So then, how do we understand each other better, as we clearly cannot do without each other! Inconsistency has to be one of the key words here with seemingly different interpretations of the laws depending on which league you play in and also which part of the country you play in. It was interesting to read Cambridge City's reporting of their recent FA Cup game against Hucknall Town. They spoke of violent and dangerous challenges and no protection from referees. This in part reflects our own experience of playing there in the FA Vase. The people were friendly enough, the pies were lovely, but it seems that they play their football to a different agenda 'up north'. Or is there something in the 'Southern softies' thing after all? Another anomaly appears closer to home, with tackles and bad language that seem to be tolerated in the Jewson League, being severely punished in Sunday football and other minor leagues. Same game, different rules ? Finally, in my opinion and others will I'm sure disagree, in a remarkable turnaround, the best referees we have seen this season have been from our own Norfolk County FA officials, so take a bow Stephen Artis, Darren Cann et al and keep up the good work!" Ray Please note the views expressed in 'From the terraces' are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Wroxham Football Club. |
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Thursday 9th September 2010
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