Most people seem to look at it as either doing it for the love of the game or for money. To look at things in such black and white terms is false for most people imo.
I love the game and its a hobby of mine, but I don't love it enough to do it for a nominal fee that's for sure. Far too many aspects of reffing are not enjoyable. The fee and the enjoyment are a formula, they are not separate entities.
I have a company vehicle so I'm fortunate to not have to pay for fuel. If I left my role and lost my vehicle/fuel card then there's no way I'm travelling any real distance at all on a Sunday morning for a £30 flat fee. I just don't enjoy it that much. I enjoy it to an extent, but I want the money to put towards something else I enjoy too. Otherwise I'll play Vets footy or golf etc.
As a 38 year old level 4, I've no great desire or ability to get to the standard where the money becomes decent, so I will do the leagues which I can make enough money on to have a week in the sun in the winter and one in the summer. That's the winning equation for me. To summarise, I have to enjoy it most of the time and I have to earn enough from it to pay for other things I enjoy. I also want the challenge of step 5/6 football so that's in the equation too. No black and white here and everyone's equation changes as their life changes
I love the game and its a hobby of mine, but I don't love it enough to do it for a nominal fee that's for sure. Far too many aspects of reffing are not enjoyable. The fee and the enjoyment are a formula, they are not separate entities.
I have a company vehicle so I'm fortunate to not have to pay for fuel. If I left my role and lost my vehicle/fuel card then there's no way I'm travelling any real distance at all on a Sunday morning for a £30 flat fee. I just don't enjoy it that much. I enjoy it to an extent, but I want the money to put towards something else I enjoy too. Otherwise I'll play Vets footy or golf etc.
As a 38 year old level 4, I've no great desire or ability to get to the standard where the money becomes decent, so I will do the leagues which I can make enough money on to have a week in the sun in the winter and one in the summer. That's the winning equation for me. To summarise, I have to enjoy it most of the time and I have to earn enough from it to pay for other things I enjoy. I also want the challenge of step 5/6 football so that's in the equation too. No black and white here and everyone's equation changes as their life changes