Mick.
RefChat Addict
Having just passed my exam last night, I had a look today on the off-chance to see if there were any leagues near to me that needed a ref today. As luck would have it I have now signed up with an Open Age League that has a number of Divisions. The Refsec sorted me out a game at short notice, not too far from where I live. "They are not used to having a ref as they are lower division". Blimey, he wasn't wrong.
I knew it probably was new to them as I had to warn one player about sock tape being the wrong colour (but let him play on) and advise the home team at the KO that they had to stand in their own half. "But the ball has to go forward" player complained. "I know, but you can't stand there to receive it. You have to start in your own half."
Play was scrappy to say the least. Then one player went in far too hard and received the first caution. Both sides objected! "Come on ref that'll cost him. It wasn't that bad." Loads of complaints from yellows that their GK was being pushed/held etc at a corner. I didn't see it and a goal was scored. Next time there was a corner I'm watching the GK and another goal is scored. Meanwhile other players are complaining that they have been pushed. I can't watch everyone, but I don't tell them that.
Second half, both captains have been spoken to to calm their players down. Little niggly, but nothing too bad. As ball comes in to Penalty Area, yellow captain blatantly pushed green player from behind. I see it, but everyone else seems to be looking up in the air. I blow and give a penalty. Cue lots of complaints from yellow. Yellow GK approaches me "You're a joke". He looks at my refs badge and says "Are you sure?" Caution for dissent. Penalty scores.
Two cautions to green for reckless tackles. Another off the ball incident, which I seem to be the only one who sees and call a DFK. Cue various comments from yellow captain each time ball goes out of play "You sure its not a free kick?" Words of advice given to him.
Final whistle, 6-0 to greens. Some players come and shake my hand, not many though. Yellow GK approaches, I put my hand out to shake it. "I'm not shaking that." He keeps coming. I put my hand up and step back. "You're a ****ing joke. You ruined the game". As he says this, he pushed me a little (it didn't even occur to me that he had done until after the incident when another ref told me he saw it). I remind him that we are still on the field of play and give him a red card for OFFINABUS. Some more handshaking and a comment from the yellow's manager about young hot heads.
Damn GK still wouldn't leave it alone. After I was changed and speaking with the yellow manager, he walked past me, deliberately barging against me telling me I was a joke. I pushed him off me and told him that if he wanted to take it further I was more than happy to. He had to be held back by team mates as he came towards me. What an idiot. It is after all, only a game. I can see why a lot of new refs jack it in.
Not me though. If I jack it in, idiots like that win and the game loses.
Got a nice e-mail from the manager of greens when I got home saying how they enjoyed the game, spoke with the two green players about their cautions, (which he agreed with) and how his team would not condone or tolerate the behaviour of the yellows. So that was nice.
Onward and upwards.
I knew it probably was new to them as I had to warn one player about sock tape being the wrong colour (but let him play on) and advise the home team at the KO that they had to stand in their own half. "But the ball has to go forward" player complained. "I know, but you can't stand there to receive it. You have to start in your own half."
Play was scrappy to say the least. Then one player went in far too hard and received the first caution. Both sides objected! "Come on ref that'll cost him. It wasn't that bad." Loads of complaints from yellows that their GK was being pushed/held etc at a corner. I didn't see it and a goal was scored. Next time there was a corner I'm watching the GK and another goal is scored. Meanwhile other players are complaining that they have been pushed. I can't watch everyone, but I don't tell them that.
Second half, both captains have been spoken to to calm their players down. Little niggly, but nothing too bad. As ball comes in to Penalty Area, yellow captain blatantly pushed green player from behind. I see it, but everyone else seems to be looking up in the air. I blow and give a penalty. Cue lots of complaints from yellow. Yellow GK approaches me "You're a joke". He looks at my refs badge and says "Are you sure?" Caution for dissent. Penalty scores.
Two cautions to green for reckless tackles. Another off the ball incident, which I seem to be the only one who sees and call a DFK. Cue various comments from yellow captain each time ball goes out of play "You sure its not a free kick?" Words of advice given to him.
Final whistle, 6-0 to greens. Some players come and shake my hand, not many though. Yellow GK approaches, I put my hand out to shake it. "I'm not shaking that." He keeps coming. I put my hand up and step back. "You're a ****ing joke. You ruined the game". As he says this, he pushed me a little (it didn't even occur to me that he had done until after the incident when another ref told me he saw it). I remind him that we are still on the field of play and give him a red card for OFFINABUS. Some more handshaking and a comment from the yellow's manager about young hot heads.
Damn GK still wouldn't leave it alone. After I was changed and speaking with the yellow manager, he walked past me, deliberately barging against me telling me I was a joke. I pushed him off me and told him that if he wanted to take it further I was more than happy to. He had to be held back by team mates as he came towards me. What an idiot. It is after all, only a game. I can see why a lot of new refs jack it in.
Not me though. If I jack it in, idiots like that win and the game loses.
Got a nice e-mail from the manager of greens when I got home saying how they enjoyed the game, spoke with the two green players about their cautions, (which he agreed with) and how his team would not condone or tolerate the behaviour of the yellows. So that was nice.
Onward and upwards.